Ironwood - Teach & Playthrough

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Gameplay Mistake
At 00:48:00, after building his forge, Naveen should have offloaded his 3 crystals from his drill's cargo area to his usable box.
This is “Ironwood” a board game designed by Maël Brunet and Julien Chaput & published by Mindclash Games in 2024. This video includes a rules overview.
JUMP:
00:00 - Start / Rules
18:23 - Playthrough Start
28:10 - Round 2
40:25 - Round 3
49:08 - Round 4
57:49 - Round 5
BGG Listing: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4...
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[@Julien_Game_Design]

Hi there! Julien Chaput here, one of the designers. It's been really fun to watch your play and the great teach of the game! You've already spotted the cargo unload thing. One more detail: all cards in the discard pile (burned or not) are faceup, as well as the vision cards used / burned. Thanks a lot for your amazing content and happy gaming!

[@DukeJohnny]

One can't get enough of listening to your voices. Honestly, you could do audiobooks together and I bet it'd be a smashing hit.

[@reapingjoker4198]

Naveen would've won if he remembered to offload those crystals. Great game, really leaning towards backing.

[@inoutsoccer11]

Haven’t watched the full video yet. But 90% sure I’ll be backing this one. Love seeing a day 1 preview and play through!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hope you will find the video helpful!

[@steves7373]

I’d like to see a replay where you switch sides

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Possibly down the road!

[@mtorresak]

Love your plays! :) this looks snappy and fun

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks you so much!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

18:23 Wow… This game has a lot going on. I had to slow done the rules section of this video, to absorb everything. That part of the video is very dense in information. At this point, I feel that I intuitively have a grasp on how the Woodwalkers play - but I am not as confident regarding how the Ironclad play. Perhaps watching the playthrough will help not only reinforce my understanding of the Woodwalkers, but help me see how the Ironclad work. Thank you for your playthroughs!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Some other questions: 1) As a Woodwalker, do you HAVE to attack where your vision card tells you to? 2) Can you skip one vision card and draw another one - or do you have to finish with one vision card before being able to continue drawing and attacking the next area? Thanks!

[@akshayagarwala8991]

This seems interesting. I wonder if they’ll add new factions to this. Probably would require new maps though

[@Leo22Fig]

When the ironclad built the second forge, since the drill was on the same spot as it, it should have delivered the cargo, didn't it?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hi there, YES you are correct!! That was an error in gameplay. Naveen should have unloaded his 3 crystals from the cargo area. That definitely could have altered his strategy and changed the course of the game. Great catch, we will be sure to add a note!

[@francopdx]

Thank you for the teach and playthrough! My interest is certainly piqued. Also, I've heard this game described as a 2-player version of Root, which is my favorite game.

[@ianicius]

This game looks like a simple to learn and quite fun and exciting. How do you feel about this game vs unmatched ? does it seem to be more strategic? and how about replayability?

[@JJ_TheGreat]

To me, just based on the rules portion of this video, it seems like there is a lot going on in this game… And I am not saying that is a bad thing.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

So what was the vision card which Naveen got to see, which Monique did not see?

[@JJ_TheGreat]

11:17 Question: How would you lose control - since your opposing faction cannot move into your area? Would it be if the opposing faction beats you in combat in that area? I am a little confused about this. Thanks!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

11:28 Also, how do you gain crystals? Thanks!

[@Anwar-AT]

How’s the visibility of the game as i feel like there’s a lot of going on visually on the map?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

In person it's much easier to see. We had a lot of tinkering to do with setting up the Top Down camera shot for this game.

[@elqord.1118]

I already preordered A Gest of Robin Hood and I think that is the more interesting design. I feel like this game combines elements we have seen in many other places. Not bad but really doesn’t seem super fresh

[@CB-yh3db]

Love the play through. I personally think Mind Clash missed me on this one based on the theme. Wonderland’s War has a theme of the denizens warring to rule Wonderland. People are familiar with Alice in Wonderland so the theme is built in. Even in Root, we know the Eyrie Dynasty (bird faction) used to rule the forest and the Cats usurped them and they want it back. In Ruination by Colossal games, there is theme also because we have seen Mad Max movies. Blood Rage even has a scant theme as Vikings fight to see who will be supreme as Ragnarok approaches. Because Mind Clash’s world in this game is completely new, all the more reason they need to strongly emphasize the theme. Who are the Iron fighters? Who are the Wood fighters? Why are they fighting? Even 1v1 games like Summoner Wars has built in theme since Orcs vs. Goblins vs. Elves are built in themes because they are based on fantasy tropes. In Exceed by Level99 Street Fighter, we know why Ken fights Ryu. In all of these games the game has great mechanisms but the themes shine. I honestly believe that Ironwood is probably a superb game mechanically, but the theme is a miss for me.

[@bassmeo3937]

First page of the rule book tells you why they are fighting, and the theme is clearly man vs nature if you want to distill it down to the core theme.

[@Arkardu]

I don’t even know what to tell you, if the theme is missed on you. It’s clearly about an advanced industrial super nation, that is invading and profiting off of the land the natives live in and thus ø, they are fighting to get their home back. Much like James Cameron’s Avatar.

[@CB-yh3db]

@@Arkardu - I guess I’m just not into the theme. Not sure if the theme missed on me…..or I just don’t like it.

[@Arkardu]

@@CB-yh3db If that’s the case, then your long list of examples dosn’t really make sense anymore. Besides, not every theme from a new IP is automatically less interesting, just because you have no prior knowledge to the world. And since the theme indeed does shine through clearly enough, which you just halfly admitted, then what was the point of your comment again? It’s fine you don’t like the theme, but don’t try to turn that into a factual flaw of the game, since it isn’t. It’s pretty disingenuous critique towards the game if you ask me.

[@CB-yh3db]

@@Arkardu - I guess you don’t know what an “opinion” is. Have fun. Enjoy Ironwood. The game is not for me. It doesn’t have to “make sense” for you. Every game you like someone else might not like. I bet you are a real hoot at game night.