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00:00:00 – 00:13:55
Joey Evans and Roy C discuss alternative games to "Magic: The Gathering" (MTG) in their "Pixix" series, recommending six games based on similar themes and mechanics. They begin with "Summoner Wars," a tactical game that combines deck building and chess-like strategy. The next recommendation is "Star Realms," where players create decks in real-time, comparable to MTG’s strategic gameplay, followed by "Dominion," designed by MTG Pro Tour player Donald X. Vaccarino, known for its innovative deck-building mechanics. "Unmatched" blends MTG with chess and features pre-built decks for unique asymmetric gameplay. "Marvel Champions" is a cooperative deck-builder where players work together using Marvel characters to defeat villains, emphasizing strategic card management. Lastly, "Veil of Eternity" and a snake draft mechanic game are noted for their unique strategic elements and accessibility, offering satisfying combo-building and budget-friendly options. Each game provides diverse, engaging experiences resonant with MTG enthusiasts.
00:00:00
In this segment, Joey Evans and Roy C discuss a concept called “Pixix,” where they recommend six alternative games branching off a popular one, encompassing theme, mechanics, and overall feel. This episode focuses on branching off from “Magic the Gathering.” They start by recommending “Summoner Wars,” a tactical, board-based game where players battle to reduce their opponent’s hit points, akin to Magic. It involves deck building, discarding cards to build magic, and has a tactical chess-like feel with dice rolling and unique unit abilities, making it a good fit for Magic the Gathering enthusiasts.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on the distinct gameplay experiences and deck-building mechanics of various board and card games. The first game mentioned is Summoner Wars, where each faction plays uniquely and players can customize decks using different icons for tactical advantages, akin to a miniatures game with a vibe similar to Magic: The Gathering (MTG). The second game discussed is Star Realms (and its sister game Hero Realms), where players build their decks in real-time from a common row of cards, adding a layer of strategy as they choose factions and combos, reminiscent of MTG’s gameplay. Lastly, Dominion is highlighted as the original deck-building game where players collect resources and action cards to create powerful combos, designed by a former MTG Pro Tour player, Donald X. Vaccarino.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speakers discuss two tabletop games: Dominion and Unmatched. Dominion is highlighted for its deck-building mechanic, where players build decks during the game to create powerful combos and gain points. It’s praised for its simplicity, depth, and numerous expansions, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
Unmatched is described as a blend of Magic: The Gathering and chess, featuring card draws and miniatures. Its appeal lies in the asymmetric gameplay and pre-built decks for each character, allowing players to utilize unique abilities. The game includes a variety of sets, incorporating characters from different franchises like Marvel, Jurassic Park, and classic literature, emphasizing its replayability and strategic depth.
00:09:00
In this segment, the speakers discuss several board games and their unique features. They start by emphasizing the strategic elements of “Unmatched,” where players choose different characters, either fictional or real, with varying abilities and playstyles, creating dynamic and strategic gameplay.
The conversation then shifts to “Marvel Champions,” highlighting that it is a cooperative deck-building game where players work together to defeat villains like Rhino, Magneto, or Ultron. The importance of card management and combining different Marvel characters’ abilities is emphasized, along with the flexibility to play solo or collaboratively. The game also scales in difficulty, which adds replay value.
Finally, “Veil of Eternity” is introduced as a short tableau builder focused on managing a limited resource of four stones with different values, adding a unique currency management aspect to the gameplay.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speakers discuss a game featuring a snake draft mechanic, comparing it to Magic: The Gathering. They highlight the strategic elements of building engines and combos with various characters. The game also includes some “take that” elements where players can disrupt each other’s progress. They emphasize the game’s appeal for its ease of getting to the table and the satisfaction from combo building. The segment concludes by recommending this and other similar games, noting that they are budget-friendly options.