6:25 “Same distance” is determined the total path length as is “closer.” So if they are truly the same distance, then yes, but it sounds like they aren’t actually. 6:37 No, they duke it out. They have to finish “closer” if possible and that is determined by path length, irrespective of blocking units. This makes purchasing the terrain tile at the beginning of the wave very powerful as you can block off the easy route as long as you leave a route open. 7:17 You are right they are wrong. There is only one terrain per hex. Any wargamer can tell you that. :D This is an important tactic because your minions need to use their full movement if possible, but they only need to end up “closer” than their start, so moving sideways is a tricky way to slow them down. 7:49 Yes, they retaliate. Thematically, the flying unit of adjacent enters melee range to do its attack so it gets a retaliation. This is similar to how retaliation ignores “armored” since it isn’t an “attack.” The rulebook does cover it through the way it covers the word “attack” (Units with attack but no range cannot attack flying. Neither can spires unless they have the ability “air defense” or somesuch…) 9:34 You can’t add range to that unit because it doesn’t have range already. The key is to understand upgrades are handled completely differently between units and spires. They are using the same chips but they mean different things. 9:52 I think you are right, that campfire is random art. IIRC, there are two source wells on ever hex group other than the middle that has 1 in the center, and that one has one on the opposite end and one in the water tile. While you can’t do this in game, you can ask questions on their discord channel. In game, you can scan their ever growing FAQ.

I far prefer too complex over too simple, but I get what you were saying about the rules. For those who don't know the game comes with a book of solo scenarios as well as co-op scenarios. The best way I can recommend this game is that when I lose a scenario or even win, but not accomplish all the objectives, I find I'm thinking about the strategies I used and what I could have done differently while I'm in bed, while I'm driving, while I'm at work until I can't wait to get home and try again. That's this game for sure.

Thank you for the honest and detailed review! I did ask the designer all your questions that raise up in your review stating from minute 06:10 in the video, and those were his answers: " Hello! I'll do my best to answer the questions raised in the video. Some of the questions he had are ones we are looking to make more clear in the revised rules and reference cards. Others do have an answer, but maybe not in the place he thought to look. 1. Minion movement questions -As long as the final hex your minion lands on is closer to its mark than where it started, and that it used its full movement to get there (if possible), then you can. Where he shows the two "x"s. This may indeed end up taking you down a path that is longer in the end, but as long as you are still ending movement closer than where you began each turn. -As to the shortest path, you always count hexes through units. You also only count terrain that the minion can move through (usually only path, but may change if a unit has a higher terrain allowance). So if the shortest path will be blocked by minions, you would still travel down that way. You could take an alternate route ONLY if doing so still gets you closer to the mark. In the example he provides, the Architect would not be able to take the alternate route, as he would have to end his turn more path hexes away than where he started. Neoprene tile questions: -The only thing you factor into the hex is the primary terrain type. So even if the two paths may have the art of grass and trees in between, as long as they are two adjacent path hexes, you can traverse over them. So his intuition of saying "yes" is correct. -The fire well is just for art and does not serve any gameplay function. Flying question: -This is an understandable confusion. However, we do clarify in the rules that attack and retaliation are different key words. Talents that apply to attacks do not automatically apply to retaliation. For Flying, it says that the unit can only be attacked by other units with Flying or the Range talent. However, it does not say that it can only be retaliated against by such talents. As attack and retaliation are different, enemies retaliate against Flying as normal. -This distinction is important, as it applies to other talents as well, such as Armored. Hope that helps! If you have any further questions, or if there was anything I missed, please let me know! All the best " - What do your opinion..? - Do you have any other things which you like to know? Best regards

I love tower defense, but to me, all the fiddly bookkeeping and referencing makes something this complex better suited for an app or video game. Castle Panic may be more random and simplistic, but I think it pulls off the feel nicely. I don't think I'd be willing to be the one to learn and teach this game, but I'd certainly give it a go if someone were willing to teach and quarterback me through it until I got the hang of it. It'd be a play, but not a purchase for my tastes. Great video!

Thank you, Chaz. I saw this at Origins this weekend and was tempted, even with the big price tag. While I’m happy you like it, your review has helped me understand that it’s not the game for me. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the review man! Appreciate your enthusiasm and tongue in cheek humor :)

Great review and presentation! Can't wait for my copy to arrive!

I had this on my reminder list for KS, and was back and forth on backing it. It looked so fun, but the price scared me away. Definitely something I wanna play before buying, but glad to hear positive reviews of it thus far.

This is Cones of Dunshire, the TD game.

My copy is on the way and I can't wait!!

What exactly would be wrong with all icing and no cake? That sounds FABULOUS !

Chaz, did you try the solo or co-op modes/scenarios? That’s probably how I’d want to play...

Have you played defense grid the board game? If so how does it compare?

Chaz, you are a Chaz

I backed for a dollar as I live in Australia. The shipping turned out to be almost more than the game so had to say goodbye. Maybe on a visit to NA I will get a chance to play but the complexity has me concerned.

That fire well looks an awful lot like a for pit.

I was initially really interested in the game, but I don't think I can make it through bad rulebooks anymore. I want to be able to teach a game and play it without the awkardness of having to look up rules constantly through the game.

Dag, yo.

Wow, that's a long talk about what you didnt like about it, just to hear that you love it... That's so weird.

Kind of a strange "review." You didn't really say what you liked about the game or what the game does well or stories/experiences in your games.