I unabashedly love the COIN Series from GMT Games! I don’t think that is a secret. I have not tried to hide that affection and am unafraid to stand and testify to its greatness. Recently, we were able to teach some new initiates to the system at Buckeye Game Fest using 2 of our favorites in Fire in the Lake and Andean Abyss. I always have a good time with the series and really enjoy bringing the system to those who are new. We own all 12 released volumes in the series, including The British Way, which is actually in a new series called the COIN Series Multi-Pack, and have played them all multiple times, some solo, some 2-player but more recently as we have started attending more gaming conventions we have been playing them the way they were designed and intended to be played…multiplayer!
In this video, we take on the impossible task of ranking each of the volumes in the series. Please let us know if you disagree with our rankings and why. I would love to hear your thoughts.
If you are interested, last year I wrote an ode to the series and laid out 10 reasons that I think the series is so good and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2023/09/12/the-coin-series-from-gmt-games-10-reasons-it-is-great/
Here are some reference materials for the various volumes in the COIN Series including reviews and some of our videos.
Review of Liberty or Death – https://theplayersaid.com/2017/03/01/turning-the-wargaming-world-upside-down-a-review-of-liberty-or-death-the-american-insurrection-by-gmt-games/
COIN Workshop – Liberty or Death – https://theplayersaid.com/2023/01/17/coin-workshop-liberty-or-death-the-american-insurrection-from-gmt-games-indians-faction/
Beautiful Boards of Wargaming! Liberty or Death – https://theplayersaid.com/2023/10/20/the-beautiful-boards-of-wargaming-liberty-or-death-the-american-insurrection-from-gmt-games/
COIN Series Game Ranking Video 2018 Edition – https://theplayersaid.com/2019/06/29/coin-games-ranking-be-mad-in-the-comments-edition/
Review of Cuba Libre – https://theplayersaid.com/2016/05/25/history-will-absolve-me-cuba-libres-unique-take-on-the-coin-system-and-why-it-feels-so-great-to-play/
First Impressions for The British Way – https://theplayersaid.com/2023/04/18/first-impressions-coin-series-multi-pack-i-the-british-way-counterinsurgency-at-the-end-of-empire-from-gmt-games/
Review of Colonial Twilight – https://theplayersaid.com/2017/10/24/a-perfect-modeling-of-chaos-and-terror-a-review-of-colonial-twilight-the-french-algerian-war-1954-62-from-gmt-games/
Faction Function Video for Andean Abyss – FARC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJadsi086Dk&t=47s
Faction Function Video for Andean Abyss – AUC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTpVBLartP8&t=18s
Faction Function Video for Andean Abyss – Government – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imYw7TWY2zQ&t=14s
Faction Function Video for Andean Abyss – Cartels – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq8oMf7rwRM&t=16s
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
I don’t have enough experience with all of the COIN games to be able to say whether you’re wrong or right but I will say Fire in the Lake is my favorite right now. The interaction of the factions is amazing. Gandhi is a close second so far. Each having card bots is a good plus to me.
I still don’t understand all the love for the British Way – two player COIN is just not anywhere near as interesting as the rest of the series and short two player doesn’t make it more attractive.
The glory of the system is four asymmetrical factions each pulling in different directions.
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Andean Abyss is just too good. I really enjoy Fire in the Lake as well, but it needs to get on the “Rally the Troops” site so I can play more.
I enjoy all the COIN games I’ve played (and want to play the rest of them)….however, having AA on the RTT Website really gives it an advantage.
I like The British Way, especially since it can be played in a MUCH shorter time-frame….but 4-Player COIN is better, IMO.
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I bounced hard off of A Distant Plain but love the rest. I think the issues with ADP is that it was the third one and a large step up (at that point) in complexity compared to Andean Abyss and Cuba Libre, along with the things you note, far too current.
BTW dice rolls go all the way back to the beginning with the insurgent Attack in Andean Abyss requiring a die roll.
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Yep. I am just forgetful.
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I own several COIN games, but Falling Sky was my first. I think it often gets overlooked, but I think it is a really great game!
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I wouldn’t imagine it easy at all to rank so many good games against one another, very much like trying to rank one’s children, an apt comparison to which you both alluded. The flip side of the coin is that, if you have them all, then you really don’t have to pick a favorite….unless you have a YouTube channel and that’s the topic. 🙂
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That’s true but objectively we all have a favorite or at least ones we prefer to play.
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Plus it’s fun to discuss and compare.
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