FFG version.. is it worth it?

By RiCHiE, in Talisman

Not really too excited about the Upgrade version, is it just me or do the cards look a lot worse than the BI version? The backs and white borders just don't do it for me. Big bonus with the minatures though.

Looking at the new rules, The new 'fate rule' seems a little bland, but we'll wait and see when it's released I suppose.

The biggest dissappointment for me is only four characters for the reaper expansion, for me that was the reason for buying the expansions in the second edition. I really hope it is something more original than a grim reaper randomly moving around the board killing characters based on their 'fate'.. but we'll wait and see.

90 adventure cards and minis will make it a worthwhile purchase for me, although I might wait until a mate play tests it for me first :D

Here are a few clinchers for me:

  1. Rules are much more defined and clear.
  2. Board is -- hopefully -- error free.
  3. Minis
  4. New counters for Craft, Strength and now Fate.

In regards to lack of characters in Reaper, I much prefer it that way. I'd rather 4 balanced characters than 10 unbalanced ones.

Well personally I want to support the franchise so I will be buying upgrade packs and at least two copies of the new edition. If we want to continue to see support/expansions we need to support the new edition.

Just my $.02.

SubElement said:

Here are a few clinchers for me:

  1. Rules are much more defined and clear.
  2. Board is -- hopefully -- error free.
  3. Minis
  4. New counters for Craft, Strength and now Fate.

In regards to lack of characters in Reaper, I much prefer it that way. I'd rather 4 balanced characters than 10 unbalanced ones.

The upgrade package doesn't include the board or counters for craft and strength, so it'll take buying the whole new game to get those.

I'm looking forward to buying the upgrade package for my BI edition, though. We just use the craft and strength counters in the BI version as counters and ignore the unreadable numbers on them.

I was talking about the Full Game not the Upgrade pack... gui%C3%B1o.gif

I'm going to skip the upgrade pack and just start over with the main game. I figure I'd rather have everything up to the new standard rather than have to warn new players about the mistakes on the board.

AS far as Fate, I think it will take SOME of the edge off the game. Thing is, the fast the players advance, the faster the game enads. SO, if it speeds play, I'm cool with it...

PROS:

Minis, board + card updates

CONS:

I agree - cards don't look as good as BI version

FATE rule - LAME, LAME, LAME!

Reaper:

PROS:

90 more cards

Mlre minis

CONS:

Only 4 characters - BIG CON for me

I think its worth it to get the FFG version because of the fact that they are doing expansions. I purchased the BI edition because I hadnt played the game in 10 years and I was so excited to see it that I wanted to play right away (I also had no idea that the BI version was so error ridden.) I am getting the upgrade for my old 4th Ed because since its purchase Ive gotten used to explaining all the errors that only having to explain the gameboard issues are a snap. But most importantly I want to try out the expansions because it gives a little new life to the game. Hopefully there will be more expansions on the way and if not there are others that people create and post on the internet.

Same here:

Played the 1st and 2nd Edition "back in the days".

Bought the Black Industries Version for a few €.

Had fun with it and even got my niece and godchild ( 9 and 12 ) into "fantasy gaming". (if something was unclear it was a quick "Yay or Nay" and the "Roll and Move" continued)

Will buy the "upgrade pack" for the extra minis (and probably use this "upgraded" Version for some demonstration games or as a gift to mentioned relatives).

Might buy the Fantasy Flight Games Version (to quench my collectors thirst and to be prepared for the Addons).

Have fun

"Hagard"

I already own Descent and Doom. Is Talisman worth it?

Talisman is indeed the "ultimate" in beer and pretzel fantasy. Very good times indeed so I would pick it up. I did not pick up the BI copy instead I'll wait for the FFG release and get it there. As for the Reaper expansion, yeah it does suck that there is only 4 characters but I look at it this way. There WILL be more expansions and that is hope for me! I'd say give it time. Descent expansions took some time and I'm sure Talisman expansion will be the same way. More talisman made = GOODTIMES gran_risa.gif

The main reason to get the FFG version, as stated above, is to be able to use upcoming expansions. The expansions will infuse much needed variation to the game. If you stick with the BI version you will be out of luck.

Do you get the ugrade or the full version? I think it depends on how much of a completionist you are (and your finacial situation). For an extra $40 over the ugrade you get the updated board and counters (and another box for storage). There are some differences in the board, but frankly, you could just jot those differences down on a piece of paper and play with the BI board.

You could also just sell the BI version if you bought that already. (which is what I did.)

It was hard for a guy like me that owns 2nd edition and every single expansion that ever came out for it (even Dragons.) But I'd rather have the best edition of 4th edition available.

I am also hoping that the Talisman expansions are not excuses to repackage the Runebound/Descent minis once again for a new game. I already have 2 sets of those characters, don't need a 3rd.

Gargamel said:

I am also hoping that the Talisman expansions are not excuses to repackage the Runebound/Descent minis once again for a new game. I already have 2 sets of those characters, don't need a 3rd.

Thank YOU!

There is plenty of classic Talisman material to revise and update anyway. Well done versions of previous expansions would be welcome.

Dragons and the Tower come to mind.

I know each company likes to put its own stamp on a product, but not so much when you're doing a classic. Otherwise it mutates into something a great deal less than either of its parent games.

I purchased Talisman in the mid 80's and then got the first expansion. I've never played 2nd or 3rd edition but do own 4th edition. I was disappointed when I purchased 4th edition b/c it was exactly like 1st edition with no balance changes. Overly powered characters were still overly powered and weak characters still sucked.
I am really psyched about revised 4th edition b/c from what I see it fixes many of the issues in the game and makes some nice additions w/o making it more complicated
The addition of Fate creates more flavor between each hero and speeds up the game/
The small changes in the characters are huge, helping balance them out.
The reaper expansion is going to be good too. For those who are annoyed about a lack of additional hero think about this. Would you rather have 4 good heroes you actually want to play than 14 ones that you don’t want to play?
The big reason to buy it is the 90+ Adventure cards. That is what is going to make the game worth playing. I hate cycling the adventure deck, after that the game feels worn out, 90 more cards will slow that down significantly and might stop it all together.
This is going to be a much better game, one that I will take out and play more often.

igfa_277 said:

The reaper expansion is going to be good too. For those who are annoyed about a lack of additional hero think about this. Would you rather have 4 good heroes you actually want to play than 14 ones that you don’t want to play?

Gimme 14 without hesitation. Why? Because random character draw makes you play a weaker char in one game and a powerful one the next. If all the characters were good (not alignment), what's the point? Also, 4 characters only gives me 4 games before that "been there, done that" feeling creeps back in.

Dam said:

igfa_277 said:

The reaper expansion is going to be good too. For those who are annoyed about a lack of additional hero think about this. Would you rather have 4 good heroes you actually want to play than 14 ones that you don’t want to play?

Gimme 14 without hesitation. Why? Because random character draw makes you play a weaker char in one game and a powerful one the next. If all the characters were good (not alignment), what's the point? Also, 4 characters only gives me 4 games before that "been there, done that" feeling creeps back in.

Very true. They tried that in third edition... was never as much fun as second.

With so many medium level characters out numbering uber level characters, you would get a nice mix of crap, uber and medium characters often when playing. As anything could happen in the game anyone can win - and the boasting when you managed to triumph over the Pixie, Knight, Timescape characters with your humble Pilgram was just an extra reason to boast!

There may only be 4 new characters but there is a whole new expansion along with a new set of never before seen rules (Fate). With that said I think we should all have plenty of things to experience before more characters are born in future expansions.

Lets hope so! Can't wait to see more articles on what the Reaper will do

I would really like to see an article on how fate will change in the Reaper to justify buying the game.

Yes.....

I am very happy with my Revised version of the 4th edition game ! gran_risa.gif

But i must say that you need the Reaper expansion if you want to really enjoy the game !

I have play the base game one time, and i was really disappointed, because it was very boring and takes too much time to finish the game too !

So.. if you go for the base game+reaper, then it is worth your money, and if you buy the dungeon + other expansions in the future, then you are only praying for more !! gran_risa.gif gui%C3%B1o.gif