Hello everyone who sees this! I want to start first by saying, I have never played Descent 1E or 2E. That being said, I have a list of questions that I was hoping to get an answer to, and this seems like the most logical place.

1. 1E Characters..So I know of the conversion kit, that being said, how do I get the miniatures? I've seen the full 1E game going for upwards of $300 for the core set, but that's a touch on the steep side. I am sure I will be told "You should just enjoy the 2E characters and classes." However, I've looked through the 1E classes and I am intrigued! Plus, I intend to introduce a 8-10 person game night that I will be hosting once a week. That being said, the more choices for everyone, the better! Is it possible to get the 1E character and monster miniatures at a reasonable expense?

2. 1E expansions...Do they work with 2E. If I get the conversion kit, can I use the expansions with 2E? That would be extra characters, quests, and monsters, that would be HUGELY appreciated!

3. How does the level up or experience system work? I'm a huge fan of the D&D adventure games (Ravenloft, Wrath of Ashardladon, and Legend of Drizzt), however, characters cap out at level...which kind of stifles doing a series of quests in one sitting. How does leveling up work with this game?

4. I've seen additional rule sets, to modify the game a bit, such as one that allows 2 more heroes (7 player game). What credible resources are there for adding more players to a single game (if we can cram 8 players in one game (Maybe 2 Overlords) that would be swell!)

5. Miniature painting, I don't know the first thing about it...I painted a miniature with acrylic (a hero from the D&D boardgame) and I think it was made of PVC. The paint stuck, but he feels heavy and almost sticky. What types of paints are used for miniatures?

Thanks in advance for any answers given!!

Welcome!

1.) You can't, really. The only way to get the first edition miniatures is to pay an exorbitant amount of money for them or the first edition sets. Luckily, FFG is releasing the "Hero and Monster Collections," which have four heroes and three monster groups from the first edition (with brand new sculpts). The new artwork for the collections also fit more with the 2nd edition world than the previous ones did. Also, bear in mind that the game is for 2-5 players... it would be impossible to have 8-10 players unless you had two separate games going on.

2.) They don't work with 2nd edition. They are two completely different styles of game. The first edition was much more an RPG-style dungeon crawl, while the second edition is a miniatures tactical skirmish game. It's 1 vs. all, there are no dungeon masters. Luckily, there are quite a few 2nd edition expansions which bring a lot of new heroes, monsters, classes, and quests to the table.

3.) The heroes and Overlord level up based on the quest's rewards. Most of the quests in Act I give both groups of players an experience point for the quest, and probably one extra for winning. There's no level cap, but you don't really see it as "Level 3" or "Level 7," you just use the experience points to gain new abilities from the Class selection (or Overlord cards for the Overlord). Because it's a campaign, you keep your levels as you advance through the quests (unlike the D&D Adventure System games, which basically reboots for the next quest). Do keep in mind that the characters reboot after the campaign is over, so you don't keep all your snazzy powers if you finish The Shadow Rune and decide to do Labyrinth of Ruin.

4.) You would have to check boardgamegeek for any modified rules for that. I do think that adding anymore than 4 heroes will slow the game down significantly, and gaming groups might be a little turned off by the slow pace.

5.) I'm not a painter, so I'll leave this question to other FFG fans.

1.) Thanks! In regards to a larger game night, I intend to have two games running. We used to do it with the D&D games, but they quickly lose their flare for lack of content. Plus everyone had played most of the heroes within a few nights, and after they discovered their favorites, it became an issue with who gets what hero, which in turn, caused people to lose interest all together.

2.) So, initially, this was my thought. The people I game with don't have the imagination for table top pen and paper, so I've found that they all see to enjoy these board games because the figures, cards, Art, maps, pre-built quests all help draw them in. So I looked into Descent, never bought it, but kept it in the back of my mind (it's tough shelling out $80 for a game that may end up like the D&D games, which after obtaining all three, they don't get used). The original allure was because I had read Descent was more of an RPG, with board game aspects, however, I hadn't read that 2E is less of RPG/Boardgame...is that the case? We really want RPG/dungeon crawler with board game elements. (Pathfinder Card Game: Rise of the Runelords didn't last long either).

3.) Thanks!

4.) By slow it down, would it be more tactical thinking kind of stuff, or do you think there would be speed bumps because of positioning and just overall being too crowded?

4)The extra players would definitely slow it down, in that there would be 5 players to coordinate their turns, as well as take them. I also do not have any personal experience with the game mods incorporating more than 4 heroes. To me, it seems very difficult to keep the balance consistent.

5. Miniature painting, I don't know the first thing about it...I painted a miniature with acrylic (a hero from the D&D boardgame) and I think it was made of PVC. The paint stuck, but he feels heavy and almost sticky. What types of paints are used for miniatures?

I would recommend paints made for miniature painting, personally i own a vallejo 72 game colour paint set, a few citadel paints\washes, some army painter washes and the reaper master HD series set of base coating paints.'

Best place to start would definitely to grab the wash kit from army painter, and some basic colours from Vallejo - the game colour series is great for descent because its full of really bright fantasy style colours and the resin is purpose built for table top gaming (the paints are made to take more of a beating than their model colour line).

If you do not want to invest too much into painting but still want a nice decent sized set then the army painter big box set will give you heaps of great colours too and doesn't cost a small fortune (i think it may also come with the washes, but you will need to double check that). I highly highly recommend getting the acrylic washes, even if you just paint all the basic colours out on a model, then slap some wash over your miniatures you your miniatures will look pretty decent. Apply some highlighting after that and you will be up to what most consider basic table top quality which is a more than fine.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbJCFAtGMXQZm6WfSMMLzvw - This is a great channel for learning how to miniature paint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2y8wIJCS-k&list=PL10C32CB2CD611E84 - This is a youtube playlist from the same bloke that will get you up to speed on the basics of painting miniatures designed for beginners.

Happy miniature painting, its an addictive and expensive hobby... you have been warned