Am going to buy Arkham Horror some time soon and would like to know if:
1) You guys think extra plastic stands are a good idea (I'm getting the impression that the base game only contains stands for the investigators?)
2) How much do the plastic stands maul your cards after repeated usage.
Thanks in advance...
I've found no need for extra stands, true they only include them for the investigator tokens but they include one for EACH investigater token and you don't use all the investigators at once, this includes more stands for each investigator in all the expansions that have new investigators. Even when I use them to prop up monsters I have more than I'll ever use. They do leave a mark on the token one notch on the front and two in the back I'm maticulous about lining them up to cut down on wear so that is something to watch out for.
The base game and each expansion that gives you more investigators also provides stands for those investigators, so you will always have as many stands as you do investigators. The new stands FFG uses do leave marks on the tokens as Veet mentions, which is a source of consternation to some. If you're worried about wear and tear, you might want to look around and see if you can find some "more friendly" stands in and arts and crafts store or something, but other than that purpose I don't think you really NEED stands for anything - beyond what the game provides.
Personally I don't think you need stands for the monsters. The tokens are thick enough that picking them up and moving them is not difficult. More importantly, using them without stands keeps the backs hidden which allows a little more tension for those who don't have everything memorized. (I'm aware the rules say you can look at both sides whenever you want, but I'm old school. I like playing that you can only look at the backs when you encounter them, and even then only the person playing the monster's side looks.)
I also play with gates face down until explored. I like making things harder for the investigators. >=)
Steve-O said:
I also play with gates face down until explored.
How does that work? You mean "until entered" maybe?
Veet said:
I've found no need for extra stands, true they only include them for the investigator tokens but they include one for EACH investigater token and you don't use all the investigators at once, this includes more stands for each investigator in all the expansions that have new investigators. Even when I use them to prop up monsters I have more than I'll ever use. They do leave a mark on the token one notch on the front and two in the back I'm maticulous about lining them up to cut down on wear so that is something to watch out for.
Thanks, that'll save me buying some then. Spending enough atm on bloody card sleeves!
Steve-O said:
The base game and each expansion that gives you more investigators also provides stands for those investigators, so you will always have as many stands as you do investigators. The new stands FFG uses do leave marks on the tokens as Veet mentions, which is a source of consternation to some. If you're worried about wear and tear, you might want to look around and see if you can find some "more friendly" stands in and arts and crafts store or something, but other than that purpose I don't think you really NEED stands for anything - beyond what the game provides.
Personally I don't think you need stands for the monsters. The tokens are thick enough that picking them up and moving them is not difficult. More importantly, using them without stands keeps the backs hidden which allows a little more tension for those who don't have everything memorized. (I'm aware the rules say you can look at both sides whenever you want, but I'm old school. I like playing that you can only look at the backs when you encounter them, and even then only the person playing the monster's side looks.)
I also play with gates face down until explored. I like making things harder for the investigators. >=)
Like that playing style! Will probably do something similar when I get the game. After all, Lovecraft is all about unearthing terrors. The investigators should have to investigate as much as possible.
I might have a look around to see about an alternative type of stand then. Has anybody designed simple cardboard ones or something?
Agent of Cthulhu said:
I might have a look around to see about an alternative type of stand then. Has anybody designed simple cardboard ones or something?
Here's an alternative I am considering:
Brine said:
WOW. Even color-coded for monsters! Looks like you can mix-n-match colors within a single 25-quantity order too.
Great find, Brine!!!
If you've got the money, you could always go with these: www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/CTGY/BGA
DoomTurtle said:
If you've got the money, you could always go with these: www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/CTGY/BGA
Wow all these are very nice. FFG are a bit behind on producing the extras fans have been asking for. I've seen a few homemade gate holders on Boardgame geek - but hadn't seen these before - great stuff!
I've found that the plastic stands sometimes do more than mark the monsters with little ruts in some cases, they've caught and torn the outermost layer of cardboard. Big bummer. I was most displeased.
I have the game Tomb;Cryptmaster and they provided about 40 or so stands that do not leave the marks on your monsters. The stands are about the same size as AH stands but you just slide the chit into it and it is held by friction. You can pick up your investigator or monster etc and it will not fall out, or at least not so far. I use these for AH because quite frankly didn't need them all for Tomb. I have asked my local game store if they can order the ones from tomb and they are going to find out. They understood how the FF stands mess up the tokens.
I play with 4 investigators and use about 20 stands and have always had enough for AH games. So if you could find them 20 or so should be enough.
zealot12 said:
Steve-O said:
I also play with gates face down until explored.
How does that work? You mean "until entered" maybe?
Yes, sorry. Until entered. =P
Temporarily forgot that "explored" was a game term with a very different meaning. =P
I'd really love to see an official monster cup (bag), so I can stop using Barnes and Nobles bags ;') their greens remind me of Cthulhu.
I use a small "salad" bowl from the kitchen-it's never used for anything.
Avi_dreader said:
I'd really love to see an official monster cup (bag), so I can stop using Barnes and Nobles bags ;') their greens remind me of Cthulhu.
I saw in one of the news items they are giving one away at Arkham nights - it looks a bit like the velvet bag from the old/ pre silverline Lord of the Rings boardgame with a symbol on it.
I'm hoping its going to be made more widely available later. It does look a bit small. I use a plastic shopping bag too, a salad bowl may be more like a monster "cup" but I don't want to see what I'm drawing.
In some games of AH you need two bags or cups for monsters so I hope you have another salad bowl, or maybe an unused fruit bowl would do.
Avi_dreader said:
I'd really love to see an official monster cup (bag), so I can stop using Barnes and Nobles bags ;') their greens remind me of Cthulhu.
Crown Royal bag all the way.
Drakson said:
I have the game Tomb;Cryptmaster and they provided about 40 or so stands that do not leave the marks on your monsters. The stands are about the same size as AH stands but you just slide the chit into it and it is held by friction. You can pick up your investigator or monster etc and it will not fall out, or at least not so far. I use these for AH because quite frankly didn't need them all for Tomb. I have asked my local game store if they can order the ones from tomb and they are going to find out. They understood how the FF stands mess up the tokens.
I play with 4 investigators and use about 20 stands and have always had enough for AH games. So if you could find them 20 or so should be enough.
That sounds like a good option, but Tomb is expensive! Wouldn't mind owning a copy anyway though...
Just thought: are the plastic stands that Fantasy Flight just released the same as you'd get in Arkham Horror? Or are they maybe a less-damaging variety?
They appear to be of the same variety.
Brine said:
Agent of Cthulhu said:
Here's an alternative I am considering:
Don't use these with AH. The chits are too thick - they break the stand. (My own experience - bought them, tried them, tossed them away).
Agent of Cthulhu said:
Just thought: are the plastic stands that Fantasy Flight just released the same as you'd get in Arkham Horror? Or are they maybe a less-damaging variety?
They are exactly the same as the ones that ship with AH nowadays. The original print run of AH had different ones. Not entirely sure how long that lasted, but I wouldn't count on finding a copy of shelves with different stands in it. Not that you could really tell without opening it anyway.
To Agent of Cthulhu
I paid $39.37 for Tomb:Cyrptmaster at Fair Play Games online. BTW it also has a big monster bag included.
Shub-Niggurath said:
Avi_dreader said:
I'd really love to see an official monster cup (bag), so I can stop using Barnes and Nobles bags ;') their greens remind me of Cthulhu.
I saw in one of the news items they are giving one away at Arkham nights - it looks a bit like the velvet bag from the old/ pre silverline Lord of the Rings boardgame with a symbol on it.
I'm hoping its going to be made more widely available later. It does look a bit small. I use a plastic shopping bag too, a salad bowl may be more like a monster "cup" but I don't want to see what I'm drawing.
In some games of AH you need two bags or cups for monsters so I hope you have another salad bowl, or maybe an unused fruit bowl would do.
The Arkham Nights bag lying flat is about six inches wide and nine inches tall drawstring at the top. I've got mine. It fits all the normal monsters from every expansion. Haven't tried putting the masks in it too.
FFG had the stands from this website for the Streets of Insanity game at Arkham Nights: www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/CTGY/BGA
The sealed gate stands were particularly useful. We didn't use the monster stands, because they're a little too big when you have multiple monsters and gates at locations. But they're very nicely designed pieces and look great on the Arkham Horror board.
I was seriously just about to put my card information in to order some of those roco stands but thought they might be too tight on the cardboard and snap. Glad I came back here for suggestions.
I can't believe how hard it is to find simple plastic stands without the teeth. Please let us know if you manage to get the tomb stands or find a place to get them.