We'll play our first game over the holidays, I'm pretty excited. I've read the rules multiple times and been all over the forums. It will probably be 3 or 4 players.
I'd like to catchup on the house rules people like, particularly with respect to the conspiracy. By now I imagine you hardcore players have tried many variations. What works for you?
(NOTE: I am fine with base game "detective" theme... I think it fits the dystopia perfectly.)
Here's what I'm pretty sure about:
1. Get a Jump on the Case: choose starting player, per FAQ.
2. Broadcast Square: take lowest puzzle piece, get no bonus.
3. Raymond: use all four memory cards, distributed CCW.
4. Evidence Chits: all located on sheet to identify who placed it.
Here's what's under consideration:
5. Placing Leads: a lead cannot be placed in a district adjacent to the district of the placing player's detective, unless no other legal location exists. (I worry that this might make it too easy on the phasing (not placing) player?)
6. Murder Resolution: considering leaving the rules "as is," I liked the comment someone made about using Jimmy, and placing your own "Red Herring" -1 on Strong and +1 on Weak... seems to add scope for gameplay?
7. The Conspiracy: much talk on the forums about how much better it is to pursue the Conspiracy rather than Evidence. I'm considering the following suggestions, either separately or in combination:
7a: Add an "empty" stack of puzzle pieces, so Digging Deeper is a requirement to play any tile.
7b: All favor link bonuses are halved. So 3 links to James Levy and 3 Society favors would be 4.5 points not 9.
7c: Conspiracy Tokens are worth 3vp (or 2vp??) instead of 4.
As I said above, I'm hoping the vast experience you have all had with the game by this point will provide guidance on which house rules have worked well for you. Thanks!