Dr. Cheesesteak

Really, you can play it safe/conservatively from round 1. But I suggest after round 2 just to get a feel for the other players.

But essentially, if there are some big treasures still available and it’s still fairly early in the round, if you get a feel for your opponents, you can know if leaving early to get that 14-, 17-gem card is a safe choice.

I’ve played w/ ppl who always wanted to be the last one in the temple and they pretty much have always lost.

While it may not look like it on the surface, this game is a Euro. And like any Euro, it requires planning and strategy.

Don’t be too discouraged if you’re trailing after the 1st, even 2nd Age. The 3rd Age is where you can make your coup de grace moves for the win. I think I’ve doubled my scored before from the 2nd Age to the end of the 3rd, and won, due to careful upgrade usage, warrior placement, and pillaging.

The Meteorologist is potentially extremely powerful, life- and game-saving.

However, his/her strength shines most on bigger games (and/or higher difficulty). If you’re playing just 2 or 3 players, you can get away w/ not using the Meteorologist. But at 4 or 5, too many Storm cards are drawn to not take the Meteorologist, imo.

There are so many approaches and ways to win at this game, part of it’s great design and appeal. But in my experience, going the Science route seems to guarantee competing for finishing 1st, if not usually finishing 1st.

Be sure to keep a balanced support engine of Military, Commercial, Civic, etc. But if you can get that Science train rolling, go with it!

If you can’t develop a decen Science foundation after the 1st Era, then don’t concern yourself w/ it too much in subsequent Eras. But just a couple good Science cards at the get-go can make a good start and make all the difference.

If you’re relatively new to board gaming and it’s your first couple times playing, just focus on your own castle to get a feel for the game and various tiles involved.

Don’t focus on blocking other players certain tiles or arranging the tiles based on how you think others will buy when you’re the Master Builder. It may actually hurt you in the long run if you miss something else that’s more beneficial.

If you’re already an experienced/advanced group of gamers, don’t start on Easy setting. I know some who consider it TOO easy, therefore not very interesting. However, these same ppl also didn’t play the last 2 rounds when extra curses came out (my gaming group, ugh).

Easy would be great for newer gamers or gamers not used to/familiar w/ co-ops. But I think the Medium setting is a good starting point for gamers who are already really experienced in co-op games.

Not to cherrypick off the previous post, but if Family is too easy and Experienced is too hard, or you’re looking to gradually graduate to Experienced, just play the Family rules, but w/ roles enabled.

If you’re looking to continually get used to Experienced, then add the vehicles next game. Then hot spots. Then the AP moves, etc.

It’s a co-op game and communication and planning are vital. Not just casually, but thorough planning helps a lot.

I think I lost my first 5 or 6 games, but once I got in a group where we actually planned entire rounds (all player turns), and even farther, I/we finally won.

Of course there are dice variables, so have contingency plans as well!

Encounter cards are great. The 3rd level results usually aren’t too detrimental or game-breaking to where you should avoid wanting to take the card at all. Usually the 2nd level reward is a net gain.

Some players focus their strategies on upgrades, workers/resources, etc. I’ve played just using encounters as my #1 priority (kinda for flavor sake) and it’s always worked for me (being far from last…tho never 1st *cry*).

Unless a target is definitely easier for your teammates than another, you should all try to focus fire on a single enemy target to get them out of the game ASAP!

Some characters are better at searching, killing zombies, etc. It’s a co-op game w/ a POSSIBLE hidden traitor, but it’s always good to discuss player roles if they want to focus on one thing or another. Whether it be helping get food, contribute to the crisis, defend the colony, etc.

Plus, you can agree to a specific role and still achieve your secret objective right under their noses!

One way me and a buddy tried was to just connect the cards in any direction, not limiting ourselves to the rule to complete a square of all the cards.

It changes strategies and gameplay a bit, allowing more freedom and choices. A bit more new-player friendly, even though the game isn’t very hard anyway.

I know a few ppl, independent of each other, who have (accidentally or not) “Looted the Room” by looting the Treasure deck, rather than the Door deck.

This speeds up the game a bit faster as it makes your characters exponentially stronger faster. However, it does take away the use of having monsters/Wandering Monster in your hand, since you won’t be getting any more monster cards in your hand.

For such a long term play, pudding seems relatively one-note and you’re either in the pudding race or you aren’t after the 1st game.

We’ve played it to where it still gives 6 pts to who has the most, but also gives +1 for each pudding you have, regardless of what place you are in in the pudding list. This allows players to sneak in some points, even if they don’t win the pudding battle.

There are a few really strong players, but nothing really game-breaking. Me and my friends tend to stick to the same ones we like w/ some little variation here or there.

To freshen things up, try randomly selecting your 2 pitchers and 6 batters. It’ll keep you on your toes, as well as allow you to learn some new players. And really, the game will still be fun and balanced!

The game is very unforgiving. If you’re playing w/ new players who may not be turned on by the game if they keep losing, I suggest to play w/o Chain Reactions from Outbreaks.

Outbreaks seem to be the cause of a loss 95% of the time for my games. This will also allow games to go on a little longer, which is also good for new players who are trying to get into the game.

Perhaps this isn’t a great strategy to ALWAYS use, but try it out!

I have seen ppl destroy groups of 4 or 5 by being 100% honest. Conversely, those same players were also defeated rather quickly in other games.

It’s good to frequently feint as the Agent. Perhaps reveal yourself early, but double back while the Hunters chase the wrong path(s). This works much easier in 3-player (2 Hunter) games. But can still work in 4-player games.

Just be prepared for games to take much longer. But they’ll be much more intense and worth the victory as an Agent.

Always plan and deploy for the long term game and try to get as many resources and extra cards from planets you know won’t have any battles. Sometimes it’s worth losing the first planet or 2 just to stack resources/more cards.

The best strategy is to have none! There are so many variables in the game, it is best to change your strategy as the game, and even individual rounds, evolve.

Have your 1 victory card and no deaths? Then play it safe and let others risk dying or go for the kill (depending on what kind of player you are). See others have taken away your favorite items? Then pass earlier than planned. etc etc

Every time I have tried to specialize in a color (or 2) it works. Don’t spread your community too thin by trying to diversify.

Also, always pay attention to the missions, both public and secret.

We tried a variant where the discard and inventory piles are the same and we pick our hands before each round. It makes the game MUCH easier and allows new players to get a feel for the game and difficulty curve, mostly in preparation for the REAL game.

A reverse bluff (is that a real phrase?) – guessing others have the unique card YOU have – works wonders. Especially against the more trusting types.

I say try to save up Cheese as much as possible for when it’s needed and also be willing to share. This is one of the few co-op games I’ve played where the players really do need to sacrifice (Cheese) to help their partners.

Also, don’t be TOO scared of the Cheese on the Cheese wheel. Sometimes it may be a necessity for more loot!