Hey there,

Currently, I don't have a game group. Instead, its just me and my wife kicking it together when the kids go to sleep. Does anyone have thoughts on how well Descent plays with 2 people? From other experience with FFG (TI, Game of Thrones, and Rex), some of their games are just unplayable without multiple peeps. Is this one of those?

I will say the co-op mods seems awesome, but I hope they aren't the end-all-be-all for 2 player campaigns; it'd be nice to actually get my money's worth for the main game.

Also, I'm curious as to how interesting the story is. My wife doesn't have the time to delve into the metagame, and she is less of a tactical gamer than myself, so I'm banking on the story for Descent being the hook that keeps her going over multiple play sessions.

I appreciate the insights!

I often play Descent with just 2 physical players. One plays the OL, but the other actually controls 4 heroes all on their own. The reason for this is that this game is best balanced when played with 4 heroes.

Now, having said that, in order for this to work well, both players really need to understand the game well, and know most, if not all of the rules inside and out.

The player who controls all 4 heroes needs to really have a solid background in these types of games, if not specific experience with this game. They are going to have to remember many things when it comes to each hero's individual abilities, heroic feats, skills, weapons, synergies, etc. In addition, some of those heroes may also have familiars which can add to the amount to remember and increase the complexity of each turn. Instead of being able to rely on others (other players) to assist with this, they only have themselves.

One of the approaches we use when faced with perhaps less experienced players is to play very friendly. In other words, be patient. Let the player controlling the 4 heroes have a lot of time planning their turn, allow them to review each hero, their cards, skills, etc.

Further, when we play "friendly", often times as the OL, I help to remind that individual of things they missed, perhaps a better approach to which hero goes first, second, etc.

We have found that in this approach, the game remains fun for all involved. It also allows for great teaching opportunities. Once you have a few quests under your belt in a given campaign, and the player controlling the 4 heroes has had enough repetitions to remember most, if not all of their abilities, then you can move towards a more competitive mode.

I also play 2-player Descent with my spouse quite a bit. Playing the normal competitive mode is a good time even with only two players. However, any2cards is correct in that the game is best played with 4 heroes.

The official co-op adventures are also quite fun and can be a challenge, depending on both luck and skill.

I find that to get the most out of Descent, you do need to add in some of the quality variants that are available. For added value, the best of all is Redjak's Automated Overlord Variant . By adding one deck of cards, you and your wife then have the option of playing any quest or campaign cooperatively, as well as competitively. Then, if you want to add in a quick hack-and-slash adventure every now and again, there is Redjak's DelvenDeep Expansion .

Finally, by adding my Legendary Play Variant Rules , you have the option of playing first edition style dungeon delves, and maximize your possibilities for generating randomized quests and campaigns, which can be played either competitively, or cooperatively via RAOV.

By adding these variants, you can turn your Descent set into a real sandbox, which only increases in play-value each time you add to your Descent collection.

To answer the last part of your question, the story is the over-arching connection for the campaign, but it is not a strong component of the game in any way, more just an interesting narrative to tie things together and provide focus. If you are hoping that is the element that will draw your wife in, I wouldn't count on it. The strength of Descent is in the strategy and tactical arena.

I'm going to strongly disagree with Madmartigan on needing variants to enjoy the game. If that's your thing, great, but the game is very well done and very interesting on its own and doesn't need it. The variants are for people who don't like the game on its own and wanted a different experience, which is fine too, but it says nothing about the game itself.

In my opinion, the co-op mods are most definitely NOT the end-all-be-all for 2 player campaigns if that helps at all.

I'm going to strongly disagree with Madmartigan on needing variants to enjoy the game. If that's your thing, great, but the game is very well done and very interesting on its own and doesn't need it. The variants are for people who don't like the game on its own and wanted a different experience, which is fine too, but it says nothing about the game itself.

Notice that I did not say that variants are needed to enjoy the game. I said that vanilla is quite fun, but to get the most out of the game, I find that variants are necessary. This judgment does not include the further judgment that there is anything wrong with the game as is.

Also, variants are not only "for people who don't like the game." I do like the game. Variants can also be for those of us who simply wish to add variety, and to expand the play experience that we enjoy so much.

My variant is not meant to change Descent 2.0 into something that I think it should be by eliminating or replacing the vanilla rules, it is meant to expand on them with additional modes to give players the maximum play potential possible.

Hey all!

Thanks for the replies! After giving it some thought, I snagged a copy of the vanilla game for play with the lady... It was an absolute hit! The basic mechanics were simple enough for her to grasp without having to memorize a MtG style rulebook, and the abilities provided by the different cards were spelled out so well it gave depth without obtuse complexity. Just a stellar game to for some marital nerdy bliss!

My own thoughts after a play session:

- My wife played the overlord while I tackled 4 heroes solo, which was bass ackwards from what I anticipated. Having done it, I would absolutely recommend playing this way in a two-player game where one player is less experienced.

- I 100% agree this game is designed for, and absolutely shines with, four heroes. There is never a dull moment, and someone is constantly attacking someone else. Thinking of how a two hero game would play, I imagine there is a lot more walking and other drudgery.

- That said, learning to juggle four heroes at once is a challenge and a half! Not to brag, but I'm great at tactical games, yet there were more than a few times I was kicking myself for screwing something up. That's a rare occurrence in my book. This isn't a knock on the game by any means, but I guarantee my lovely lady would have struggled mightily.

- In contrast, each monster in a group plays roughly the same, so there isn't the need to remember 8 different abilities (at a minimum) to reach a synergy. My wife, who is nowhere near as experienced as myself, found an easy flow with her monsters and the overlord cards.

- On top of that, the overlord's objectives for the first few quests (we played the intro and "A Fat Goblin") are relatively simpler to complete with four heroes (the increased # of goblins make the "move/grab" objectives easier). At least for newer players, there seems to be a higher chance of Overlord victory in those quests, and thus a lower chance your spouse will rage quit and kick you to the couch for the night.

- Bottom line, I recommend the experience player takes the heroes.

- Last but not least, I love that this game makes even losing fun. I pulled off several spectacular moves that snatched victory away from my wife... for a turn. But just being able to pull that off had me grinning even as she crossed the finish line. That's a great sign.

Again, thanks for the advice and happy gaming!