Stamp Swap: My Favorite Mechanism

Jamey discusses his favorite mechanism in the new Stonemaier game of tile drafting, grouping (I-cut-you-choose), and placement!

[Ian-R-Wilz]

I love the idea of reserving a stamp. It's such an interesting mechanism. I also like the caveat of not being able to reserve a rare stamp because that would make the reserving mechanism too strong most likely.

[icyskater]

Can't wait for the release. Looks super fun.

[StevenStJohn-kjeb]

The goal scoring system sounds pretty cool. It's not at all the same, but for some reason it reminds me a bit of Ezra and Nehemiah from Garphill Games. That game is played over 3 "weeks". At the end of each week you choose 1 card (2 cards during the second week) to "tuck" and score. Unlike Stamp Swap, the thing you choose will be scored each week. So you might think it obvious to tuck first the card whose scoring category is one you are building towards, since it will score 3 times, but the card you tuck is no longer available for game play, and it's likely a card that would really help you build up its own scoring category. I think what reminds me of Stamp Swap then is both games have this tension of deciding when to "cash in" some scoring category. In Stamp Swap the tension is that you only get to score a thing once, meaning you could regret it later if you really gain more in that category. In Ezra and Nehemiah, the tension is that you can't have your cake and eat it too - if you score a particular card, you are most likely sapping your ability to build that category further.

[joshuaperham]

Just got my copy in the mail yesterday. I tested out a mock playthrough and I love it! Can't wait to play it in a group!

[paulsalomon]

Hat tip to St Louisan, playtester, and game designer Mark Sellmeyer for the suggestion of reserving a stamp!!

[origenward]

This looks fun!

My brain keeps wanting to read it as "Stomp Swamp"😬😊

[ohnenamen]

How do you think it compares to the great Split. I am thinking of getting stamp swap, since i like the great split

[Joshua_Tymchyn]

I wonder, did the team play test having five goals with three to choose throughout the rounds? My curiosity is more about the pain of missing out on two goals (over just the current one), rather than having more choice.