Strengthen Bonds: an async Twilight Imperium podcast

BLT rambles for a while about Arborec and how "easy" it is to "win" with them!

3:00 Arborec component overview

10:46 Arborec guide

24:40 Best thing I saw this week

27:48 Weird rules thing of the week

29:07 Various updates

BLT is back after a week off to tell you all about The Council Keleres and why they're definitely A tier!

Bluebird takes the stage for this week's episode because life got busy. If you've ever wanted a bunch of not-so-hot takes from Bluebird, this is your episode!

Also, there is an IRL twilight imperium tournament in South Bend Indiana on July 20th and 21st. There will be prizes and also Jazz will be there. Sign ups close soon, Sunday the 14th, so if you're in the Midwest you should join up!

13:35 Tech of the week

15:58 Various updates

BLT and Bluebird talk about what they do when it looks like they're about to be eliminated… not that that would ever happen, right? Also, congrats to Cal for winning Async Tournament 2 and to all the folks involved with getting pbd1000 going.

3:08 - So you're facing elimination

12:33 - Weird game modes of the week

15:37 - Tech of the week (Aerie Hololattice)

20:38 - Various updates

BLT breaks down how Miltydraft works, and shares how he thinks about Miltydrafts in his games. Miltydraft is fully supported within the async bot! 

1:25 Async Summer Showdown

2:41 Overview of Miltydraft

8:05 What I prioritize in Miltydraft

21:20 Best thing I saw this week

22:26 Tech of the week (Mirror Computing)

24:55 Various updates

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Signups for Async Summer Showdown from Chassit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcs2hIxVk58qfnfYVsd6h0wF-0JYB-uUn_pkLjFHzuj7rnlA/viewform 

BLT and Bluebird talk about which factions are B-worthy, how to make diplomatic pressure fun for everyone, and what Miltydraft is.

1:56 What to do when someone plays Diplomatic Pressure on you

4:57 BLT's B tier factions

20:40 "Best" thing I saw this week

24:49 Tech of the week (Duranium Armor)

27:34 Async tip of the week (/custom customization)

29:52 Various updates

BLT and Bluebird do their first faction promissory note tier list, both for how good the note is for the faction whose note it is, and how good it is to use or buy. 

2:25 Faction promissory note tier list extravaganza!

35:32 Stats thing of the week

36:14 Tech of the week

39:02 Various updates

BLT chats with JakeyJakersJakeington about the difference between IRL and async metas, some fun Discordant Stars factions, and the joy of 14 point games. Bluebird also shares about about the game he and BLT started up recently, with a stuffed penguin playing Argent Flight. 

3:52 Best thing I saw this week

5:34 Interview with JakeyJakersJakeington

7:28 Online vs IRL metas

10:22 Playing async on top of regular IRL games

11:50 On playing in tournament games, and having a reputation coming into the game

14:07 On 14 point games

17:00 Chatting about the IRL game, and the Discordant Stars factions that featured (and how I apparently cannot learn boardgames digitally)

27:40 Weird game mode of the week

28:55 Tech of the week

31:24 Async tip of the week

33:39 Weird rules thing of the week

35:05 Various updates

BLT and Bluebird tell you all the stuff you're missing out on in the status phase, plus we're celebrating the finals of pbd2000 and BLT's first ever wekkerdraft game!

1:20 Productive things to do in the status phase

7:57 Best things I saw this week

14:32 Weird game mode of the week

19:54 Tech of the week

23:00 Weird rules thing of the week

25:20 Various updates

BLT and Bluebird talk about how BLT is too wimpy to go for the Custodians point, Dane's new homebrew, and automated ground combats.

1:35 When to go for the Custodians point?

6:50 Opportunity cost and benefits, and whether it matters if you can hold on to Rex

9:50 On sniping undefended planets, and whether it matters if they are neutral, equidistants, or in their slice

12:00 On BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) in negotiations, including letting people score the imperial point

15:08 Best thing I saw this week (https://discord.com/channels/943410040369479690/972540551096320030/1241125290248376410) and also OfficialDaveAcct's legendary retreat

17:50 Tech of the week

19:50 Async tip of the week

22:10 Weird rules thing of the week (or, Dane's new stuff he shared after we won the Geek Madness Tournament)

26:55 Various updates

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Map website: https://ti4.westaddisonheavyindustries.com/

Package to show map/stats side-by-side: https://github.com/aogden/TI4LandscapeMap

Dane’s announcement: https://x.com/CreussEmissary/status/1792421868885959064