TDG: 878 Vikings: Invasions of England

Don't you hate it when you just sit down to dinner when the piratical 9th century Scandinavians appear? Join Cody as he takes a look at this successor to Academy Games' Birth of America series. Will it be Valhalla in tabletop form? Or will it just raid your wallet? Let's watch!
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[@ToolsWithAdrius]

Of all the boardgame-related channels on KZbin, this is my favorite one. For whatever reason my gaming tastes align almost perfectly with Cody's. Thank you for the content!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You are welcome, sir. Glad to have you aboard.

[@ToolsWithAdrius]

If you're ever in Maine, lobsters on me!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic. What are you a doctor of?

[@ToolsWithAdrius]

Nothing, just an internet pseudonym borrowed from a comedy skit :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

First Rate!

[@bgm-1961]

Interesting how you added the city/fort minis to the map for the base game. I like it. I naturally assumed they were intended only for use with the "For War and Gods" expansion.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

They look to good not to use.

[@noeldillabough2153]

The building minis are actually for the expansion; a little confused about the settlement/fort replacements (why are there 14 buildings and 10 forts when there are ten tiles?) but they're very nice looking that's for sure. We've been using the rings as the fort, the building as the settlement and have no idea what both of them together are for (as shown in the pictures on the box and in the rules...)

[@bgm-1961]

Yeah, I agree that it's puzzling why there are 14 Settlement buildings instead of ten. As far as how to play them... when playing expansion #1, the Viking player can place a fort tile in a shire, fort side up. When using the minis, the player would place a fort mini instead. Then after that, the Norseman player can *flip* the fort tile to its "settlement" side. (Each side provides different benefits to the Vikings). When using the minis, this is accomplished by putting a settlement mini inside the fort. So your question still stands... as there are only ten fort tiles, then the max number of settlements you can have in play is also ten. Shy then why does the mini pack come with 14?

[@noeldillabough2153]

On the back of the box it labels them; a house with a wall is a fort, you remove the wall to make it a settlement. So its likely I guess that you'll be using more houses than walls.

[@bgm-1961]

Actually, you place the fort first (a fort is the oval "ring" mini only). Then to upgrade a fort to a settlement, you place the settlement mini inside the fort.

[@noeldillabough2153]

bgm 1961 that’s not what it says on the box, take a closer look, I was scratching my head too but the box cleared it up for me.

[@bgm-1961]

OK, I think you're correct. I'm looking at the tiles now and see they the "settlement" side of the tile does not show the fort walls. It just seems counter-intuitive as a settlement is supposed to be an upgrade to a fort. So physically removing part of the assembly to show that it's been upgraded is the counter-intuitive part.

[@frankl9583]

Just played this one recently. I enjoyed it a lot, with its leaders and random invasion areas this ranks as my #2 from Academy games, just behind 1775. Thought this could change after a few more plays.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I agree. I could put this as my number #2 in the series.

[@MrSuperphil]

Hope it comes out on steam or on the iphone sometime.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

1775 was good on iPhone, but it drained my battery something fierce!

[@Avataarkaap]

I imagine you tried the expansion modules. Which was your favourite? I'm thinking that I'll probably enjoy the Legends, and like the idea of the prayer and rune dice.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I actually haven't played with the expansion yet. Hopefully soon.

[@tomsmith100]

The map is divided into 4 Kingdoms. Inside each kingdom are Shires. Some Shires have cities or reinforcement cities.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@pastorpainter]

Hat, beard, thought for a moment I was on the Dice Tower 😜, great review, thanks I probably will get 1775 before this.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Dice Tower!!!! Dice Tower!!!! You've gone too far this time, Painter!!! There will be a reckoning!!! (You know I'm angry because of all the exclamation marks I'm using.)

[@pastorpainter]

The Discriminating Gamer lol 😱

[@chronixchaos7081]

You mean that's not David Beckham?

[@rf9973]

Mine is on the way and I am stoked. Some day I hope to engage you in battle.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Your what is on the way?

[@rf9973]

Copy of 878. Now it is in my possession.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic!

[@SlotraceDK]

The box looks very soft in the picture. Can you verify that?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Soft? It's a standard box.

[@SlotraceDK]

The Discriminating Gamer standard thickness? Maybe it’s because it is glossy it looks thin.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@SlotraceDK I didn't find it to be soft.

[@ChineezPnoy]

Had to check my speakers that time. -_-

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yes, it's always important to check your speakers. I hate bringing them as carrying on while traveling.

[@GenX_Catholic]

Hey you! Yeah you, beardo! Nice review!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. And I prefer Beardy.

[@Yriel129]

Bought it from a gaming buddy, had my first game today, seems very entertaining in a sort of way that recreates the excitement of playing rather luck-driven board games when you were a kid (and thought those rather poor designs were awesome) for me. Difference being, it's a rather nice sleek design. Like a more evolved, thematic Risk.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. 1775 in the series is even better

[@Yriel129]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I'm into that era heavily so I have to get that too, thank you.

[@douglaspearson1647]

I think I would like to see a Napoleonic's game in the series. But I would rather see blocks instead of minis. Like the Command & Colors series I think the blocks work better. Faster set up for one. I am glad to know Mueller isn't going to investigate you.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Oh, I'm still be investigated. Let's be clear about that.

[@evgenidimitrov7790]

You miss the cubes? I prefer your army to be just cubes, no theme at all? There are euro game for that :D

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I felt the cubes had a certain charm.

[@RyanYeager1979]

The Discriminating Gamer and they don't fall over lol halfway through 878 im just pushing knocked over vikings around since i get sick of standing them up every time

[@hofico6]

I see you’ve placed forts on English-held territories... they’re only meant for the Vikings.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Danke

[@hofico6]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer If you decide to play the Fort expansion, do you have city markers from other games you can use?

[@welshknight1456]

Can this game be played solo?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No. I do not believe there is a solo variant available. This is really best as a 2 v 2 game.

[@welshknight1456]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Ok Thanks.

[@tonycollins6946]

The expansion come with orange kittys and happy Leif Erickson days.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@mikolajwitkowski8093]

Btitish tribals defenders? I guess these are Anglo-saxon kingdoms and not the Picts. ☺

[@polyfission2776]

Hello Cody, new subscriber here. I suggest you try out Wir Sind Das Volk if you havent, considering you seem to like 1960 and historical, area control games. Also, ever tried the COIN series? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on that. Cheers!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I've wanted to play Wir Sind Das Volk for a long time (I studied in Berlin years ago), but haven't yet had the chance. I have not yet tried a COIN series game. Maybe sometime down the line.

[@levsharus5899]

Nice rewiew. Regards from Russia. (Now you are involved!) :)))))

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sent from Russia with Love, no doubt?

[@levsharus5899]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Absolutely! Lol

[@levsharus5899]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Merry Christmas!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@levsharus5899 You Too!

[@leechen4401]

Likewise, I am finding Cody's tastes closely aligned with mine (boardgame-wise :) 878: Vikings does introduce new mechanics which are entertaining at first. However, in the final analysis (prior to anticipated expansions for 878: Vikings) 1775 still takes the victory as the most involving and entertaining. For a marvelous example of a finer review, take a gander at his take on Fury of Dracula: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJmkf2ijirGAerM That hilarious review had me hankering to try my copy every Halloween for three years!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Lee Chen Ha! Thank you sir!

[@leechen4401]

Heheh, well no thanks are deserved here. Much appreciation to you (and your associates) for all the effort and sheer quality of your reviews. They really stand out amongst all the also-rans. (Say, it's almost northern ski season again. I'll drop you a note if I make it to the Wasatch again: Fury of Dracula!)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Very good. I'm in Texas now, so I don't know if it will do much good.

[@leechen4401]

Lone Star State! Hadn't realized you'd moved on. I was just down in Austin a fortnight ago for Formula 1...! it's the only race where the entertainment *after* the race is as good as before (that and the insanely good BBQ, makes a must-attend for me)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic!

[@jimsmith7445]

I think you've sold me on this game... and the company as well. Thanks. Cool beard and hat.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help!

[@TerryDBlack]

King Henry? Tribal Defenders? Wth? Did you even read the manual/play the game? (let alone know the first thing about ENGland -> Anglo-Saxons).

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Gosh. I wish I knew more about history.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Hey the beard suits u fine , what we gonna do cody Zillah Blitzen is having a bit of a break ,,,, yikes

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

We’ll get by okay. Maybe one day the beard will make a triumphant return.