Game analysis (meaning, I'm looking for feedback)

[FrankJones]

Greetings,

A very tight game, final score was within 2 points:

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=822056848

I did not like my starting hand. But then I fell into some good cards. I ended up one egg short of winning (one more egg means I tie the 4th round goal instead of losing it).

I also ended up with several unused cards. Thus, I am nearly certain I misplayed this game. I haven't reviewed it yet move by move, so I figured I would offer it here for analysis / review.

Any input appreciated and welcomed

Side note: I really find the early game excruciating without European and Oceania expansions. I will again (and for no useful purpose) reiterate my disappointment that we cannot have those excellent expansions for one of my favorite games here on this site.

[Archisian]

My opinion probably ain't worth a crap, but I think you played it the best you could. Your opponent just managed to win the last two end-of-round goals, he hit the max on his bonus card, and he had a deadly combination of the American Crow and the Sandhill Crane.

I think if there was something I would have done differently, I would have played the Great Crested Flycatcher instead of the Painted Whitestart since it has a higher point value and sort of does the same thing (albeit in a different way). I would have looked for a ground nest bird that had more points.

But, as I said, my opinion isn't worth much or anything at all, since you corrected me a lot from my games. Just my take from seeing the replay.

[Ceaseless]

Greetings,

A very tight game, final score was within 2 points:

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=822056848

I did not like my starting hand. But then I fell into some good cards. I ended up one egg short of winning (one more egg means I tie the 4th round goal instead of losing it).

I also ended up with several unused cards. Thus, I am nearly certain I misplayed this game. I haven't reviewed it yet move by move, so I figured I would offer it here for analysis / review.

A starting hand with Yellow-Rumped in the opening looks like a strong start to me. With Red-Shouldered Hawk in the tray, you have Forest bird #2, Anatomist bird #2, and a passable scoring support play with the already strong Rumped tuck and draw. You can keep Rodent for the Hawk, Invertebrate/Seed hold as generic options for Yellow. There's a decent case for not even needing to have the third food, and instead only keeping 2 so you have 3 cards in your opening hand, keeping in mind the tuck and draw filtering your Forest will have. Normally going second makes one hesitate to assume the trayed bird will be yours, but Mallard should ensure your opponent's draw. I suppose if it didn't, then Mallard is yours instead.

Since you ended up playing that differently, you lacked a second Forest option for a bit, and I'm surprised you got rid of Chimney Swift, which is an acceptable card for End of Rounds and serving as your second Forest bird, among other things. You then threw away Screech Owl, another second Forest bird option.

Your blind draws in round 3 (third cube, bringing you down to 3 cubes), didn't seem needed, you had fodder to filter through with Rump still. Seemed like a decent time to play Crested since it fits your bonus goals and will help gain more food back. I also see no reason to play Black Necked when you did, Crested is much better since it would help get the food back (between its effect and being able to toss a bird for another food), including if you wanted to play Black Necked later. I'm not even sure you want to, you probably have other outlets to fill your bonuses and aren't limited to going for them both yet, you had time to work out what you'd need down the line. The usage of Crow for your food by Grasslanding instead of your Forest, which nets 2 extra food in exchange for 1 less point (and given the plan to get a third Grassland bird, I could see some of that being reconverted.)

[FrankJones]

Hm.

Good points, both of you. Thank you both!
I will review this carefully tomorrow, because you bot made good points.

[Ceaseless]

Hm.

Good points, both of you. Thank you both!
I will review this carefully tomorrow, because you bot made good points.

Was that the thread or were you planning on replying after the review?

[FrankJones]

I plan to review the game.
notably, my opponent was gaining food and leaving no grain in the feeder.
Which made my already-lousy grassland bird even worse.

[Ceaseless]

I plan to review the game.
notably, my opponent was gaining food and leaving no grain in the feeder.
Which made my already-lousy grassland bird even worse.

I meant if I should keep an eye on this thread for a reply or not, lol. When you said you were reviewing it tomorrow (3/29) I thought you meant you'd post about it.

[FrankJones]

I plan to review the game.
notably, my opponent was gaining food and leaving no grain in the feeder.
Which made my already-lousy grassland bird even worse.

I meant if I should keep an eye on this thread for a reply or not, lol. When you said you were reviewing it tomorrow (3/29) I thought you meant you'd post about it.

Oh, whoops. Yes, I intended to review and comment further. I forgot. I've had a lot on my mind. I still want to review it. I hope to do so soon.

[Ceaseless]

I plan to review the game.
notably, my opponent was gaining food and leaving no grain in the feeder.
Which made my already-lousy grassland bird even worse.

I meant if I should keep an eye on this thread for a reply or not, lol. When you said you were reviewing it tomorrow (3/29) I thought you meant you'd post about it.

Oh, whoops. Yes, I intended to review and comment further. I forgot. I've had a lot on my mind. I still want to review it. I hope to do so soon.

I see.

[FrankJones]

My opinion probably ain't worth a crap, but I think you played it the best you could. Your opponent just managed to win the last two end-of-round goals, he hit the max on his bonus card, and he had a deadly combination of the American Crow and the Sandhill Crane.

I think if there was something I would have done differently, I would have played the Great Crested Flycatcher instead of the Painted Whitestart since it has a higher point value and sort of does the same thing (albeit in a different way). I would have looked for a ground nest bird that had more points.

But, as I said, my opinion isn't worth much or anything at all, since you corrected me a lot from my games. Just my take from seeing the replay.

All input appreciated. I agree, the Whitestart was not a good play. If I got the flycatcher down sooner, I would have been less pressured about my 4th anatomist bird. And, it's 5 points instead of 1. And as the third bird in my forest, it was unlikely I would fail to get a worm with its ability.