13 Must Have Board Game Upgrades

[@CharlesHepburn2]

I would say you can upgrade a game for virtually zero cost just by going to BGG files section and downloading and printing out all the player aids and reference sheets and analysis tables and fan made expansions and maps, etc. The value to cost ratio on this is through the roof.

[@TcRiverrat18]

Very great point that I feel like I always forget about when I visit broken token for any of my new games 😂

[@kukachoo42]

AND ALSO its a great way to get solo/solitaire versions for games you love

[@jprowland]

I am absolutely 100% here for a deep-dive review of bags of baggies. Y'all speak to my soul

[@Luclidity]

Is there a link for the mats in the video or other people’s suggestions for affordable large table mats or a good wool blanket one on Amazon?

[@mattspeer3516]

Odd that you did not mention BGG and their sleeve information that they provide. It is very useful. Really enjoyed the video.

[@Iridium19219]

A good automatic card shuffler is a "game changer", got my family a cool rechargeable one and all of a sudden our card games became much smaller in storage size because no sleeves, and also much easier to play.

[@Quackalope]

That’s sick! Love how a little gadget can totally change the game. Now you've got me thinking about getting one for myself!

[@joelface]

Great video. You really won me over on the wool blanket idea. I'm going to look into that. One "upgrade" my friend won me over on, as well, is little wooden bowls you can find at a thrift store for putting components in at the table. Feels a little more premium even than the thin plastic gametrayz, and way cheaper too.

[@KesSharann]

Wooden bowls take up a ton of space. They are nice but for most tables they are unwelcome. The collapsable rectangular bowls can travel easier and fit on a table better.

[@DragonRoams]

Great video topic. Gloomhaven and Jaws of the Lion are the 1st board games I purchased organizers for. The reduced setup and tear down not to mention the ease of grabbing tokens during play help make it easier to get to the table more often. Ever since I've been a fan of upgrading certain games.

[@justagirlwhogames949]

I have all of my playmats stored in a lined wicker basket. I found it in the laundry section at Target. It looks nice in the space next to my gaming shelf and is tall enough to house even the larger playmats. I would recommend getting one with a lid as this will help to keep dust out.

[@JumpmanJRH]

Great video, I agree on all your items. However I also print off custom player aids on thick card stock, often from the files tab on board game geek.

[@Quackalope]

Fantastic point!

[@Gtomer]

My favourite upgrades are DIY tuck boxes. Unfortunately there are no professional tuck boxes for games being sold online so I either design myself, did it for TI4, or download the free designs from Tom Teaches. Tom was the one I got the inspiration to build my own boxes for TI4 from.

[@Quackalope]

Sounds like a really nice upgrade if you know how to do them!

[@DuelingMaru]

You should try Exceed. All characters have their own tuck boxes and I cannot get over how easy it is to just grab a character and play. More games should have tuck boxes

[@Gtomer]

@@Quackalope check out Tom's Root's tuck boxes. You just print, cut, and tape and you got yourself a great tuck boxes solution for Root. It's so easy to setup like that.

[@williamblack6912]

I ordered the geeked up-bits for dice throne season 1+2 along with the root faction bags and can't wait to receive the stuff.

[@Quackalope]

Oh, let me know how they are xD my assumption is so freaking fancy!

[@twotonesmybones]

I love my geek up bits for Orleans and seasons! Especially Orleans cause you are grabbing and shuffling them so much in the bag.

[@noreviewplaythrough4051]

The Dice Throne tokens are amazing!

[@joelface]

I got the geek-up bits for Dice Throne s1+2 as well, and they're fantastic. As are the Dice Throne sleeves, playmats, and dice trays, for that matter. :P That's the one game I've really upgraded the most. It's great.

[@craigbryant6312]

A laminator for roll and writes, creating labels etc. Tackle boxes to organising bits.

[@bradleygilmore]

Great video! So many gold nuggets. If you don’t mind me asking what lighting setup do you have? Everything is so bright/clear in your videos 😍

[@gametrayz3928]

Awesome ideas! We also have Terraforming Mars player boards and Y Trayz coming out soon, which will let the X Trayz stack on top but will be twice as wide with a bunch of configurations. The wool blanket was the biggest surprise to me.

[@Quackalope]

Yes - so essential! Glad we could share the ideas with you!

[@aaronarnold6444]

Love this type of content, thanks you two! Keep this game related content coming

[@kyleweeks2941]

One that isn't essential but is oh so nice is a dedicated game table. That vaulted area is so great to work on

[@iansutton7416]

must have / essential somewhat overstates the case. Whilst I have done some after market upgrades, none are IMO essential, though a number do make the game a more aesthetically pleasing experience, or simply make setup / pack away faster and easier.

[@Quackalope]

For my favorite titles - these are things I examine!

[@nietzschesnightmare]

for me, the tactile experience of a game is half the reason i play on a table and not on like... TTS... i think it's a deeply personal thing (obviously), but I mean... Root and its expansions fooled my wife and friends into thinking they liked it for multiple plays at the table before they realized they hated it... just because it looks and FEELS so good... (i personally like Root... not the point...) I would have to say, personally, some "premium" pieces are essentially, well, ESSENTIAL. THAT SAID. I'm so jealous... I would much rather feel the way you do bahaha SO MUCH CHEAPER AND EASIER OMG.

[@SF_Frank]

Enjoyed the video, but was looking for a link to that wool blanket in the info? Can't seem to find what you have on Amazon

[@Qyro]

I was looking for a large neoprene mat to put over my table for ages but couldn’t find anything suitable, then you mentioned heavy wool blankets in one of your travel vlogs, so I picked one up for £25 off Amazon and have never looked back.

[@PhilipMB]

Upgrading board games is more addicting than buy new board games. There is alot of self satisfaction when you start to customize your board games.

[@HeroOfTheWeb]

to store player mats (small individual ones) I use a multiple tier hangar with clips. each level has 2 clips with rubber covers - I think they are used for ties? You can hang up 6 playmats for the space of 1 shirt in a closet. I've never seen anyone do it but it hit me randomly when I was brain storming. I can show you a pic of one of them if you want to see it.

[@BadatBoardgames]

I bought those dice trays at gencon love the colors. I helped invent the new ziplock bags use them 😁 color coated 👍👍

[@DIFLAZIO]

Loved the video and Thanks for all good advice.🤘

[@athanasiospetsas9367]

Nice video! The blanket idea looks nice! Do you like it more than felt? What blanket specifically you use ?

[@CheddahSlammer]

My friend stores his neoprene mats in a wine rack. They also have wine bottle inserts for Kallax shelf's that you can use for your mats. Alternatively game toppers made a specific Mat holder if you can find it.

[@joelface]

I've been using pants hangers and storing my mats in the closet, and if you've got closet space it's a perfect solution. You can "peruse" your mats easily without having to roll or unroll them!

[@Mepper.]

For bags I use snack bags that have a wide opening and shallow depth. This makes it very easy to put things in or take them out, much easier than the standard bags that have small openings. Sure, they're thin, but they are extremely cheap to replace if they ever become damaged.

[@clownd2]

I prefer the foam inserts over the broken token ones, if you havn't tried them you should.

[@Quackalope]

I like wooden - but I understand!

[@devinbaird2470]

Is there a website that has foam inserts?

[@joshestes6427]

@@devinbaird2470 yes foldspace is great stuff!

[@eriklindqvist9923]

Agreed. Foldedspace has awesome inserts. My favourite. I like foam and/or 3d printed over wooden everytime.

[@pablorodriguez3911]

Where can I get silicone dice? I love them.

[@Morganix01]

Would love to know as well

[@HansJoachimMaier]

I have become an Laserox addict 😁

[@Quackalope]

Makes sense!

[@jessicaside]

Did I miss the link for the wool blanket?

[@momgamer9750]

I store my mats in mailing tubes with the name of the game written on the tube. Hope this helps!

[@Quackalope]

Time to Amazon

[@EmpressG]

@@Quackalope Some people also use wine racks :)

[@jankoo999]

I am so intrigued by that wool blanket idea! I've been looking for something for my table but it all seemed a bit... janky. I would love to hear more about it! Did you cut the blanket to the size of the table or is it swinging off the sides? How would you compare it to some felt surfaces or other boardgame table top solutions?

[@crunkfist]

Outdoor picnic tablecloth’s come with plastic clips to keep it in place, those work well keeping your game surface in place on your table.

[@kbell2660]

Oh, Lords of Waterdeep uses tiny cubes for people. I swapped them out for meeples and it really made a difference

[@mikerasnick3988]

Great topic! Thank you!

[@quashmonkey]

Would love to know where you got the wool blanket from on amazon

[@manonfire4jc]

E Raptor also makes amazing inserts with UV print and do not require glue. Cheers.

[@cyrus1469]

For storing mats either clothes pin them to hangers or a clothes line

[@FloydBarker]

This video is an absolute banger!

[@lumitic774]

I am printing some 3D pieces for Root, and painting them, and I am ordering add ons that improve game experience, like metallic coins from KS, it truly enhances the experience. got some new ideas from your video!

[@Quackalope]

Absolutely! I haven’t ducked into the realm of 3D printing yet!

[@StephenProsserHCC]

I printed and painted root minis. It truly elevates the experience!

[@KesSharann]

Metal coins in your country's currency tends to be cheaper than KS coins.

[@StephenProsserHCC]

@@Quackalope want some 😉

[@brandonkuehn4574]

can you provide a link to the coins? I really enjoy root and want to get some better components. I know there are map mats but are there ones for the player boards?

[@auguste7187]

One thing that I got into recently is 3d printing miniatures with resin. I feel that it really adds a personal touch that you can be a part of the process. I'm sorry to say, but I'm not a huge meeple person. I just prefer the miniatures and just recently I redid Root with all the faction units, buildings and tokens. A 3D resin printer is only $100 and a bottle of resin that can go a long way is only $15.

[@Scattman101]

Shira could've played that sneeze off as a nod and I would never have noticed! lol

[@deeza85za]

Link to thick wool tablecloth?

[@seanpatrickkinney9593]

I am a sucker for a good mat. They just add so much

[@Quackalope]

Any good storage options? I 100% agree!

[@seanpatrickkinney9593]

@@Quackalope Sadly none that are friendly. Luckily I have a rather large bar in my game room that has some rather large shelves. Just roll them up and put them under the bar.

[@zedgathegreat9122]

@@QuackalopeThere's several options, and really depends on how cheap you want to go and size of the mat. If you got a lot of pretty big mats, you may want to look into cardboard mailing tubes. If you want to go super heavy duty look into blueprint carrying cases. Probably one of the better general options is looking into battle mat carrying cases (for D&D and Warhammer, etc.) Although they all tend to be on the big side, like 3'x3' size. I haven't done a lot of looking into the subject as I don't own a lot of mats (I have an oversized mouse pad that almost fits my table perfectly that never gets removed).

[@DanClapp]

Where can I buy the dice trays? I don't see them listed on the steeped games website.

[@hodoliiiii]

So could you give a link to the „fat table cloth“ cause it‘s either lost in translation or we‘re talking about a simple blanket.

[@Quackalope]

It is a blanket :)

[@JoseGarcia-oz7td]

No clays??

[@mylor1066]

Great vid. Of the vids you have done, this really, really needed løse up B-roll of the bits.

[@BbBb-zx6sx]

Umm the link for dice trays goes to the Chai Tea game. I don't see the trays there.

[@JohnRBoone]

Ok came back here because you had mentioned washing minis and how there are tons of resources. Internet help me out does anyone know of a good video or link to just quick and dirty washing minis

[@bengamingames5002]

Kick them out of your game of they eat during play 😆. My friend pulled out Clank for a work lunch, it was sleeved. A coworker of ours placed his fountain drink next to the board, so I picked up his drink and moved it and told him I needed to move it before our friend had a panic attack lol

[@barry_t]

You forgot Player Aids...some to setup, quick rule turn summary, and many exist on BGG

[@Quackalope]

Very good point!

[@kbell2660]

I upgraded the small, green cubes in King of Tokyo with large, ‘ice rock crystals’ (like the ones in Ascension, but green). They are easier to pick up and more visually appealing.

[@revimfadli4666]

Like Century Golem's?

[@kbell2660]

@@revimfadli4666 yes!

[@robphyllyps1]

Just up graded ingredients for Grand Austria Hotel. Much better than cubes and adds so much to theme.

[@YogiBaldGuru]

Damn, you got the 110x110 sleeves for Unsettled! Gotta tell them to start selling those on their website. :)

[@robertsilver6181]

Is there a link for where you get you're large play mats?

[@mattparkinson8471]

Number one must have upgrade. Terraforming Mars player board. Enough said.

[@Quackalope]

Yes xD

[@budsticky]

Crown Royal bags are the best gaming bags I’ve found. You can find them pretty cheap on Amazon if you don’t want to drink the product that comes in the bag.

[@dcrbdh]

No links for the game mats?

[@ClockworkWyrm]

Metal coins i probably my first upgrade for most games. Though if the coins made by a specific publisher don't stack well (I'm looking at you Viticulture coins from Stonemaier!) it's a huge negative. Not that I won't get them ever but they have to be something really special.

[@ninseineon]

Great video, thanks!

[@dannydevito5312]

I personally hate all the bags. If you have more different sized ones then that’s cool. But usually the game gives you a couple and then you have to sort everything out. I love inserts for games. A place for everything and it makes setup so much quicker. I’m also a card collector (yugioh back in the day) so sleeves were my very first upgrade to every game I could

[@prototypep4]

If you have standard sized cards nothing beats Katana sleeves.

[@tazatom]

What about Boardgameco favorite a board game table?

[@Quackalope]

That’s a lifestyle upgrade :)

[@ThomasFrank-e7n]

Additional note about sleeves: I suspect that a lot of people who never sleeve have been put off by handling low quality sleeves that have a bad fit. Cheap thin sleeves are worse than no sleeves at all. They crinkle up when shuffling, the cards shift around inside them or easily fall out and, worst of all, after a while they get sticky and start sticking together. I cannot stress enough that you do not want 'standard' sleeves, they are only going to give you a bad experience. If you're going to sleeve a game you should really go all the way and get premium sleeves.

[@markoclix]

I hate bags so much haha. If I'm going to deluxify a game one of the first things I want to do is get an insert so I don't have to deal with bags anymore.

[@jeffersonwu952]

What sleeve brands do you recommend? I have tried "Swan PanAsia" sleeves. Its standard (thin) sleeves have high friction coefficient, making it very hard to shuffle the cards. Its premium (thick) sleeves are pretty slippery. This makes large card decks even larger and harder to stay together (the deck can easily have a landslide). The brand "Sleeve Kings" is the best one that I have found so far. It is not too thick and slippery.

[@Morganix01]

Alex from Board Game Co recommends Sleeve Kings and I love them!

[@stevenbloom8884]

Suggestion for storing mats. Baseball bat tubes, mini baseball bat tubes or mailer tubes. They can be see through hard plastic even. My favorite two large ones are. Alvin Tube Mailer 37 x 2.75 Inches Ultra Pro Baseball Bat Tube.

[@ajsepti5827]

Do you have the full TenHun clothing line?

[@BoomDoll]

Always like to protect cardboard tokens that see a lot of traffic and are handled often with plastic coin capsules. Already come in various sizes and shapes and once they wear out, easier to replace then the game component.

[@BDrisco1982]

The only thing I think that you two missed is upgrading the actual box. Just like the components not lasting sometimes the box doesn't. Or when you add in all the expansions it no longer fits.

[@user-bp1jn3xz9e]

Some great ideas!!!

[@Quackalope]

Thanks!!

[@patricksullivan6988]

The only thing that comes to mind that you didn't mention was upgraded or custom standees

[@Quackalope]

Yep! Great concept!

[@marcbennett9232]

i played with someone once...... who riffle shuffled sleeved cards....... ::shivers::

[@twotonesmybones]

Love the wool blanket idea! I'm have to get this from Amazon. No affiliate link? I have a friend who bought deluxe poker chips and uses that in any game that has money. Not as thematic for some games but saves a lot of money from having to buy custom coins for every game in a collection.

[@Quackalope]

I need to start using my link again - never made it a big thing.

[@juleswatson7646]

@@Quackalope yes link please!

[@wirormiror]

My number 1 deluxe upgrade, is actually a kind of downgrade that feels nicers haha. Games that makes me shuffle cardboard tiles together made me buy a laminator and a scanner. Scan the tiles, adjust in photo program, print then laminate and cut to size. Redo steps 3 and 4 when the tiles gets too worn. Plus it takes less space overall in the box (not that I throw away the tiles, but lets just say they get the expansion box treatment when possible). Bloodborne by cmon got this treatment (and honestly needed it with the cardboard quality). (I would recommend a laminator that laminate 5 millimeters sheets for a stiffer tile, shuffles nicer) Coin capsules are a must for me too when there is not alternative on the market. And custom card separators (homemade or not, the pvc ones awesome but hard to get reliably, I find that a good old peterborough cardboard or bristol board works wonder for nice custom separators if you have the patience or a cricut machine). Deck boxes are also a life saver for campaign games with multiple decks. The deck may not fit in the main game box, but at least they are safely behind it. Multi tiered deck boxes works wonder for components too (any deluxe mtg game box may offer a place for tokens anyways). In short, everything gets a deck box if I have my way :P Did I say I was into deckbuilders? Man I love deck building.

[@kukachoo42]

dollar tree craft section has those little zipper craft baggies, games and toy section: p solid d6 sets, and educational section: even little sand timers. youre welcome note:several years ago they sold a set of rpg dice but i have literally never seen them 🦄

[@kukachoo42]

oh yeah also the kitchen section has little tiny sauce cup sized tupperware containers in packs of ten that could be useful for component organizing. i use four of them to sort the managers and interns in my game of risk office politics

[@jedisith3864]

Baggies? I have never added more bags and will make a box from a cereal box before hunting for a baggie.

[@kengold7601]

Do you sell any of your dice or little ducks? If so, where. Thanks.

[@CeoTHULHU]

Would love to see a customized/upgraded Arkham Horror the card game

[@Jeffs40K]

I do like upgrading my games, and I do sleeve all my games. I prefer Ultra-Pro... I started this after the first playthrough of my Pandimic Game. Multiple cards were stained, like oil on the back that had soaked in, and as you said, it ruins the game to know what card is coming. Also, as a Black Jack dealer, rifling cards breaks the fibers inside the cards, which will destroy them in time. Had not seen Laserrox, I have used Broken Token inserts mostly (Well before I got a 3D Printer, Now I make most of my own). ... Meeple Stickers can peel off, many times because of heat, like if in your car, which leaves a sticky meeple and partial sticker in the box ... Metal Coins, I do love BUT they are generally one the more expensive upgrades, a Cheaper Way to do this is Just use Poker Chips (get the good Quality Clay ones) to use for any game with money (and you can also get custom printed ones as well). ... I like to upgrade my Games so each player has their own set of dice to use (Dice and Upgraded Components also fit well with a 3D printer, so many free Files players can get and make) ... Washes: just buy Army painter Washe, you can get cans of it, and Either brush it on or Pour some in a container and dilute it with water and DIp it. ... I did use the Storage Boxes but again Now with 3D Printing I just make ones that go right into my Organizers ... Game Mats ... I do like the neoprene but there more a pain to store most want fit in the box or large table size (2 Storage ways Ive seen is top of Closet with Cut lengths of PVC pipe they slide into the tubes and Slacks hangers, they have the Clips) ... Easy Cheap UPGRADE you did not mention "LAMINATION" you can get the machine for VERY cheap and if you by the Box of Lamination Sleeves there good as well, I Laminate all my Thin Player Boards and etc, that card sleeves want work on, I even Laminated my Firefly Money (one my Favorite games), IT protects it but it also makes the money more Futureistic looking to me.

[@DraconicB]

I feel like I'm missing something here - you most certainly can riffle sleeved cards? I don't understand why you wouldn't? (Unless you're only able to riffle short end to short end or something?) Coming from a TCG background this is madness! :p

[@HarteSean]

Wine rack for storing a collection of gaming mats.

[@RiHa_Games]

Supporting the comments 😇🤪

[@Quackalope]

XD

[@cyrus1469]

Crown royal bags are among the best

[@blakhand6847]

Good watch.

[@aba824]

Take a look at Iron Clays money that are like poker chips ;) pretty decent equivalent for metal or paper money in games and they look so gorgeous!

[@Quackalope]

I need to get a set!

[@tylerrapillo377]

Cuphead is awesome imo! Feels like a campaign-based super fast elder sign

[@Quackalope]

Played the first boss last night . . . We have some thoughts :)

[@EmpressG]

01:27 What game pieces d'you normally put in your mouth? 🤔😉

[@thomaswilson7718]

Lol "kick them out of your group" I try to be a very accommodating game owner/owner of most of the games used by my gamer group. I had a guy spill a full cup of red wine all over my game table and fully set up architects of the west kingdom. :P I died laughing :) I regret not having him sign and date the stain on the table.

[@aba824]

For storing mats buy a tube in shop with stuff for artists and architects - they use tubes to carry their big sheets of paper with projects and painting in them, so you can buy tubes in all sizes you need, you can buy one big for all bigger mats and one smaller tube for player mats and keep everything in those two tubes

[@Quackalope]

Yep - already on the hunt!

[@sadekhanna]

TM's own double layered player boards are essential and cheap. Dice trays and coins are nice but you have a bit too much plastic in this video :/

[@trenthaskell4544]

Dude, let her talk!

[@cyrus1469]

If townsfolk tussle leaves I want to buy it

[@DanielKhuu]

2:18 is the start

[@joshestes6427]

So when you started, I was totally expecting you to say a duck as a joke, then the first thing you say is a duck for first player marker... I may be watching too much Quackalope... Nah, that could never happen haha happy gaming!

[@successfulgeek]

You know Cubitos you don't have to buy bits that cost more than the game to make it enjoyable 😜

[@Quackalope]

Go away XD

[@murvo]

Just found your channel, really good content! Constructive feedback: you two tend to talk over and interrupt each other quite a bit, maybe it's just this video but I wish you'd let each other finish a thought. I love the energy however!

[@dodong_daniel]

I see your zip lock baggies and raise you a 3D printer 🤣

[@Quackalope]

Hahah I hear

[@jeffzlatkin469]

REAL coins! Pennies, nickles, dimes, quaters, halves, Sacagawea dollar, add in IMAGINATION, and ~voila~

[@fufu1405]

Please don’t sneeze like that, it can be dangerous. Let the air out. There are people who have fked their shit up by sneezing like that.