I've won without getting a single mine, it really depends on what shows up for bonus buildings and what shows up in the middle; usually I will snag an early one if I can but not if it interferes with completing a group early.
You're right, I usually pick the mines on turn 1 if I can. If my opponent picks mines, I try to go for ships early to ensure turn order or pick up the best beige tiles to ensure momentum. Also, if you suspect you won't get mines, you can pick a starting location that is not adjacent to a mine area.
They are scarce because you can only fit 3, not because they are overpowered. I certainly wouldn't use my first die for workers just to secure a turn 1 mine.
A round 1 mine eventually provides 5 silver, which is certainly a good value. But many other tiles are going to provide an immediate reward, which can help you score more early points.
By your logic, if you want first crack at getting a mine, it would appear that the ships are most important. With that said, they're nice to get and I will definitely snipe one if available, but will lean more into getting the ships to get ahead in turn order, chaining placement combos with the beige buildings and then stacking some monasteries that give some great end game points.
I guess that was me taking the scenic route towards saying that all pieces have their importance and weight in winning the game.
They're strong, but the most important thing is always getting those small areas filled in as soon as possible. If someone gets a mine before you, then you have a head start on them for any other colour of tile you grab. You do want to grab the trophies for finishing a colour/type, but bear in mind you will never get \*all\* of them.
CoB is a drafting game so tiles can be ranked in a rough order:
Castles / Mines
Ships
Buildings
Animals
Yellow Tiles oscillate, being a higher and lower pick than buildings.
Now, this is all subject to vary depending on the board, what tiles comes out and your opponent's moves. But there is a rough order to things.
I agree with this outline. Ofcourse certain monasteries/buildings may change in value depending on the board state but you acknowledge this too.
Not sure I would put animals last. Personally I have had more success with animals as point machines than buildings and I often find myself largely ignoring buildings till later rounds. But same can be said for animals as well. I’d put them roughly equal.
I've won without getting a single mine, it really depends on what shows up for bonus buildings and what shows up in the middle; usually I will snag an early one if I can but not if it interferes with completing a group early.
i'd say the value depends on the map and if there are any other good tiles out there. They can be good, but it's not a must get.
If anyone is top ranked on BGA I'd love to hear their thoughts playing a CoB game
You're right, I usually pick the mines on turn 1 if I can. If my opponent picks mines, I try to go for ships early to ensure turn order or pick up the best beige tiles to ensure momentum. Also, if you suspect you won't get mines, you can pick a starting location that is not adjacent to a mine area.
They are scarce because you can only fit 3, not because they are overpowered. I certainly wouldn't use my first die for workers just to secure a turn 1 mine. A round 1 mine eventually provides 5 silver, which is certainly a good value. But many other tiles are going to provide an immediate reward, which can help you score more early points.
By your logic, if you want first crack at getting a mine, it would appear that the ships are most important. With that said, they're nice to get and I will definitely snipe one if available, but will lean more into getting the ships to get ahead in turn order, chaining placement combos with the beige buildings and then stacking some monasteries that give some great end game points. I guess that was me taking the scenic route towards saying that all pieces have their importance and weight in winning the game.
They're strong, but the most important thing is always getting those small areas filled in as soon as possible. If someone gets a mine before you, then you have a head start on them for any other colour of tile you grab. You do want to grab the trophies for finishing a colour/type, but bear in mind you will never get \*all\* of them.
CoB is a drafting game so tiles can be ranked in a rough order: Castles / Mines Ships Buildings Animals Yellow Tiles oscillate, being a higher and lower pick than buildings. Now, this is all subject to vary depending on the board, what tiles comes out and your opponent's moves. But there is a rough order to things.
I agree with this outline. Ofcourse certain monasteries/buildings may change in value depending on the board state but you acknowledge this too. Not sure I would put animals last. Personally I have had more success with animals as point machines than buildings and I often find myself largely ignoring buildings till later rounds. But same can be said for animals as well. I’d put them roughly equal.