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Reading Rulebooks

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Reading Rulebooks is a podcast dedicated to reading through rulebooks and teaching board games! In this podcast, I directly read the rulebook as well as discuss the game and try to clear up potential areas of confusion.

Location:

United States

Description:

Reading Rulebooks is a podcast dedicated to reading through rulebooks and teaching board games! In this podcast, I directly read the rulebook as well as discuss the game and try to clear up potential areas of confusion.

Language:

English


Episodes
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My City

3/8/2024
About My City My City is a legacy game about developing a city through the different episodes of the game. My City has both a legacy and non-legacy format of play. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:36 Game Materials 02:46 Game Setup 04:30 General Rules of the Game 05:31 The Construction Rules 08:07 End of an Episode 11:48 The Sealed Envelopes 13:35 The First Chapter 14:20 The Eternal Game 15:05 Game Setup 16:40 Course of Play 17:11 The Construction Rules 21:07 End of Episode 22:07 Thoughts

Duration:00:27:23

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Spectaculum

2/23/2024
This week we are going to cover the rules for Spectaculum. Spectaculum is a game designed by Reiner Knizia and is illustrated by Marc Margielsky. The game is published by Pegasus Spiele. About Spectaculum Spectaculum is a game of managing your wealth while managing traveling shows as they journey throughout the color world of fortune-tellers and snake dancers. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Components 02:49 Object of the Game 03:25 Setup 04:46 Playing the Game 12:34 End of the Game (and Variant) 14:08 Thoughts

Duration:00:18:10

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Babylonia

2/9/2024
This week we are going to cover the rules for Babylonia. Babylonia is a game designed by Reiner Knizia and illustrated by Jonas Hassibi and David Prieto. The game is published by Ludonova. About Babylonia Compete for land and cities in Babylonia around and between the river while commanding mighty ziggurats. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Components 01:26 Setup 03:57 Summary and Objective 04:31 Playing 11:53 End of the Game 12:22 Variant 12:40 Zigguart Cards 14:27 Thoughts

Duration:00:22:07

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Samurai

1/19/2024
This week we are going to cover the rules for Samurai. Samurai is a game designed by Reiner Knizia and is illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel. The game is published by Fantasy Flight Games. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:35 Game Components 03:02 Game Overview 03:38 Setup 07:15 Playing the Game 18:46 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:25:32

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Ghosts of Christmas

12/22/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Ghosts of Christmas. Ghosts of Christmas is a game designed by Taiki Shinzawa and is illustrated by Misaho Sugawara and Maria Surducan. This game is published by BoardGameTables.com. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Components 00:58 Game Overview 01:34 Setup 02:19 Bidding 03:07 Playing a Round 03:59 Scoring Tricks 05:07 Scoring Hands 06:08 Variants 07:04 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:09:23

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Winter Kingdoms

12/9/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Winter Kingdoms. Winter Kingdoms is a game designed by Donald X. Vaccarino and is illustrated by Markus Erdt and Dennis Lohausen. The game is published by Queen Games. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Object of the Game 02:00 Setup 05:08 Sequence of Play 06:25 A Turn in Detail 11:21 Building Rules 12:55 Twist Card 13:28 End of the Game and Final Scoring 14:47 Card Overviews 17:38 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:20:25

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Wabash Cannonball

11/17/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Wabash Cannonball (also known as Chicago Express). Wabash Cannonball is a game designed by John Bohrer and is illustrated by Michael Menzel & Todd Sanders. The game is published by Winsome Games, Queen Games, & Rio Grande. Expansions include Chicago Express: Narrow Guage & Erie Railroad Company (2009), and Chicago Express: Nickle Plate Road Expansion (2011). Both expansions are for Chicago Express and not for Wabash Cannonball which is currently being released. Chapters: 00:00 Intro & Components 01:16 Setting Up 03:10 Initial Auction 05:00 Ending / Winning the Game 05:28 Sequence of Play 06:59 Expansion 11:02 Development 13:33 Capitalization 14:29 Chicago Dividends 14:52 Wabash Opens 15:43 General Dividends 16:33 Thoughts feat. Joe (from Dads on a Map)

Duration:00:52:27

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Empyreal: Spells & Steam

11/3/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Empyreal: Spells & Steam. Empyreal: Spells & Steam is a game designed by Trey Chambers and is illustrated by Laura La Vito and Eunice Abigael Tiu. The game is published by Level 99 Games. Expansions include empyreal: As Above, so Below (2020), and Empyreal: Far Corners (2022).Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:36 Components03:10 Inside Your Company Folio05:28 Setting Up the Game10:04 Gameplay16:38 End of the Line21:04 Game Effects26:12 Game End29:17 Frequently Asked Questions30:26 Team Variant32:11 References and Goods Description34:46 Company Profiles40:08 As Above, So Below41:23 Components (As Above, So Below)41:53 7-8 Player Setup (As Above, So Below)43:25 Metros (As Above, So Below)47:59 Solo Mode (As Above, So Below)54:19 Far Corners58:42 MCG Thoughts

Duration:01:04:19

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Mansions of Madness

10/20/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Mansions of Madness Second Edition. Mansions of Madness is a game designed by Nikki Valens and is illustrated by Cristi Balanescu, Yoann Boissonnet, Anders Finer, Tony Foti, et. al. The game is published by Fantasy Flight Games.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:20 The House on the Hill05:04 Game Overview & Components07:13 Setup10:45 Investigator Phase21:16 Mythos Phase23:21 Winning the Game25:40 Additional Rules46:01 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:47:52

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Mysterium

10/6/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Mysterium. Mysterium is a game designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko and is illustrated by Igor Burlakov, Xavier Collette, Oleksandr Nevskiy, and Oleg Sidorenko. The game is published by Libellud.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:35 Player Roles05:18 Game Components and Setup11:13 Gameplay28:53 End of the Game29:21 Two-and Three-Player Games30:59 MCG Thoughts (feat. Joey)

Duration:00:45:55

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Cthulhu: Death May Die

9/8/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Cthulhu: Death May Die. Cthulhu: Death May Die is a game designed by Rob Daviau and Eric Lang and is illustrated by Nicolas Fructus, Karl Kopinski, Thierry Masson, Edgar Skomoroski, etc. The game is published by CMON games.Expansions include Season 2 Expansion (2019), Yog-Sothoth (2019), Unspeakable Box (2019), Scarlett Hayes (2019), Black Goat of the Woods (2019), R’lyeh Rising (2019), CMON Comics: Vol. 1 Promos (2021), R’lyehian Seizures Promo (2022), Iron Maiden Pack #1 (2023), Iron Maiden Pack #2 (2023), Iron Maiden Pack #3 (2023), Season 4 Expansion (2023), Fear of the Unknown: Ithaqua the Win-Walker (2023), Fear of the Unknown: Animal Allies (2023), Fear of the Unknown: Unknowable Box (2023), CMON Comics: Vol. 2 Promos (2023).It looks like a lot but there are 16 expansions (which is less than some of the other ones I have written out in the past).Check out the Character Guide here: https://makecraftgame.com/2022/10/21/dmd-character-guide/Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Components01:59 Overview11:06 Setup13:18 Dice and Checks17:11 Turn Sequence33:11 Death of an Investigator34:04 Disrupting the Ritual34:30 Fighting the Elder One36:47 Ending the Game37:40 Rules Summary40:39 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:51:51

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Caylus

9/8/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Caylus. Caylus is a game designed by William Attia and is illustrated by Cyril Demaegd, Arnaud Demargd, and Mike Doyle (I). The game is published by Ystari Games.Expansions include Caylus Expansion: The Jeweler (2005). I do not know anything about the expansion.Chapters:00:00 MCG Introduction00:25 Contents01:23 Goal of the Game01:59 Set Up03:31 Game Principles06:19 Conventions06:58 Progression of the Game16:57 Scoring18:50 Royal Favors 23:53 End of the Game24:28 Caylus for Two Players25:05 Simplified Favor (Easier Variant) & Hints29:09 MCG Wrap Up

Duration:00:35:36

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Broom Service

7/14/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Broom Service. Broom Service is a game designed by Andreas Pelikan, and Alexander Pfister and is illustrated by Vincent Dutrait. The game is published by alea, Ravensburger. Expansions include Broom Service: The 1st Expansion (2106), Brettspeil Adventskalender 2016 (2016), and Broom Service: Christmastime (2016). I do not know anything about the expansions.Chapters:00:00 MCG Introduction / Game Summary00:56 Game Contents01:37 Game Set-Up (Basic Game)03:50 Game Play10:56 Game End11:46 The Roles16:08 The Events17:53 Game Variations25:18 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:28:57

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Ra

7/5/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for RA. RA is a game designed by Reiner Knitzia and is illustrated by Ian O’Toole. The deluxe edition game is published by 25th Century games.There are no expansions for RA.Chapters:00:00 MCG Introduction / Overview01:28 Game Components02:51 Set-Up05:19 Playing the Game06:08 Actions08:08 Auctions11:18 Scoring13:33 Beginning a New Epoch14:43 Winning the Game14:54 Auction Tiles Effects & Scoring18:47 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:23:11

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Bites

6/3/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Bites and the expansion Bites: New Recipe. Bites is a game designed by Brigitte Ditt & Wolfgang Ditt and is illustrated by Filip Gavril & Anca Gavril. The game is published by BoardgameTables.com Chapters: 00:00 MCG Intro01:42 Set-Up03:25 Gameplay04:54 Cards05:47 Scoring06:18 Bites: New Recipes (Expansion)07:20 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:12:05

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Ahoy (Feat. Luke Bridwell)

5/12/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Ahoy. Ahoy is a game designed by Greg Loring-Albright and is illustrated by Kyle Ferrin. The game is published by Leder Games.Chapters:Overview / Components – 00:00Game Setup – 02:45Faction Setup – 05:15Playing the Game – 07:22Ending the Round – 09:22Taking Actions – 11:56Terrain – 19:33Damage – 21:57Crew – 23:07The Bluefin Squadron – 24:37The Mollusk Union – 28:29The Smugglers – 33:21The Fine Print – 38:03Appendix A: Crew – 39:05Appendix B: Plans – 44:08MCG Thoughts (feat. Luke Bridwell) – 45:57

Duration:01:09:15

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Calico

4/28/2023
This week we are going to cover the rules for Calico. Calico is a game designed by Kevin Russ and illustrated by Beth Sobel. The game is published by Flatout Games.Chapters:00:00 Introduction + Components01:34 Beginner Setup03:19 Standard Setup05:11 Gameplay Overview05:31 Player Turn06:20 Design Goal Tiles09:07 Cat Scoring Tiles + Cat Tokens11:01 Button Scoring Tile + Button Tokens12:00 Game End + Final Scoring13:13 Variants + Solo Mode14:37 Scoring Tiles17:22 MCG Wrap-Up

Duration:00:19:26

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Vast: The Crystal Caverns

10/29/2022
This week we are going to cover the rules for Vast: The Crystal Caverns. Vast: The Crystal Caverns is a game designed by Patrick Leder and Davide Somerville and is illustrated by Kyle Ferrin. The game is published by Leder Games. Expansions include Vast: The Crystal Caverns – Bonus Cards (2017) and Vast: Fearsome Foes (2018). Chapters: 00:00 Getting Started 04:03 Components 05:47 General Rules 14:50 Glossary 16:31 The Knight 30:27 The Goblins 41:53 The Dragon 49:32 The Cave 56:49 The Thief 1:07:55 Terrain Variant 1:13:58 Difficulty Variant 1:19:33 Sample Turns 1:26:17 Easily Forgotten Rules 1:29:37 MCG Thoughts

Duration:01:31:57

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Disney Villainous

10/14/2022
This week we are going to cover the rules for Disney Villainous. Disney Villainous is a game designed by Prospero Hall. The game is published by Ravensburger and Wonder Forge. There are no expansions for this game, but it does integrate with the following games: · Villainous: Bigger and Badder (2022) – includes Syndrome, Lotso, and Madam Mim · Villainous: Despicable Plots (2021) – includes Lady Tremaine, the Horned King, and Gaston · Villainous: Perfectly Wretched (2020) – includes Cruella de Vil, Mother Gothel, and Pete · Villainous: Evil Comes Prepared (2019) – includes Scar, Yzma, and Ratigan · Villainous: Wicked to the Core (2019) – includes the Evil Queen, Hades, and Dr. Facilier Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Components 01:15 Setup 02:21 Game Overview 04:15 On Your Turn 05:33 Types of Actions 09:13 Types of Cards 13:51 Reference 15:56 Frequently Asked Questions 18:21 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:19:42

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Fort

9/30/2022
This week we are going to cover the rules for Fort. Fort is a game designed by Grant Rodiek and is illustrated by Kyle Ferrin. The game is published by Leader Games. Expansions include Fort: Cats & Dogs Expansion (2021) by Nick Brachmann and Grant Rodiek. Chapters: 00:00 MCG Introduction & Overview 01:02 Basic Setup and Advanced Setup 03:21 Card Anatomy 04:47 Player Board Anatomy 06:20 How to Play 12:26 Fort Level 13:25 End of Game 15:00 Actions 18:04 Other Action Symbols 21:05 Glossary Made-Up Rules 22:36 Glossary Perks 24:16 Cats and Dogs Expansion 29:40 MCG Thoughts

Duration:00:31:53