Rules Breakdown: Fire in the Lake - Part 1

Let's begin to learn to play Fire in the Lake. This is volume IV in the COIN series.
Special thanks to Rob B. aka "Messinuprules" for sending me a copy of Fire in the Lake for this Rules Breakdown series.

[@GeminiJay654]

EXTREMELY useful. Terrific!

[@robertschoolfield1869]

Id read rules and play book couple times, set up the short scenario (incorrectly) and realized i had no idea what to do. This tutorial makes things so much clearer.

[@born2bwildne744]

After receiving this a few years ago, I read/studied the rules and PACs, then walked through the Playbook, moving pieces on the board as instructed. Then I played 2 full campaigns on VASSAL, playing all four sides. It will be very useful to watch your vids to catch anything I was doing inaccurately. Man would this be fun to play four players - where one can focus on learning and playing one faction at a time. Your teaching videos are ALWAYS top notch - and help viewers understand the rules so well.

[@eddydelrio1303]

Know the game so I don't think I ever watched this (Edit: Wait! This is a NEW video), but this is AGAIN a Harsh-Rules-Exceptional-Quality video presentation! You have created the benchmark for all other tutorials to be measured against. Great job Ben!

[@KitsuneBleu]

YES!!!!!! When the Fire In The Lake P500 came in, I did learn it on my own but I was still waiting, hoping you'd get to this. So excited! And thank you again for your Falling Sky series from years ago. You're the one that got me into the COIN series and finally made everything click with that one!

[@IronHamR]

Thank you Ben. Your tutorials are the best by far of anything I’ve seen on line. Just now attempting this game completely solo but with the Trung Bot. Thank you for the excellent tutorial!!

[@arsenalles]

Thanks so much for this, your tutorials are the best by far. I was looking to buy this game for a while but you hadn't made a tutorial which was a bummer. I bought it yesterday and now searching youtube I find this, I'm relieved because it's a tough game to learn.

[@Gierrek]

OMG finally!! Please do also the Collonial Twilight and A Distain Plain.

[@dslimak]

Thanks for this one! Really want to be able to learn Fire in the Lake

[@jumpmaster82nd.]

Agreed! I look at it and my brain sizzles.

[@tangpau93]

My copy is being shipped in a few days. It will be my first COIN game and it looks like I found the best tutorial online. I have started watching this series and plan to rewatch it with the board in front of me.

[@clarkcommando1983]

Excellent video hope to see yu organize into playlist so easier to follow

[@StackingLimit]

This is awesome Ben! Thank you!

[@robjohnson8837]

Ben, thank you for all the hard work and time you put into your videos. I'm getting into the COIN series games. Could you or have you planned on doing a tutorial for A Distant Plain?

[@harsh-rules]

I've got a pretty full plate at the moment, but I'll keep it in mind.

[@alangreenwood4079]

OMG yes! Thank you

[@XHuntinatorX]

Running the bots is a nightmare. I am mostly a solo gamer… this is not a good game for solo imho. I think it would be an awesome game to play with a group of dedicated others. The standard game would definitely be an all day affair.

[@ExtraSqueaky]

Third try ... there's an app named "Gia Long" for running the bots. Very helpful!

[@user-bj7sd1yq1l]

This is really, by far, the best tutorial around on "Fire in the Lake". Why Ben, do you not make the tutorial more accessible on BoardGameGeek!?

[@harsh-rules]

I just put them on BGG for you guys.

[@user-bj7sd1yq1l]

@@harsh-rules Great! I know that that will be really appreciated! I tried it myself for the first time (solitaire) - I must admit that the rules and caveats are a mouthful. Moreover, a lot could be done with simplifying/clarifying the texts on many cards and on player aids. It is a game that I really really would like to like as I am really interested in the theme and longing for a good 4-player history game (this is my first COIN!), but .... I am not convinced yet to be honest. Anyways; many, many thanks for the Harsh Rules on FitL - Excellent as always!

[@ExtraSqueaky]

There's one significant mistake on the victory condition overview at around 5:00. The NVA only need 18 pts of bases + controlled population, not 50. Most likely a good old-copy-paste error. ;)

[@ExtraSqueaky]

.. and made a mistake myself. NVA needs *more* than 18 pts of bases + controlled population.

[@anonimo2932]

I've give the Govern ability to gain 2Xpop patronage instead of 1. ARVN is very underpower and have just event and a special ability to gain patronage, meanwhile VC and US can remove it more easily.

[@LathelusPL]

do you plan on continuing the series?

[@harsh-rules]

Yes. I'm working on the next episode. I'm hoping to have it out next weekend.

[@LathelusPL]

@@harsh-rules great news! any estimation on how many parts there will be?

[@harsh-rules]

@@LathelusPL I always think it's going to be a few episodes, then I get in there and find a ton of stuff that needs explaining. I'm guessing at least 4, but we will see.

[@MonkeyCat_Iain]

Takes about 3 hours to play..😂😂