The Most Popular Board Game Mechanism

[@LuvzToLol21]

One of the most unique takes I've seen is Dice Forge by Libellud. All players start with the same set of two 6-sided dice, but the dice have Lego-like swappable faces which can be popped on and off. Over the course of the game you'll be rolling your dice, collecting whichever resources you roll, then spending those resources to buy cards which give you upgrades or better die faces which give you more resources or let you mess with other players.

[@cogitodesign]

That sounds very cool, haven't played that game! I've seen something similar in The Rise of Queensdale where you add stickers to dice but it doesn't involve deck-building. I'll definitely have to check Dice Forge out, cheers again!

[@admiralspunky]

Well-made video about my favorite game mechanic (I love love love Slay the Spire, and Monster Train and Griftlands)

[@cogitodesign]

Thanks so much for your comment!

[@Elfos64]

You know how many games have you pick aa character who has a unique special ability at the start (even if some of those abilities aren't useful until late game)? What if a Deck-building game worked the same way? There's a handful of half-built unique decks to choose from and then each player tries to finish their from a shared pool, then progress to whatever the win condition is.

[@cogitodesign]

I would definitely play that, it sounds fun!

[@artxiom]

Deck-building is awesome. My favorite implementation so far has been in Moonrakers for several reasons. The main one being that the flow of cards is super fast and you see cards that you acquired pretty soon and often. That's one of the things I don't like about some deck-builders: what's the point of acquiring some super-powerful card if you get to use it very late or very sporadically.

[@cogitodesign]

I agree completely! I haven't played Moonrakers yet but I think what you describe is definitely an issue with how many games approach deck-building. I've seen games where newly purchased cards are placed on the top of the draw deck, instead of the discard pile as if usual. Thanks for your comment!

[@revimfadli4666]

​@@cogitodesignDale of Merchants puts them into your hand, ready for next turn Abandon All Artichokes allow you to immediately use them on the same turn

[@cogitodesign]

@@revimfadli4666also excellent examples of how you can beat this issue 🙌 thanks for commenting!

[@revimfadli4666]

Tbf the lateness and sporadic timing challenges players to thin their decks and create combos that are resistant to the worst case scenarios. The problem is deckbuilders nowadays often only grant you the sensation of getting stronger from individually strong cards without any synergy, which worsens the problem if you never see them. Even worse if they have too few turns and/or lack of deck culling. This is why games shouldn't just copy Dominion or Ascension without seeing why they did things the way they did, or how other games have improved. Same case with the cloggy Ascension-style market where games should've copied Dale of Merchants' or Century's

[@revimfadli4666]

@@cogitodesign thanks! I wonder why those solutions aren't more common

[@MattHoevenaars]

Deck-building is definitely my favourite mechanism. Currently in the midst of Clank! Legacy and loving it.

[@cogitodesign]

Awesome!! It is such a fantastic mechanic for sure. Thanks for your comment!

[@davidrodriguez2098]

I first played Star realms about 7 years ago. I really dug it* bought it for my self about 3 years ago where it sat on the shelf until last month and I love this game so much no I've been missing out* I've since picked up Fort which introduces some new concepts to the deck building genre( for example people can take your friends ( cards) that u don't use in your hand at the end of ur turn.( major plus: its beautifully illustrated)only the second deck builder i own but I'm excited to keep exploring this mechanic. Maybe I'll pick up the GI joe deck building game that allows for a solo mode and a cooperative mode(i guess star realms has similar added bonus content ill have to check that out too!)

[@cogitodesign]

I played FORT recently for the first time. I haven't played the GI Joe game yet but there are a ton of excellent deck-building games out there! I'd recommend CLANK as an interesting option. It's a bigger size game. And Great Western Trail, even though deck-building is a small part of this game, it's great if you're looking for something with more complexity. Thanks for your comment!

[@alwaysplayblue]

Another awesome video. Deck Building is my second favourite mechanic. Love STAR REALMS. And I like how different games have their variations, like LOST RUINS OF ARNAK gives you that ability to use the Artifacts cards immediately for free when you first get them. Or DUNE IMPERIUM having the limit on your cards for the first phase of your turn, but then a second ability on the card for the end of the round. Looking forward to what other innovative ways designers will use this mechanic to make their games stand out.

[@cogitodesign]

Why thank you, much appreciated! This mechanic is one of my favourites for sure, so flexible and satisfying. Thanks for your support!

[@zmollon]

Another great video. I wish this was part one in a 10-part series because there's so much to talk about. I loved it in Dominion getting victory points is a sort of speed bump that slows down the leader on the other hand I don't like how the initial distribution of the two hands can lead to pretty big disadvantages for other players on top of whether you draw those cards. Remember one game in particular that had both witch and Chapel and I drew up 4/3 well the other player drew a 5/2 I could afford a chapel but I couldn't afford a witch and the first turn after Dex were shuffled they drew chapel to Estates and two coins then Drew their witch the following turn which felt bad that I was having curses in my deck before I could even afford to which.

[@cogitodesign]

I would certainly like to do more videos on deck-building. As you say there is so much to talk about and new ideas are being introduced all the time! I agree that it can be frustrating with the random draws and poorly balanced initial decks. If players aren't going to start with the same decks every game, then the balancing of those decks needs to be done VERY carefully. I think we're going to need to do a video on balancing soon!

[@zmollon]

@@cogitodesign The exact same decks seems fair, but when there are two possible distributions of hands and one player gets a "good" one and the other doesn't it means you're already on the back foot which can be demoralizing. A video on balance would be amazing and more on deckbuilding!

[@nicholasbrouillette6997]

Love deck building. Taverns of Tiefenthal and Shards of Infinity are my favorites, but about to start Clank! Legacy

[@cogitodesign]

I've heard Clank! Legacy is awesome, enjoy and thanks for your comment!

[@sharon2674]

AWESOME

[@cogitodesign]

Thanks so much!

[@TheDraculaAppreciationSociety]

I love your content. GREAT VIDEO and such an inspiration

[@cogitodesign]

Wow, thanks so much for your kind words! SO pleased to hear you're enjoying my videos!

[@a.d.samano7873]

Check also Warmachine and Hordes High Command. Its a deckbuilding game only difference, each players has their own market but competing for locations.

[@cogitodesign]

I see! Sounds interesting, I'll definitely have to check these out 👍 Thanks for your comment and recommendations!

[@musemettlegames]

Another great deep dive on a mechanism. I think you hit the nail in the head with why it's such a popular mechanic. And it's so flexible, so it's easy for games to add their own flair to it in their games. What's your favorite deck building game?

[@cogitodesign]

Thanks very much, pleased to hear you enjoyed it! I really like Star Realms and enjoy the bag building in Orleans too!

[@HereTakeAFlower]

The surname looks Italian, maybe it sounds like "Vuckarino"

[@cogitodesign]

Fair point, my Italian isn't great I'm afraid!

[@Julebstube]

I played StarRealms about 4 years ago, got destroyed and hated it and all other deckbuilders. As a game designer I convinced myself to give them a chance this year. I now love Dominion, StarRealms is a good fast alternative. Mystic Vale is ok, but putting the game away is hard work.

[@cogitodesign]

I had a similar experience. There is something that can be quite unthematic about deck builders which put me off initially. But, after playing a few more, I've come to love the crunchy decision making they offer and the familiarity of the game play makes learning new games easy. Thanks for your comment!