Kobold Curry Chef

On Sunday, I will play Virgin Queen for the first time. I am both eager and anxious. My last play of that family was a brutal 16-hour marathon of Here I Stand, which at some point tipped over to “too much of a good thing.” Sunday’s VQ will be capped at about 8 hours, thankfully.

Is it possible I like the concept of these games more than the actual plays? Perhaps I am meant more for the short tournament scenarios than the full campaigns? Sunday might help me answer that.

Oct 3, 2025 at 4:35pmWeb
Show threadIain CheyneOct 3, 2025
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Show threadRTokarczukOct 3, 2025

@koboldcurrychef You may even enjoy playing those types of games with Your regular opponents - as in, the group provides the enjoyment.

Besides, the "short, tournament scenario" in VQ and HIS - in my experience - is not that short, because of all that diplomacy-ing and talking around the table :)

Have fun on Sunday!

Show threadKobold Curry ChefOct 3, 2025
@RyTo For Here I Stand, I expect about 2 hours per turn, and that the group will agree on and respect a time limit on diplomacy. So the 3-turn tournament scenario should be about 6 hours, which is fine.
Show threadGraysonOct 3, 2025
@koboldcurrychef
I've played VQ a bunch, a guy in my extended social circle adores the game and he acts as a "DM" of sorts to keep it moving. Those games take about 10-12 hours at 5p/6p (which is really the sweet spot for it vs HiS which can successfully be done at 3p).

Have factions been pre-assigned? That helps dramatically as then you only have to learn the basic stuff and your faction (and thus cleave off like 2/3rds of the rules).
Show threadKobold Curry ChefOct 3, 2025

@grayson Yes, we all chose weeks ago. At least two of us will be first-time VQ players, myself included, but all have experience with the HiS family otherwise.

When you say 10-12 hours, is that for the campaign scenario?

Show threadGraysonOct 3, 2025
@koboldcurrychef 10-12 is based on whatever the normal scenario is. The game is very sandboxy compared to what you see in HiS where your faction sort of has a designated enemy and goal. The short scenario sort of neuters that sandbox effect if I remember correctly. Not a bad plan for the first game, but I don't think the game shines in that environment.

We do a short negotiation period, maybe 5-7 minutes total. I distinctly remember not having a lot of time to talk to folks.