Board Game Strategy: Grand Evaluation Theory & Wingspan

This video continues the discussion on a broader method for approaching board game strategy. Specifically, I discuss evaluating the strength of actions and rewards based on the structure of those systems proposed by the game designer. I use Wingspan as my first example of applying this and how you can consider different action choices.

[strategyadvisor]

Well explained. This is exactly what I do for most euro games, probably along with many other theorycrafters. I've applied this method in 2 video guides, on Ark Nova and Lost Ruins of Arnak. Ark Nova was much harder haha.

[colingoldberg]

Big fan of these types of analytical videos.

Would also like to hear more of a discussion about how the GET slots into gameplay. GET seems to be good at a few things: 1. Identifying bad (or resource negative) moves; 2. Identifying clearly dominant (or resource positive) moves and 3. providing you with a mathematical evaluation of similar moves. None of that necessarily wins you the game, especially if you're playing with folks who evaluate the same way. so what next?

Would be interested for you deconstruct a Rosenberg game or two on this method. in Agricola, I think most would agree that Workers are the most critical in the game, how would a consideration like that be evaluated?

[bicyclops]

I like the series! A game like Dune: imperium might be a fun exercise in this kind of analysis- and i wonder if splendor might be the rare interesting version of a "single resource" game to look at.
P.s. how do you feel about the wsbg power birds rule? I personally like it a lot!

[lordgrok]

Thanks Nick! I’ll likely be playing my 3rd ever game of Wingspan tonight and this will give me something more interesting to think about than “this bird is playable and fits an objective so meh let’s do it” and “why do people play this game”!

[boardgametotears]

I've been giving thought as to how time can be evaluated. It is easier in a game like Wingspan I think because everyone has the same amount of turns but in many games such as Gaia Project and Everdell, it is possible for some to get more turns. In the new game Mech A Dream, time is even a resource that can be acquired.

[spitfire]

What about egg capacity? You can have unlimited cards, unlimited food but eggs are limited to spots you can place them.