Weather Machine Board Game | Solo How to Play | Full Solo Playthrough

[@TroyPeiffer]

Excellent playthrough! Very well done! I enjoyed it very much. Your videos are always very high quality. There were, though, a few mistakes made. At 1:17:05, you take an R&D subsidy tile that you could not take since you already had that subsidy tile. Then, obviously, you would have been able to use it on your last turn. At 1:25:45, you state that you cannot take the benefit from the Snow Experiment tile (performing a Sell a Part action in the Government location) because you do not have a bot. However, when the Weather Machine runs, you first bring back your bot, pay the Science cost, get the points, then take the benefit. So, you should have taken the bot from the Snow branch first, thus giving you a bot to use for the Sell a Part action. Also, I think you misunderstand how you lose the game from the success of the Saboteurs' Nefarious Plans (page 5). You state that you lose if two Level 3 Extreme Weather tiles are on the board. Not quite. You lose if "at the end of your turn, there are 2 or more Level 3 Extreme Weather tiles on the board", so if a second Level 3 Extreme Weather tile is placed during Phase B when the Weather Machine is run, you do not immediately lose the game. You have your next turn to remove one of those tiles, either by performing a Breakthrough or the Sell a Part action in Government, filling the 3rd space of the appropriate branch. Also, you state that you immediately lose the game if the Saboteurs' draw pile is depleted. Not quite. You lose immediately if "at the beginning of the Saboteurs' turn, all Security Report cards are in the discard pile.” So, if there is a Saboteur card as the Current Report, you do not lose immediately.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks. I understood those rules, but made a few mistakes in the heat of the moment and missed them when editing. Thanks for pointing them out.

[@chefrude]

That's exactly what I was coming here to say 😂🤪 ah well missed opportunity

[@elqord.1118]

Possibly the best playthrough I have seen in board gaming. Your style of teaching it mostly while playing is so so much better than anything else out there.

[@TotallyTabled]

Wow, thank you for the amazing compliment! I'm glad my style works for you. Lacerda games definitely challenge the "teach while playing" method, but I do the best I can to make things easy to follow. I'm a strong believer that an instructional playthrough is the best way to learn a board game. Unfortunately, playthroughs are getting a bad name because people think of 2-4 hour streamed plays. Hopefully this style of playthrough will begin to catch on with creators and audience alike. Thanks so much for checking out the video!

[@bhelmore1]

Outstanding playthrough! I played along following your moves step-by-step and it has helped me understand the game far better than watching a how-to-play video. This game really is incredibly complex/rule heavy (even for a Lacerda). My courage to attempt a playthrough on my own has definitely increased ;) Many thanks!

[@TotallyTabled]

That's great to hear! I always find playthroughs are the best way to learn a game, as long as you read the rulebook afterwards. I always recommend that combo, especially for heavier games. I'm glad the video was helpful and I hope you enjoy the game!

[@bpepermans]

OMG… I love the way you explain things, your warm and calm voice. Every turn and action is detailed just how it should be for a good understanding of this beast… Thanks a lot. Subscribed !

[@TotallyTabled]

I appreciate that compliment! Thanks for the sub. For a small channel like mine, your support makes a big difference, so thank you for taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy my other videos as well. Have a great day and have fun!

[@4theteam2006]

Thank you for the fantastic play-through. I’ve made several attempts to play this game and I think the penny is finally dropping as to the order of play to achieve good scoring.

[@TotallyTabled]

I really appreciate you checking out the playthrough. It's a tough one for me -- so much planning and careful execution required to do well. A brainburner but one that I find satisfying to puzzle through. Thanks so much!

[@ShelleyDanielle]

Thanks for taking the time to play through The Saboteurs solo variant for Weather Machine. I feel confident that after 1-2 more plays you will come out victorious against the spies I sent from Kydarkovia Inc. 😉🤫😂 Nice production values and well narrated in describing how each of the actions worked as well as reasons why you did what you did. :) I did not pay super close attention as Troy did to check for errors, but I'd agree with you that I'm sure you know those rules but when recording a video to present others, it's very easy to make errors that if you were just playing on your own you'd not do.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate you checking out the video! Have a great day!

[@jmkaji]

First video of your channel that I watched. It has a great production, editing and audio quality. Loved it! Subscribed. Also, this was exactly what I was looking for, a nice playthrough to learn how to play against the Saboteurs. Thanks!

[@TotallyTabled]

Welcome to the channel and thanks for the kind words and the sub! I'm glad you liked the video and I hope it helps. Let us know what you thought of the game once you table it! Thanks again and I hope you continue to enjoy the channel!

[@brookruck]

I’ve been waiting for this one! 👏

[@TotallyTabled]

I hope you enjoy it Rogue!

[@victorgonzalez2927]

I backed this game for solo. It is my first Lacerda and I’m blown away by the production. I’m very glad you put together this video for solo players. My only criticism of this game is the upgraded machine parts. They do not lay flat and I can see them possibly wearing out the cardboard pieces. When I play the game I’m more inclined to use the cardboard pieces as they are more readable as well. Regardless, great video for a great game.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for the compliment, Victor. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope it was helpful. I agree that the machine parts could have been better, but I haven't had a problem with them. Hope you have a great time with this game. Thanks for watching!

[@shantelalbert7151]

You are a life saver, I had such a hard time getting this one to click, but after many rewatches and re-readings of the rulebook, things finally clicked on my 7th playthrough. Looking forward to your future solo videos (especially Lacerda!) 💕

[@TotallyTabled]

That is awesome to hear! I'm very happy my video helped. Great job, Shantel! This is a tough one to grasp and an accomplishment to tackle. I also have to play again and again and again until these heavy games click. I enjoy that work and the sense of discovery, but it is not for everyone, that's for sure. I might have asked you this before, but which Lacerda are you most interested in seeing next? Thanks so much!

[@shantelalbert7151]

@@TotallyTabled I got lisboa for Christmas and just picked up weather machine & on Mars with the expansion for my birthday. Your video for weather machine made it jump to the front of the line. Lisboa would be my first vote, but either would be great! Also been looking into picking up the gallerist with my next bonus ha ha. I am addicted, I agree, I am loving the challenge and puzzle to his games.

[@TotallyTabled]

@@shantelalbert7151 Yep, I've been there. 😂 I got hooked on Kanban (the original) and then had to have them all. Now they are the jewels of my collection. I've played Lisboa more than On Mars, so that will probably be my next one. Maybe.

[@shantelalbert7151]

Ha ha, I'm sure they are SOOOO much work but I'm sure whatever you end up doing next will be AMAZING!

[@MikeSigsworth]

I just want to echo the sentiments below. This was an excellent playthrough. Very well and thoroughly explained. After having watched this, and read the rules, and watched Paul Grogan's rules video, I feel like I may be able to start my first game! Oh wait, I still have to read the Saboteur's rulebook!

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah man, Lacerda doesn't make it easy on us. :) I really appreciate your nice comments and I'm glad you enjoyed your time with the video. I hope you also enjoy the game. It has become one of my favorite solo Lacerda's, but it is hard to hit the table, no doubt about that. Good luck!

[@tomlegend7776]

This is a brilliant run through. Really helps to get to grips with the nuances of this fantastic game!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Tom! I'm a big fan of the game as well. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@cmorebits]

Another great video for another great game I came to watch/learn on your channel! (Also enjoyed your Frostpunk, Voidfall etc playtroughs! this is my first ever Lacerda game tho)

[@cmorebits]

PS the iconography by Ian O''Toole is so recognisable when you know Voidfall!

[@garmit420]

Amazing playthrough. Thanks for taking the time and effort for putting this together. It's made me a lot more eager to receive my copy of the game and get it to the table.

[@TotallyTabled]

That is so nice to hear! I'm glad my video helped. Thanks for checking it out!

[@DouTha34]

Amazing play-through as usual, many thanks for helping in understanding how this game plays, it was more than necessary :)

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm thrilled to hear my video helped. It is a tricky one to learn, no doubt. I hope you enjoy your plays of it. Thank you for supporting the channel for so long!

[@jdejugones]

Amazing video. Please give us more experience like that with other lacerda games. I am waiting for your Next video with sólo playthrough

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. If you haven't checked out my playthrough of Kanban EV, please give that one a look. I hope to do On Mars next, but it is probably several months away. Thanks for watching!

[@robhermance-moore3002]

I learned so much from watching this! Thank you!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm so glad you found my video helpful! Thanks for checking it out and I hope you enjoy the game!

[@davidhytch2065]

Just come across you. Excellent playthrough thank you, top quality and attention to detail. I subscribed ☺️. I think you might be confusing the wind and fog tiles thematically.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for the sub! It doesn't surprise me at all if I am getting the theming wrong. When I play a Euro game, I see the Matrix. I have to really try hard to speak in thematic terms. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!

[@matthewroadnight208]

Fantastic playthrough.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks, Matthew! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@warpo007]

These 13k views, 12k of them are me.... i'm finally getting the hang of this one... thanks Shaggy

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, I appreciate the views! I hope it helps and I hope you enjoy the game. Thanks!

[@warpo007]

@@TotallyTabled I dont know why, but Weather machine has been very tricky for me to understand what i need to be doing. as many Lacerda's seem to be, elegantly simple under layers of complicated macro rules and triggers. I do like his games a lot.

[@TotallyTabled]

There are so many steps necessary to complete your main goal, it is very difficult to understand. I think that is why this one is a sort of love it or hate it, even amongst Lacerda fans.

[@HeaterCalhoun44]

This is by far my most wanted game, and it's not even close. This will be my 4th Lacerda(or 5th if I get Vihnos first)

[@TotallyTabled]

I am really enjoying this one, especially solo. Thanks for watching!

[@mrsamtheman80]

I think you are right about the saboteurs not being restricted on their first turn (but don’t know for sure). It seems their “first turn” is the initial placement, since the rules there are to place them on the middle space if available, or rightmost space if not available, never the first space.

[@TotallyTabled]

That was my thinking as well. I'm going to assume that we can't both be wrong! Thanks for watching!

[@JRTG85]

At 1:25:47 i think the robot returns to your warehouse first, so you should be able to send it to government as the reward, at least thats how it is drawn on the board. At the end however having the investment proved to be better (7 VS 5 pts)

[@tytytyty88]

Thank you for this. The game felt like learning AP calculus...

[@TotallyTabled]

It is tough rules wise. Lots of little rules and are easy to overlook. But that is true with every heavy game. I hope my video helps! Thanks for watching.

[@ShelleyDanielle]

@@TotallyTabled I'd agree on there being a lot of little rules to follow. Ian did a great job though of putting the steps for each action available at each location as well as the steps for Phase B and C right on the board. Makes it very easy to check once you are familiar with the iconography. :)

[@TotallyTabled]

@@ShelleyDanielle Absolutely. As always, Ian O'Toole's work is brilliant and his collaboration with Vital Lacerda is a dream come true. I hope it continues forever! I actual found Weather Machine a bit easier to learn than On Mars and even Lisboa. But it is a lot, especially when adding the solo rules. I will say I think this is my favorite Lacerda game to play solo. Thanks for watching!

[@ShelleyDanielle]

@@TotallyTabled I would definitely agree that when Vital and Ian collaborate together, they create amazing things. Great to hear you are enjoying Weather Machine! I had a lot of fun playtesting the multiplayer game as well as the solo. Very excited to receive my copy and play it in on my table instead of on Tabletopia. :)

[@TotallyTabled]

Awesome! Great job on the play testing. It is another gem! I can't wait to get a multiplayer game in soon. I think it will be a hit.

[@elqord.1118]

37:52 shouldn't the saboteurs grab the wind research token here as well? That is why he chose that branch in the first place right, because he wants to complete sets (or in this case start a new one because that is the place he can afford to go to and according to his priorities)

[@heliomatayoshi7061]

Great explanation!!! One question, at the end of the game, the machine run in snow, so shouldn't the weather get worse and it would have 2 level 3 weathers? Or it did not got worse because it was the last turn?

[@Dawidasek94]

I had the same question :) I think it should have worsen, but Shaggy still wins, because it got worse at B step of round.

[@Dawidasek94]

I found it in the rulebook. You don't make weather worse on final scoring turn.

[@yazganu]

Thank you 🙏

[@TotallyTabled]

You're welcome. I hope it helps. Thanks for watching!

[@victorgonzalez2927]

Why didn’t you change the initiative markers when you went to the supply?

[@ericmetzler1821]

I have yet to play a Lacerda game but really want to. What are your favorites? And does your favorite change in solo vs playing with friends.

[@TotallyTabled]

Great questions. It definitely changes based on player count. Right now Weather Machine is my favorite solo. I've played the Gallerist the most solo and I got into solo Kanban EV, which I made a video for, but it is complex and difficult. Kanban is my favorite with more players, but also good at two. Gallerist is great at two and a good jumping on point for Lacerda. Most people consider Lisboa his best game. I need more time with On Mars. But they are all great. Thanks for watching!

[@bhelmore1]

At the 47:00 mark, a pink chemical is in your workshop. At 47:52, it's no longer there. In between, you placed a robot in the lab (which would normally require a pink chemical), but it looked like the subsidy tile that you used should have allowed you to place it without paying the normal chemical cost. Did I miss something?

[@TotallyTabled]

It appears as if I spent the chemical by mistake when I didn't need to. You are right, I should have kept the chemical. Thanks for watching!

[@Septembersmith9633]

I love this game no matter what but this solo mode needs work. Giving an AI a 60pts head start is wayyyy too much in my opinion. I always make it to the end game scoring but that extra 30 pts always overcomes me no matter what my strategy is.

[@TotallyTabled]

It is difficult, no doubt, like a lot of solo Lacerdas. I think it is perfectly reasonable to set your own levels for the AI that give you a more competitive experience. That is one of the great benefits of solo games -- it is totally okay to change it to make it more fun. Thanks for watching, August!

[@IskandarStrategist1689]

Me to

[@bhelmore1]

Edited to correct timestamp: At around 42:00, you say if a neutral bot contributed to running an experiment, that causes another research tile to be removed from the game (if available). Based on my reading of the rules, one of the sun research tiles would remain after that experiment was run. Can anyone clarify whether it should or should not have been removed?

[@TotallyTabled]

If you mean 41:30, I believe that was played correctly, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. Thanks for watching.

[@bhelmore1]

​@@TotallyTabled Doh! Yes at the 42:00 minute mark. I didn't see mention of the neutral bot getting a research tile on pg 20 of the main rules or on pg 11 of the solo rules (it mentioned the saboteur's bots getting a research tile, but not Lativ's).

[@TotallyTabled]

@@bhelmore1 The rule is on page 23 in the section on rule changes for a 2 player game. When playing solo, you use the 2 player rules.

[@bhelmore1]

@@TotallyTabled Wow! This is indeed a rule in a 2 player game (and I''d think would also apply to solo). Unfortunately, I didn't see it mentioned in the official how-to-play rules video (even as a 2 player rule) nor in the "Running an Experiment" section of the solo rules. Seems like it should have been in both. Thanks for your patience in clarifying this. :)

[@TotallyTabled]

No problem. That's what I'm here for. And it definitely should have been repeated in the solo section. Easy to miss.

[@harmweber9848]

Well done. I've been waiting for a video of the solo bot(s) since I received the game. I did a two player runthrough by myself and then tried to navigate the solo mode, but there are so many little reaction actions that I know I missed more than a few. Looked for Klingon subtitles but didn't see any. Too much to keep track of? Edit: Saboteur can follow Lativ to the supply area.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for watching. I haven't really looked into Klingon subtitles, but it is something I'd like to do. Time is definitely an issue.

[@elqord.1118]

I am just now noticing that your voice is basically the same that Greg from Succession has. It's uncanny.

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, that is a good one. I actually hear that one for sure. Commenters have mentioned several people I sound like, but this is the first one that works. 😂Thanks for watching!

[@1n1ee]

Is this better than kanban ev solo?

[@TotallyTabled]

I like this better solo, just because it is easier and quicker to control the solo opponents. This one really clicked for me solo, while Kanban EV is a struggle, but does get easier over time. Kanban is still my favorite Lacerda game, especially multiplayer, but Weather Machine will probably hit the table more for solo. Thanks for watching!