Merchants of the Dark Road Tutorial & Playthrough

Here is my Merchants of the Dark Road tutorial & playthrough! Paid sponsorship by Elf Creek Games.
Click here to watch the rest of the playthrough - • Merchants of the Dark ...
Kickstarter campaign link - www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Introduction - 0:00
Game overview - 0:50
Player turn structure & planning step - 2:25
Move step explanation - 3:47
Action step explanation - 4:39
Illuminated dice explanation - 9:30
Rest step explanation - 7:46
Ringway Inn explanation - 5:11
Great Bazaar explanation - 11:33
Queen's Commissions explanation - 13:35
Dark market explanation - 16:50
Yurg's Excursions & Ruins of Yin explanation - 18:05
Travel explanation - 21:33
How the game ends - 31:47
Final scoring explanation - 32:40
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[@jasonbrown1169]

Still the best play throughs in the hobby!

[@sailorpluto04]

I tried to learn how to play this game by reading the rulebook and failed miserably. Then I watched a tutorial on youtube and was again frustrated. Finally I discovered this this video with such clear and concise explanation and I am ready to play! Thank you!

[@yannisguerra]

Excellent job, clear and concise, and made me play the game right away!

[@Tanks.With.Teeth.Malloy]

Nicely done on the tutorial. I was already going to get this game but this video and the longer play through has cemented it :)

[@sweeneytodd473]

In live chat you said it's amazing - and you didn't lie - it does look and play amazing!

[@NoTimeForGames]

Intrigued by this one! Great playthrough Jon!

[@oliviagabbay]

Super helpful tutorial! Stoked to get this to the table later today.

[@maththeteacher]

I missed your reviews of board game even if I enjoy these tutorial video! Your playthrough videos are a decision maker for me when I'm interested in a new game! Thanks!

[@just_mini_painting]

What a great tutorial. I feel like I’ve got the mechanics down pat very quickly. Thanks, Jon. Comprehensive AND concise. I’m going to watch the full play through but I’m already sold. ALL IN!

[@ElfCreekGames]

Thanks for the support, Justin! :)

[@drgloryhogg2476]

Thank you, this helped a lot!

[@giovannibiffle5462]

I maybe comment once a year. Incredible channel. I'm going all-in and it's due to this video.

[@Climer000]

i just got my kick starter box in and this helped a lot

[@just_mini_painting]

1900 people beat me to the play through. I must be losing my touch. Looking great so far.

[@JasonSmithPsychedelicTherapist]

You still have the best voice in gaming! :)

[@JosephFlemming]

Wow this game sounds so fun and seems easier to learn despite all the options you have

[@Climer000]

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ecl2678]

In the rulebook the oracle die is the black die and the white die is the ruin die

[@aaravk7724]

First big fan😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@AlaskaGuy71]

You should start with a setup portion on the video

[@npckse8508]

Watching this a year and 8 months later? Wow, I did not realize how late this was.

[@DrMcFly28]

Truly beautiful art, one of the prettiest games I've seen in a while. And the gameplay looks interesting - nothing too innovative when it comes to mechanisms, but fun nonetheless. It vaguely reminds me of Trickerion in certain aspects (although much simpler). I have some minor nitpick though - there's a significant thematic disconnect when it comes to gameplay mechanisms and theme. Why are caravans circling around the city instead of going exactly where they wish? How do actions on a wagon correlate to their results (an armor just appears in the wagon because it moved a lot)? What are "illuminated" dice exactly? etc. I know this doesn't really mean much in a euro, but the theme is so evocative and pretty I am sad that the mechanisms aren't more tightly connected with it.

[@JonGetsGames]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, even if there seemed to be a disconnect. I think you make good points about these points not being obviously thematically explained.

[@warpo007]

Great teach as usual Jon. I really don't understand why game companies / designers are OK with prototypes/pre-prints, even PnP being used for tutorials / reviews. They do the game a huge injustice. Yes, you give a brief disclaimer, most will miss it.

[@JonGetsGames]

I'm sure the publisher would rather they be done with final versions, but keep in mind this video was made to be added to the kickstarter campaign. That means this prototype was the best version of the game available to be filmed at that time.

[@enmoboRock]

So when you have 2 dice to chose for movement and you choose one, are u obligated to use that one as 1st action or can you use the other?

[@JonGetsGames]

Unfortunately, it's been too long since I played this game to remember the rules enough to answer your question. Sorry about that!

[@LegoAssassin098]

I like all of Elf Creek Games library, so this is something really interesting to me and this video confirms that I want it! Theres a lot of clever ideas within the design! Side note, I've noticed some youtubers using the new video chapter system to denote different sections or topics in their videos. Have you considered using them? They seem like they would be perfect for your videos as you basically already do them with the time card up top. Something to think about, I guess. Thanks for the video!

[@LegoAssassin098]

Here are a few minor things I noticed : 11:00 When gaining a hero from the Oracle, you would not be required to give them any goods, correct? You mentioned it later in the Ruins die, but just wanted clarification. 26:15 What would have happened if the yellow player had taken the 2 die if the did not have an upgraded good to downgrade? 28:20 You mentioned if you can travel 12 heroes OR Commissions to the different cities, then you get the 2 VP. Would it not be if you traveled 12 heroes AND commissions, when totaled together? 28:52 I also believe you get 1 extra prestige per upgraded good, but NOT a crystal like the Inn space Thank you for this great video!

[@JonGetsGames]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video :) Regarding youtube chapters, I have been doing this actually. Unfortunately youtube doesn't seem to be universally showing them for some reason. For instance I don't see them in this tutorial but I DO see them in the extended playthrough even though I made my descriptions in the exact same way. Regarding the oracle hero bonus, you do not pay any goods when taking that kind of bonus. Regarding the potential downgrade penalty, my understanding is you simple do nothing. Same goes if you lose a hero you don't have, or lose a good that you don't have. I didn't mean to be confusing there, you can mix and match heroes and commissions for that objective. I believe you are correct about upgraded goods sent to commissions. This was tricky because they actually tweaked the rules on this after I'd recorded the tutorial and I had to try and make revisions.

[@sairam71]

i am having trouble seeing any deep strategy here... pick up people/orders that want the cheap goods, buy the cheap goods, go deliver it to a city. rinse and repeat. try your best to get lanterns and illuminated dice so u can have extra turns. on certain rolls hope dice fall into your favor. Seems pretty simple and samey turn by turn with a bit luck deciding your fate. the wheel spinning mechanism to price goods seems to be the most strategic aspect, rest seems pretty set for you. even placement of goods in caravan is irrelevant as long as it fits, doesn't unlock any abilities. don't get me wrong the game looks great for maybe people wanting something lighter? ofcourse i am judging all this in 30 minutes game play :)

[@gunnercarson265]

It seems like a game where strategies are emergent based on the situation of your dice and the current market and contracts. I don't feel like it's light at all. It reminds me of a Vital Lacerda game in a lot of ways where your actions are intertwined. Even selecting your dice can have a big impact on future turns so you definitely have to think ahead. To each their own though.

[@sairam71]

AjamlouBijan all thoughts welcome and well put. And my feelings are exactly this. I am waiting for tekenu/ and other T game. If this game proves itself I will certain pick it up retail.

[@jamesburns6603]

I see another problem for there are too many choices for players which will cause AP really fast. You have a tile polynomial organization, dice rolling, action selection, rondel, set collection, resource management, end game goals. It is like the designers wanted to thrown all the different mechanisms they could into the game. Also the turn interruption in when you deliver to a village and that means other players can come along and get bonus ,but some can't. I have seen that before ,but done smoother for example Puerto Rico. The places where you place your cart on the Road Rondel should have some sort of outline or arrows showing what you can access. The roads are nice and all ,but they just blend into the background of the layout of the board. The dice placement on your wagon has the same problem as other games I have seen there is no slot for the dice or the upgraded actions ,so they will be easily bumped or jostled by players reaching across their board to the main board. On the plus side the artwork is really good even though this is a prototype.

[@JonGetsGames]

I agree that there is a lot to think about with this one. I spent a good amount of time thinking through the turns for this playthrough.

[@jamesburns6603]

@@JonGetsGames Do you give feed back to the designer or just do a play through for them?

[@S.Kapriniotis]

Great video as always. Thanks. Pity the game is too complicated for no reason at all.

[@JonGetsGames]

Glad you enjoyed it. There is a lot going on it's true, but for some that is a big positive.

[@S.Kapriniotis]

Yeah, I have figured that out some time now. When it is well integrated into the theme of the game I like it myself as well, but in this one I find the mechanics rather do not blend well with the theme. Oh, well, more money for the next game ;) Cheers again!

[@alicia1465]

Any thoughts on how this plays with two?

[@JonGetsGames]

Unfortunately not, I never actually played this with anyone else let alone trying it at 2p.

[@bryanbrammer4353]

So the dice or only for moving and basically an end game timer?

[@JonGetsGames]

For the most part, yeah.

[@bryanbrammer4353]

@@JonGetsGames Can’t wait to snag this and Honey Buzz!

[@jellevancamp7190]

The iconography of this game isn't consistent (eg base goods on dice; chest vs wheel, value underneath vs top right) and not that straightforward... Luckily your explanation is spot on. Thanks for showcasing this game.

[@JonGetsGames]

I noticed this too and trust that they will fix all of this before it goes to the printer. Glad you found this video helpful :)

[@Brezel85]

Is this still acurate after a year? Any changes to the rules during development?

[@JonGetsGames]

Unfortunately, I am not sure if they made changes afterward.

[@MrJadude]

Great video ... you really made it clear that this game is kind of terrible lol .

[@mathewhill5161]

I wish you'd included setup in the video. :(

[@JonGetsGames]

I've never shown setup because in general they are super clear in rulebooks so I don't think it's worth the time spent recording, editing, and viewing for most people. Sorry about that. Another thing to keep in mind is that many videos, like this one, are filmed with prototypes so not only is the rulebook not 100% done when I make the video but the components may change abit as well which would make the video even more out-dated later on.

[@kosterix123]

sounds terribly complicated and very technical, not my cup of tea. But thanks for uploading!

[@spiozke]

How sad. The game is great but too expensive for Russian publishers. Will never be published in Russia 😭