My friends and I play a Fanatsy Board game twice a month and we are looking to expand into other similar games. Descent looked kind of cool, but The Overlod mechanic duty required of 1 of the three of us has kept us away. I just read that there is a rule or system for an Automated Overlord. Is this something that can be enacted from the very start of our first game? If so, how?

Sort of...

Out of the box, Descent is designed for one player to be the Overlord and the rest of the players to be the heroes.

However, there are currently two inexpensive expansions that allow up to four players to play heroes with no need for an overlord. Those expansions are:

- Forgotten Souls

- Nature's Ire

They are listed as Co-op Adventures on the main product page. They are $14.95 MSRP.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/descent-journeys-in-the-dark-second-edition/

They use the components of the base game, but not the campaign that comes with it. They each provide their own mini-campaign (more of a long dungeon crawl) and the special rules.

In addition to the cooperative expansions, there are indeed variant rules and cards that automate the entire overlord process. Head over to the boardgamegeek descent page and check out redjak's stuff in the "variants" forum.

That being said, these are variant rules. With the exception of the expansions mentioned earlier, descent is commercially a player vs players game. That dynamic happens to be what makes descent special, in my eyes.

And note that there are actually 3 official FFG Co-Ops. The third one is called Dark Elements.

In addition to the cooperative expansions, there are indeed variant rules and cards that automate the entire overlord process. Head over to the boardgamegeek descent page and check out redjak's stuff in the "variants" forum.

That being said, these are variant rules. With the exception of the expansions mentioned earlier, descent is commercially a player vs players game. That dynamic happens to be what makes descent special, in my eyes.

I was not aware of this, I will have to go check it out!

And note that there are actually 3 official FFG Co-Ops. The third one is called Dark Elements.

Yes, Dark Elements as well, but in order to use that one, you also need "The Lair of the Wyrm" expansion.

One other note ... if you access the stickied thread at the top of the forum called Index of Useful Links, there is a section called Variants which has links to many of the more popular automated variants that are available.

There are co-op variants that use a simple D6 or the blue die to automate the Overlord. However, Redjak's Automated Overlord Variant (RAOV) is the best and most complete co-op variant, it does require that you print out a set of cards, but that is a reasonable price for a variant that opens up the game to such a great degree.

My opinion is that the co-op expansions are extremely good. But if you limit yourselves to only playing those, you're missing out on by far the best of what Descent has to offer (full campaign mode). I'd suggest someone change their mind set and embrace playing the overlord, because it's really fun in its own right.

Being the overlord is one of the best things in the game, it's what makes it different compared to your standard dungeon crawlers. Ofcourse, you need a group that's mature enough to realize that the overlord also tries to win (overlord != GM).

Being the overlord is one of the best things in the game, it's what makes it different compared to your standard dungeon crawlers. Ofcourse, you need a group that's mature enough to realize that the overlord also tries to win (overlord != GM).

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

I really enjoy playing as overlord and find it a rewarding play style, which I can adjust depending on the group.

If it is my two young boys I am more facilitative, putting their heroes under pressure until they '******' a victory.

With my regular group I am more ruthless, having to make the most of options and resources to win before the heroes steamroll my hapless minions.

As a result I am spending far more than I anticipated on expansions.

The basic game has plenty to start with though.

I have not tried the coops yet. A trollfens based co-op is something I am hoping for.

Why was the word ****** starred out?

Please note: l have not used any expletives.

Castle Ravenloft / Wrath of Ashardalon / Legend of Drizzt / Temple of Elemental Evil by WotC

all pure co-op dungeon crawlers.

what word were you trying to use?

Try writing in in l33sp34k or something

S-n-a-t-c-h

S-n-a-t-c-h

Me too:p

I am not a native English speaker so it could be that I am missing some kind of association with the word s-n-a-t-c-h. I think it means something like 'stealing' or 'taking away'. maybe it is linked to a certain societal issue in America like the word 'predator'?

EDIT: this is very off-topic, but I am just curious why this word is censored.

EDIT 2:

With help from Google I now know that s-n-a-t-c-h is also slang for a 'lady part'. Learning something new every day...

what ceasar salad said...

it means to grab, but also... you know

As a distinctly native 'English' English speaker this colourful interpretation of the word ****** is also new to me.

Let's hope the word descent does not get too associated with forbidden connotations.

As a distinctly native 'English' English speaker this colourful interpretation of the word ****** is also new to me.

Let's hope the word descent does not get too associated with forbidden connotations.

Journey in the Dark

As I said, if we were to just do the base, that makes one of us (more than likely me ) to end up as overlord since there is only 3 of us! Will check out the links and my thanks for all of your input!

S-n-a-t-c-h

Me too:p

I am not a native English speaker so it could be that I am missing some kind of association with the word s-n-a-t-c-h. I think it means something like 'stealing' or 'taking away'. maybe it is linked to a certain societal issue in America like the word 'predator'?

EDIT: this is very off-topic, but I am just curious why this word is censored.

EDIT 2:

With help from Google I now know that s-n-a-t-c-h is also slang for a 'lady part'. Learning something new every day...

So, if the forum hadn't censored this word, there are at least two people in this thread who would have remained blissfully ignorant to it's more scandalous meaning. Thankfully, FFG has helped educate you both by making you wonder why it was hidden.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, censorship only serves to draw attention to the things that they were trying to censor in the first place.

Amazing thread! Both educational towards a new player and entertaining for a native English speaker!

And I agree, censorship never accomplishes what it sets out to do...

Looked at some of the overlord co-op cards. not quite sure I get it, but the box set is ordered.Is thre a way to play as bith player and overlrod at the same tome to get the full experience?

I also had my doubts about the OL mainly because in my almost 30 years of gaming (D&D mostly) I have been stuck with the GM/DM/Moderator/Storyteller mantle the majority of the time I played and I have only had one character in that time make it to double digit levels, all the while watching my friends do it time and again. I suppose thats what I get for spending time building campaigns and whatnot...

I played my first D2e game today (as OL) with my daughter and one of her friends and it was quite enjoyable. It has a "player" feel instead of the distanced or behind the scenes feel that I had feared and it didnt feel like a chore (both being the caveat for DMing). I only looked at the date of your post after typing this far and I can assume you now have D2e in your posession and if you havent played yet and still have any concerns about overlording (?) set them at ease, it is as much fun as playing one of the barghest chow...err..."heroes"