Descent: The Altar of Despair

In Descent: The Altar of Despair, you are called upon to face an ancient threat that has risen from the shadows. A dark cult, driven by ambition and hopelessness, is determined to awaken an evil entity that could consume the world. Get ready for an epic journey where courage and cunning will be your best weapons. As you and your companions venture through treacherous dungeons and forgotten ruins, every decision could be crucial. Relentless traps, power-hungry creatures and hidden curses will test your resolve. But amidst the dangers, there are unexpected allies and treasures that could change the course of the battle. Descent: The Altar of Despair features a wealth of content, including more than two dozen detailed miniatures and new hero classes with unique abilities that offer new strategies. The Overlord, meanwhile, will have access to new monsters and spells, with mechanics that promise to intensify the challenge and tension of the game. Get ready to stop the impending doom and restore hope before it's too late.

Age 12 + 360 min 2 to 5 players

Artists: Jesper Ejsing; John Goodenough

Designers: Kevin Wilson;

Date: 2007

Note: 

Mechanics: Players with Different Skills, Data Scrolling, RPG, Modular tray

Topics: Adventure, Fantasy, Fighting / Martial Arts

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

How to play Descent: The Altar of Despair

Form a group of heroes, each with unique skills, needed to face the challenges of the altar. Balancing the classes (warriors, mages, healers) will increase your chances of success.

Increase the heroes' effectiveness by developing their skills as the game progresses. Items and powers must be chosen carefully to optimize results in battle.

During exploration, prioritize collecting treasures and items that will strengthen your team. These can be decisive in future battles.

Take on monsters using strategies: approach weaker enemies first, eliminating them before attacking more powerful ones. Use the terrain and obstacles to your advantage during fights.

Maintain communication between players, ensuring efficient coordination in decisions and actions. This can be crucial in the later stages of the game.

Main objective

Descent: The Altar of Despair is an expansion for the Descent: Journeys in the Dark board game, the main aim of which is to offer players new experiences through new scenarios, heroes, monsters and abilities. In this expansion, players take on the role of heroes on a quest to explore dangerous dungeons and face the Overlord, represented by another player, who controls the challenges and villains in the game. The expansion adds gameplay elements that increase complexity and strategy, providing a richer and more challenging experience.

Tips for playing Descent: The Altar of Despair

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Descent: The Altar of Despair:

  • Use the heroes' special powers strategically to maximize their effect in combat.
  • Manage your resources well, such as potions and skills, as shortages can lead to difficult situations.
  • Meticulously explore the map to find secrets and useful shortcuts.
  • Prioritize defeating monsters that pose an immediate threat, such as those with ranged attacks.
  • Work as a team and communicate constantly to ensure that everyone is aware of the plan.
  • Pay attention to the mission objectives to avoid wasting time in unnecessary combat.
  • Adapt to situations and be prepared to change strategy when necessary.
  • Always weigh up the risk versus reward when deciding to take on powerful enemies.
  • Use the terrain to your advantage to minimize the impact of monster attacks.
  • Remember to rest and heal your heroes whenever you have the opportunity to face subsequent challenges.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Descent: The Altar of Despair

  • Players with Different Skills - Each player takes on the role of a hero with unique abilities, influencing the strategy and style of play. Heroes can have different attributes such as strength, agility and intelligence, allowing them to play specific roles such as tank, healer or damage dealer. The synergy between the heroes' abilities is crucial to overcoming challenges.
  • Data Scrolling - The mechanics of combat and action resolution use multifaceted dice rolling. The dice determine the success or failure of actions, such as attacks, defenses and perception tests. Different types of dice represent different probabilities and effects, offering an element of randomness that affects decision-making during the game.
  • RPG - The game incorporates RPG elements such as character evolution, collecting items and developing a narrative through quests and scenarios. Players gain experience throughout the game, allowing the heroes to acquire new skills and equipment, increasing their capabilities throughout the campaign.
  • Modular Tray - The game's scenario is set up using modular board pieces that can be rearranged to create different layouts for each mission. This provides great replayability, as each match can present a new map and challenges. The board pieces represent different environments such as dungeons, caves and temples, influencing the heroes' movement strategy and positioning.

Game components Descent: The Altar of Despair

See all the items in the game below Descent: The Altar of Despair:

  • Adventure Bar
  • Action Cards
  • Life Markers
  • Adventure Data
  • Terrain pieces
  • Hero figures
  • Event Cards
  • Monster parts
  • Control Panel
  • Game rules

Additional Information

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