Fantasy Board Game League

 

Each fall, Draft Mechanic joins together with content creators across the boardosphere to bring you the Fantasy Board Game League! Each team manager drafts a team of games and fields those games in head-to-head matchups with the other participants week after week. Each team features games in five fixed 'positions:' Gateway, Euro, 4+ Weight, Card Game, and Abstract - in addition to five more 'general' players. The teams score based on their games' BGG ratings, change in ratings, plays logged, and each team gets additional points from weekly voting from YOU, our listeners! What's the incentive? Well, in addition to helping your favorite content creators get ahead, we're entering all votes into a random drawing for game prizes and the chance to win a $100 gift certificate to an Online Game Store of your choice! 

SEASON TWO of the Fantasy Board Game League has come to a close, and it ended the way it began with a Championship matchup featuring our two longest-named teams, "Viva Java: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game: The Fantasy Team" versus "Why The Hell Did You Pick That Game This Week?" The matchup was close, but in the end, VJ:TCG:TDG:TFT ended the season undefeated with the championship trophy. 

 

◄ FBGL 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS ►
VJ:TCG:TDG:TFT (11-0) 146.73 144.31
WDHDYPTGTW? (9-2)
 

 

The 2017 First Round draft Picks

 
  1. Jake: Terraforming Mars
  2. Brandon: Kingdomino
  3. Danielle: Patchwork
  4. BJ: Clank! A Deckbuilding Adventure
  5. Crystal: Codenames: Duet
  6. Adrian: The Climbers
  7. Patrick: Ex Libris
  8. Bill: Through The Ages (First Edition)
  9. Sean: Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  10. Quinten: Codenames Classic
 

the 2017 fbgl teams

The teams below are listed in drafting order. We drafted a serpentine draft, with Jake starting and the order reversing starting with Quinten each even-numbered round. All games currently listed on BoardGameGeek.com were eligible for the draft. Games with separate entries for 'second editions' are separate choices (for example, Through the Ages and Through the Ages New). Team coaches are allowed to field or drop games from their bench up until Thursday. Coaches can also drop games entirely to pick up games that are not currently on a team, first-come, first-serve to go into effect at the start of the next week. Play weeks reset each Sunday afternoon.

Logo - Hillier - AP Nutz.jpg

Coach: Jake Bock (@draftmechanic / @indjk)
Representing: Draft Mechanic
 

Team: VivaJava: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game: The Fantasy Team

Gateway: Splendor
Abstract: Onitama
Euro: Terraforming Mars
Card: Race for the Galaxy
Heavy (4+ Weight): Kingdom Death: Monster
Player 6: Magic Maze
Player 7: King of Tokyo
Player 8: Gaia Project
Player 9: Twilight Struggle
Player 10: Caverna

Coach: Brandon Kempf (@wdyptw / @vacabck)
Representing: What Did You Play This Week?
 

TEAM: WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK THAT GAME THIS WEEK?

Gateway: Kingdomino
Abstract: Photosynthesis
Euro: Scythe
Card: Love Letter
Heavy (4+ Weight): Through the Ages: A NEW Story of Civilization
Player 6: Pandemic
Player 7: Isle of Skye
Player 8: Azul
Player 9: Near and Far
Player 10: Caverna: Cave vs. Cave

Bench 1: Tiny Epic Quest
Bench 2: The Godfather: Corleone's Empire
Bench 3: Stop! Thief!

Bench 1: Bunny Kingdom
Bench 2: Flipships
Bench 3: Star Trek: Ascendancy

 
Logo - Kempf - WDYPTGTW.jpg

Coach: Brandon Kempf (@wdyptw / @vacabck)
Representing: What Did You Play This Week?
 

TEAM: WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK THAT GAME THIS WEEK?

Gateway: Kingdomino
Abstract: Photosynthesis
Euro: Scythe
Card: Love Letter
Heavy (4+ Weight): Through the Ages: A NEW Story of Civilization
Player 6: Pandemic
Player 7: Isle of Skye
Player 8: Azul
Player 9: Near and Far
Player 10: Caverna: Cave vs. Cave

Bench 1: Tiny Epic Quest
Bench 2: The Godfather: Corleone's Empire
Bench 3: Stop! Thief!

Bench 1: Bunny Kingdom
Bench 2: Flipships
Bench 3: Star Trek: Ascendancy

 

Coach: Danielle Bock (@laughstooeasily)
Representing: Draft Mechanic
 

TEAM: CSI: BARENPARK

Gateway: Century Spice Road
Abstract: Patchwork
Euro: Viticulture: Essential Edition
Card: Dominion
Heavy (4+ Weight): Food Chain Magnate
Player 6: Spirit Island
Player 7: Blood Rage
Player 8: Roll for the Galaxy
Player 9: Jaipur
Player 10: Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game

Bench 1: Ethnos
Bench 2: Five Tribes
Bench 3: Agra

 

Coach: BJ Rozas (@boardgamegumbo)
Representing: Board Game Gumbo
 

TEAM: ROUX DAT!

Gateway: Werewords
Abstract: Hive
Euro: Catan
Card: Star Wars: Destiny
Heavy (4+ Weight): The Colonists
Player 6: Clank!
Player 7: Gloomhaven
Player 8: Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Player 9: Port Royal
Player 10: Ticket to Ride: Europe

Bench 1: Trickerion
Bench 2: Noria
Bench 3: Massive Darkness

 
Logo - Crystal - Dicey Picks.jpg

Coach: Crystal Pisano (@boardgameblitz / @crystalpisano)
Representing: Board Game Blitz!
 

TEAM: DICEY PICKS

Gateway: Dice Forge
Abstract: NMBR 9
Euro: Orleans
Card: Codenames: Duet
Heavy (4+ Weight): Kanban Automotive Revolution
Player 6: Ticket to Ride
Player 7: Queendomino
Player 8: Hanabi
Player 9: Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Player 10: Puerto Rico

Bench 1: The Resistance: Avalon
Bench 2: Mysterium
Bench 3: First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

 

Coach: Adrian Richardson (@mhgameguys)
Representing: Mile High Game Guys
 

TEAM: MOST HOPEFULLY GOOD GAMES

Gateway: Secret Hitler
Abstract: The Climbers
Euro: Great Western Trail
Card: The 7th Continent
Heavy (4+ Weight): The Gallerist
Player 6: Seikatsu
Player 7: A Feast for Odin
Player 8: Black Souls
Player 9: Clank! In! Space!
Player 10: Whistle Stop

Bench 1: Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
Bench 2: Mystic Vale
Bench 3: Nusfjord

 
Logo - Hillier - AP Nutz.jpg

Coach: Patrick Hillier (@overthehillier)
Representing: What Did You Play This Week? Conversation Thing
 

TEAM: THE AP NUTZ

Gateway: Barenpark
Abstract: Sagrada
Euro: Concordia
Card: Spyfall
Heavy (4+ Weight): Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition
Player 6: Charterstone
Player 7: Le Havre
Player 8: Mechs v. Minions
Player 9: Clans of Caledonia
Player 10: Agricola

Bench 1: Ex Libris
Bench 2: Merlin
Bench 3: Rhino Hero Super Battle

 
Logo - Bill - Cube Pushers.PNG

Coach: Bill Corey Jr. (@billcoreyjr / @cubistpodcast)
Representing: The Cubist Podcast
 

TEAM: THE CUBE PUSHERS

Gateway: Carcassonne
Abstract: Santorini
Euro: Terra Mystica
Card: Magic: The Gathering
Heavy (4+ Weight): Through the Ages (original)
Player 6: Android: Netrunner
Player 7: Legendary: Marvel
Player 8: Mansions of Madness, 2nd Edition
Player 9: Pulsar 2849
Player 10: Onirim

Bench 1: Crokinole
Bench 2: Brass: Lancashire
Bench 3: Eclipse

 
Logo - Sean - Duke deuce.PNG

Coach: Sean Ramirez (@dukesofdice)
Representing: The Dukes of Dice
 

TEAM: THE DUKE-A-DOODLE DEUCE 

Gateway: 7 Wonders: Duel
Abstract: Go
Euro: Castles of Burgundy
Card: Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Heavy (4+ Weight): Lisboa
Player 6: 7 Wonders
Player 7: Star Wars: Rebellion
Player 8: Legend of the Five Rings (FFG Edition)
Player 9: Codenames: Disney
Player 10: T.I.M.E Stories

Bench 1: Champions of Midgard
Bench 2: Codenames: Marvel
Bench 3: Takenoko

 
Logo - Quinten - Canuckleheads.jpg

Coach: Quinten Dreger (@boardsalive)
Representing: Boards Alive!
 

TEAM: THE NORTHERN CANUCKLEHEADS

Gateway: Codenames Classic
Abstract: Chess
Euro: Lords of Waterdeep
Card: Star Realms
Heavy (4+ Weight): Mage Knight
Player 6: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
Player 7: Codenames: Pictures
Player 8: Red 7
Player 9: Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
Player 10: Coup

Bench 1: Downforce
Bench 2: Flamme Rouge
Bench 3Potion Explosion

 

The 2016
Fantasy Board Game League
Roster of teams

 

Go Fighting Dukes!

Go Fighting Dukes!

Duke-A-Doodle-DooS

GM: Sean Ramirez
Representing: The Dukes of Dice

Gateway: Sushi Go!
Euro: Scythe
4+ Weight: Food Chain Magnate
Card Game: Android: Netrunner
Dexterity: Klask
Slot 6: Roll for the Galaxy
Slot 7: Orleans
Slot 8: The Resistance: Avalon
Slot 9: Mysterium
Slot 10: A Feast for Odin

Bench 1: Ticket to Ride: Europe
Bench 2: Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Bench 3: Hive

Because there's more talent in Eric Lang's Pinky Finger than there is in your whole team.

Because there's more talent in Eric Lang's Pinky Finger than there is in your whole team.

ERIC LANG'S PINKY FINGER

GM: Danielle Bock
Representing: Draft Mechanic

Gateway: Codenames
Euro: Agricola
4+ Weight: Trickerion
Card Game: Race for the Galaxy
Dexterity: Rhino Hero
Slot 6: Great Western Trail
Slot 7: Puerto Rico
Slot 8: Dead of Winter
Slot 9: The Oracle of Delphi
Slot 10: Secret Hitler

Bench 1: Through The Ages (Original)
Bench 2: Bruges
Bench 3: Kemet

IMG_1600.JPG

DOUG MCKENZIE

GM: Quinten Dreger
Representing: Boards Alive!

Gateway: 7 Wonders
Euro: Robinson Crusoe
4+ Weight: Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
Card Game: Jaipur
Dexterity: Terror in Meeple City
Slot 6: Blood Rage
Slot 7: Seafall
Slot 8: Magic: The Gathering
Slot 9: Hanabi
Slot 10: Camel Up

Bench 1: Hit Z Road
Bench 2: Mombasa
Bench 3: Power Grid

IMG_1600.JPG

The Grecian ECONOMY

GM: Matt Robbins
Representing: Epic Gaming Night

Gateway: Splendor
Euro: Inis
4+ Weight: Mage Knight
Card Game: Marvel Legendary
Dexterity: Junk Art
Slot 6: War of the Ring Second Edition
Slot 7: Above and Below
Slot 8: Clank
Slot 9: Eclipse
Slot 10: A Game of Thrones Second Edition

Bench 1: 7 Ronin
Bench 2: Lanterns: The Harvest Festival
Bench 3: Dixit

IMG_1600.JPG

Haspelknecht FOUR

GM: Brandon Kempf
Representing: The What Did You Play This Week Podcast

Gateway: Carcassonne
Euro: Terra Mystica
4+ Weight: Kanban: Automotive Revolution
Card Game: Star Realms
Dexterity: Animal Upon Animal
Slot 6: Potion Explosion
Slot 7: Dreamwell
Slot 8: Eldritch Horror
Slot 9: Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game
Slot 10: Quadropolis

Bench 1: Cottage Garden
Bench 2: Vinhos
Bench 3: Haspelknecht

IMG_1600.JPG

FIRST MENTION

GM: Matthew Ward
Representing: The Dukes of Dice

Gateway: Patchwork
Euro: Isle of Skye
4+ Weight: Arkwright
Card Game: Mystic Vale
Dexterity: Crokinole
Slot 6: Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Slot 7: The Grizzled
Slot 8: Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu
Slot 9: Castles of Mad King Ludwig
Slot 10: Mechs vs Minions

Bench 1: Merchants & Marauders: Broadsides
Bench 2: Machi Koro
Bench 3: Troyes

IMG_1600.JPG

The BOB MCKENZIES

GM: Aaron Cassidy
Representing: Boards Alive!

Gateway: Dominion
Euro: Castles of Burgundy
4+ Weight: The Gallerist
Card Game: Love Letter
Dexterity: Flick 'em Up
Slot 6: Twilight Struggle
Slot 7: Captain Sonar
Slot 8: Concordia
Slot 9: Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Slot 10: No Thanks

Bench 1: T'Zolkin
Bench 2: Baseball Highlights: 2045
Bench 3: For Sale

Much like Dustin's Teeth, our strategy for this whole thing is nonexistent! But with a lot of Spirit, maybe we can win one round?


Much like Dustin's Teeth, our strategy for this whole thing is nonexistent! But with a lot of Spirit, maybe we can win one round?

Our mascot is the Compass because you guys should really learn more about compasses!

Our mascot is the Compass because you guys should really learn more about compasses!

DUSTIN'S TEETH

GM: Roy Cannaday
Representing: Epic Gaming Night

Gateway: Ticket to Ride
Euro: Caverna
4+ Weight: Twilight Imperium Third Edition
Card Game: Lord of the Rings LCG
Dexterity: Go Cuckoo!
Slot 6: Mansions of Madness Second Edition
Slot 7: Cry Havoc
Slot 8: Imhotep
Slot 9: Star Trek Ascendancy
Slot 10: Star Wars X-Wing

Bench 1: London Dread
Bench 2: Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia
Bench 3: Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

Forget Farming on Land or Trading in the Mediterranean, Farming in the Mediterranean is where the true excitement is.  Whether you're watching your family starve or spending your day pushing cubes around and hoping they turn into food or money,…

Forget Farming on Land or Trading in the Mediterranean, Farming in the Mediterranean is where the true excitement is.  Whether you're watching your family starve or spending your day pushing cubes around and hoping they turn into food or money, Mediterranean Farmers know that life is hard and you have to be tough.  And that's why my team, The Mediterranean Farmers, is a gritty mix old and new games that are drier than your tongue after drinking from the sea.  And don't bother looking for our souls, we traded them for some wood and the first player marker for next round. The salty tears of our opponents will only help water our sea crops and make us stronger.

Mediterranean Farmers

GM: Mike Risley
Representing: The What Did You Play This Week Podcast

Gateway: Pandemic
Euro: Viticulture Essential Edition
4+ Weight: Star Trek: Frontiers
Card Game: Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Rise of the Runelords
Dexterity: Strike
Slot 6: Codenames Pictures
Slot 7: King of Tokyo
Slot 8: The Voyages of Marco Polo
Slot 9: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
Slot 10: Coup

Bench 1: Solarius Mission
Bench 2: Key to the City - London
Bench 3: Adrenaline

How about Stephen Avery? He's in everything!

How about Stephen Avery? He's in everything!

PEOPLE UWE MAY KNOW

GM: Jake Bock
Representing: Draft Mechanic

Gateway: Small World
Euro: Terraforming Mars
4+ Weight: Kingdom Death: Monster
Card Game: Lost Cities
Dexterity: Ice Cool
Slot 6: Imperial Settlers
Slot 7: Five Tribes
Slot 8: Seasons
Slot 9: Tiny Epic Galaxies
Slot 10: Descent Second Edition

Bench 1: Vast: The Crystal Caverns
Bench 2: Islebound
Bench 3: La Granja

All Alexander Pfister does is win. With three different games, he's won back-to-back Kennerspiels des Jahres and the Jogo de Año. All this team is going to do is win (unless it loses).

All Alexander Pfister does is win. With three different games, he's won back-to-back Kennerspiels des Jahres and the Jogo de Año. All this team is going to do is win (unless it loses).

the ALBUQUERQUE PFISTERS

GM: Alex Goldsmith
Representing: The Dukes of Dice

Gateway: Takenoko
Euro: Catan
4+ Weight: Dominant Species
Card Game: 7 Wonders: Duel
Dexterity: Pitch Car
Slot 6: Star Wars Rebellion
Slot 7: T.I.M.E Stories
Slot 8: One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Slot 9: Lords of Waterdeep
Slot 10: Istanbul

Bench 1: Tiny Epic Western
Bench 2: Happy Salmon
Bench 3: Can't Stop