The Problem with Brass: Birmingham and Why I STILL Love It

[@libertyprime9307]

IIRC, the thematic reason given by Roxley for the cheap pottery and manufactured goods tiles, is that they are small artisan shops, they did not pay a significant direct role in the economy, however some of the innovations that were made did in fact lead to changes in the larger industry and changes in consumer demand. Thematically, it's a nod to the tiny-scale, but very creative and impactful businesses. This was originally supposed to be conveyed in manufactured goods by having different items shown on the different level tiles, and explained in the rulebook, but it was ultimately scrapped to keep the design streamlined.

[@carlosbaez4743]

You can build a low cost pottery in a network of another player to diminish the value of each railroad . Just put high value potteries in your networks.

[@whelmking6497]

This has been the primary game of my group recently. Totally brilliant. To answer both your complaints simply (which I have no doubt you already get): this is a Euro. If you want something that prioritizes theme (which this game does overall quite well), Euros aren't for you. The mechanics of removing level 1 tiles and removing boats after the first age are crucial mechanics that create very interesting strategic choices. While both are admittedly odd if you are thinking logical about theme, they make perfect sense in terms of game play. Really good review.

[@theperfectboardgame]

Thank you. I play Euros almost exclusively, but there are examples of Euro games with mechanics that are supported by thematic intuition. For example, in Agricola and other Rosenberg games, two animals breed and make a new animal. Four wood makes a four-sided fence. Etc. I Brass, mechanically, the costs and benefits make strategic sense but it is easy- EASY! - to miss the fact that someone’s crates don’t require beer to ship. I almost wish there was a big red exclamation point on the tile or something. The symbology in this game is subtle.

[@N.N.O.U.]

Must one dicard a extra for building a industry, or doing any action, must use acard take loan, but almost docard extra caard?

[@Exozik]

Personally I find that it makes this game unique and create a very interesting change of the board state that you need to plan for. The satisfaction I get from that change is the game rewards you if you planned for it well. I only played Lacanshire and it one of my favorite.

[@theperfectboardgame]

You mean the player boards? Yes, I agree, but it takes time to internalize the differences and those experts that don’t cost beer are very hard to notice.

[@Exozik]

@@theperfectboardgame No I mean the fact that there is 2 era and the type of connection change.

[@theperfectboardgame]

True! It is unique and the satisfaction of planning well is indeed rewarding.

[@MusikPiratCH]

First of all after the canal era not everything goes off the board all level II buildings remain for the railroad era! That gives an indication what you should aim at in the canal era! Secondly Potteries II and IV aren't "free"! Sure they don't cost any money but each of them requires 1 coal! You first need to have this coal or develop it away (which costs 1 iron). P.S. My biggest problem with Brass Birmingham is that there are even for 2 players too few irons! That is a big mistake by the publisher.

[@libertyprime9307]

What do you mean there are too few irons? Are you running out of cubes or you think as a resource they're too scarce?

[@brendanratcliffe4075]

You could tie in the canal networks coming off with the thematical sense the railway era left most networks redundant. Not got a themed link for the pottery cost mind! 😂

[@diamondmeeple]

The game is not bad, but I am not into euro economic games that much. I dislike that they have put the wrong playing time on the box.