These aren’t just about developing the perfect strategy and playing it out, you also have to react to what’s happening in the game. The traditional worker placement mechanics have been spiced up with constant acceleration and an aggressive aspect not usually seen in these games.

It’s for this reason that I think Architects of the West Kingdom will now be my go-to worker-placement introduction game.This board tracks influence, holds the Contribution/Consequence cards, has the iconography for the above bonuses and penalties, as well as space for two more apprentices (10 are now available for hire during the game).

With workers so valuable to everyone’s cause, and with the bonuses that can be had from stacking large numbers of them in a single space over time, wrecking someone else’s shit never ceases to be one of the highlights of the game. Finally, this expansion included new building and apprentice cards, both of which can simply be combined with the base game’s cards. This unusual blend of mechanics makes it an ideal gateway into worker placement Eurogames, or a great game in its own right when you’re not looking for something too heavy or lengthy.I don’t think I’ve seen anyone actually run out; but I have seen players collect up their own meeples from the board OR pay the hefty cost to retrieve their workers from other player’s boards. If you find you’re getting bored with the standard setup, the variant play changes things up wildly.

I enjoyed the additional options provided by the Influence track; however, it changes how worker placement locations can be utilized due to the Profiteer and Princess. Two Influence can be spent to prevent one virtue loss or reduce a cost by two Silver, while four Influence can reduce a cost by one gold or marble.

Do you spend a turn capturing your Artisan back or leave it on the board knowing your opponent may do the same?