Hey everyone! I'd just like to share a variant I made for those times when nobody wants to play the Overlord, but the Heroes still want to have a challenging experience.Basically, you replace the Overlord with a single D6, aided by some additional rules that I've compiled into a document.

Whenever a monster figure is activated, roll a D6 and resolve the monster's actions using the chart below, triggering the first two actions you find from the top:

That way, the Overlord is still able to use Overlord cards, go for Objectives, etc, but without the hassle of finding someone willing to be constantly beaten up by four buffed up Heroes.

You can grab the file needed (or read more details on this variant!) from here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2n4fkxsxo5sdaqa/Nerdook%27s%20D6%20Overlord%20Variant%20v1.1.pdf

or from BGG here:

http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/102760/nerdooks-d6-overlord-variant

Enjoy!! Feedback welcome...

This is an excellent variant. I've been using it through the Labyrinth of Ruin campaign and it works great.

Good work, Nerdook!

I must say, having been into Descent since the launch of 1E, you've been a revolutionary influence in the area of automating the OL player. I enjoy your previous variants, and this one looks equally ground-breaking. =)

Thank you greatly for this. As someone who cannot always find an opponent to play in Descent, this is a nice alternative for that solo run-through.

Interesting idea, but my first question would be does this present an actual challenge for a skilled player? The game is just about even to start with - the balance tips depending on player/group composition, but I think overall, a skilled player vs. a skilled overlord just about balances out. Here, the player knows the OL's hand, and the OL isn't making moves with any overall strategic objective - I would be pretty gobsmacked if this presented any real challenge. I don't disagree that it's an interesting idea, well executed, though.

Interesting idea, but my first question would be does this present an actual challenge for a skilled player?

I admit I haven't tried it yet (though I intend to.) However, I'm guessing this idea is based on the Forgotten Souls co-op rules, based on the layout. Just generified for all monsters and randomized. From what I read online, it sounds like the Forgotten Souls co-op can provide a serious challenge to players.

To be fair, in FS the tactics are still written specifically for each monster, so although you draw random cards to find out what each monster does every turn, the tactics employed are still tailored to that monster's abilities and strengths. So will the challenge hold up when the tactics are completely generic? Time will tell, I suppose.

Interesting idea, but my first question would be does this present an actual challenge for a skilled player? The game is just about even to start with - the balance tips depending on player/group composition, but I think overall, a skilled player vs. a skilled overlord just about balances out. Here, the player knows the OL's hand, and the OL isn't making moves with any overall strategic objective - I would be pretty gobsmacked if this presented any real challenge. I don't disagree that it's an interesting idea, well executed, though.

The moves are not completely random: if you check out the file, you'll see that Quest-specific actions are added for the various monsters in different Quests, which enables this variant to be adapted to the different Quest objectives.

Fantastic work really ! I will certainly test it very soon... But, have you planned to make also the quest specific actions for the labyrinth of ruins campain and for the others mini expansions that are already released ? It will be awesome ! Anyway, thanks for the good work, I think I will translate it in french (if you allowed me to do so) for the french descent community...

Sure, go ahead and make a French version! That would be awesome.

Thanks ! But what about the adaptation of the labyrinth of ruins to this system ? Will you do that or not ?

Not at the moment, I'm busy with a game release on Steam/GOG, and will get back to Descent variant stuff afterwards!

Ok, I understand... but i'm happy to see that you will do that anyway even if it's 6 months later. Now, I have to translate your work in french. Thanks again !

can this varian be played with the campaign included in the box. I have been meaning to get this game but will mostly be playing solo. I'd like to play the campaign solo, will these rules work.

Hey all, just my 2 cents, but first off,, GREAT JOB on this!! I'm DL'ing it now to try it out. I also just got into Descent. I LOVE it and am playing it solo. Here's the thing about Descent, it lends itself pretty easily to "playing both sides", and still not interfering with rooting for the heroes. Here's my approach, and what I've found that might help out. Now, this might sound a little nuts, but hell, were gamers right? When I started soloing it, and learning the rules, I plopped my D&D Balor figure (google that mini and it looks like a wicked a$$ overlord BTW) next to the overlord deck! On the overlords turn, I pick up the overlord cards, and figure, if this Balor figure was a overlord, what would be a few HIGHLY logical moves he would do, to waste these heroes. I find maybe 2 or 3 REALLY great moves on the overlords turn, then assign them to a D6 and roll. For instance, on a roll of 1-3 these goblin archers are going to stack up, and commence a full assault on 1 hero, 4-6 these goblin archers are going to go for a quest related object. So in a way, it's an A.I. on the fly for the quest I'm trying to beat, or situations that arise. So you really don't "know" what the overlord will do in a sense. For overlord cards such as "tripwire" and others of the such, where they have to be played when a hero moves, I play with this rule: Everytime a hero moves as 1 of his actions (without using exertion) I roll a D6 on each of his steps. . On a 1-4, the overlord doesn't cast tripwire. 5-6 the overlord, Balor casts it. Certain other cards like tripwire are held until there needed, or when a overlord would play them.

Quick example of what I played tonight and how perfectly it worked. I ran the Fat Goblin quest part 2. Late in the game, I had 3 heroes, and the overlord (Balor) had Splig and 4 goblin archers left behind a closed door. On the overlords turn I thought of 2 scenarios that a overlord would do. A) Send the goblin archers through the door to attack the heroes. or B) Stack up in the hallway a few spaces back from the door and wait for the heroes to open it. (The heroes HAD to kill Splig for this quest so I had to get through that door). So on the overlords turn the "dark charm" card was drawn. That card lets you take control of a hero and move or attack with it). So I thought, what would the evil Balor do? And so dark charm was casted on Widow Tarha, she was moved right in front of the door, one of the goblins then opened it, and...it wasn't very pretty. 3 goblins unloaded and knocked her out, and the last one wound another hero for 3 wounds.

So bottom line, for me Descent isn't like playing chess solo. It's pretty solo friendly. If you think of a few well thought out moves a overlord (Balor) would do, let a D6 decide it, so there's that element of surprise and turn of events, it's a ton of fun. I REALLY have been loving descent, and have expansions on the way already. So if you jump in, make sure you grab a D&D Balor for your personal overlord. Have a good one

I tested out Nerdook's D6 variant, but as we played on the there are times when the common sense aspect over rules the dice (which i believe is pretty much specified in the variant anyway). What we started to do was to play with what strategy we thought the OL would do primarily first, if there was any indecision then run with the D6 to make the decision on the OL

's behalf. That worked out well, but sometimes the results were wayward, but can easily be discarded (ie attacking the furthest hero would get the monster smashed next turn and open the game up for an OL defeat)

Groovus, I enjoyed watching your videos and it made me want to go away and have a solo game. I really had a lot of fun with the variant. I randomized the OL's monster choices to allow me the chance to play some combinations I have not had the chance of playing before, which added to the challenge of playing the role of OL. I also randomized Plot card choices and utilized spending threat randomly as strategies during the game also.

I ended up playing all the way to Act II and have really enjoyed it.

Thanks for posting these lads, they have been a lot of fun. I am keen to get Nerdook's other co-op/solo variant printed out as well so I can give that a try!