How would you break the tie?

For the first time since late January, I brought Root to the table (and of course the Clockwork Expansion).

I decided to play 2P. I've done this before, as I still get used to each faction (I find it easier to do that and build to more automated opponents after more plays). Today however, I had time to utilize the recommendation that the rulebook suggests, which is when playing 2P you actually play two games back to back and total the scores of the two games for the overall winner. Game 1 you use a faction, and Game 2 you and your opponent (in my case the Rootbot) exchange factions.

For this afternoon's woodland battle of epic porportions, I chose to play as the Woodland Alliance vs Marquise de Cat.

(*cue epic cinematic music*)

Game 1: I played as the Woodland Alliance vs Mechanical Marquise 2.0 (easy level). I took game 1, 30-22 VPs. 🤗

*As I exchanged player boards to now play vs the Automated Alliance, I learned something nice along the way. When you're playing solo 2P this way, the transition between games is very quick and easy. Everything is already out. It's a quick reorganize in just a couple minutes and you're ready for the next battle to begin. 😎 Awesome!

**Also playing a back-to-back series like this reminded me of Brass Birmingham. BB has a 2-games-in-1 kind of feel with it's canal era and rail era. Exchanging factions and getting ready to go to war in the woodlands a second time, reminded me of that.

***This also created a different approach heading into game 2. Winning would be ideal of course. BUT if I don't win game 2, I can target 23VPs to get the series win.

Let's do this!

Just before starting game 2, I looked up the last time (and only time) I played against the Automated Alliance. I actually played as the Marquise de Cat as I was today, and lost 30-19 in that game.

It was a tight game throughout most of it (like game 1). I was quickly reminded how fast the Automated Alliance spread sympathy throughout the forest. Wow! They move quick. This also builds up their VPs.

Things were getting close to the end. I knew I had one, maybe two turns left. The Automated Alliance were ahead and about ready to claim victory very soon. On (what ended up being my last turn), I knew I had to be smart and get as many VPs as I could to reach the 23VP target for the series win. I took all 3 of my daylight actions, which brought me to 18VP. Thankfully, I had a 'bird card' in my hand (wild suit) that allowed me to play it to have a bonus action in the daylight phase. For this action, I had enough wood to build another workshop. This workshop was worth 4VPs. 22VPs!!! Woo!!! I was pretty proud of that decision. Of course, it came down to luck of the draw on a previous turn, having drawn a bird card to utilize. 🙂

Game 2 final score: 30-22VPs for the Automated Alliance.

Meaning, the SERIES IS TIED 1-1. It's a best of three and a winner MUST BE DECLARED!!!!

This is where my ST friends come in...

HOW SHOULD I PLAY THE TIE-BREAKER GAME NEXT TIME I GET IT TO THE TABLE?