Arguably the Concordia expansion “Solitaria” is a must have as well as the base game doesn’t even have a solo mode. It adds some nice twists as well as the automa actions are determined by my actions rather than randomized. This adds some tactical elements.
My essential expansions include: Roll Player - Monsters and Minions Mage Knight - The Lost Legion Lost Ruins of Arnak - Expedition Leaders The other expansions for those games are okay at best. I'm not a fan of campaign games so the Missing Expedition for Lost Ruins is a pass for me
I appreciate Expedition Leaders a lot! I have never tried the other 2 games’ expansions that you have listed as I sold the base game before trying. I prefer the Star Trek version of Mage Knight to the original. I had simply played enough Roll Player solo when I sold it.
Farmers of the Moor is an expansion that didn't help my plays of Agricola. There's an expansion for Cooper Island, but it doesn't change much (skilled workers). The Nusfjord expansion decks are neat because they come with metal coins!
Thanks for a great video and list. I have Everdell and don't love it solo. I'll have to look into Mistwood. For me, Ark Nova Marine Wolds added everything I wanted to a game I already loved. The wave effect of the marine cards, the reef dweller feature, variable action cards - all great!
Haha i love scythe, Rise of Fenris, and Invaders from Afar. I saw the Windgambet and thought the theme was dumb watched a preview of it and made the decision to skip that one with no regret! But I love the other 2 with it.
Not really an expansion but the new Special Edition of Castles of Burgundy by Awaken Realms has a completely new solo mode which is really awesome. However, given the price point for that edition it makes sense only if you are a big fan of the game. I’d say the new version is definitely worth it ! (You don’t need the miniatures, the acrylic tokens are more than fine !)
I sold the original because there was no solo and I have the iPad app but don’t seem to play it that much. Thus, I never looked at the Special Edition.
I agree that the expansions make this game better. It didn’t make my Top 10 because the game does not fall into that category for me, but I still like playing it from time to time.
Great list! I would add a Spirit Island expansion-probably Jagged Earth since it is standalone (as in doesn’t require any other expansions)-to greatly increase the solo fun for that game. It adds most of what Branch and Claw did, but with a lot more new spirits as well. If that one is too pricey though then at least get Branch and Claw.
Unfinished Business for Star Wars Outer Rim was already mentioned but I'd add another one for a somewhat similar game and that is Embers of a Forsaken Star for Xia. Obviously it's more or less mandatory for solo play since it adds solo play, but it also adds so much more that even for non-solo purposes it's pretty close to top 10 essential. If you like the game, that is. I really need to get Tawantinsuyu back on the table. I played the base game few times, sold it, then bought it back again when the expansion was released but haven't had the willpower to open those boxes and it's been close to two years now.
@@JohnLaRuffa gotcha, thanks for the reply. i've seen a lot of folks use house rules for playing with two, as some of the scenarios feel imbalanced. things such as getting a free movement in addition to your two actions. have you ever used any house rules like that?
@davidfiser113 nope. I have just suffered the loss. Most of the time, I don’t quite pull off a win, but I get close. When playing with two characters, you really have to keep your eyes on the objectives and lots of times, that means taking some big risks and ignoring the tokens at times. It puts some serious tension in the game for sure!
I'd say the expansion to Star Wars Outer rim, Unfinished Business is right as the top for me also. Not only did it improve the solo mode, it also added way more content and different ways to play.
I would agree with you on this. Unfortunately, I just did not like Outer Rim enough to keep it. I could not shake the feeling of it being just a bit of a shlog for whatever reason.
Yes. I have played a lot of them and agree that the expansions there make for a good amount of fun. The one that I have help onto over the years with the expansions for it is the Alien version. that had the most fun solo in my opinion.
Arguably the Concordia expansion “Solitaria” is a must have as well as the base game doesn’t even have a solo mode. It adds some nice twists as well as the automa actions are determined by my actions rather than randomized. This adds some tactical elements.
Mistwood for sure makes Everdell a better solo experience. Nightweave is a much better Automa than Rugwort.
Agreed!
My essential expansions include:
Roll Player - Monsters and Minions
Mage Knight - The Lost Legion
Lost Ruins of Arnak - Expedition Leaders
The other expansions for those games are okay at best. I'm not a fan of campaign games so the Missing Expedition for Lost Ruins is a pass for me
I appreciate Expedition Leaders a lot! I have never tried the other 2 games’ expansions that you have listed as I sold the base game before trying. I prefer the Star Trek version of Mage Knight to the original. I had simply played enough Roll Player solo when I sold it.
Farmers of the Moor is an expansion that didn't help my plays of Agricola. There's an expansion for Cooper Island, but it doesn't change much (skilled workers). The Nusfjord expansion decks are neat because they come with metal coins!
Thanks for a great video and list. I have Everdell and don't love it solo. I'll have to look into Mistwood. For me, Ark Nova Marine Wolds added everything I wanted to a game I already loved. The wave effect of the marine cards, the reef dweller feature, variable action cards - all great!
Haha i love scythe, Rise of Fenris, and Invaders from Afar. I saw the Windgambet and thought the theme was dumb watched a preview of it and made the decision to skip that one with no regret! But I love the other 2 with it.
Not really an expansion but the new Special Edition of Castles of Burgundy by Awaken Realms has a completely new solo mode which is really awesome. However, given the price point for that edition it makes sense only if you are a big fan of the game. I’d say the new version is definitely worth it ! (You don’t need the miniatures, the acrylic tokens are more than fine !)
I sold the original because there was no solo and I have the iPad app but don’t seem to play it that much. Thus, I never looked at the Special Edition.
I‘d say you should ! One of my top 5 most played solo games…
For me Rise of IX for Dune Imperium. It makes the game even better. Not essential but an enhancement.
I agree that the expansions make this game better. It didn’t make my Top 10 because the game does not fall into that category for me, but I still like playing it from time to time.
Great list! I would add a Spirit Island expansion-probably Jagged Earth since it is standalone (as in doesn’t require any other expansions)-to greatly increase the solo fun for that game. It adds most of what Branch and Claw did, but with a lot more new spirits as well. If that one is too pricey though then at least get Branch and Claw.
That was my #11. I forgot to mention it as a running up.
Thanks for this overview. I love to play with these expansions : Nucleum Australia and The Missing Expedition (Lost Ruins of Arnak).
Instead of GWT 2nd + Rails I'd personally recommend GWT New Zealand more. But both awesome games!
Agreed. If I owned none of them, I would buy that one.
Unfinished Business for Star Wars Outer Rim was already mentioned but I'd add another one for a somewhat similar game and that is Embers of a Forsaken Star for Xia. Obviously it's more or less mandatory for solo play since it adds solo play, but it also adds so much more that even for non-solo purposes it's pretty close to top 10 essential. If you like the game, that is.
I really need to get Tawantinsuyu back on the table. I played the base game few times, sold it, then bought it back again when the expansion was released but haven't had the willpower to open those boxes and it's been close to two years now.
I have always wanted to play Xia. It just looks cool.
Thank you for the video, have to check out some of those expansions!
another great video john! question - when you play Mansions of Madness solo, how many characters do you typically use?
I have always done 2. Might be fun to add a few more to shake things up.
@@JohnLaRuffa gotcha, thanks for the reply. i've seen a lot of folks use house rules for playing with two, as some of the scenarios feel imbalanced. things such as getting a free movement in addition to your two actions. have you ever used any house rules like that?
@davidfiser113 nope. I have just suffered the loss. Most of the time, I don’t quite pull off a win, but I get close. When playing with two characters, you really have to keep your eyes on the objectives and lots of times, that means taking some big risks and ignoring the tokens at times. It puts some serious tension in the game for sure!
Great list! Nice to see Dragonfire in the background.
I need to get that one out and back to the table. Haven’t played it in years!
Thanks for the list, John. Tawantisuyu was already on my BGG wishlist and I have now marked the expansion for pick up at some point too.
I really think you want both or none from a solo standpoint or if you hedge, just know it is easier to play solo when you have the expansion.
Thanks for this! Awesome list and happy to own most of these thanks to you.
Thanks for watching!
I'd say the expansion to Star Wars Outer rim, Unfinished Business is right as the top for me also. Not only did it improve the solo mode, it also added way more content and different ways to play.
100% agree!
I would agree with you on this. Unfortunately, I just did not like Outer Rim enough to keep it. I could not shake the feeling of it being just a bit of a shlog for whatever reason.
Have you tried any Lacerda game? Someone mentioned Inventions as best solo game by him
Yes and I think Inventions is the best game he has done. It is in my Top 20.
@@JohnLaRuffa thanks. Still deciding if 150-180 bucks is worth it .. 😂
Have you ever played the Legendary deck building games? A lot of great expansion content in there.
Yes. I have played a lot of them and agree that the expansions there make for a good amount of fun. The one that I have help onto over the years with the expansions for it is the Alien version. that had the most fun solo in my opinion.
Why is your Carnegie box so fat?
It was the Kickstarter edition. Perhaps that is why?
Good stuff, thanks!
You bet!
Woo hoo! Another top 10 recommendation of mine gets the Laruffa treatment!
It was a great idea! Thanks!
Bookmarks please
RUclips usually does this automatically. I cannot do it on my phone which is what I use to publish all of this.