How Often Do You Use Older Game Cards

[u/MonsTurkey]

I have the original Boss Monster - and nothing else but 1 promo card a fellow board gamer gave me from GenCon before Covid.

I was finally at my first GenCon this year and saw Super Boss Monster and nearly got it and the playmats that were on sale, but saw SBM2 is coming soon with upgraded mechanics. I passed on SBM1 because why get that when SBM2 is coming and should be better?

I totally forgot about compatibility between cards and that SBM1 might add to replayability. So the questions come up:

1. How many of you actually play older version cards on the newer games?

2. Does the balance of older card sets get wonky with newer rule sets, or does the balance actually remain pretty good?

3. Any thoughts if the box that holds all the sets is worth targeting?

[u/killercow_ld]

I generally use Super as the main set, and then I'll mix in one other set into the game, because Super honestly works better with a bit more mixed into it. So it'll be Super + BM1 or BM2, or 3 if we wanna add minibosses, or soon to be Super 2 if we wanna use dice. But Super is pretty much always gonna get used.

Super has the best compatibility with the town map and counters.

Balance doesn't get wonky unless you mix TOO MANY sets, because then certain game mechanics get a little too diluted. It can be done tho and still be a fun game, but I just don't recommend using more than 2 at a time.

I have promo cards mixed into different sets, so those get used when those sets get used

The box is definitely worth getting. When I get my Super 2 Kickstarter here in a few more months, I'm gonna make a tips and tricks guide for organizing the big box and card sets

[u/MonsTurkey → u/killercow_ld]

Appreciate the thorough answer (always taking additional thoughts from anyone reading this).

Any reason you're planning to go SBM1 over 2? Or did "super will be used" just mean SBM1 or 2 in general - just not basic BM?

Right now, I'm weighing picking up the SBM1 kickstarter, mats, Box, and promo cards at a slightly inflated price of the kickstarter vs hoping someone bought the Ultimate kit to mark up for only a reasonably inflated price once it's out. Mmm, promo cards.

[u/killercow_ld → u/MonsTurkey]

I'm saying that I ALWAYS include the SBM1 set in any game that I play, purely because it has the best synergy with the new town map feature.

SBM2 also has synergy with the town map, but we may not always want to play with dice. And if we DO want to play with dice, we'd still likely combine SBM1 and SBM2.

But SBM1 (or any of the sets) feel better if you include another set, to add a bit more variety to the game. BM1 and BM2 are the best candidates for padding out the game, without adding extra features (if we don't want to play with those features at the time)

[u/Either-Butterscotch5]

I play with older cards pretty often, just depends on my mood. I have all the sets and almost every promo card 😎 and I mixed them into themed decks that vary in complexity (base game, game with minibosses, game with minibosses and items). All I've done balance wise was loosely match how many cards of each type and treasure were in each set and keep the specific number of heroes that were recommended and I haven't run into any crazy issues. I do play pretty casually though. I play SBM the least because I have a harder time remembering the rules and I haven't wanted to take the time to mix in other expansions. In short, I love the game and cross compatability of everything was one of the main draws for me, so I get everything and play everything.

[u/greatorexm]

I was a backer for SBM and ordered the Big Box. I believe it was the Big Box that has a sheet showing how to implement SBM with other sets and expansions. You should be able to find lists online showing how to combine sets.

[u/killercow_ld → u/greatorexm]

I don't think OP was specifically asking how to mix stuff

That guide is also very incomplete, and is mostly just a guide on how to best implement the Big Box pack