New Redemption Grab Bag now includes an assortment of 500 cards from five (5) different expansion sets. Available at Cactus website.
My strategy also usually depends on my opening draw of routes. If one is a cross-country route like LA-NY, LA-Miami, or SanFran-NY then I'll focus on that and just fit the other one along the way. If I get 3 missions that are all North/South, then I'll usually pick a couple and plan some sort of circuitous way to connect them that ideally contains a 6 or two and maybe even gets in other people's way. I always try to go for longest train, and often win games based on that 10pt bonus. Occasionally if I suspect I'm beaten, I'll go "dumpster diving" on my last turn (grabbing 3 missions and just hoping that I've already connected at least one of those 3 missions).
I also really enjoy this game. My wife loves it, and even my young kids can play it. We just have the basic US version, and the winner usually scores around 120pts. I think my high score was 200pts, but games are usually pretty close.My strategy also usually depends on my opening draw of routes. If one is a cross-country route like LA-NY, LA-Miami, or SanFran-NY then I'll focus on that and just fit the other one along the way. If I get 3 missions that are all North/South, then I'll usually pick a couple and plan some sort of circuitous way to connect them that ideally contains a 6 or two and maybe even gets in other people's way. I always try to go for longest train, and often win games based on that 10pt bonus. Occasionally if I suspect I'm beaten, I'll go "dumpster diving" on my last turn (grabbing 3 missions and just hoping that I've already connected at least one of those 3 missions).
So, what are the differences between the basic US version that I have for 1910 and the US expansion?
I also need to know whether to buy this game or Dominion, because I can't afford both right now. Any recommendations?
Is the "expansion" something that adds to the base game as far as complexity?
That's pretty much it, Westy. I think the fun (for me, anyway) is in trying to find a way to make more than one route connect/overlap, so you can complete more Destination Tickets and shoot for Longest Route. I also have a history with Rail Baron, which used similar routes and cities. However, Rail Baron is much more complex and time-consuming. It also used much more mathematical knowledge of probability, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.
I enjoy Rail Baron.
Ditch a route--
Player trades--
Pair royal--
Buying trains--
I recently won a five player game with a score of 76.
Quote from: YourMathTeacher on January 10, 2014, 10:56:17 AMI recently won a five player game with a score of 76.Wow! I don't think I've ever seen anyone win with less than 100 points before.
It was not over-powered, but rewarded the player who "reset" the board in a sense.
I completed 27 Destination Tickets for a total score of 391.
What all does the 1910 expansion add? I've only ever played the original game.
I picked up the 1910 US Expansion. The cards are full size like playing cards, which is nice. To say there are more Destination Tickets is a bit of an understatement. The original game had 30 Destination Tickets (DTs), while the expansion has added 39 new ones, for 69 total! Four of the new DTs were apparently reprints of a promo set that was given out at an Essen convention. Oddly enough, the new tickets still don't include Raleigh, which seems weird. They added only one DT with Charleston. If they're going to add that many new tickets, why not give the forgotten cities their due. Anyway, one of the new game variations does allow for the "Draw 5 Pick 3" for your opening DTs others have mentioned. You also "Draw 4 Pick 1" on your future turns. With so many new DTs to existing cities, the opportunity to overlap existing routes increases significantly. This is important for the other new addition in the expansion pack: the Globetrotter Bonus. This is a 15 point bonus for whoever completes the most DTs. Realize that some of the new DTs are like the Essen promos - Vancouver to Portland.
1.) I have tried the "house rules" of the Royal Pair (which we love) and the trading (which has not really worked). The Royal Pair came up at least six times in a recent 5 player game, but the eventual winner did not get any of them. It ended up being more of an equalizer.
Out of curiosity, do you allow the Pair Royal whenever there is 3 of the same color out or only if the 3 are all side by side?
I just go with any 3.