Hi.

I've loved Talisman for years - the majority of my life, really. 2nd edition started me, 3rd edition made me appreciate the 2nd edition even more. 4th edition came along to become the rock to the 2nd edition's scissors, whilst shape-shifting at will into the paper to the 3rd edition's very tiny rock.

FFG released 4th edition revised.

Expansions Followed (unplayable with my version)

So, logically, I ordered the upgrade pack, which hasn't arrived. Back-ordered.

My question to you up-to-date Talisman players is: How much does fate really affect the game? I'm dying to know nearly as bad as I'm dying to hear that my upgrade pack has shipped.

Fate has its affect, but far less that one thinks by probability calculations. Overall, by the standard rules and the standard game, you could get by without it. But future expansions (possibly Frostmarch) will expand its potential role. So to keep up and not be lost even further by future works, you had best keep after that Upgrade pack.

And drop by Talismanisland.com to get some printable graphics to upgrade key spaces on your board as well. While you wait, you can probably ask herein if you wish to know the Starting Fate values on various characters. Use some pennies for Fate tokens if you want to try it out and see what's what. I'm sure someone can quote the brief Fate rules as well.

And let us know when your upgrade pack actually arrives - and where you order from. Some of us are also waiting to pick up an additional one for other uses.