Brass Player Tokens vs Standard Tokens: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
By Twogether Studios | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Comparisons
Compare Illimat's standard cardboard tokens with engraved brass player tokens. See how material, feel, and cost affect whether the upgrade is right for your table.
Quick Answer
If you play Illimat regularly and care about how components feel in hand, the brass player tokens are a worthwhile upgrade: they replace the standard tokens with six double-sided metal pieces engraved by Shire Post Mint. If you play occasionally, prefer to keep the game portable, or want to spend your budget on gameplay variety first, the standard tokens are perfectly serviceable and the upgrade can wait.
What You Actually Get with Each Option
The standard tokens ship with the Illimat base game and are the pieces most players already know. The brass player tokens are a separate accessory: six double-sided metal tokens that replicate the artwork on Jerry Garcia's favorite guitars, engraved and minted by the artisans at Shire Post Mint. You choose among six named designs: Rosebud, Alligator, Top Hat, Tiger, and Wolf.
The important difference is not just material. The brass set is a decorative upgrade tied to a specific guitar legacy, so it changes the visual character of the table as much as the tactile experience. The standard tokens are designed to be functional and replaceable; the brass set is designed to be noticed and kept.
How the Two Options Feel in Play
Metal tokens have a distinct weight and click that cardboard cannot match. That matters most during frequent handling: picking up, passing, and stacking tokens over many turns. The brass set also resists the edge wear that accumulates on printed cardboard tokens, so the artwork stays crisp longer with normal use.
The trade-off is that metal tokens are heavier and can be noisier on a hard table. If you often play in quiet settings or on glass, the standard tokens are less disruptive. Neither option changes the rules of Illimat; this is purely a components decision.
Where the Brass Set Fits in a Collection
The brass tokens make the most sense as part of a broader Illimat collection that already includes the base game and perhaps the Stellar Alignment gift set, which pairs a copy of Illimat Second Edition with a brass Syzygy Coin and the Jeanne D'Arc bonus luminary card. If you are already upgrading the table presence of the game, the tokens are a natural next step.
If you are still deciding between gameplay expansions and component upgrades, prioritize gameplay first. The Mysterious Missives Art Set adds framable art cards and a pin choice, which serves display and collection goals rather than in-play feel. The brass tokens are the more direct upgrade to the play experience itself.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Tactile feel vs. portability: Brass tokens feel substantial and resist wear, but they add weight and bulk to your game bag. Standard tokens are lighter and easier to transport. Choose brass if the game stays home; keep standard if you travel with Illimat.
- Durability vs. replaceability: Engraved metal will outlast printed cardboard, but if a standard token is lost or damaged, replacing it is simpler and cheaper. Brass is a long-term keepsake; standard tokens are practical consumables.
- Table presence vs. budget: The brass set changes how the game looks and feels on the table, but it is an optional accessory rather than a gameplay expansion. Buy brass for the experience; buy gameplay expansions first if you want more variety.
Product Facts
- Brass Player Tokens: Six double-sided metal tokens engraved and minted by Shire Post Mint, replicating the artwork on Jerry Garcia's favorite guitars, with designs including Rosebud, Alligator, Top Hat, Tiger, and Wolf. This is a direct replacement for the standard tokens, so you get a tactile and visual upgrade without changing how the game plays.
- Illimat: Second Edition: Illimat Second Edition is the base game illustrated by Carson Ellis and designed by Keith Baker and Jenn Ellis in partnership with The Decemberists. The standard tokens come with this base game, so you already own a functional set before deciding whether the brass upgrade is necessary.
- Illimat: Stellar Alignment Gift Set: The Stellar Alignment Gift Set includes Illimat Second Edition, a brass Syzygy Coin by Shire Post Mint, and the Jeanne D'Arc bonus luminary card. If you want brass components and the game in one purchase, this set is a more efficient path than buying the base game and brass tokens separately.
Who Should Upgrade?
Best for
- Players who play Illimat regularly and want a more satisfying tactile experience
- Collectors building a display-worthy Illimat set with coordinated brass components
Not for
- Players who prioritize gameplay expansions over component upgrades
- Anyone who needs a lightweight, travel-friendly game set
