The catapult?

[raberjr]

hey all,
i just purchased 'the catapult' the other day...i haven't even used it yet.  i'm curious though, is this expansion to be taken seriously?  if 'feels' so different from everything else released so far.  What is everyone's reaction to this expansion?  Novelty?  Only for mega-carcers?  Kids expansion (my kids are dying to try this one out!)?  What are some thoughts on this. 

[mjharper]

Actually, I think the expansion is embarrassing...

[Novelty]

What is everyone's reaction to this expansion?  Novelty?

Eh?  Why am I being singled out for this    My opinion is that someone thought a catapult would be cool, and then invented un-Carcassonne rules to go along with the catapult.  Hence the failure.

If you choose to play with it, I would suggest using some of the "house rules" or fan-made variants/expansions instead of the official rules.

[Tobias]

Actually, I think the expansion is embarrassing...

I echo this, although I would have used some stronger words...

[Whaleyland]

Honestly, it's a fun expansion but cannot possibly be taken seriously. The rules are ludicrous (especially the "Catch" rules) and the tiles looks silly (and are somewhat confusing). But, if you want to play a bit more silly game of Carcassonne, I recommend it for that. When I play, I set aside any aspirations for a fair game and plan to have chaotic randomness thrown in. Basically, you just can't play seriously, but it can still be fun. Mega Carcassonne should NOT contain this scenario. It should only be played on a small board. Otherwise, you won't hit anything.

[meepleater]

Honestly, it's a fun expansion but cannot possibly be taken seriously. The rules are ludicrous (especially the "Catch" rules) and the tiles looks silly (and are somewhat confusing). But, if you want to play a bit more silly game of Carcassonne, I recommend it for that. When I play, I set aside any aspirations for a fair game and plan to have chaotic randomness thrown in. Basically, you just can't play seriously, but it can still be fun. Mega Carcassonne should NOT contain this scenario. It should only be played on a small board. Otherwise, you won't hit anything.

Actually, my friend and I used it in mega-carc and he suceeded in knocking out the same farmer with just about every go (but I would always put it back...)

[CKorfmann]

My family agrees that it seems out of place (some more strongly than others), but of those of us that have played it, we do think it's fun.  It's just something different.  Personally, it don't mind using it.  I am, however, surprised that it got made as an official expansion.  Some of the fan-made expansions from this site are far more viable, but at any rate, I would agree that adding something like the Jester and the Minstrel would make it more enjoyable.