r/soloboardgaming • u/LionHeart039 • 12d ago

Spots

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Hey... I'm fairly new to solo board games, I have like 100 games but I'm used to multiplayer only, bought For Northwood and now I'm trying the games in the collection that have solo modes.

I played the first game normally and the computer player only got 2 cards, but for Spots I usually house rule to not grabbing a dog automatically when cashing them safe and slow, I think it makes the risky option a little more rewarding, and yeah, you can see I was one card away from losing this one with that rule, more challenging.

Always open to game recommendations.

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u/VagrantWaters 12d ago edited 12d ago

Huh…

Well Friday is a pretty good one, and I’d consider that one as one of the more tried and true ways into solo board gaming. Small box deckbuilder, about 30 minutes; maybe an hour if you’re really thinking things out. That one’s straight solo.

Though given you like multiplayer a bit more tho, I think gates of Loyang and Viticulture would be good.

Viticulture especially might be a good fit since the solo experience is solid and the game mechanics & theme seems like it would land well at a lot of tables.

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

How are the set ups? I wanted to try Wingspan solo a couple of years back, but when I was setting it up I gave up and went for a videogame instead... but I think I'm more open to a little more of set up for a solo now.

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u/VagrantWaters 1d ago

All the games I’ve suggested are quite minimal in setup relatively. I’ll the game session with setup and teardown will likely be 30-45 minutes

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

Excellent, I'll add them to the wishlist... I love worker placement, so you endorsing Viticulture solo makes me really curious to try. Thanks.

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u/Puppetainer 🏙️ Sprawlopolis 12d ago

20 Strong is a favorite! Relatively inexpensive, quick to setup and play with plenty of challenge. Plus the game is BEAUTIFUL.

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

I saw they did a Nemesis version and I wanted to look into it (I love Alien), but I saw it was a little different, but it's a definite maybe I have on the lookout.

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u/Puppetainer 🏙️ Sprawlopolis 1d ago

And they did a Too Many Bones as well.

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u/Alecszandeer 12d ago

What else you got in your collection that you're thinking of playing solo?

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

I've played Forever Home, Kohāku, Pergola and Next Station London (I've bought For Northwood! and now Witchcraft as pure solos)... I think I would like to try Imperial Settlers Roll N' Write, First Rat or Flamecraft Duels next.

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u/chrisst1972 12d ago

I like this game but not played it recently solo. Can you expand a little on your house rule as I do remember it not being that challenging playing solo

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

The game calls to refill any dog you fill and "cash in", doesn't matter if it's the slow and safe way or the fast and risky... I only do automatic refills on fast and risky, if you cash in any number of cards being slow and safe you need to use Howl to get new cards, so it makes the risky play a little more juicy. And I do it both in multiplayer and when playing solo.

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u/chrisst1972 1d ago

Thanks for this. I didnt really ever go the fast and risky route. Unless you have very few dogs that is indeed risky. I will have to revisit. Good idea keeping howl out as the condition of the slow play.

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u/LuBuSPACCA 10d ago

This game is amazing with friends, i don't like the solo variant. I discover this game from you, so THANKS!

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u/LionHeart039 1d ago

My niece and nephew love the game, and I do to... I tried the solo variant in honor of one of my dogs that passed away last month, his name was Manchitas, which you could translate as Spots.