No Friends? No Problem! A Beginner's Guide to Solo Board Gaming

[@LucaDofus]

Love how you explained the different 'categories', have not found that way to group solo games before

[@boardgameapprentice]

Glad you liked it! I'm a dork and love categorizing things so this idea popped into my head

[@sirmervsalot]

Very much digging this channel, glad I found you. Sweet advice on starting with Button Shy, I'd never thought how well they work as intro solo games, but yes, they are less complex, but not at all less challenging.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for watching! Maybe I should make a video showcasing my favorite Buttonshy Games for beginners 🤔

[@jakubcigan814]

Thanks for great video. Nice solo games typology. I like your Final girl series and looking forward for more.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for watching! I'm cooking up some ideas for more Final Girl videos, be on the look out! If you have any requests let me know 😊

[@jakubcigan814]

@@boardgameapprentice ❤️

[@mikehall9240]

First time viewer and just subscribed! Loved this video. I’m starting to get into gaming, especially solo gaming and loved your quick overviews and solid pacing. Thanks!

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed the video! Welcome to the wonderful world of solo gaming 😊

[@MinosDaedalus]

I really love "simulated opponent games". One of my favourites is "Heat: Pedal to the Medal". The setting works well and you could add several difficulty options if it starts to get too easy. Also, due to the nature of racing, you can play a whole championship and try to win that instead of one race only.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Yes!!! I love the Champions system is heat. Thanks for watching 😁 You bring up an interesting point. There are plenty of games that allow for AI opponents to fill the gap in player count. Heat is a great example of this. Probably should've been a category of it's own!

[@broken1394]

Love the title of your video- all so relatable.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thanks for watching! 😁 We've all been there. Tough to make friends, even harder to make friends that also want to play board games!

[@lmpreston1]

I now play solo and love playing the Legendary Encounters games solo.

[@boardgameapprentice]

I haven't played any of the Legendary games yet, which would you suggest for a beginner?

[@monikakerntke1125]

Like your videos. Keep it up! Can yu give any advice on the right music.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for the kind words! Good question. I like using movie soundtracks as a starting point. If a game is popular you usually find a Spotify or KZbin music playlist inspired by the game!

[@mike9139]

YOU ARE AWESOME! ❤❤❤

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for the kind words!! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@mike9139]

@@boardgameapprentice 🥰

[@mike9139]

@@boardgameapprentice 🥰

[@The-Lost-Librarian]

Parks is another good one with a smooth Automata 'Player' to play solo.

[@boardgameapprentice]

That was my 2nd choice for automa example! You are right, the rangers in Parks are a breeze to run.

[@biomeboardgame]

Wingspan! I love your board game selection - great choice 🤍

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you fellow bird head 🐦! Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@biomeboardgame]

bird head hahaha indeed!! 😂@@boardgameapprentice

[@robertthurman9866]

UnMatched: Tales to Amaze is the best solo opponent simulation I have ever seen. Highly recommended, plus you can use any UnMatched characters for solo play with this game.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Yes! I've only played it Co-op but need to try it solo. I love competitive Unmatched too!

[@eruchii7200]

Great video!

[@boardgameapprentice]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@boeta9778]

where to start? how about setting the standard by starting from Galdor's Grip?

[@boardgameapprentice]

Never heard of Galdor's Grip, thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to get it printed and try.

[@kateh1394]

Great video! Fun to watch. How come are games with a solo version like Wingspan better than ones the designer creates?

[@donnakeferlis1649]

6:34 😆🤣😂

[@boardgameapprentice]

Glad you enjoyed that 😂

[@TheLunatiched]

Where to start? Video games.

[@boardgameapprentice]

That's easily my 2nd favorite form of gaming! Thanks for watching 😊 Plenty of games can bridge the gap between video and board games. Might be worth giving a shot!

[@nydaloth]

On the other hand solo two handed coop doesn't have the alpha player problem.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Great point! Another pro for two handed solo.

[@darbyl3872]

You don't need friends if you can find some people who will play board games with you. They make you feel like you have friends, and that's good enough.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Good point. The old saying goes "Make friends out of people who like board games" not the other way around.

[@darbyl3872]

@@boardgameapprentice Yes, my granpap, A.I., would say "Make board games out of people who friends like." In we common, that glad have.

[@pyziakkos]

Please stop recommending Wingspan to new gamers, lest they be turned off board games for life with this random, boring snoozfest of a game.

[@boardgameapprentice]

I like playing Wingspan with new gamers because it introduces a good amount of mechanics (Open Drafting, Action Selection, Engine Building, Combo Chaining) with an approachable theme. But I can understand why people think and it's a bit boring and tame. What would you suggest as an alternative?

[@pyziakkos]

@@boardgameapprentice I'd recommend 51st State if you want the more or less the same mechanics but in a good game.

[@boardgameapprentice]

Been wanting to try this! I've played Imperial Settlers / Empires of the North and always hear good things about 51st state @@pyziakkos

[@OutdoorsWithChad]

Yeah we were given wingspan as a gift. I spent over an hour trying to understand the rules, but at the end of the day we didn't even try playing because it just seemed bland.

[@boardgameapprentice]

That's too bad, but I understand the bird theme can come off as dull. Hope you exchanged it for a game you ended up enjoying! ​@@OutdoorsWithChad

[@mikemacdee6390]

A Beginner's Guide to Denial, aka Go Outside And Make Friends To Play With

[@boardgameapprentice]

While playing with other people is great, there are plenty of games that offer gameplay that could only work with a single player.

[@markusbiewer2756]

If you don't like solo gaming, why did you watch the video? Go spread your hate elsewhere. Thanks.

[@vincentgaliano]

I play solo only and another one I love is Dune Imperium. Very competitive. Still haven’t won.