The Fifth Meeple Crew
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A board games podcast featuring a group of diverse friends who offer their takes on the latest and greatest board games to hit their table and face them off 1v1 in the “Battle of the Funnest” Showdown.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Special Episode: You're the Best, Part 2: Top 15 Board Games of All Time (10-6)
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Chris's #10
03:14 Pete's #10
06:42 David's #10
10:13 Chris's #9
12:31 Pete's #9
16:47 David's #9
19:47 Chris's #8
22:36 Pete's #8
24:27 David's #8
26:42 Chris's #7
30:52 Pete's #7
32:39 David's #7
37:48 Chris's #6
40:10 Pete's #6
45:26 David's #6
47:13 Follow and Subscribe
48:00 Bloopers
Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Special Episode: You're the Best, Part 1: Top 15 Board Games of All Time (15-11)
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:19 Pete's #15
04:49 David's #15
08:49 Chris's #15
10:48 Pete's #14
13:48 David's #14
16:27 Chris's #14
18:35 Pete's #13
21:51 David's #13
24:36 Chris's #13
26:17 Pete's #12
29:34 David's #12
34:05 Chris's #12
36:29 Pete's #11
42:05 David's #11
43:59 Chris's #11
46:41 Follow and Subscribe
47:07 Bloopers
Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Multi-Use Cards This, That or the Other: Bruges vs Glory to Rome
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:29 Topic of the Day!
04:00 Bruges
21:55 Bruges: Collector's Corner
24:54 Bruges: Final Thoughts
28:02 Glory to Rome
44:50 Glory to Rome: Collector's Corner
48:22 Glory to Rome: Final Thoughts
50:52 Battle of the Funnest Showdown
01:02:53 Follow and Subscribe
01:03:24 Bloopers
Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
It's in the Bag: Orleans vs Altiplano
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Topic of the Day!
04:45 Follow and Subscribe
05:22 Orleans
20:42 Orleans: Collector's Corner
22:14 Orleans: Final Thoughts
25:49 Altiplano
45:04 Altiplano: Collector's Corner
46:32 Altiplano: Final Thoughts
50:02 Battle of the Funnest Showdown
01:02:26 Bloopers
Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Summer Flings: Games We Love Right Now!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Topic of the Day!
03:55 Summer Fling #3
19:58 Summer Fling #2
39:15 Summer Fling #1
01:01:54 Summer Fling Honorable Mentions
01:10:05 Follow and Subscribe
01:10:38 Bloopers
Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Game Overboard!: Castles of Mad King Ludwig vs. Foundations of Rome
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Topic of the Day!
09:57 Follow and Subscribe
10:35: Castles of Mad King Ludwig
31:24: Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Collector's Corner
33:13: Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Final Thoughts
36:20: Foundations of Rome
53:10: Foundations of Rome: Collector's Corner
55:11: Foundations of Rome: Final Thoughts
59:44: Battle of the Funnest Showdown!
01:13:20: Bloopers!
Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Dice in Our Veins: Alien Frontiers vs Kingsburg
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:02: Topic of the Day!
08:27 Follow and Subscribe
09:02 Alien Frontiers
27:50 Alien Frontiers: Collector's Corner
29:11 Alien Frontiers: Final Thoughts
32:52 Kingsburg
54:27 Kingsburg: Collector's Corner
56:30 Kingsburg: Final Thoughts
59:40 Battle of the Funnest Showdown
01:13:44 Bloopers!
Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
Thursday Jul 04, 2024
Thursday Jul 04, 2024
Special Episode: Conventional Wisdom Origins Recap
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Topic of the Day!
05:50 Follow and Subscribe
06:10 Origins: New Experiences
16:52 Origins: Kickstarters we sampled - Coalition Councils of the Republic, Sugar Works, Parks and Potions, Natera: New Beginning
39:58: Origins: Takeaways/Highlights/Misses
01:16:04 Origins: Has anyone seen Chris's Cup?
01:18:30 Origins: Purchases
01:24:02 Origins: Final Thoughts
01:26:07 Origins: Bloopers
Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com
The Fifth Meeple
We are a diverse group of friends offering our takes on the latest and hottest titles to hit our table. Between the Collector, the Intellectual Introvert, the Goofy Noob and the Deluxifier, chances are that one of us has a background or approach to games that you can align with!
In each episode, we talk about two games that have a common link to each other, touching on best moments, frustrations, components, cost considerations, and anything else that tickles our fancy. We often (but not always) play with higher player counts, so we also touch on how the number of players impacts the gaming experience. And then, because we just can't help ourselves, we pit both games against each other in the ultimate showdown.
Tune in each episode to find out which game comes out on top in the "Battle of the Funnest Showdown"
Chris C. ~ The Intellectual Introvert
Generation X
Shy by nature, I’m almost always the quietest one at the table, but my competitive side likely has me silently scheming on how to pull out a win. A chemical engineer by trade, I love math, science, and finding better ways to do things. As a result, I love games that present an ever-changing puzzle, incorporating some luck but also a means by which to mitigate it. As the resident “old man” of the group, I’ve built an appreciation for the joy of the overall gaming experience and can take as much satisfaction from an epic loss as I can from a well-earned win.
Much of my adult gaming history has been playing solo, representing multiple players at the same time. I love the mental challenge and it’s a great way for me to explore several strategies simultaneously. When playing with this group, however, the player interaction and verbal banter really shine, and I feel like I still come out of my shell just a little more each time we play together.
Daniella N. ~ The Goofy Noob
Millennial Generation
I honestly have no clue how I got here or why David invited me to start playing games, but here I am! Growing up I played all the classics: Mouse Trap, Life, KerPlunk, Hungry Hungry Hippos, etc… Fast Forward to my middle/high school years and you’d find a very sore loser who was too competitive and hated defeat, therefore I stayed away from board games. Now in the back half of my 30’s, I’ve matured a bit and try to keep the sore losing ‘tude to a minimum.
In December of 2022, David invited me to be a part of a few game nights where I first met Emily and Emerson. They tricked me into some easier games like Azul and Quacks where winning was more luck-based and I had a few victories. Now, we’ve gained Chris and these clowns are teaching me games I need a PhD for. But, I come to game night ready, willing and able to learn and grow. I have not been on a victorious streak in a while but I'm slowly growing my knowledge and coming up with strategies. I consider myself the “goofy noob” because I like to cut the tension in the room with comments, jokes and laughter.
David G. ~ The Collector
Millennial Generation
500, 632, 750…Where did all these games come from? As someone who loves the artwork and the theme of board games, I just can’t help myself when I see a good bargain! Collecting is fun, but playing is better! If you’re looking for the type of gamer who loves the competitive aspect of our hobby and tries to outthink and outsmart his opponents, you’ll enjoy what I have to say about most games. My favorite part of the hobby is seeking out new mechanisms and discovering how they work. Because I love to study game design, unique gems like these keep me coming back to look for both new and old games to play.
When I’m not out competing, I love bringing new gamers into the hobby and showing them how amazing a modern board game can be. This passion has led me to create many different playgroups one of which has now become the Fifth Meeple. I never thought I would be a podcaster, but I feel that this diverse group of five has something unique to offer the board gaming community. I am excited for the adventure. I’m also hoping listeners will be able to connect with each one of us given that we come from various backgrounds, ages, game experience, and game interests. In the meantime, you can catch me hanging out with my new baby girl, teaching youth group at church, playing co-ops with the wife (we are too competitive to play against each other, lol), chasing our 6 cats around our small family flower farm, and last but not least, trying to “get some games to the table!”
Pete M. ~ The Deluxifier
Generation X
I’ve been playing games in one form or another all my life. As GenX'ers, it was up to us to entertain ourselves. During the day we played outdoor games like kickball, ghost in the graveyard, SPUD, or one of the many other schoolyard games. When the streetlights came on or it was too bad outside, we were playing board or card games!
In the 70’s and 80’s I played countless hours of many of the popular games of the time. I discovered more complex game titles and I was introduced to Dungeons and Dragons while in Jr. High School. My other pastime was the video arcade. My love of the arcade launched me into a computer career along with computer gaming. In the mid 90’s started playing Magic the Gathering with friends but we still played other popular games such as Settlers of Catan, Formula De and others.
My wife Eryn and I married and started our family in the mid 2000’s. Raising a family consumed much of my time, however I still did continue to play Magic the Gathering regularly when our boys were young. As our two boys grew, I found myself playing more board games with them and as a family. The past 10 years, I’ve been primarily playing board games and jumped back into the hobby 100%.
Looking to connect?
Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com