COIN Rankings | 2023 Edition | GMT Games | The Players' Aid

[WatchItPlayed]

_NOTE: Wrote this list at the part in the beginning when invited to make a list, before watching the rankings of the guys._ As you say, I would play all of these games - and the ranking here is even hard in terms of favorites.

I put *Cuba Libre* first because I've played it the most (23 times), so even though I enjoy some of the added twists of the other games in the series, I can't deny how much replayability I've found there, and I feel it's earned it's spot.

*A Distant Plain* on the other hand, I haven't played as much, but I find the way the factions interact so intriguing. It's odd in a way that this is so high in my rankings, as I don't feel I've explored it as much as a second place position would deserve, but this one just tickles my brain in such a strong way. This list is as much about desire to re-play as anything else, and this has that strong pull.

*Andean Abyss* has the draw of Cuba Libre, but on a bigger scale, and in that regards I almost feel the draw to play it more than Cuba Libre (because I haven't been able to play it as much, and enjoy the extra space and units... but as I say, Cuba Libre earned the top spot).

*People Power* has fast risen up the scale. Our first few plays felt very swingy, but on repeated plays (up to 5 games now), we've found the dance, incredibly tense. You really can't mess up here. Every move matters. We've enjoyed playing a game where the government isn't necessarily on a downward spiral. If anything they are going to take the game unless you co-ordinate against them. I would have said this is the best starting COIN, except that the balance is so delicate, it might throw off new players.

*Liberty or Death* was the first COIN that I played which made combat so central. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy that as much (mathing out the forces, the dice rolling, etc), but that ended up being the special spice that gave it quite a nice flavor once we got the hang of it. Having one faction kind of out of it during the early part of the game is perhaps historically accurate, but maybe isn't the best "game" choice?

*Gandhi* could be higher, but I haven't played it as much. Keen to. Loved seeing the pacifist ideas brought over to People Power. One of the best COIN rule books (if not GMT rulebooks) I've read. I hope they adopt more of the methods used in that rule book.

*Fire In The Lake* is heralded as many people's favorite. I liked it. But I also didn't "get" it strategically. I have no doubt playing more would change that. This could easily move up the ranks in my desire to play, with more plays.

*Falling Sky* . This was an interesting journey. Only played once. We spent most of the game in the rule book. Combat became a strange... burden? I'd say we were not enjoying most of it... but by the end found ourselves very invested. I'd say some of the lights started coming on for us by the end, and we couldn't deny that we were becoming compelled by it. This sits near the bottom, more due to the fact that we know each play would require noses-in-rule-books more than actively playing, but the bug bit. I do want to revisit.

*Colonial Twilight* . A few plays under the belt, and I just couldn't see how a competent guerilla faction would ever lose. It felt to us like their capacity to gain resources gives them a punitive, reliable advantage, while the government gets jammed up hoping for certain event cards, and to not get thrashed by the initiative order. Remember, this is a VERY subjective opinion, as is this whole list. If you love Colonial Twilight and have not experienced this... it's cool. I'm happy for you. You're having my desired experience with the game. But I didn't have it. Yet.

Cuba Libre
A Distant Plain
Andean Abyss
People Power
The British Way
Liberty Or Death
Gandhi
Fire In The Lake
Falling Sky
Colonial Twilight

Unplayed (but in some stage of learning):
All Bridges Burning
Pendragon

[turks]

I think the key to enjoying a Coin game is to enjoy the topic that it is based on. If you love the topic of the game, you'll enjoy the game. Obviously, if you don't like the topic, I don't think any game can really get you interested in playing a game about that the topic. Thanks for the video

[erickw]

As I clicked on the video, I recieved an email that my copy of Fire in the Lake is on it's way! Fate, destiny, serendipity, I don't know. Lifelong wargamer, first time COIN player. I'm ready to dive deep in Nam with my buddies, blasting some CCR in the background! ✌☮

Thank you guys for all you do for the hobby! Happy gaming!

[kennethatherton]

Sovereign of Discord just put Fire in the Lake into the stratosphere for me. Gearing up for an epic game using it and Fall of Saigon.

[LordoftheBoard]

Omg so excited to watch this friends 🔥🔥 I was hoping you would do another ranking

[ShannonMac]

Nice COIN update.

Of the COIN games I have played here is my ranking by most desirable to play

1. Pendragon (played 7 times)
2. Liberty or Death (played 3 times)
3. All Bridges Burning (played once)
4. Cuba Libre (played 4 times)
5. Fire in the Lake (played once)
6. Falling Sky (played twice)

[boardgamer]

I would give Falling Sky another try. It's my favorite, super fun negotiation especially if you play Aedui, a lot punchier with devastating moves and because the map is smaller, every location is fought for, makes it a lot more interesting/exciting. It also doesn't have some of the rally loop that the other COINs get stuck in

[richard-mtl]

I was just thinking to myself a few days ago, "I hope they do a ranking of ALL the games soon, now that I have every single one too!". I went from none to all in a little over a year. And you delivered! This will be a good episode, I'm sure!

[map]

Ranking the games I have played:
1: Falling Sky
2: Liberty or Death
3: Andean Abyss
4: Pendragon
5: All Bridges Burning
6: Cuba Libre (Since it is so similar to Andean Abyss it gets pushed way down, but will never turn down a chance to play)
7: A Distant Plain

Ranking "want to play" of the unplayed titles
1: Gandhi
2: The British Way
3: Fire in the Lake
4: Colonial Twilight
5: People Power

Bonus: Ranking interest level of the 5 on P500
1: China's War
2: Red Dust Rebellion
3: The Pure Land
4: The Guerilla Generation
5: A Fading Star

[BoydomHQ]

From what I own, ranked:

1. The British Way
2. All Bridges Burning
3. Andean Abyss
4. People Power
5. Gandhi

Could change tomorrow, but TBW is so relevant right now, it's almost a thesis paper in a game.

[larzwelo]

Haven't played them all yet, but my rankings are:
A Distant Plain
Falling Sky
Fire in the Lake
Colonial Twilight
The British Way
Cuba Libre
Andean Abyss
Gandhi
All Bridges Burning

I own but haven't played People Power

[coyi]

I find them very addictive and don't mind which one I play. Found it difficult to put in some form of order, but came up with the following. 1. Pendragon 2. Liberty, 3. Falling Sky, 4. The British Way, 5. Gandhi, 6. All Bridges Burning, 7. Andean Abyss, 8. Cuba L;bre 9. Fire in the lake, 10. Colonial Twilight, 11. A Distant Plain & People Power.

[Danishbuddha]

From what I have played;
Falling Sky (with the expansion)
Pendragon
Cuba Libre
Fire in the lake
Andean Abyss
A Distant Plain

red dust will probably enter after Pendragon, then it comes out

[lukemartin]

Great video!
COIN is my favourite series. My ranking (with tiers marked "---"):
1. The British Way
2. Fire in the Lake
3. Liberty or Death
4. Cuba Libre
---
5. Andean Abyss
6. Ghandi
7. A Distant Plain
8. Falling Sky
---
9. Colonial Twilight
10. People Power
---
11. All Bridges Burning
(Pendragon unplayed)

[panthros]

I pretty much stick to antiquity and medieval games so Falling Sky and Pendragon would be my #1 and #2. Pendragon was my first coin system and many people tell me if you play coin, Pendragon should not be the first game you play lol! I loved it!

[BoardGamesBooksAndWhat]

I just started my COIN collection. So far I only have Fire in the Lake with both expansions and Liberty or Death. I play Andean Abyss on rally the troops and finally won a game with the cartel. This series has me also already collecting all the Levy and Campaign series as well in my collection.

[hedonisticnihil]

I have not played that many but I love love Cuba Libre. Got it when it came out originally as I loved the theme. This was years ago and while my group would play heavy games this was too confrontational. I sololed and loved the system. Got tempted but never bought. P500 All Bridges Burning as my partner is mostly Finnish and supposedly not to hard. I also P500 People Power as it was an easy to learn. It was .With I have been able to convert 3 new people to COIN. So maybe I can get more plays in.

1.Cuba Libre
2. People Power
3. British Way
4. All Bridges Burning.

I have P500 reprints
1. Gandhi
2. Distant Plain
3. China's War

[nogardtla]

Thanks guys! Been looking for an update on this for a while. A little surprised that the British Way was so high and CT was so low for you both. Clearly I need to get over my Fire in the Lake hesitation.

[wmarclocher]

46:55 For this Newb that just started COIN with CL I wouldn't have suggested starting anywhere else, but now that Vol 2 of GMT's Irregular Combat Series is out "A Gest of Robin Hood" I would go there first. Then CL. Following my interests lead next to LoD as my second purchase and I had to set that defer that to the Grown Ups Table for the present. Then was curious to see the latest entry PP to see how much had changed from Vol 2 to Vol 11, it is swingy to start with, but it introduced me to more COIN mechanics in an easy to follow way. CT is still a little too hard and instead am now tackling AA which seems CL is to it what Red Sea: Conflict in the Horn Of Africa is to Twilight Struggle. I have to wonder if CL wasn't purposely crafted for that purpose.

-Least to most complex (Not worried about my interest level as it increases once I get into each game)
-- A Gest of Robin Hood
- -Cuba Libre
- -People Power (just to learn the additional COIN mechanics)
- -Andean Abyss

- On my to try next list:
--All Bridges Burning
--The British Way (when I find a reasonably priced copy)
--Colonial Twilight
--A Distant Plain
--Falling Sky
-- Gandhi

- Then when I'm ready for something meatier
- Fire in the Lake
- Liberty or Death
--Pendragon (again when I find a reasonably priced copy)

Thanks for the video guys, I've come back to it many times and look forward to your next one.
Side note it also really helped me to learn basic strategy by playing all factions as the bots.

(Update) managed to get The British Way and I would now put that above Cuba Libre, but still under Gest

[caronte]

Thanks for putting this together really enjoyed your insights and enthusiasm for the COIN series