Cosmic Encounter | Board Game Masterpieces

A deep-dive review, how-to-play & history for one of the greatest board games ever made. Let's get Cosmic!
#BoardGames #Tabletop #Review
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Welcome to the Official No Rolls Barred KZbin Channel!
Adam Blampied & the gang from WrestleTalk are creating a brand-new channel all about getting YOU into board games!
At NRB, you’ll find a variety of fun and entertaining content, including Top 10 lists, special guests playing boardgames, deep dives on classic games, and MUCH MORE!
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[@NoRollsBarred]

ADAM: Want to buy Cosmic Encounter now? YOU SHOULD. If you do, consider using our Amazon Affiliate links to help out the channel US: amzn.to/3qrYM1C UK: amzn.to/2LUU51a

[@joathomas5303]

Well glad you put that there was just about to buy it hope it helps you out even a little bit haha

[@daddybourne1]

Is there a link for Australian Amazon?

[@Webhead123]

I must say, and I'm not just being hyperbolic, that this was one of the most entertaining and purely enjoyable board game review-type videos I've ever seen. Your energy and enthusiasm are delightful, the comedic tone hits just the right balance of corny-yet-charmingly-self-aware and your production quality in framing, editing, sound and props is all really just top notch! Thank you so much for this little adventure, sir, and you've got yourself another fan. Also, Cosmic Encounter is indeed the greatest game ever designed. Cheers!

[@RedSpade83]

NRB: How many Star Wars references are you gonna put in your review? Adam: Yes

[@EightThreeEight]

I counted at least 27.

[@ianwaller2280]

I cannot explain how much I want this to be the next board game club game.

[@ianbyrne465]

At this rate, it would be crazy not to. You make a whole video about how amazing it is, and don't play it? Blasphemy

[@wulfricr7635]

I guess it'll depend if they can get an online version, unless they leave it til the out of lockdown editions. Or someone needs to introduce Adam to Tabletop Simulator and all the games it can unlock. However, I REALLY want to see this be played in BGC :D

[@akashdamodaran7433]

It will...last couple of videos they were talking about *synergised content*

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

@@wulfricr7635 TTS is an awkward product for board game content providers - they may not want to be seen as endorsing an illegal mod, but it's not necessarily easy to tell ones which the manufacturers are tolerant of. I'll be happy if they just show some games using Board Game Arena, at least the ownership is clean on there. TableTopia is legal too in terms of content, but I found it quite unstable when I tried out Sub Terra as a solo game

[@paulocruz1808]

i would rather wait until they can get together and play at the same table. not to mention that it might be hard to play otherwise

[@suvyheer5874]

I feel like this channel is just showing us Adam’s slowly unraveling mind during lockdown

[@Cake-Goku]

its adorable how happy he is explaining away his hobbie of board games

[@dradkyn9118]

I bought this game because of this video. It is an amazing game. It has so many components and it is easily the best game I have ever played. Thank you Adam.

[@facepalmjesus1608]

when Risk , Poker and Magic the Gathering had a baby. Cosmic Encounter gives the best board game experience ever! Fast paced , engaging , political , super funny and super mean and a plethora of expansions. 11/10

[@ashmichaelk]

Adam is such a natural entertainer, love these videos. Would love to see the Board Game Club play this but I feel like it might be one best played once they can all meet in person.

[@EightThreeEight]

21:00 The 42nd Anniversary edition even helped to mitigate this problem by giving people the option of using a Cosmic Combo card, which recommends specific combinations of races that work really well against one another.

[@GarrettCook-fg6tc]

After seeing it on your top 10, I borrowed it from the library and gave it a go. It's my favorite game now :)

[@hypez4692]

I mean a new game to get into and so many star wars references I don't need to see the movies for another 5 years. Bravo Adam!

[@rexamillion8446]

Someone had a LOT of fun making the script for this episode.

[@LD-tl1iv]

So Adam can perfor the entire star wars franchise as a one-man play. Book it Vince!

[@DarinMcGrew]

What a great review! I originally played Cosmic Encounter in college, with the original Eon set plus all the expansions. Later, I bought my own copy, but was underwhelmed by the West End version. But it sounds like Fantasy Flight finally got it right. Now I just have to figure out how to adapt the game for blind players...

[@RollingOutlaw]

Simply fantastic! Completely comprehensive AND wildly entertaining WITH great editing. My new ‘go to’ for how to plays! Keep em coming.

[@AlwayzFresh]

What a brilliant discovery I just made in finding this game! Thank you much for the teach and history lesson! Love from Canada

[@randalladkins7452]

Hey Adam, you forgot to mention the Cosmic Zap cards which do shut down those op alien powers (or at least one of them) for at least that encounter! :)

[@dawidstrauss3800]

Please never go away again Adam

[@WarMineGaming]

More of this please, loved this format!

[@danh950]

Looks like total fun and chaos, first thought was MTG on a board. Loved MTG but it got way to expensive over time, so maybe will give this a try some day. Plus with 50 species you can make over 5,5 million different variations of what alienspecies face each other, that is a lot. So if some cards feel broken in a good or a bad way taking them out won't hurt the game I assume. That said anyone tips on games like this but able to play with only 2 people? Loved the intro, the little nerd jokes and the overall script of this video. Amazing work this is why I love me some Blampied videos. Thanks for the laughs, jam that jam. edit: I stand corrected over 4,8 million possible starts, because everyone gets two cards at the start of the game so player 1 has 50 options player 2 48 and so on making it 50x48x46x44. Damn I can't do math at 11 pm

[@BlueTorchWeddings]

Well sir. You have me sold on Cosmic Encounter, I shall be buying at the end of this month

[@HugeBig]

the dice at the beginning killed me 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

The balance for Cosmic Encounter is found in the meta between the players, rather than in the races. If one power seems super-powered the other players will work collectively against it. Obviously that isn't going to satisfy everyone, but when the heart of the game is really in the negotiation, for me it becomes a fair enough design choice. I would say it is worth using the colour codes on the aliens so for the first few games, everyone gets a green power - it's really only the red powers that get insanely hard to use or fight against

[@joeri-ithaigamliel6109]

You just made me buy this game, almost feeding bad for being so late to this cosmic party!

[@whatboardgame]

Couldn’t agree more with every word you said. Brilliant game. Brilliant review. Refreshingly so.

[@JDizaster]

Sold. *slaps table* *adds to Amazon buy list*

[@paulocruz1808]

Awesome video. I want nothing more than to play Cosmic Encounter now

[@brad9721]

I see Adam got his robe

[@asbjrnfallesen1246]

Fantastic video. Can't wait for A: The next one and B: Getting my hands on the game :)

[@lucasrosa1108]

Adam PLEASE do not drink the dice I got legit worried you were going to swallow them for a second

[@jeremyparsons2944]

man, now I want this game and a NRB remake of star wars

[@hello1721]

Feel like to fully envision this, I need to see it get played

[@MarcGallagherMusic]

This channel has helped me get into light things like Just One, Snake Oil and Spyfall. With love, this game seems way too convoluted. Am I missing something by not understanding it?

[@scottpeaden7396]

Yes yes do another!

[@emmakruse1896]

Adam is Cosmic Encounter Duel worth getting?

[@borutouchiha4565]

I popped when I saw Massachusetts

[@legionofyuri]

When are you guys gonna review Dune? I'd love your take on it.

[@Lynch2507]

i fckin love these videos

[@Andy_Quest]

holy shit I never realised that your alien race is supposed to be secret until you use your power for the first time?!

[@bestestestestestest8047]

it’s an optional variant

[@JedeOff]

I've looked for this game in my country forever now and it's always out of stock... I'd love to get it in spanish for my non english speaking friends but its near impossible.

[@LFPS0311]

...of course #TheOneTrueAdam has a lightsaber. Of course it's red. Of course.

[@TheSpargament]

Okay. I want this. Now.

[@JuAnKing24]

Is this game feasible for board game club. Cause if time is an issue, I’m still willing to watch as long as I needs to be

[@mailenstein4805]

on the next episode of Board Game Masterpieces: Monopoly

[@Drummerboi1245]

Also take a drink for every Star Wars reference 🍻

[@antonypassmore7421]

If I pick this game up I wouldn't mind just playing without the individual alien powers the first times

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

You need the powers, or it just becomes a game of kingmaking. If the complexities of the powers is a concern, they do have a few suggestions to simplify the game for the first few times like leaving out the 'Flare' cards, and by choosing from the green aliens whose powers are easier to understand

[@CreamNall_]

It reminds me of THE BINDING OF ISSAC!!!! Where u can have an absolute SHIT run... and be dead on level 2.. or u have an absolute OP run.. and literally "FEEL" like ur cheating every room u destroy... this is NOT shit game design.. this is absolute GENIUS game design .. and just the fact that it DOESNT fundamentally break the game shows this.. a broken game is something ZERO people want to play.. this game.. anyone that doesnt have a stick up their ass or a beard glued to an oversized NECK will LOVE it.. great vid!!!

[@3DAS3]

Hmmm.... I wonder if Risk is actually good...

[@RPatel2696]

Please add timestamps!

[@solenum25]

Marry me Adam

[@sethitsseth]

Balance is for weenies; it's a one way trip to mediocrity and boredom.

[@JackArcherX]

Something I LOVE about this approach, as opposed to most video tutorials on YT is that Adam is showing proper in-game examples for each mechanic, instead of just explaining it in the same way the manual would. It allows you an even deeper understanding on why a game clicks with him, as opposed to a dry and methodical approach.

[@davidvanhorn2493]

Wait are you saying there will be no sister kissing or dad killing LIKE AT ALL!!!!!

[@jokerthor]

Please don't attempt to drink dice.

[@calebboyd2201]

been there done that 8/10 ign solids aren't great to drink

[@ryanm7609]

is that the robe you asked Olie to but for you during the wrestle talk podcast? XD

[@safarjunaid6828]

Thought the same! Its gotta be!

[@scottpeaden7396]

100% haa to be

[@lakshya6949]

Same question no difference

[@daddybourne1]

My first thought whe I saw the thumb nail

[@LaunchedKnot777]

It took me a minute to read this

[@Dave_ja_vu]

As an Irish man, hearing Adam getting _very_ excited explaining colonisation is still a little unsettling.

[@Kay_Sea251]

My rational side said Americans too. My Amercan side said MURICA FREEDOM HURR DURR YOU GET FREEDOM EVEN IF U DONT WANT IT

[@NoRollsBarred]

ADAM: Again, very sorry.

[@Dave_ja_vu]

@@NoRollsBarred I think you're going to have to make it up to us by getting Cosmic Encounter into Board Game Club. I can already hear the negotiations between Sully and Jon in my head, and it is wonderful.

[@varisht4]

What about India and Australia?

[@night08755]

Ironically, colonization is the opposite of unsettling.

[@nugsnotdrugs7717]

3 things: 1) love the video, this is probably my favorite board game that I own and has so many crazy antics that can happen that it's always a blast 2) The hidden power is actually a variant rule, not the default standard way of playing 3) I have to disagree with the ending, the ability to win with multiple people is amazing! Will the player who promised to let you win with them actually going to hold up their end of the bargain at the end? Who knows! (Also there's the cultist alien who can actually let everybody win if everyone joins)

[@larrye]

Also, there's no better feeling in the world than to have the whole table gang up against you in a battle for a shared victory....... Then you whip it out your special power card that causes them to all lose!!!!

[@danielyossa5684]

Is this why Oli said “Adam messaged me about a silk robe”? 🤣🤣🤣

[@Mastergeeka]

When did he do this? I’ve been searching everywhere.

[@koomo801]

No sadder gamer feeling than one who loves Cosmic Encounter but can't find four other gamers to enjoy it with them.

[@peterstedman6140]

The best part of going to college

[@apocrypha5363]

23:45 Ah, Sully, when did you get here- oh.

[@mrperfect7969]

You can’t tell Adam went to theatre school could you?

[@NoRollsBarred]

ADAM: A compliment and a burn at the same time. Bravo

[@ThrawnIsAlive]

No hand losing, sister kissing, or dad killing? Well why in the world am I here then ADAM?

[@apocrypha5363]

Not even any podracing!!!!

[@duncanmaclachlan7630]

Just discovered your channel. I honestly didn’t think there was a reviewer out there who was even more entertaining than Quintin Smith but Adam is great! I really enjoy the Masterpieces videos, please keep them coming. Also please stop, I can’t afford to keep buying new board games.

[@mjvdg4194]

I love asymmetric powers in games! Having different strategies to deal with different opponents is a great time to me.

[@louisdesroches]

Adam is my board game spirit animal. One additional feature: the aliens may be unbalanced, but the alliance mechanism allows for real-time social balancing. Does one player have a broken power? Other players can team up and with their powers combined, keep the power player at bay.

[@BestBoyPatrick]

I think this is this Channel's greatest video. Also, I refuse to believe that this isn't just what Adam does when the camera is off

[@TeddXplosion]

This video got me to buy a copy of CE.

[@AnaheimDan57]

::Waves to everyone rewatching this after NRB’s first video in their new studio::

[@polarstriker3854]

I am WHEEZING at Adam drinking the dice and the sound he made as he spit them back up send help?????????? Edit: Oh my god the monotone "please don't hurt me, i'm baby-"

[@johnpavlick7740]

Hey Adam. I have been in the board gaming hobby since at least 2008 and seen hundreds of video reviews, but this is the single best of them all. Your enthusiasm, your explanation, your analysis and maybe even just the game itself all makes such a great review.

[@willsbarmyarmy]

I love the star wars references

[@ErikStaubo]

Cosmic Encounters was my first 'modern' board game. I played it back in the late 1970s. The game was sold in a cardboard tube with a zeroxed label. It was absolutely amazing.

[@rizenpanther9621]

This channel has definitely turned me into a board game fan! I know annoy my friends into trying new games with me lol

[@ThrawnIsAlive]

The full, definitive list of all of the specific Star Wars quotes in this video: Order 66 All the Sith All the Jedi "Wars not make one great" (close enough) Liberty dies to thunderous applause. Got it where it counts, kid. What a piece of junk! Bullseyed like a womprat Locked on target (kinda) Great kid, don't get cocky! Join me, and rule the galaxy! It's treason, then. I cannot teach him, the boy has no patience. "Smuggler with a heart of gold" Blow this thing and go home I'm altering the deal, pray I don't alter it any further. (No, the kissing isn't a reference) There's always a bigger fish. Wretched hive of scum and villainy Abilities that some consider to be... unnatural. It is you who are mistaken... about a great many things. I've got a bad feeling about this. Do or do not... Total count: 22 quotes. Well done, young Skywalker.

[@EightThreeEight]

You missed a couple: Dellow felegates. A name I haven't heard in a long time.

[@brendanflaherty9409]

dead of winter next plz and ty

[@BadDayLp]

That dude straight up living his dream. Having an actual excuse to use this rich-dude bathrobe thing, its "for work", hes working an "creative job" and tries to "enhance the product" with adding some "theatrics and flair" Yeah Adam, we all know you had that robe before KZbin :D

[@Tw0shedz08]

Well. That’s that settled. Just ordered this game from my local game store 👍🏻

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

Just wait until you see the number of the expansions! What's frustrating is that most of them have something nice to pick up The first or second expansion has defender reward cards which are excellent, and the most recent expansion has alliance dials so players reveal simultaneously which player they will be assisting. The first three expansions add new player colours increasing the player count to up to 8 All the expansions add a huge number of alien races making the game wackier and wackier... It's hard to pick just one to add!

[@Auronx3]

I also ordered this game after watching this video. It’s fantastically enjoyable. Picked up the cosmic incursion expansion and waiting for the dominion expansion to come back in stock. Then I’ll be playing it foreverrrrrr

[@BlueInkAlchemy]

Well now I want to see Adam & the NRB crew take on Quinns & the Shut Up and Sit Down crew in Cosmic Encounter more than anything...

[@martinidamian]

"Cannot teach him, the boy has no patience" had me ROFL

[@davidesparza3980]

"Adam doesn't share victories" What victories?????

[@Drummerboi1245]

As if Adam got his robe, please wear it for this week's Quizzlemania 😁

[@JackChambersWard]

This is a similar style to the ever awesome Shut Up & Sit Down and Adam, you're perfectly suited for this kind of hosting. Amazing work!

[@ronanconstantine6389]

Exactly what I thought

[@andrewellis712]

This video massively influenced the way I teach this game

[@rahn77]

That is a surprising good Palpatine. Sheev would be proud.

[@smorgasbord26]

Welp I'm sold on this

[@Quash_HS]

I brought Cosmic Encounter to my friend group about 4 years ago and it has been a staple activity for us ever since. BUT we only play with AT LEAST 2 powers (I own every single expansion) Bringing aliens into wild combinations is part of the fun, and that way almost every power can shine if its paired well. We take this game to the next level with strategy, playing cutthroat games that last nearly 5 hours sometimes!! Its a weekly experience for us that will always be memorable. I cant wait for the next expansion!!

[@peterstedman6140]

Do you have any banned combinations? Also how many flares are dealt initially? I've been meaning to try it with multiple powers.

[@Quash_HS]

@@peterstedman6140 no banned combinations. To save time we randomly select 4 powers from the stack and select 2. Then we search for the appropriate flares. This is the optimal way of playing in my opinion. Some combos are going to leave you scratching your head for what order to activate them in so I recommend reading your alien powers carefully before deciding

[@atticusshadowmore3263]

I like the shared victory mechanic because it makes CE one of the only war games where their can actually be alliances. So often these types of games are just trying to make others think your position is good enough but not as good as theirs because only one of the players can actually come out on top. Everyone has to play selfishly.

[@peterstedman6140]

The alliances in Dune are even better, but that's a whole different story.

[@meatypatte7125]

At the risk of sounding silly this seem very similar to galactic conquest from battlefront 2 (2005)

[@BitoyV3]

I'm so here for all of Plumpy's Star Wars references.

[@pablosantisbon7232]

Digging this new series on the channel!!

[@DedicatedTryhard]

Endless replay ability is absolutely true. I have been playing this game with my dad and my brother for over half my lifetime, and it’s no less fun. I recommend, as an optional variant, once you’ve learned the rules well enough, to add another set of powers for each person, each player having two powers as opposed to one really helps many otherwise less useful powers shine with combos, along with giving masochist and other hidden win condition powers to be less obvious and easy to prevent. Another recommendation is that if a power is too complicated, (doppelgänger) never fun to play against (ace) or just plain bad (tick tock) you can always remove them from the roster of dealt powers. This game is a 10/10 game that has been a large part of my life, and I can’t recommend it more.

[@Yesenn]

I have/had this boardgame, though a finnish edition. I didn't even know if an english version existed. Never got to play it because people thought it was too complicated. And I thought it was just some random, unknown game.

[@ThePootisPower24]

This video got me back into Tabletop Simulator and playing cosmic encounter with American discord servers at 1am and going to bed at 4am, thanks for helping me ruin my sleep cycle mr blampied

[@rikhavok]

Hey Adam. First off, loved this video! Your british humor was awesome! I wish I saw this earlier. Cosmic has been my favorite game for years and is still in my top 20 favs. I still have my original Signed 1977 oops print edition, 2 copies of the mayfair edition and 2 copies of the current edition. I even have the Games of Thrones edition which I have yet to play. Has the Cosmic improved over the years, yes AND no. I agree that the first edition is dead. It was definitely amazing that they came up with all of these mechanics by themselves. There were no games similar to this to steal from. Who could you get to play this to beta test it? Anyways, The mayfair edition definitely worked out some bugs. Since testing was done mostly after release. Then they came out with the Avalon Hill edition which we simply won’t talk about. BOOO!!!! The newest edition definitely fixes a lot, but it also takes away a few things. This game is about the debate and the bargaining. The newest edition does hamper that a little bit, by it’s very nature when the rules are more precise, less debate is needed. For some players in my game group (not me), it lessens the game. I like the better structure which makes arguments over what has priority over what, or how that thing works in whatever situation. The one thing I don’t like in the new edition is that they don’t have any rules on how to handle Multiple powers. IE no ban of which powers cannot be used with which due to being redundant, OP, or too weak a combo. There needs to be an official guide for this. The one thing that I think you got wrong is the very nature of Cosmic Encounter. Your need to be a solo winner is a bane for how this game actually functions and unfortunately a problem for some players. If you put that perspective aside, balance is restored for this game. Let’s say we have a 6 player game and Anti-Matter and Virus are in the game. You would instantly think that virus and anti-matter would be the leaders to win this game. However, If you instantly upon knowing where the powers lay, made alliances, whether it be the Anti-Matter team vs the Virus team or simply 4 vs Anti-Matter Vs Virus. Now, if you go in to that game saying that you want to be a sole winner, aliances wouldn’t have the level of trust that they need. If you agree to aliances and only sometimes backstab your allies in some games but not others, a much more amazing meta appears. And when you do that occasional backstab, it is soooo much more delicious!! And you would only do it when you could steal a last moment solo victory. Ohhh sooo goood!!!

[@bludangell]

As a relatively new board game fan (he says at 45 years old lol) Cosmic Encounter was one of the first games I played with a group of mates at work last year and I loved it so it pleased me greatly to see this video. Quality as always Adam👍🏾

[@Myb__b]

Judging from the intro, lockdown is officially driving Adam crazy

[@richmccann2052]

So I finally played Cosmic Encounter and loved it so so much. I do have some rule questions/ clarifications. If I draw Purple from the destiny deck and purple has a planet that has not purple ships but Yellow and Red as they just won an encounter. If I target the planet with the yellow and red colonies who is the defending player? Is it purple and they just have 0 colonies? Also in this video Adam said if you draw your own color you can clear off a planet of foreign colonies automatically. However in the rules it says that it must be a planet with zero colonies on it. Was Adam oversimplifying that you can have an encounter with the foreign colony to reclaim your home colony?

[@davidiswhat]

Kinda late but I'll give you my answer for anyone reading this. The defending player is purple and they have 0 colonies. The other colonies are considered bystanders and play no role. Purple can still do alliances. Yes, you may encounter a foreign colony to reclaim your home colony if you draw your own color. You don't get to simply wipe them off.

[@Veggieman87]

Don't mind me, I'm just copying down an abridged version of this video and the rules rundown from the BGC episode so I can teach this to my family this week for Christmas...

[@jaredb2252]

Something about adam is just so charming!

[@borutouchiha4565]

I didn't know I could like Adam anymore... and then he started making Star Wars References

[@-Markus-]

Well, for a few months now ive managed to persuade myself to not buy this game...Thanks for ruining that, enabler!