Cairn Review - Tactical Druid Rugby Chess

[@MinimumViablePicnic]

I'm loving chess month, I'm pregnant and stuck in the house, no chance (or energy) to break out the usual epic games! These two player games are just perfect for me and fella. Also hoping to have one more game of War of the Ring before the baby lands and we never have the time or energy again!

[@jamesmccarthy962]

Which side do you normally play the fellowship or Sauron?

[@MinimumViablePicnic]

@@jamesmccarthy962 I play Sauron, hubby plays The fellowship. I like big armies, he likes big strategies 🙂

[@jamesmccarthy962]

@@MinimumViablePicnic Ace (: Hope you win

[@muhammadhaider7687]

I think I'm gonna need to have to get married just to have someone to play war of the ring with.

[@MinimumViablePicnic]

@@muhammadhaider7687 literally that and pandemic legacy 2 was our whole honeymoon lol

[@stumbling]

Fun fact: Cairn dogs are actually made up of lots of tiny little dogs.

[@andrewdecker2123]

Matt: I'm not sure why it's called Cairn, cairn is a big stack of rocks Matt, just earlier: you can have potentially SIX rocks stacking effects over and over that make really intense moves

[@DragoonBoom]

Cairn, as in a game about layering on more and more turns until the structure of the game is so complex that one person with inevitably make a mistake, not unlike stacking rocks like a reverse jenga.

[@LukeSperk]

"When you're holding a bishop, everything looks like a knight" had me rolling

[@NoMuse13]

Nothing like getting deep game analysis from a totally mad homeless person

[@Andalosity]

This is why I love Shut Up and Sit Down. Cairn would have been nowhere near my radar because of it's geek rating if not for this, and now I'm going to buy it.

[@darkomaver]

This seems like the Druid cousin of Onitama with rocks in the way ...

[@ARG.lavtekk]

I was just about to say the exact same thing. Literally, you took the words from me.

[@stefanopaolini6117]

That's correct, but it feels a bit deeper with more space and more twists

[@jordancanon-kruis8555]

I was going to say that it seems like a mix between Onitama and The Duke

[@WoodlandDrake]

I was just about to mention Onitama, that game rocks.

[@awesomerhino8008]

and it even has a smaller box...

[@superomelet2897]

I see echoes of Onitama and maybe a little bit of Tash-Kalar (summoning new entrants, positioning multiple pieces for future moves). A great and fun review as always. I'd love to give this one a try.

[@alasdairgoudie9459]

This was a wonderful story about a man having to be a twig for years.

[@calebbennetts3559]

true dat.

[@Sheriff_K]

But he could be fire.

[@jlw35cudvm]

I was stuck on it for a while

[@mihailmilev9909]

@@jlw35cudvm lol y

[@TheBeefiestable]

Jokes on us : What if a twig that is connected to just a single leaf in active sunlight constantly feels the most awe inspiring ecstasy that no human can even comprehend. With night cycles of blissful serenity that only make the next days anticipation of sunlight even better?

[@andrewmartin3671]

Best short form leaf fanfic of 2020.

[@armin6067]

I want to be that twig if just for one morning

[@MozilloGames]

I've slowly come to realise that Matagot are a great publisher that create games with JUST the right amount of nice fluff to them that they become fun toys to interact with, without being bloated or mega-expensive.

[@peteface24]

RAPTOR!

[@danopticon]

THANK YOU FOR CHESS MONTH!!! You’ve made quarantine not only bearable, but also, when considering what close quarters I find myself in with one other very irritable person… survivable!

[@acerumble]

Great review and video, Matt is really flexing his shooting skills by making his limited space not feel limiting. Full support also for your window sign

[@BodhiRook]

This channel has the best game reviews on the internet. No doubt. Thanks for the work!

[@Churro_Douglas]

His nose bumping the piece at 10:53 killed me 😂

[@Electroporcupine]

We are super magic men We stay up til 5am Although we're bound by Shaman Law What goes on tour STAYS ON TOUR!

[@sthilaid]

For this series, I recommend you to review war chest! It's such a good and it seems to have little attention. Anyways, thanks for the delightful review! Nice haircut!

[@saiya00]

Should have been called Menhir. For some reason I think it might have been fun to give it an Asterix and Obelix theme.

[@dhmcarver]

Love seeing an Asterix reference!

[@oliverhaberstock4958]

Oh, a new Christian Martinez game? I’m sold already

[@otakuribo]

I aspire to Matt's level of manic

[@jameswoodard4304]

Be careful what you wish for.

[@Table53]

Is this regular Cairn or the more exclusive Wet Cairn? Little podcast reference there for you to enjoy

[@shutupandsitdown]

RIP wet ken

[@Table53]

@@shutupandsitdown RIP wet ken

[@dynamicworlds1]

@@shutupandsitdown side note if I may go a bit off topic to increase the likelihood of you seeing this: to help with your chess crossed with chaos analogy (and introduce you to another historical game) this appears to be a "morris"-type game crossed with chaos (particularly the 10-12 man/stone varieties) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_men%27s_morris It's not quite chess or GO, but it's a historic game still being played with simple rules that you can sketch out the board of with a pencil in moments and play with 4-12 tokens per side (highly recommend the higher piece-count versions over the lower ones) it's not bad (even if just for historical curiosity and as a game you can quickly teach and play with improvised stuff) Ps: learning curve more like checkers than chess and go.

[@Pb2plus]

"Cairn you believe it" Killed me

[@philbrown4974]

Your style is great Matt. Been watching for years and these vids are still so fresh to me. Thanks susd

[@MatthewCallison]

Shades of "The Duke", methinks.

[@ethanwilson1625]

10:49 Matt's table is just a giant piece of salmon.

[@roblloyd2262]

Cairn is sharin'

[@danopticon]

🤦🏼‍♂️

[@jonathansartorius3775]

This review title sufficiently piqued my interest enough that I clicked on this video at 2:40 in the morning. Well done lads!

[@Shenaldrac]

This sounds like the most chess-like game so far, I think. Like, at least in my experience, Chess is a game where whoever forgets a rule or a movement possibility first is the one who loses. It's a game about trying to hold all the information of the board state, of every potential move and countermove in your head all at once (which is why computers are so much better at it than us because a computer doesn't forget things.) And especially before you brought up the megaliths, that sounds a lot like what you were describing, a game that's all about "well I can only do this because if I do this then that happens" and such, which is the pitfall imo of a perfect information game. That it becomes less of a game and more of a calculation problem with a definitive solution. None of which is to deride anyone who likes Chess or Cairn, just was something I noticed and wanted to say.

[@Toasty_93]

Then again, some might argue that precise calculation is a game in itself.

[@Shenaldrac]

@@Toasty_93 I don't find solving a mathematical equation to be a game, but then we're getting into "what is a game" and that's a rabbit hole I am one hundred and ten percent okay with not going down!

[@jamesnoble7777]

The blinds made me think the window sign said "Will Self is violent", he roughed up Mark Francois in debate and I could certainly believe he'd introduce a fascists face to the pavement but "White silence is violence" makes much more sense . Thank you for these videos.

[@mattiascrowe2549]

It's good to get the kind of chaotic apocalypse hair representation I need; not often I see my hair style out in the wild

[@calebbennetts3559]

Maybe it's called Cairn because they're tiny gnome druids, so what seems like a megalith to them is just a stack of pebbles to us.

[@middaymeds]

That twig reincarnation sketch was so unbelievably stupid...everyone knows Matt would be reincarnated as a worm

[@Eddytor]

Matt would be reincarnated as a worm sure, but a twig would definitely be reincarnated as Matt.

[@gomezthechimp1116]

Actually, a silkworm.

[@IPrinnyExplosions]

if it's the stones then it might be called Cairn because you stack the megaliths on top of each other when you set them aside, like the back sides of the megaliths looks like stones, and wen you stack them up it's a cairn and they are flat too so that also adds to it But this game is GENIUS!!!!!! I WAAAAAANT!

[@chesschad81]

2:17 He said "orthogonally"! The most underrated word in the English language.

[@AlephN]

This reminds me heavily of The Duke- it's centered around the same "tile flip" mechanic, but instead of flipping three shared tiles, you flip the piece you moved (and the tile's moveset changes accordingly). I really want to play it.

[@mechasduo004]

That's why in the last video I was excited that they might be reviewing The Duke... but I guess adding the monoliths that affect both players creates a deeper interaction for SU&SD.

[@AlephN]

@@mechasduo004 The Duke also seems to be already out of print (despite a rerelease 2 years ago), so it's entirely possible they just haven't been able to play it, or never even heard of it. This video is the first I hear of Cairn, incidentally, but I wouldn't call it "the most chesslike game of all time", myself. Maybe, especially as this month's videos are geared towards games accessible for everyone stuck (with company) in quarantine, they know and enjoy The Duke but refrained from a video on it due to its unavailability. For my money, I just want to see them review Shogi and/or Go. ;_;

[@christianwilliams4242]

I've watched several other episodes of this show but this one was easily the most hilarious. An inspired performance!

[@VorpalGreatSword]

Cairn: rival druids maneuvering to control stacks of rocks and banish each other. Karens: rival Karens maneuvering to be the first to see the manager.

[@JKT84]

I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that “Tactical Druid Rugby Chess” isn’t actually part of the name

[@precariousplays9469]

Cairn reminds me just a little bit of Pyre, by Supergiant Games. It's a computer game that is (very, _very_ basically) fantasy 3 v 3 basketball. I feel like they share this idea of "What if we made a really small, sporty play area, then used some fantasy fluff to justify some real interesting nonsense?"

[@fireant202]

Looks like Onitama with a bit more weight and complexity. Neat but I do love the elegant simplicity of Onitama.

[@Tennethums1]

Yeah, I agree. This one seems like they tried a bit too hard. Onitama is smooth and simple. This one is fiddly and nothing new. I have Krosmaster Arena and I’d just as soon play that than this. I used to buy up anything that looked even mildly fun, whether I had actually played it or not. But I broke through that nonsense. $20-$60 every week for a new game (or more!) can get quite expensive. If I see a game now that reminds me of any I already own, I don’t buy it! Or, I sell what I have to get the new one. I’ll stick with Onitama and Arena (among others I have).

[@seanfaherty]

I generally like games with simple rules and complicated repercussions like Go or Chess but your description got me. Well done sir

[@seanfaherty]

I hope the game cafe in Calgary has it. I will have to check it out

[@maxadolph1281]

A game for two players i absolutely love is "Legend of Korra: Pro bending Arena". I know, it's a license-game and yeah, i own the Kickstarter-edition and the retail-pack might pack a little less punch, but i was actually surprised at what a solid game it is. My girlfired calls it fancy chess and refuses to play against me, but i had great duels with several friends^^

[@michaelsandfordcomics]

I mean, the effects of the rocks stack right? allowing for combos? cairn as a name makes sense to me.

[@SilentBeutlin]

Me at the beginning of the review: “So... it’s Onitama?” Me at the end of the review: “So... it’s Onitama.”

[@Andalosity]

Except Cairn has a great theme, and Onitama looks super dry.

[@ieatstheinternet]

@@Andalosity Chess "druids" really strikes you as greatly more thematic "martial artists"...? Or do you just mean there is more art, because sorry these seem fairly parallel in thematic-ness to me. Frankly both games could easily be shifted to any number of themes easily. Almost to the point of being "slapped on" themes.

[@leftwingdragon6235]

1:49 "Spawn Slots!!" 🤣

[@gracefulltea]

I can't hear The Pyre without also hearing the Vox Machina intros @4:55

[@jamesmartin3233]

I auto-bought Cairn after hearing the mini review on the excellent SUSD podcast. Not disappointed

[@rallllphy]

This seems somewhat similar to The Duke, which is really cool chess-like game. Would be awesome to see you guys review that

[@that_morrigan6184]

"get out of the Jacuzzi... now" - twigkoaladruidman

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

"Chicken. Not the bird, not the food..."

[@Saturn2888]

Sneaky sneaky. I saw that large green circular piece and was thinking "I guess it's a helper? Doesn't look like it does anything because we're almost done with the review"... And then, PLOT TWIST!

[@MrCryptogon]

Great Video. I've been looking for just this game and I didn't even know it! You've inspired another purchase.

[@R4ks0]

Hey guys, I want to say that I'm new to your channel but I have been loving it for the past week or so... Do you guys have a playlist for this Chess Month? I kinda want to watch all of these videos but can't seem to find them all (or maybe I did, but I want to be sure!)

[@Slovakrob]

It's called Cairn because as you play on you stack on more layers of complexity

[@stretchedmetaphor3238]

Does anyone know what song is used for Matt being a twig? Neither of the songs in the credits quite matched up with it and it's stuck with me over the weeks. Great review!

[@Cheddarific]

Another great video. Chess month should include Smash Up. It’s a completely different game at 2 players than at 3 or 4 and really develops a chess-like few between experienced players.

[@hanseathl]

Now I am eagerly waiting for your review of " The Duke" where you will flip the tiles themselves after moving and having their options printed on them. I really like it!

[@elicage5010]

I dig the sign in your window!

[@iamtheoneyouknowbest]

When you started it sounded like The Duke, then it became Onitama.. now it's Cairn. Looks/sounds like an interesting game.

[@BoardGames3000]

There is a stack of rocks(monoliths) outside the game state waiting to come into the game. Another possible meaning of cairn is the idea linking special powers together creating a chain reaction or stacking your actions. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Cloudninexy]

When do you review Cosmic Encounter Duel? It would fit perfectly to this months theme, and I thought SUSDs opinion on the normal Cosmic Encounter is very high as well :D. Im excited to hear your opinion on this game :D

[@ubergubber2101]

Absolutely loving chess month! I’m always looking for great 2 player games for my wife and I.

[@notjux]

Sounds a lot like The Duke, one of my favourite Tactical Rugby Chess games. There was a planned "Mystical Troops" expansion for the game that never released, so maybe they had plans for Druids and just never made the cut to compete for the Tactical Druid Rugby Chess genre championship title.

[@TasticJam]

Loving Chess Month! Two player games have definitely been a high point of lockdown for myself and my female house inhabitant. Hope you guys are thinking of covering Raptor? Not only is it a great 2p but it also has dinosaurs. DINOSAURS. I rest my case.

[@fledge31]

Glad you guys liked this one! I was starting to think I was alone in my affection for the game, and it didn’t seem to get much buzz. Happy to see it get more love!

[@DieJG]

Such is the mistery of the druids.

[@RatchetSly]

[hovers two feet above office chair]

[@ZobRombie13]

"Woah looks so fun, lemme pick up a copy...." *checks Amazon link in description* Unavailable.

[@fledge31]

Hopefully it becomes available again soon! I don’t think it got much buzz on release, so hopefully the SU&SD review will increase demand and make it more widely available.

[@joewarriner547]

Its still available direct from matagot!

[@khalilio6174]

I know you guys did a Scythe review a while ago, but just like how you did an updated review for the expansion for the Game of Thrones board game when that came out, have you thought of doing an updated review for Scythe: Rise of Fenris?

[@jonahbradley7638]

I can do one for you. If you have people to play it with, buy it.

[@mienzillaz]

@@jonahbradley7638 .. XD

[@henriwhitehead]

Looks awesome! Great review!

[@jotobaja]

Great review Matt, you should review Raptor, another great 2 player game from Bruno Cathala and Bruno Faidutti published by Matagot

[@fledge31]

Love Raptor. Another fairly underrated gem from Matagot.

[@enochshreve364]

A chicken, not the bird, not the food, chicken

[@IronSalamander8]

This looks neat. Inis is decent but I never really got into it much,Tigris and Euphrates is good but can drag on a bit, but this one looks more fun and shorter than both of those.

[@animatepl]

This or Onitama? What do you think Matt? Which one do you like more?

[@TheMunchkin9]

I really want them to review Element for Chess Month. Discovered it yesterday and fell in love with it. It's basically Avatar The Last Airbender dual chess. Brilliant, simple mechanics that really give you that attack and counter riposte feel.

[@blarneystone38]

I'm sure Onitama, Santorini and Tak are happy to get another member in 5x5 Grid Hall of Fame

[@fledge31]

It’s definitely in that same space with those games. Light, approachable abstracts with some fun ideas to mix things up.

[@DJF1984]

SIX! Can someone please compile a video of all the times SUSD squeaks out Six in their different videos??

[@diego_villena]

One of Matt’s best reviews, sold on this game. I’ll look forward to buying it when it comes back in stock in 5 years. But... anyone else notice audio clipping?

[@PrimatoFortunato]

Sounds less brutally fun than blood bowl. However, it is true that in BB I’m already satisfied with the first half of the match and don’t really want to play the second

[@leeperry7068]

Just here pushing for DVONN to hit your table... my all time favorite abstract 2 player tactical game. So simple, with layers of complexity revealed as you play more.

[@Electroporcupine]

I cairn't believe the lack of cairn puns in this review.

[@namynikki]

yet another great review! i would love to play that game

[@sebastiang.5032]

'Santorini' would be a good fit for Chess Month.

[@seanmobley2610]

I'm going to be surprised if it doesn't make an appearance.

[@Garzini]

I kept thinking about Dungeon Twister during this review.

[@TheF2tehk]

Looks like my family name really sounds like Cairn in English when I say it in German. Anyway, the game looks nice! Might take a closer look! Thank you so much for all your great work!

[@kylejohnson150]

Always wondered what happened to Edward Norton after he started that fight club, sorry to see he was introduced to meth but glad he's got healthy gaming habits

[@Voidoath]

Honest question, as a buyer in Europe finding Reiner Knizia classics like Ra and Tigris available to buy, even second hand, has been a hassle. Got any tips on finding these gems?

[@cloud1059]

Sites like eBay, Amazon (Amazon sellers and Amazon itself can ship often internationally if an item is unavailable on your local Amazon site, e.g. I often use Amazon.com or Amazon.ca to source products/games not available from Amazon.co.uk), also boardgamegeek.com have an internal marketplace which I've used successfully :-)

[@dhmcarver]

I am pretty sure Tigris was republished recently in a "classics" line from its publisher

[@danield9891]

Matt, I have noticed that in your videos you get to play on that awesome little "table" with the awesome broken office chair expansion and Quinns gets to play on the mega table with the fancy cup holders and luxurious wood. My question is this, what did you do to bring you to this? I hope you didn't get a rash from that bush you were filming in. Could you please do a video on how you made that game table?

[@elan1993]

Spot on about this being a caravan game. Every time it rains I want to play Cairn now.

[@glenndean6]

Two chess month recommendations: Warhammer Underworlds, which is a brilliant intersection of board game, card game, and miniatures skirmish game; and Blitz Bowl, the real rugby-chess (and a far more elegant design than it's big brother Blood Bowl).

[@furretthefuzzynoodle3896]

I think this board game wants to meet your manager

[@rupert7565]

If you score a point, you also get to place a new monolith? I wonder if it's better for the game if your opponent chooses the placement and then you choose which one. As a little bit of a comeback mechanic.

[@xlittlep]

The megaliths bring complexity to the game. That complexity stacks on top of itself, layer by layer. If megaliths were stacked on top of each other, they would form... Cairn. Great review Matthew!

[@Rottenflieger.]

What's the music for the twig montage? It sounds familiar but isn't in the description.

[@Toshminosh]

very funny review. will be buying this

[@akizoraa]

That orange keyboard is totally rad, Matt.

[@captainron7120]

Twiglets Imperium

[@ubergubber2101]

My chess month suggestion is Kumo Hogosha. Beautiful as well as a great 2 person strategy game.

[@mariahlee7653]

Awesome presentation

[@WhitieWu]

Looks like fun, just need a friend.