Awesome review. I am 4 games in and have played 3 of those solo. I got to the point where I am comfortable playing 2 Spirits at once and am starting to mess with the more complex ones next. Do you suggest doing this after I try some adversaries or jump right into the expansion?
I think practicing with Adversaries is a good idea. While they still behave mechanically (you'll always know what the plan is going forward because all information is visible except for future Explores), there is an element of decision-making that goes into some of the Escalation effects. I believe that in France (in the expansion), the escalation effect actively causes you to make a decision about how the invaders will advance. Just as an example. Adversaries will modify how you perceive the invaders' future actions, and cause you to start making accommodations. Similarly, the Event deck will modify the game state each round, and you may find yourself under-estimating how much they alter a game plan. That said, if you can handle the slight randomization of effects, and the mild complexity of the tokens, you may find the game is easier to win, overall, than in the base game. In the expansion, if you spam powers that add these tokens, you'll find that they diminish the invaders' growth so much that they start to be swept off whole chunks of the island. It's quite fun!
Yeah, I don't really have anything to add beyond Nepycros' great answer. I think that Spirit Island on it's own has so much replayability that this expansion is definitely not needed to keep it fresh. BUT if it sounds like this might be your thing, then I see no reason not to integrate once you feel comfortable with the basics of the game. I say give a scenario and an adversary a shot, see if you are still feeling the game, then if the idea of these events adding some unpredictability doesn't bother you, grab the expansion. At this point I can't imagine playing without it.
It looks like if you play mostly with 2-4 players "Branch and claw" is the expansion to get. Probably "Jagged earth" only makes sense if you want to play with 5-6 players? Would you agree? I have to make a decision between these two. :)
Hi Bleached Green Tank! I actually disagree. I think Branch and Claw is an excellent choice, but right now it's the only choice considering that Jagged Earth doesn't come out for quite some time. Further more, Jagged Earth gives you WAY more spirits, adversaries, and other content that you could enjoy even at 1-4 players. Even with Jagged Earth, I don't foresee doing a lot of 5 or 6 player Spirit Island in my future, considering 4 players is already a beast, and I actually prefer it as a 1-3 player game. 4 is still fun, but not ideal. Hope that helps!
Do you mix all of the minor/major powers with the core game in when using the expansion? I know you need the core to play, but wasnt sure about the power cards
If you own Jagged Earth then the only reason to get Branch & Claw is to add more content. Everything new in B&C is revisited in JE, so it’s mainly just new spirits, minor and major powers, events, and fear cards. That said, I love both of the B&C spirits and would put them among my top 10 spirits to date (though that’s a completely subjective opinion). My advice, play with JE until you’ve played every spirit and you are in general seeing repeats of powers/events. If at that point you feel you love the game and just want more content, then grab B&C.
These mittens crackin me up
Haha, they are still probably my favorite thing I've done as a special Cardboard Herald related project.
Great review! I am at about 10 games and slowly adding more to the game and was looking at this expansion. It helped make my decision to get it.
Chris Bryan great! I hope you enjoy it!
Great content as always.
How is "Growth Through Sacrifice" situational? It's THE most powerful minor power.
Yeah its a good card, it boost your growth for a small cost.
Maybe he means due to the elements not being for all?
nice review, thanks!
Awesome review. I am 4 games in and have played 3 of those solo. I got to the point where I am comfortable playing 2 Spirits at once and am starting to mess with the more complex ones next. Do you suggest doing this after I try some adversaries or jump right into the expansion?
I think practicing with Adversaries is a good idea. While they still behave mechanically (you'll always know what the plan is going forward because all information is visible except for future Explores), there is an element of decision-making that goes into some of the Escalation effects. I believe that in France (in the expansion), the escalation effect actively causes you to make a decision about how the invaders will advance. Just as an example.
Adversaries will modify how you perceive the invaders' future actions, and cause you to start making accommodations. Similarly, the Event deck will modify the game state each round, and you may find yourself under-estimating how much they alter a game plan.
That said, if you can handle the slight randomization of effects, and the mild complexity of the tokens, you may find the game is easier to win, overall, than in the base game.
In the expansion, if you spam powers that add these tokens, you'll find that they diminish the invaders' growth so much that they start to be swept off whole chunks of the island. It's quite fun!
Nepycros sounds awesome! I can't wait to get to it.
Yeah, I don't really have anything to add beyond Nepycros' great answer. I think that Spirit Island on it's own has so much replayability that this expansion is definitely not needed to keep it fresh. BUT if it sounds like this might be your thing, then I see no reason not to integrate once you feel comfortable with the basics of the game. I say give a scenario and an adversary a shot, see if you are still feeling the game, then if the idea of these events adding some unpredictability doesn't bother you, grab the expansion. At this point I can't imagine playing without it.
It looks like if you play mostly with 2-4 players "Branch and claw" is the expansion to get. Probably "Jagged earth" only makes sense if you want to play with 5-6 players? Would you agree? I have to make a decision between these two. :)
Hi Bleached Green Tank! I actually disagree. I think Branch and Claw is an excellent choice, but right now it's the only choice considering that Jagged Earth doesn't come out for quite some time. Further more, Jagged Earth gives you WAY more spirits, adversaries, and other content that you could enjoy even at 1-4 players. Even with Jagged Earth, I don't foresee doing a lot of 5 or 6 player Spirit Island in my future, considering 4 players is already a beast, and I actually prefer it as a 1-3 player game. 4 is still fun, but not ideal. Hope that helps!
@@TheCardboardHerald Thanks! For now I will get Branch and Claw and in the future maybe even on top of that Jagged Earth! Thanks a lot!
I play Jagged Earth all the time and play 2 handed solo. People want to collect the spirits!
Do you mix all of the minor/major powers with the core game in when using the expansion? I know you need the core to play, but wasnt sure about the power cards
Yup, mix all of the cards from the expansion with their respective decks from the base game.
YES! I LOVE THAT SOCK HAHAHA
I own jagged earth, not sure if I should get branch and claw
If you own Jagged Earth then the only reason to get Branch & Claw is to add more content. Everything new in B&C is revisited in JE, so it’s mainly just new spirits, minor and major powers, events, and fear cards. That said, I love both of the B&C spirits and would put them among my top 10 spirits to date (though that’s a completely subjective opinion). My advice, play with JE until you’ve played every spirit and you are in general seeing repeats of powers/events. If at that point you feel you love the game and just want more content, then grab B&C.