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Description
War Chest is an all-new bag-building war game! At the start of the game, raise your banner call (drafting) several various units into your army, which you then use to capture key points on the board. To succeed in War Chest, you must successfully manage not only your armies on the battlefield, but those that are waiting to be deployed.
Each round you draw three unit coins from your bag, then take turns using them to perform actions. Each coin shows a military unit on one side and can be used for one of several actions. The game ends when one player — or one team in the case of a four-player game — has placed all of their control markers. That player or team wins!
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2018
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 14
This page: 14
Sentiment:
pos 14 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–14 of 14
Video Pas-TtJBf9o
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 8:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13729 · mention_pk 40095
Click to watch at 8:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant abstract feel; diverse forces move in different ways
- High accessibility for a strong two-player abstract
Cons
- Some may find it a whitewash; depends on how quickly it ends
Thematic elements
- troop deployment and resource control
- tactical troopers in a skirmish
- militaristic, strategic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- region control — move and control regions with moving pieces; score by majority control
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this one is a lovely game by Stephan Dora, a great design in his own right.
- you are trying to collect exactly three of these animal tokens of each type to get the maximum amount of points
- a real brain burner but so simple and elegant to play as well
- Lost Cities a joy to get that one back to the table
- it's far too long I think it took us nearly two hours to play this which is obscene for the weight of the game
- Katarena one of the best abstract strategy games out there
- this is a bit of a whitewash of a game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video iJNxPRfs2kM
Rolling Dice and Taking Names interview at 38:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13770 · mention_pk 40242
Click to watch at 38:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Accessible two-player skirmish with depth
- Solid design lineage with Undaunted
Cons
- Complex for casual players
Thematic elements
- military engagement with resource management
- Historical-themed skirmish with army tokens
- tactical, battlefield planning
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Route-based skirmish — Two-player or teams maneuver units to complete objectives
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- bam that's a quote, baby, quotable
- it's one of those things that you should always feel like there's no chance for you to win on both sides simultaneously
- easy like sunday morning
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FRNn-tSfU3k
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 6:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9529 · mention_pk 28188
Click to watch at 6:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- one of the best two-player abstract skirmishes
- beautiful components and tight pacing
Cons
- may be heavy for casual players
Thematic elements
- unit movement and attrition
- medieval warfare skirmishes
- tight, tactical warfare
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_control — Tactical battlefield control with unit placement.
- attrition_endgame — Gradual loss of ground and resources leading to victory.
- movement_based_combat — Movement and counterplay, including end sign token used to reposition units.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is Puerto Rico so been a little while since I've had this one on the table and this was a fantastic game
- lots of different paths you can go down
- this is a very tight game and you have to be very careful about what you choose at the right time
- Agora expansion is better than the Pantheon one
- I actually think you know controversial opinion I think Agora expansion is better than the Pantheon one
- one of my favorite two-player games of all time
- the end sign... MVP, moving and pulling units
- production of this version is quite funny because you get all these wacky plastic animals in the Box
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BpPv6huSZBg
Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 16:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8685 · mention_pk 25575
Click to watch at 16:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- minimalist design with rich layers
- lots of strategic depth and unit variety
- feels like a modern take on classic war games
Cons
- multi-layered rules can be intimidating at first
Thematic elements
- minimalist, modular unit-based warfare
- military abstract warfare; king-of-the-hill style
- simulation-like; boiled-down core decisions
Comparison games
- Torres
- Medina
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- resource/health tokens — Tokens double as health; as they deplete, maneuverability decreases.
- token-driven actions — Poker-chip style tokens dictate moves, attacks, and defenses.
- variable unit abilities — Different unit types interact in varied ways (e.g., archers vs cavalry).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my top 10 board games that are pure and trendproof
- these games have a timeless quality to them where it almost feels like they could have been played 100 years ago as well as still be played like 100 years in the future
- these games are not necessarily in order of what is more timeless and what isn't because I obviously feel like they either fit that category or they don't
- they all fit that category of feeling trendproof
- these are evergreen games that will weather the storm and stand the test of time
- Push your luck games have a timeless feel to them because… staying in one more round or dropping out and keeping what you've got is kind of a real visceral emotion
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sEkzUELgQwg
Shelf or Sell general_discussion at 7:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6822 · mention_pk 20197
Click to watch at 7:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high ranking in abstract category
- tactically engaging with thematic flavor
Cons
- abstracts can be hard to teach to new players
Thematic elements
- abstract warfare with asymmetric powers
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / combat chips — combat is token-based with strategic decisions.
- Asymmetric powers — each player has unique abilities and victory conditions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- you are a pepper farmer
- this is eclipse this is a four second dawn for the galaxy 4e game that i have actually played
- i'm teaching alex this
- i'm so excited that i now know how to play this game
- it's a tile laying game where you're laying out a map
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video --eWDshMmEE
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 16:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6797 · mention_pk 20131
Click to watch at 16:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique and engaging take on bag-building
- Strong two-player feel
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- abstract war game with bag-building elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Strategic actions chosen from a fixed set to maximize efficiency
- bag-building — Draft and customize a bag of units for each game
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's only a game
- this is a cash grab pure and simple
- innovative bank building coupled with an abstract war game
- the level of innovation you know like doing something really vastly different
- I hate hyping games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Rvkv3mirYUU
Beyond Soliter general_discussion at 2:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5997 · mention_pk 17788
Click to watch at 2:42 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging take on abstract modern warfare
- flexible design space for multiple authorship strands
Cons
- publisher/production details not asserted in transcript
Thematic elements
- career-long military conflict play with unit cards
- modern abstract war scenarios
- historical/abstract
Comparison games
- Resist
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric roles — distinct roles influence strategic options
- card-driven / unit-based action selection — cards influence unit actions and outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's definitely the camaraderie and fellowship with these two guys
- codesign relationships are great probably because we have great codesign experiences
- the three of us are talented and bring different perspectives, and all those perspectives are important
- don't enter into a contractually binding situation as a Code designer with somebody you never worked with before
- the accountability is a huge positive piece of it that keeps us on track
- we're not in it for the money, this is about enjoying time with friends and making games together
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _hc8JbbRCK8
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 5:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3469 · mention_pk 10280
Click to watch at 5:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tactical depth with multiple unit synergies
- clear tactical goals and modular scenarios
- accessible for two players and replayable with different unit mixes
Cons
- rulebook familiarity matters for new players
- not strictly 1v1 in all configurations, which may confuse some players
Thematic elements
- medieval combat and control points
- abstract/miniature-leaning war game
Comparison games
- Cathedral
- Lord of the Rings Confrontation
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — competing to control strategic points on a modular battlefield
- token activation and placement — tokens on the board can be activated or spawned to influence play
- unit types with varied abilities — different units (Archer, Knight, Bard, etc.) have distinct powers and ranges
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's 100% strategy you are just trying to optimize the placement of your pieces and trying to block the other person
- it's the cutest version of a chess like game
- Santorini is probably one of the closest like direct comparisons
- Go which is probably even older than chess and more popular than chess
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aEuPXRdmQiA
SD Hist Con - From History to the Table interview at 4:47 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1901 · mention_pk 5451
Click to watch at 4:47 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- pioneered the duo designers' approach to war-themed deck-building
- strong thematic integration
Cons
- no detailed data in transcript; potential balance considerations
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Undaunted Normandy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck-building — deck-based action selection in a war-themed setting
- two-player turn-based — duel format with symmetrical core mechanics
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the cards in your deck each card represents the sort of the health or the efficacy of a unit on the board
- it's a mashup of deck building and a skirmish game
- the core idea was to model a US rifle platoon
- we wanted to make it very different yet still feel like undaunted
- 62 different ways to play undaunted solo mode
- we're not interested in designing something unless it's different
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JmAb0PHlAJg
Peaky Boardgamer rules_teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1553 · mention_pk 4462
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Clear, methodical rule explanation
- High production values apparent from the video
- Asymmetric factions and unit powers add depth
- Captures core War Chest mechanics well for a first look
Cons
- Complex systems may be daunting for new players
- Rule nuances (e.g., stacking and battle specifics) require careful study
- Some minor typos in the video (audio transcription limitations)
Thematic elements
- Asymmetric tactical warfare with unit powers and terrain control
- Two players (or four) command factions on a modular board, aiming to control key hex locations.
- Strategic commander-level warfare with probability and hidden information through chip draws
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- attack — move/attack to destroy opponent stacks by removing chips from the stack
- Control and area control — place control markers on hexes to gain control; the first player to place all markers wins
- Initiative and face-down actions — use face-down actions to take initiative, recruit, or pass; initiative passes between players within a round
- Placement action — deploy a chip on an empty hex that contains one of your control markers
- Recruitment and bag-drafting — draw chips from a supply and place them in discard; recruit actions replenish the bag
- Tactics powers — units may have tactic powers that modify attacks; some units have restrictions
- Unit stacking — placing chips on top of another unit to form a stronger stack; cannot split stacks
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- tremendous production quality
- the first player who places all of their control markers on the board instantly wins the game
- only one unit of each type can exist on the board
- you may deploy the chip on one hex that contains one of your control markers that is empty of any other unit
- this is how you can play War Chest
- we're already used to by AEG
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1L85hapK71M
Cardboard Harold game_review at 0:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1434 · mention_pk 4156
Click to watch at 0:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, weighty decisions with high tension
- Accessible for an abstract war game
- Strong asymmetry that remains balanced
- Engaging drafting and bag-building synergy
- Tactile and thematic components
Cons
- Board design could be more elegant
- Bad initial draw can stall momentum
- Some unit pairings feel stronger than others, affecting balance
Thematic elements
- asymmetric, hand-management and deployment under risk
- abstract tactical warfare with asymmetric unit types; generic war setting
- card-driven, bag-building strategy with weighty decision-making
Comparison games
- Undaunted Normandy
- Undaunted Stalingrad
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bag-building — Tokens representing units/actions are placed into a bag and drawn to perform actions.
- Bolster — Add a second token on top of an existing one to increase durability.
- Combat resolution by removal — Engage and remove opponent units; battles are quick and decisive.
- Control point scoring — Claim neutral or enemy control points to win the game immediately when a threshold is reached.
- Discard and recycle — Discard pile is recycled after drawing; face-down discards obfuscate which units were used.
- drafting — Each player drafts a subset of unit cards to determine available actions and units.
- Initiative management — Face-down tokens can be discarded to claim initiative for the next round.
- Recruitment vs activation trade-offs — Choosing to recruit sacrifices potential activations, adding strategic pressure.
- Token activation and deployment — Play tokens as actions; if the unit is not on the board, deploy it at a control point.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- War Chest is a distillation of the undaunted system into its barest parts.
- everything feels like a Monumental decision.
- the board isn't as elegant as it should be.
- it's incredibly accessible and it's very easy to learn.
- highly recommend that you check out War Chest.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Tv1UgA_7OTU
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 13:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1293 · mention_pk 3803
Click to watch at 13:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
highly_positive
Pros
- randomized yet coherent interactions between pieces
- great variety and interaction on repeat plays
Cons
- can be highly tactical and punishing if misplayed
- some players may prefer more direct conflict
Thematic elements
- Team vs team strategic control points
- Abstract tactical skirmish with modular pieces
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- positional control — Objective-driven control of key points on a modular board.
- variable piece abilities — Tokens move like chess pieces with unique abilities to contest points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's absolutely Sublime and a top 10 for me at the moment
- Sublime worker placement game
- I could not recommend it enough
- this is one of the best eurogames
- an absolute Masterpiece
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mTuDLLSgBVo
Unknown Channel playthrough at 3:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 713 · mention_pk 2045
Click to watch at 3:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fortifications add depth and encourage strategic planning
- New siege weapons (trebuchet, siege tower) expand tactical options
- Tactile, heavy coins and components feel premium
- Core rules are approachable for two players and scale well
- Expands War Chest with consistent design philosophy
Cons
- Fortifications did not prominently influence the game in this session
- Rules/face-down actions can be confusing and easy to misremember
- The setup and tracking of fortifications and siege effects can add complexity for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Military strategy and siege warfare with modular, compact battlefield
- Abstract battlefield across factions using modular boards with fortifications and siege elements
- Abstract with thematic flavor expressed through fortifications and siege devices
Comparison games
- Nurse Huma Hex
- Undaunted
- War Chest
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area/point control on a grid-like board — Units occupy spaces and move to control objective tokens
- bag-building / push-your-luck — Tokens representing units are drawn from a bag, driving recruitment and action pacing
- fortifications as protective locations — Neutral or enemy fortifications must be attacked before occupying those locations
- initiative and activation order — Players vie for initiative to determine who acts first in a turn
- recruitment and discard from supply — Face-down actions and discard mechanics allow selective recruitment from supply
- siege weapons and tactic cards — Trebuchet and Siege Tower provide long-range or multi-attack options that require card activation with coins
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- fortifications are not units
- these tokens are fortifications
- brand new siege weapons
- two-player games
- it's up there with Nurse Huma Hex, War Chest, and Undaunted
- it's a must buy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tShIT2ljkEQ
Brothers B top_10_list at 3:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 352 · mention_pk 1021
Click to watch at 3:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- ambitious bag-building economy
- asymmetric play
- weighty components
Cons
- Could be fiddly or heavy for casual players
Thematic elements
- War
- Historical battlefield
- functional
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — influence over scoring areas
- asymmetric units — different units with different abilities
- bag builder — draw chips from a bag to deploy units
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love Boop I love all of them I will buy every single one of them I don't care I absolutely love this game
- it's a perfect Gateway game to kind of get people into the hobby
- Santorini is a great abstract strategy game
- it's a Maang inspired game
- this is a banger of an abstract strategy game
- I will buy every single one of them
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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