Ryan, you are fantastic at explaining games; the use of pictures with outlined sections is very effective, the use of humour, the fact that you put the setup at the end ... you’re truly are an inspiration for instructional videos. Just like Race for the Galaxy, this one is another masterpiece of board game teaching. Thank you!
Nice! Thanks for the video. I like how you showed the setup at the end instead of the beginning. I haven't seen it fine that way before. Doing it that way helps me understand what's going on a little better.
This is huge. i think you're the first person ever to laud my setup-at-the-end strategy, which is the hill i've chosen to die on. Slowly, i will turn the opinion of board gamers everywhere... and then, the world!
@@NightsAroundaTable Yeah, it's way better! Other channels fly through setup and I have no clue what the pieces are or what they do. I think you've struck gold.
Do consider Feast for Odin or Caverna from the same author (Uwe Rosenberg), if your group of friends/family is more on the casual side. I have played Agricola many times and introduced it to quite a few people and some just REALLY loathe the feeding aspect and often people are surprised by how slow the build up of their farm is and how your family barely survives each harvest. The cute farming theme is a bit of a trap here because it lulls people into a false sense of security. "Oh it's just a Board Game about Farming! The animpeeples are so cute!" This game will put the HURT on careless/unexperienced players, who are wasting their actions on inefficient choices. They will end up scrounging for food or "eating" valuable animals (that they planed on breeding) or crunching on raw wheat ( that they planned on sowing) thus hurting their future plans or alternatively end up having to beg, which almost certainly will end up losing them the game. It's not that Feast for Odin or Caverna are simpler games, they're just as complex. But the ruthless feeding aspect is toned way down there. Agricola is still an incredibly well made game, just know what you're getting into.
@@paulszki thanks for the detailed reply! I’m actually planning on getting Hallertau when it comes out stateside as my first Uwe game but I have eyed A Feast for Odin in the past 🤙🏻
This was unbelievably helpful! I recently acquired Agricola and tried to set up for a 'learning game' but we have a toddler who loves to be involved in everything and the whole thing of managing her, learning the rules and explaining them to my partner was a little bit too much. So later when the toddler was in bed, I set up a 2 player game for myself and dabbled a round or two just to learn my way around. That helped, and it certainly made so that most of your video was recognizable. I feel far more confident now that I will be able to teach this game. Thanks!
This made my day/week/month/year. I have been trying to wrap my mind around this game with only instructions and my six year old. You are a master and deserve several food tokens ;-) appreciated your wit and attention to detail.
That might have been the best instructional video that I have ever watched. I'm going to play all of the Uwe Rosenberg farming games in order. I hope that you have videos for the others. Fantastic job - liked and subscribed!
Excellent video! Can't wait to play this. We own only Fields of Arle, but I'm already an Uwe Rosenberg fanboy :D So sad that the local gaming club is closed due to covid.
Good to see this game getting more coverage. I want more people to play against. 14:17 Those aren't ovens. 14:55 That's the first I've ever come across any indication that the 10th Major Improvement can't be obtained. (pg 10 section 2. Major Improvements. Last sentence of the first paragraph "... it may still be bought."
20:30 It had me laughing so hard "I was like oh you get three babys cause you got 6 sheep" But no even better all 6 sheep go into a orgy together and pop one baby out LMAO. Rosenbreg never ever change my man you are a treasure we must keep dear in our hearts.
I admit that after our group got Caverna, we more or less dropped Agricola completely. The problem with Agricola is that after the end of the game you feel like you just spent 2 hours walking on the edge of a precipice, one false step and you fall to your (scoring) death. Caverna provides a very similar mechanics with a lot less stress. A false step in Caverna is a problem, but you can manage since food sources are more diverse. In Agricola you really have to be careful and attentive to details (the last phrase of the "Oven" cards is a fundamental detail, for example). I also find cave furnishings to work better than cards, which add a randomness aspect which is not really in theme with the game itself. One interesting detail which I don't think you mentioned, is that Agricola plays very differently depending on the number of players. In a 2 player game you can sabotage your opponent, since any point he loses is a point you gain. In 3+ players any attempt at sabotage is more or less a suicide. Increasing the family size has a different priority depending on the number of players: few players and you really want those kids, but when many players are around the board, you risk to end up feeding workers which you can only use for semi-useless actions, so kids are less critical (except for the final scoring).
These are great notes about player count that i’m unqualified to make, because i think i’ve only ever played at a 4+ count? But the point tradeoff at 2p that you mention is pretty universal across 2p games... which is why i think i don’t dig 2p-anything very much. Caverna is next on my list!
Man, I DO NOT mean this is an offensive way at all, and I'm sorry if this has been a stress point in your life (I imagine it has since you removed them), but you Xanthelasma spots are so badass to me, I wouldn't be surprised if tattooing that becomes a trend in the next few years. Again, this isn't sarcasm, I think it looks cool as hell. Oh, and thanks for refreshing my memory on how to play this game.
The original had discs with stickers for the farmers, and smaller blank discs for the animals. You had to buy the “animeeples” as an upgrade. Later, they were included. And in the most recent version, they replaced the farmer discs with farmer meeples.
No - you can use them as much as you like for the rest of the game, or (during a major improvement action) you can use them to trade up to the appliances that mention them, instead of paying full price.
@@NightsAroundaTable Are you insinuating I am some kind of peasant who DOESN'T have the bgg top 100 virtually memorized from all the time I have wasted on BGG? I am aware of agricolas presence on the esteemed list, I am after all cultured. However, in my extremely valuable internet opinion I think agricola is still underrated. Its virtually a perfect game. Its got a beautiful components and the satisfaction of building a farm that anyone can enjoy while also having monstorously deep, tense gameplay, nailbiting player interaction, extreme variability/replayability in the minor improvements and occupations (that feels very creative to strategize around) and to top it off its a relative breeze to teach for its weight because the theme is tightly bound into the mechanics. I guess I would say its design still feels very modern and cutting edge despite its age.
It's a real toss-up. What's your tolerance for "funstration"? There's a lot more stress with Agricola, and certain die-hards find Caverna too forgiving. Does that... help? At all? For my part, i've never played a board game quite as gut-wrenching as Agricola. Here's my review: ruclips.net/video/KaTHyYj3Js0/видео.html
Have you tried the family edition? It simplifies a lot of this without really losing the essential features of the game. Main differences are: technically no fences (you gain pasture areas by spending wood), no cards (but improvements like the joinery are tiles that pay for using resources), grain but no vegetables.
I seriously couldn't focus on the video because the whole time I'm just wondering what the heck is on your face, SERIOUSLY!? I NEED TO KNOW! IT HAUNTS ME!!!
Ryan, you are fantastic at explaining games; the use of pictures with outlined sections is very effective, the use of humour, the fact that you put the setup at the end ... you’re truly are an inspiration for instructional videos. Just like Race for the Galaxy, this one is another masterpiece of board game teaching. Thank you!
Thanks, Guillaume! You're gonna give me a big head!
The whole um... “sheep section” was fantastic and hilarious!
i had to disclose potentially advertiser unfriendly content to RUclips because of it!
I love how you explained it. And it is not boring. :) Thank you
Nice! Thanks for the video. I like how you showed the setup at the end instead of the beginning. I haven't seen it fine that way before. Doing it that way helps me understand what's going on a little better.
This is huge. i think you're the first person ever to laud my setup-at-the-end strategy, which is the hill i've chosen to die on. Slowly, i will turn the opinion of board gamers everywhere... and then, the world!
@@NightsAroundaTable Yeah, it's way better! Other channels fly through setup and I have no clue what the pieces are or what they do. I think you've struck gold.
@@thedudeslawyer My bank account suggests i've struck tin. But i'll keep mining.
This is an amazing guide, and helps SO MUCH to understand the game!
So glad!
YES! Okay I don’t know if I’ll ever actually get/play Agricola but now I don’t have to worry about learning it - thanks Ryan!!
Do consider Feast for Odin or Caverna from the same author (Uwe Rosenberg), if your group of friends/family is more on the casual side. I have played Agricola many times and introduced it to quite a few people and some just REALLY loathe the feeding aspect and often people are surprised by how slow the build up of their farm is and how your family barely survives each harvest. The cute farming theme is a bit of a trap here because it lulls people into a false sense of security. "Oh it's just a Board Game about Farming! The animpeeples are so cute!" This game will put the HURT on careless/unexperienced players, who are wasting their actions on inefficient choices. They will end up scrounging for food or "eating" valuable animals (that they planed on breeding) or crunching on raw wheat ( that they planned on sowing) thus hurting their future plans or alternatively end up having to beg, which almost certainly will end up losing them the game.
It's not that Feast for Odin or Caverna are simpler games, they're just as complex. But the ruthless feeding aspect is toned way down there. Agricola is still an incredibly well made game, just know what you're getting into.
@@paulszki thanks for the detailed reply! I’m actually planning on getting Hallertau when it comes out stateside as my first Uwe game but I have eyed A Feast for Odin in the past 🤙🏻
Feast for Odin video incoming!
Agricola is my favorite Uwe game (I’ve played 15-20?), but A Feast for Odin and Caverna are both in my top 20 overall!
This was unbelievably helpful! I recently acquired Agricola and tried to set up for a 'learning game' but we have a toddler who loves to be involved in everything and the whole thing of managing her, learning the rules and explaining them to my partner was a little bit too much. So later when the toddler was in bed, I set up a 2 player game for myself and dabbled a round or two just to learn my way around. That helped, and it certainly made so that most of your video was recognizable. I feel far more confident now that I will be able to teach this game. Thanks!
Fantastic! So glad i could help! Toddlers and board games don't mix. :)
Fantastic rules teach! The video was very clear and humorous, thanks so much!
I love your videos. You make the explanation so easy and fun.
This made my day/week/month/year. I have been trying to wrap my mind around this game with only instructions and my six year old. You are a master and deserve several food tokens ;-) appreciated your wit and attention to detail.
i WILL TAKE MY PAYMENT IN WOODEN PUMPKINS PLEASE
Thanks for the lesson on Agricola! Very very helpful!
That might have been the best instructional video that I have ever watched. I'm going to play all of the Uwe Rosenberg farming games in order. I hope that you have videos for the others. Fantastic job - liked and subscribed!
Whoa dude this is a great guide, thanks for the video.
Excellent video! Can't wait to play this. We own only Fields of Arle, but I'm already an Uwe Rosenberg fanboy :D
So sad that the local gaming club is closed due to covid.
Yeah - total drag. But we'll get back to the garden some day. i have more Uwe stuff in the pipeline, so stick around!
Good to see this game getting more coverage. I want more people to play against.
14:17 Those aren't ovens.
14:55 That's the first I've ever come across any indication that the 10th Major Improvement can't be obtained. (pg 10 section 2. Major Improvements. Last sentence of the first paragraph "... it may still be bought."
You're right! It may still be bought. i'll add a correction. Thanks!
Perfect explanation.
Thank you for your great demonstration
and i wish for you a good health , don't forget to watch those lipids sir we need u in the board game world
Thanks. i suspect there’s a significant genetic component that doctors ignore, because that won’t help them hawk more Lipitor.
Definitely one of your funniest how to plays! Thanks!
20:30 It had me laughing so hard "I was like oh you get three babys cause you got 6 sheep" But no even better all 6 sheep go into a orgy together and pop one baby out LMAO. Rosenbreg never ever change my man you are a treasure we must keep dear in our hearts.
Excellent presentation of the rules! Thanks!
My pleasure!
What a nice instruction, so funny and intelligible.
Great video. You broke down the game rules to something easy to understand!
29:27 XD
Great video. Thnx!
Great vid! Helps a lot. Thnx!
Awesome job!!
Thanks, Bas!
I admit that after our group got Caverna, we more or less dropped Agricola completely. The problem with Agricola is that after the end of the game you feel like you just spent 2 hours walking on the edge of a precipice, one false step and you fall to your (scoring) death. Caverna provides a very similar mechanics with a lot less stress. A false step in Caverna is a problem, but you can manage since food sources are more diverse. In Agricola you really have to be careful and attentive to details (the last phrase of the "Oven" cards is a fundamental detail, for example). I also find cave furnishings to work better than cards, which add a randomness aspect which is not really in theme with the game itself.
One interesting detail which I don't think you mentioned, is that Agricola plays very differently depending on the number of players. In a 2 player game you can sabotage your opponent, since any point he loses is a point you gain. In 3+ players any attempt at sabotage is more or less a suicide. Increasing the family size has a different priority depending on the number of players: few players and you really want those kids, but when many players are around the board, you risk to end up feeding workers which you can only use for semi-useless actions, so kids are less critical (except for the final scoring).
These are great notes about player count that i’m unqualified to make, because i think i’ve only ever played at a 4+ count? But the point tradeoff at 2p that you mention is pretty universal across 2p games... which is why i think i don’t dig 2p-anything very much. Caverna is next on my list!
Just Awesome.
I sent you a box fart video of this two days ago on Twitter!
I KNOW ISNT THAT CRAZY?? Zeitgeist, man.
Newbie question: If I use the sheep action, and have the appropriate improvements, can I cook them without putting them into a pasture first?
They can go straight from the village and into your mouth!
boardgamegeek.com/thread/592045/cooking-animals-no-room-fieldhouse
@@NightsAroundaTable yum yum! Thx!
Man, I DO NOT mean this is an offensive way at all, and I'm sorry if this has been a stress point in your life (I imagine it has since you removed them), but you Xanthelasma spots are so badass to me, I wouldn't be surprised if tattooing that becomes a trend in the next few years. Again, this isn't sarcasm, I think it looks cool as hell. Oh, and thanks for refreshing my memory on how to play this game.
That’s so nice. You’re the second person (in my life) who said they looked cool. The other person told me they’re like dragons’ scales. :)
Where did you get the fancier player tokens?
The original had discs with stickers for the farmers, and smaller blank discs for the animals. You had to buy the “animeeples” as an upgrade. Later, they were included. And in the most recent version, they replaced the farmer discs with farmer meeples.
@@NightsAroundaTable Okay thanks!
Thank you for teaching!
I certainly did just watch the whole thing 😃
i thank you!
'It means you'll take the precious and coveted start player... uh ... cylinder' lol
So cooking hearth or fire place are returned once used?
No - you can use them as much as you like for the rest of the game, or (during a major improvement action) you can use them to trade up to the appliances that mention them, instead of paying full price.
@@NightsAroundaTable thank you very much! Well done video. I just got Agricola and can’t wait to try it.
The rules seems understyandable but for me its looking like a really complex game with a lot of ways to play
Lot of ways to play, yes. Give it a whirl for free on BoardGameArena and see how it treats you!
en.boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=agricola
This is like an exact copy of caverna with a different theme
Caverna coming out before Agricola was not the point I was trying to make
I feel like agricola is so good its still underrated despite it being known as a classic
It’s still on the BGG top 100!
On the BGG top 100 twice! Original and revised.
@@NightsAroundaTable
Are you insinuating I am some kind of peasant who DOESN'T have the bgg top 100 virtually memorized from all the time I have wasted on BGG?
I am aware of agricolas presence on the esteemed list, I am after all cultured. However, in my extremely valuable internet opinion I think agricola is still underrated. Its virtually a perfect game. Its got a beautiful components and the satisfaction of building a farm that anyone can enjoy while also having monstorously deep, tense gameplay, nailbiting player interaction, extreme variability/replayability in the minor improvements and occupations (that feels very creative to strategize around) and to top it off its a relative breeze to teach for its weight because the theme is tightly bound into the mechanics.
I guess I would say its design still feels very modern and cutting edge despite its age.
I agree!! It’s my number 2 game of all time.
This or caverna?
It's a real toss-up. What's your tolerance for "funstration"? There's a lot more stress with Agricola, and certain die-hards find Caverna too forgiving. Does that... help? At all?
For my part, i've never played a board game quite as gut-wrenching as Agricola. Here's my review:
ruclips.net/video/KaTHyYj3Js0/видео.html
@@NightsAroundaTable wow thats quick reply. Thanks, i will go for caverna then :)
@@MrShadowGuard The Caverna expansion adds variable player powers:
ruclips.net/video/IVUQf3aBvWQ/видео.html
caverna
i don't mean to be rude but what's that above your eyes? :/
ruclips.net/video/Py8Dha9AoF4/видео.html
Have you tried the family edition? It simplifies a lot of this without really losing the essential features of the game. Main differences are: technically no fences (you gain pasture areas by spending wood), no cards (but improvements like the joinery are tiles that pay for using resources), grain but no vegetables.
I think the cards and extra “complexity” make this game so great and replayable (in my person)
@@DMExplains Have you played both version then?
@fatpie42 I have. I’ve played I think 17 different Rosenberg games, I’m quite the fan of his designs!
MAN, WHY DOESN'T EVERY HOW TO PLAY VID HAVE SETUP AT THE END?!?!?
RIGHT???
Wait I wasn't paying attention start again
Let’s just play.
Justin Trudeau? 😰
In the flesh!
I seriously couldn't focus on the video because the whole time I'm just wondering what the heck is on your face, SERIOUSLY!? I NEED TO KNOW! IT HAUNTS ME!!!
ruclips.net/video/Py8Dha9AoF4/видео.html
WHAT is on your nose?