523:. Included are new plastic figures representing spectral shades, volcanic lava beetles, petrifying medusas, stealthy wendigos, and gigantic ice wyrms as well as six new heroes which are partially very distinct from the previous ones. It also introduces a new die which is used for the new invisibility ability and the so-called Feat cards which allow the heroes to perform special actions or add an extra bonus. The players' Feat cards are unknown to the Overlord and, thus, provide an element of surprise counterbalancing the Overlord's card hand.
364:
386:, enchanted armor, healing potions, and much more. They also have a number of abilities which make them stronger and more effective than the majority of the monsters which the Overlord can summon. As the heroes find more treasure, they grow more powerful and this allows them to tackle more difficult quests. Even so, heroes are expected to die during their quest, but can be restored to life indefinitely. They merely concede some victory points in the process.
501:
campaign rules, there are new props and obstacles such as boneheaps, nourishing fountains, and sheltering trees. It also provides many new tile pieces and new outdoor tiles. There are new rules for leveling monsters and adventurers up to silver, gold, and diamond versions for added challenge, as well as new
Overlord lieutenants and avatars to allow the forces of good to come face-to-face with the evil player's character.
24:
390:
skill instead of three) and end well above. Further cards indicate equipment carried and equipped. Tokens indicate health, stamina, potions, and statistic enhancements. Specialized tokens indicate which heroes have taken actions, indicate special preparations a character has taken, and indicate negative status effects like being poisoned.
130:
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Heroes are represented as a set of cards and tokens. A primary character card identifies the character, provides initial statistics, and indicates special abilities. An additional set of three or more cards indicate special skills. A campaign game makes heroes start well below this level (one special
242:
differs from other games in the genre in that the
Overlord player's goal is to win by exhausting the other players of victory points, rather than merely to facilitate play. The Overlord's resources are limited by the rules of the game, which require them to hoard and expend "threat" points, which are
549:
campaign rules, alongside a completely new island based campaign setting for
Descent campaigns, and several new other cards, such as treasure, to enhance the basic game. The expansion has a decidedly nautical theme, with the game gaining new mechanics allowing the party to look after and use a ship
378:
Each quest features a different map (a configuration of tiles). The arrangement of tiles and placement of various traps, special events, and treasures gives
Descent a great deal of flexibility in comparison to many other board games. However, the players must spend somewhat more time to set up the
343:
In 2012, FFG released a redesigned second edition of the game. The redesign was primarily designed to reduce the time required for each game session. It is not compatible with the first edition; however, a conversion kit is available to bring monsters and heroes of the first edition to the second.
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game, released in March 2008 in the US. It is the first 'plastic-less' expansion, featuring no new miniatures but instead focusing on new campaign rules and new world stories allowing for a group of
Descent adventurers to grow and develop over long-term play across several sessions. Alongside the
477:
game, released in
January 2007. It offers 6 new heroes, 5 new types of monsters (such as Dark Priests and tentacled Chaos Beasts), new traps (such as crushing walls), and new quests. New terrain consists of corrupted dungeon terrain. Some minor rules and changes are also made to accommodate a new
393:
The game features many different dice, while they are all six-sided, they contain a number of symbols (sometimes three on a single face). The different dice have different purposes (one die generally produces damage, another die generally produces range). The most powerful weapons in the game can
438:
game. The expansion provides new tiles, new heroes, and new monsters. It also adds more options and power for the
Overlord. With the expansion, the Overlord player can modify his deck of cards (potential actions in the game) to include some number of more powerful traps, summoned monsters, and
585:
Second
Edition. Along with the second edition a conversion kit was released, allowing players to use first edition monsters and heroes in the second edition game. Since then, several expansions plus hero, monster and lieutenant packs have been released for the second edition, which add quests,
569:
Since the release of 'Road to Legend', Fantasy Flight has also released a number of single-figure expansions. These each provide a single detailed metal miniature to represent one of the
Overlord's lieutenants, originally introduced, and represented, in that expansion as counters.
679:
was set in the world of
Terrinoth as well, however, though still keeping the names of characters and types of monsters, FFG removed all references to Terrinoth as of the latest revised edition of the game, released in 2014.
442:
Treachery points allow the overlord to customize his/her overlord deck with specific cards of their choice. This allows the overlord to combat specific tactics or add in challenges that synergize with the current quest.
397:
Game play is listed as between four and five hours to play a single quest. A total of nine quests were defined in the original game. Many more quests have been created and officially posted on the FFG website.
347:
In November 2019, Aconyte Books, a publishing company launched by Asmodee Entertainment, announced that they will release a set of novels based on some of Asmodee Entertainment games, including
553:
It contains the complete rules required to expand the basic game into the campaign game, and FFG states the game is fully compatible with all previous expansions except
573:
There are currently 15 of these small expansions, with 10 representing the evil characters introduced in 'Road to Legend', and 5 representing those from 'Sea of Blood'
541:
is the fifth Descent expansion, and the second 'plastic-less' expansion focusing on the rules for the campaign game, and not new miniatures. It was announced at
406:
Since its initial release, a number of official expansions have been published. The expansions add additional quests, as well as additional options for players.
340:
was to be BattlePawn's launch title, but development on this product was terminated on 13 June 2008 following creative differences with Fantasy Flight Games.
586:
campaigns, secret rooms and additional overlord rules to the base game. The original first edition has been discontinued and replaced by the second edition.
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at the end of a set of rooms). The Overlord attempts to stop the heroes by playing traps or spawning monsters who can then be used to attack the heroes.
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contains nine new fully defined quests. Like the first game, the expansion features heroes who are also found in the board game
703:, with characters assigned to the players, and equipment purchased before descending into a dungeon region to solve quests.
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There are two sides, the "hero side" and the "Overlord". The heroes are attempting to complete a quest (usually kill a
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generated in response to the hero players' actions, in order to hamper the other players and to bring out additional
238:"). One player takes the role of the Overlord, who controls the enemies and plays cards to hinder the hero players.
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came along. But my bet is that once you play Descent, you won't want to play any other dungeon-crawl game again."
34:
974:
711:– the deck the Overlord uses in Descent acts as a timer, so every action taken by the heroes comes at a price.
624:
said that "for all that gaming has evolved D&D since it first came out, there's nothing better than that".
81:
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result in the heroes rolling ten dice for a single attack, though normally heroes only roll three to five.
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board game, isn't bad at all. In fact, it had been my favorite dungeon-crawl for over 30 years, until
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and the second edition, six years later, was nominated for 2012 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game
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have referred to is as "one of the best dungeon crawl classics out there" and Quintin Smith from
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2009, and officially released shortly before Christmas 2009. It provides a refined set of the
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942:"2012 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Nominee | Board Game Honor | BoardGameGeek"
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918:"2006 Golden Geek Best Gamer's Board Game Nominee | Board Game Honor | BoardGameGeek"
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The heroes are able to use a number of items which enhance their abilities such as
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23:
826:"Press Release: Asmodee Announces the Creation of New Fiction Imprint, Aconyte"
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which includes campaign rules, was released in March 2008. A fourth expansion,
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220:. The game is based on an improved version of the mechanics of FFG's licensed
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is one of a number of fantasy board games published by FFG, others include
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who delve into underground complexes in search of treasure (the so-called "
542:
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608:, or want to start with a more basic dungeon-crawl game, TSR's old
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is also available, providing additional features. Finally, the
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17:
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In 2012 Fantasy Flight Games released a streamlined version
328:
announced that they were working on an online PC version of
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prevents the 'stalling' tactics players were capable of in
247:
to defeat them. This mechanism is very much reminiscent of
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action type (prolonged actions) used in the new quests.
305:, was released on October 26, 2006. A second expansion
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The first edition of the board game was nominated for
353:
Descent–Journeys in the Dark: The Doom of Fallowhearth
183:
175:
167:
159:
149:
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651:is set in Terrinoth, the same fantasy universe as
309:was released February 2007 and a third expansion,
641:, released in late 2004. It also borrows from "
1112:Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
746:
744:
604:comments: "If you want something simpler than
691:universe using a similar ruleset to Descent.
8:
773:"Descent: Journeys in the Dark Product page"
120:
155:Jesper Ejsing, John Goodenough, Frank Walls
1054:"Doom vs. Descent – The Ultimate Showdown"
1004:"Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games of 2019"
321:expansion creates another campaign world.
434:was the first expansion released for the
108:Learn how and when to remove this message
1030:"Descent: Journeys Into the Dark review"
793:. Battlepawn. 2006-10-17. Archived from
596:2006 Golden Geek Best Gamer's Board Game
408:
851:"Incoming – Here Are Our First Titles!"
719:
699:could be considered the grandfather of
902:. Fantasy Flight Games. Archived from
775:. Fantasy Flight Games. Archived from
728:"Descent: Journeys in the Dark (2005)"
683:In 2014 Fantasy Flight Games released
119:
44:Please improve this article by adding
900:"The Official Fan-Created Quest List"
876:"Descent: Journeys in the Dark Rules"
806:
804:
635:borrowed and expanded mechanics from
7:
1096:– Fantasy Flight's official web page
134:The box for the game's First Edition
1077:. Fantasy Flight Games. 2014-12-15.
814:. Fantasy Flight Games. 2012-07-18.
367:Players with the Descent board game
14:
293:and its expansion set as well as
1156:Board games with a modular board
791:"Descent – Journeys in the Dark"
669:, as well as the new edition of
473:is the second expansion for the
289:shares the same characters with
128:
22:
57:"Descent: Journeys in the Dark"
1146:Board games introduced in 2005
379:game before it can be played.
1:
1129:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
1101:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
1092:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
1028:Smith, Quintin (2014-01-02).
583:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
521:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
496:is another expansion for the
349:Descent: Journeys in the dark
330:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
216:was designed and produced by
195:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
122:Descent: Journeys in the Dark
46:secondary or tertiary sources
687:, a board game based in the
519:is the fourth expansion for
355:, will be released in 2020.
230:, players take the roles of
1171:Dungeon crawler board games
1131:YouTube instructional video
565:Single Miniature Expansions
1187:
1166:Fantasy Flight Games games
975:Hobby Games: The 100 Best
752:"The Realms of Terrinoth"
307:Descent: Altar of Despair
303:Descent: Well of Darkness
127:
1161:Cooperative board games
311:Descent: Road to Legend
301:. The first expansion,
980:Green Ronin Publishing
968:(2007). "Descent". In
881:. Fantasy Flight Games
645:", released in 1989.
622:Shut Up & Sit Down
368:
253:when playing with the
33:relies excessively on
366:
336:3D boardgame engine.
283:The Lord of the Rings
250:The Lord of the Rings
1122:Fan-base Created FAQ
1075:"Begin Your Assault"
812:"Your Legend Awaits"
550:in the new setting.
471:The Altar of Despair
466:The Altar of Despair
447:The Well of Darkness
432:The Well of Darkness
427:The Well of Darkness
315:Descent: Tomb of Ice
257:optional expansion.
210:Fantasy Flight Games
145:Fantasy Flight Games
1151:Fantasy board games
638:Doom: The Boardgame
410:
223:Doom: The Boardgame
124:
982:. pp. 77–80.
494:The Road to Legend
489:The Road to Legend
409:
369:
326:Board Games Online
297:and the card game
989:978-1-932442-96-0
946:boardgamegeek.com
922:boardgamegeek.com
562:
561:
324:In October 2006,
278:World of Warcraft
198:is a two to five
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618:Board Games Land
539:The Sea of Blood
534:The Sea of Blood
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517:The Tomb of Ice
512:The Tomb of Ice
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171:< 30 minutes
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1085:External links
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906:on 2012-02-24.
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98:February 2012
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59: –
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53:Find sources:
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31:This article
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1058:. Retrieved
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1037:. Retrieved
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1012:. Retrieved
1010:. 2019-10-04
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949:. Retrieved
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925:. Retrieved
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904:the original
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883:. Retrieved
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859:. Retrieved
857:. 2019-11-26
854:
845:
834:. Retrieved
832:. 2019-04-25
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820:
795:the original
785:
777:the original
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756:. Retrieved
732:. Retrieved
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417:Description
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319:Sea of Blood
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281:and several
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218:Kevin Wilson
213:
203:high fantasy
194:
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179:2 to 4 hours
176:Playing time
121:
104:
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232:adventurers
1140:Categories
1060:2015-01-02
1039:2019-12-13
1014:2019-12-13
951:2019-12-13
927:2019-12-13
885:2015-01-03
861:2020-07-14
836:2020-07-14
758:2015-01-02
734:2015-01-02
715:References
671:BattleLore
643:Space Hulk
402:Expansions
334:BattlePawn
332:for their
168:Setup time
68:newspapers
35:references
1034:Eurogamer
709:HeroQuest
696:HeroQuest
689:Star Wars
654:Runebound
590:Reception
452:Runebound
291:Runebound
266:Runebound
212:in 2005.
151:Designers
666:Rune Age
660:Runewars
439:events.
359:Gameplay
299:Rune Age
295:Runewars
245:monsters
972:(ed.).
705:Descent
701:Descent
649:Descent
633:Descent
614:Descent
610:Dungeon
606:Descent
543:Gen Con
498:Descent
475:Descent
436:Descent
338:Descent
287:Descent
285:games.
261:Descent
240:Descent
228:Descent
214:Descent
160:Players
82:scholar
1124:– Wiki
986:
255:Sauron
200:player
184:Chance
84:
77:
70:
63:
55:
879:(PDF)
529:2009
507:2008
484:2008
461:2007
422:2006
414:Year
226:. In
89:JSTOR
75:books
984:ISBN
663:and
187:some
61:news
1115:at
1104:at
163:2-5
37:to
1142::
1032:.
1006:.
978:.
944:.
920:.
853:.
828:.
803:^
743:^
657:,
557:.
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