The 5G4D Advent Calendar 2025 - Dec 4th - Trick Taking
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We've recently returned from our most local convention which is GridCon 6 ran by Paul Grogan and team from Gaming Rules! Get a coffee, some snacks and strap yourself in as this is our biggest GridCon episode ever as we cover over 30 games & expansions between the players.
OUR PLAYERS: Adrian, JP, Davey, Becky
OVERVIEW
In this episode you'll learn:
- about all of our experiences of GRIDCON 6 from Thursday to Sunday with 30+ games covered...wowzers
- who we met up with, designers & content creators and also shout outs to our listeners
LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A
EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
3:37 - TURN 2 - GRIDCON 6: THURSDAY
5:43 - Dutch Resistance: Orange Shall Overcome - Liberation Game Design
12:23 - Lord of the Rings - Fate of the Fellowship - ZMan Games
16:28 - TURN 3 - GRIDCON 6: FRIDAY
17:38 - Tenby - Mighty Boards
18:46 - Kutna Hora: The City of Silver - Czech Games Edition
22:11 - Chrysalis Prototype - Mike Dennis (Ready Steady Play)
28:01 - Clans of Caledonia - Karma Games
33:31 - Tianxia (Sponsored Demo) - Board&Dice
37:08 - Ice & Idols (Sponsored Demo) - Inside Up Games
42:47 - Obsession - Kayenta Games
49:13 - Star Trek Captains Chair with Dávid Turczi - Wizkids
53:25 - Covenant - Devir Games
1:06:30 - Viking Seesaw - itten
1:09:20 - Bomb Busters - Cocktail Games
1:17:20 - TURN 4 - GRIDCON 6: SATURDAY
1:17:27 - The Defence of Procyon III - PSC Games
1:33:48 - Verdant - Flatout Games & Mycelia - Split Stone Games
1:36:42 - Planet - Blue Orange
1:40:25 - Let's Make a Bus Route - Saashi & Saashi
1:43:45 - Railway Boom - Cranio Creations
1:54:50 - Voidfall Resurgence Expansion (Sponsored Demo) - Mindclash Games
2:02:30 - Boss Fighters QR - Pegasus Spiele
2:08:08 - Bean to Bar - analog lunchbox
2:19:11 - Thunder Road Vendetta - Restoration Games
2:25:29 - Ada's Dream - Alley Cat Games
2:35:18 - Emberheart - Mindclash Games
2:44:50 - ***Redacted*** - Eerie Idol Games & On Mars - Eagle-Gryphon Games
2:47:59 - Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock - Perro Loko Games
2:56:26 - TURN 5 - GRIDCON 6: SUNDAY
2:56:34 - Nemesis: Retaliation - Awaken Realms
3:01:46 - EVE: War for New Eden - Titan Forge Games
3:10:18 - Not Once, Not Twice, But Thrice...GridCon Raffle
3:19:00 - Adrian's Light Games Round-Up
3:24:09 - Tag Team - Scorpion Masqué
3:28:05 - TURN 6 - GRIDCON Debrief & Final Turn
You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
ENGAGING WITH THE SHOW
- Join us on Discord
This time, we continue our discussion of RPGs by suggesting Role Playing Games that share popular boardgaming mechanisms, as well as giving Tom tips for getting a game started. Plus, we have a new Tale of Boardgaming Horror, and we close the show with some Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops.
00:50 - A Story About Mail
02:22 - Eric at PAX Unplugged (inc. Hot Streak)
06:50 - Gift Guides, Dice Tower West and East
08:02 - RPGs for Boardgame Fans (detailed notes below)
37:55 - Tale of Boardgaming Horror
43:03 - Formaggio
48:35 - Gnomic Parliament
52:13 - Carnuta
54:49 - Magic Number 11
56:54 - Insurrect10n
--
Julie's Notes
Where to go to get core book pdfs?
DriveThruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/
Cooperative play (yes the overwhelming majority of TTRPGs are cooperative) some extra cooperative leaning
Heckin' Good Doggos https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/405426/heckin-good-doggos
Teatime Adventures https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/teatime-adventures
Dice rolling - Also many many many ttrpgs use dice. Here are some examples
D20 - D&D/Pathfinder https://www.dndbeyond.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorCdKoS-xSfI4e05Us81YGA4tHt8CmmaOWNN-9VTcnsAfXS5pBS, https://paizo.com/pathfinder
d100 (percentile): Call of Cthulhu https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-rpg/
Symbol-based dice: FFG Star Wars. https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/starwarsrpg/ , Fudge dice: Fate https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/
Area control
Beak, Feather, & Bone https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/bfb
Faction/War
Song of Ice and Fire RPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/101026/A-Song-of-Ice-and-Fire-Roleplaying-A-Game-of-Thrones-Edition
Mutant: Year Zero https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/139453/MUTANT-Year-Zero--Roleplaying-At-The-End-Of-Days
Numenera: Destiny https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/240655/Numenera-Destiny
Coyote and Crow https://www.allplay.com/board-games/coyote-and-crow-the-roleplaying-game/
Action points -
Level Up
D&D
PbtA
Using Action points
Feng Shui https://atlas-games.com/fengshui
C&S: Rebirth
Mythras
Deck builder/Bidding
Ok not really but Redigo is "Hand Management" https://letsplayredigo.com/
Games using a standard deck of cards
Castle Falkenstein https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2370/castle-falkenstein
Games using a custom or proprietary card deck - mostly they are being used instead of dice
Dragonlance: Fifth Age https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/186462/dragonlance-fifth-age-dramatic-adventure-game-saga
Clockwork Dominion https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked
My Closest Pick
Torg Eternity:A Thousand Faces of Adventure http://torg-gamereference.com/
Pick up and Deliver
Solo/journal:
Courier https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked
Delivered! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/441018/delivered-a-solo-journaling-rpg
One shot
Delivery Dragons https://shardsofblue.itch.io/delivery-dragons
Worker Placement?
Become a GM
Questions? Tales of Horror? tom@dicetower.com
00:01:40 Intro
00:05:30 Cost how much?!
00:10:15 SWU Local Tourny
00:15:15 Codenames Live
00:16:45 Taste Buds
00:20:45 Miniature Market
00:22:40 Ayar: Children of the Sun
00:53:15 Temple Code
00:58:45 Portal Games
00:59:45 Bretwalda
01:15:30 Baseball Card GM
01:23:00 Guild Wars Reforged
Balancing everyday responsibilities with hobbies can be tricky, especially when medical appointments come into play. Dermatology visits, for example, often feel like interruptions in a busy schedule, but they’re essential for maintaining long-term health. Whether it’s a routine skin check or addressing a specific concern, these visits provide peace of mind and ensure that small issues don’t become larger ones. But sometimes, as you will hear, we often are confused by the charges we receive during our visits. Don’t get us wrong, these things are needed, but it is surprising just how things are billed.
Recently, we played Ayar, a game that has some very enjoyable mechanics, some challenging choices to make, and straight forward gameplay. Then there is Temple Code which scratches a different itch, with its puzzle-like challenges and mind-numbing play that feels almost like deciphering ancient mysteries with friends.
Then there’s Bretwalda, a sweeping strategy game set in early medieval Britain. Its blend of area control and historical flavor makes every session feel like a grand contest of wits and could create lively discussions long after the board is packed away.
APBA Baseball and Baseball Card GM both capture the thrill of America’s pastime, but they do so in very different ways. APBA Baseball, which grew up playing, is a classic tabletop simulation that has been around for decades, using dice and player cards to recreate the strategy and drama of real games. Where APBA leans into simulation and tradition, Baseball Card GM emphasizes creativity and collection, turning the act of managing a team into a dynamic, customizable experience using real baseball cards. Together, they highlight two different but equally engaging ways to enjoy baseball beyond the ballpark.
Thanks for listening and next episode will highlight another year of RDTN
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Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Tapple.
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-Saturday Night Live
0216 AYURIS: Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)
Games Played Last Week:
04:01 -Tapple Mini (NPD Toys, The Op Games, 2025)
07:53 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
13:30 -Ayar: Children of the Sun (Mandela Fernandez-Grandon & Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2025)
16:10 -Wriggle Roulette (Bruno Faidutti & Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2025)
19:52 -Pick 'n Packers (Kaoru Arishima, Oink Games, 2025)
23:07 -Galactic Renaissance: 5th Player (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)
27:49 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)
29:27 -No Loose Ends (Taiki Shinzawa, GameHead, 2025)
30:11 -Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:45 Earth Reborn return news: West Coast expansion with Play to Z
36:19 Topic: Omnibus Questions Epsilon Bet
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Join Conor, Jules and Adrian in this “all-aussie” pod as Adrian celebrates his citizenship. No longer a Brit, but an Aussie through and through … as if he wasn’t already!
Adrian has been revisiting an old favourite and curing himself of the plague in Bristol 1350. Jules has been wooed by a game about picnicking on plaid with ants in the new Bitewing Games title, Gingham. Coincidentally, Conor is also corralling six-legged insects in March of the Ants. The crew also give a rundown on recent game days in all three states, their obsession with Riftbound and Conor chats about a small box hit he’s discovered.
As usual there are lots of laughs and all-round gaming goodness!
Sizzling Games:
Riftbound: [34:52]
Castle Combo: [50:51]
Question of the Pod Recap: [59:52]
New Question of the Pod: [1:04:34]
Fired Up: [1:12:57]
New Question of the Pod: If a TCG requires hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to stay competitive, is that a design flaw… or just part of the hobby?
Check out our Eventbrite page for all of our upcoming Game Days: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/board-game-bbq-32833304483
Has this episode left you with a thirst for more? Here are all of the games that we discussed:
Unpublished:
Architects (prototype by Kyle Jarratt). Contact via discord @kyngkyle or on the web at https://kyng.com.au
Published:
Bristol 1350: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/308989/bristol-1350
Gingham: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/440024/gingham
March of the Ants: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/416079/march-of-the-ants-evolved-edition
Riftbound – League of Legends: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436560/riftbound-the-league-of-legends-trading-card-game
Voidfall: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/337627/voidfall
Gazebo: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/440023/gazebo
Clithulu Wars: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/139976/cthulhu-wars
Harmonies: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/414317/harmonies
Slambo!: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/435357/slambo
Hot Streak: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/446497/hot-streak
Trails of Tucana: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/283864/trails-of-tucana
Castle Combo: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/416851/castle-combo
Café: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/284936/cafe
SPONSORS
Our podcast is proudly sponsored by Advent Games and More Than Meeples.
Advent Games is an Australian online board game store based in Sydney, NSW. http://www.adventgames.com.au/
More Than Meeples is an Australian retail and online game store based in Brisbane, QLD.
https://morethanmeeples.com.au/
PATREON
Hey there, BBQ fans! Guess what? We’ve got a Patreon! By joining, you’ll unlock exclusive content, gain access to a members-only section of our Discord where you can help shape the show, and so much more. Plus, your support will help us grow and bring some awesome new projects to life in 2025.
At the Board Game BBQ Podcast, we’re passionate about what we do and promise to keep the fun and shenanigans rolling. We’re so grateful for your support! Joining our Patreon is totally optional, and we ask that you don’t contribute if it’ll cause financial stress. But if you’d like to chip in from just USD$5 a month, click the link to check out our Patreon page.
Thanks a million for being amazing! We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community, and you all make it special. See you at the BBQ!! https://www.patreon.com/BoardGameBBQ
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On this episode of On Board Games, Erik talks with Grandpa Beck from Grandpa Beck's Games all about games (and other things) they've played including:
You can get a discount on Zencastr.com using this link.
(17:56) Then, the two talk about the connections games can make between people.
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On Board Games Guild at Board Game Geek
@Gregarius
I know I said this episode would be my Feedback (or "mail bag") focused epsiode. And some may remember that previously I'd used the December 1st episode for my grinch-like Curmudgeon Show. In the end, I decided to push the Feedback episode back one month, to start the year with it on January 1st, 2026. You've got some more time to submit any questions or topics for me. While I'm not bringing back the Curmudgeon Show (just enjoy the grumbling on our special Discord channel!), I did bring back another old-timer who always joins me this time of year to talk about BGGcon. Greg Pettit is an "every-timer" to this wonderful event, and I've always had him back on the podcast to talk about his experiences & games played there. I wasn't able to join this year, but that's because I went to a different game convention the same month: San Diego History Con, or SDHistCon. So...I decided to blend our experiences and discussions into a combined episode about both conventions. Greg & I both intended to be more concise in this episode...but that didn't really happen. :-) Even after trimming our lists of some games, only talking about an interesting subset of them, we managed to have as much to say as ever. It's another big episode that will keep you going the entire holiday season. Is it a gift buying guide? Not really! We don't approach things that way, a little curmudgeon-ness leaks through sometimes, but we do gush about a few games. So perhaps it inspires some gift-giving, who knows? When you listen to this episode, you may find it helpful to follow along with our geeklist. That way you can track what games we've talked about, which are coming next, and what are 5-star ratings are. I've also inserted the game boxes here in the order discussed, which will also appear in the shownotes.
We both had good experiences at our respective cons, and I look forward to next year when I expect we'll get to sit across the same game table together in Dallas. As much as I'd like to go to all the good conventions, I can't. As it is, I'm at a point in my life (empty nester, nearing retirement) when I can go to more than ever before. In a month I'll return to the regional EsCon event, and in the spring I think I'll be back in Las Vegas for Dice Tower West.
This week we make a quick correction of our review last week because we missed a rule in
Dragonarium by Wei Chang and Kuan Chen from Wonderful World Board Games
then we discuss our highlight game from BGG.con
Up or Down by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Capstone Games
and end with a BIG title from Essen
Orloj: The Prague Astronomincal Clock by Paloma Pascual and Abraham Sanchez from Perro Loko Games and Devir
Remember to check out our video channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames!
You can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR
check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
Website Copy: On this free-flowing episode of the Shut Up & Sit Down Podcast, Tom and Matt are chatting about competitive marble-pilfering simulator 12 Rivers, as well as a double-bill of absurd racing games in Hot Streak and Magical Athlete!
You may be expecting that this podcast thumbnail would show the promised board of 12 Rivers (which you can find here) and instead shows a picture of Hurley - the not-a-hotdog from Hot Streak. This is intentional, and important.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Timestamps:
01:14 - 12 Rivers
12:43 - Hot Streak
26:41 - Magical Athlete