So I was able to get a copy of the game with a couple of expansions so my wife and I can play co-op using the app. But since neither of us have played before, do you guys think we should jump right into using the app or play a game or two with one of us as the overlord? We have played similar games including the new version of Mansions of Madness which seems to have a lot in common.

If you're the type to be competitive to the point you get upset when things don't go your way, play cooperatively with the app. If you're not, I truly feel like standard Descent offers a better experience. You need the right group of people to play with an OL, but (in my opinion) the OL mechanic is what makes Descent special. In all honesty, there are better (and truer) dungeon crawlers. There are better cooperative games. The Overlord/hero dynamic that Descent offers is something relatively unique, and I really like the way FFG does it. To me, that's the heart of this game- the app will just never have that.

What the app offers is a way to play Descent without that dynamic, and with a few other tweaks. The biggest benefits of the app (in my opinion) are that you can play it alone or with friends (whereas standard Descent requires at least 2 people) and that the competitive element is removed for groups who can't (or don't like to) have a human Overlord.

The good news is that the base app (and first campaign, Kindred Fire) are free so you can always change your mode of play. Play the standard intro, First blood. Play the intro campaign in the app- see which feel you like better.

I suggest you to play a couple of games in the standard mode to learn the rules / concepts. Make a lot easy to understad the app mechanics.

In all honesty, there are better (and truer) dungeon crawlers. There are better cooperative games.

I'd actually like elaboration on these points since I'm always looking for more content in this style.

If you're the type to be competitive to the point you get upset when things don't go your way, play cooperatively with the app. If you're not, I truly feel like standard Descent offers a better experience. You need the right group of people to play with an OL, but (in my opinion) the OL mechanic is what makes Descent special. In all honesty, there are better (and truer) dungeon crawlers. There are better cooperative games. The Overlord/hero dynamic that Descent offers is something relatively unique, and I really like the way FFG does it. To me, that's the heart of this game- the app will just never have that.

What the app offers is a way to play Descent without that dynamic, and with a few other tweaks. The biggest benefits of the app (in my opinion) are that you can play it alone or with friends (whereas standard Descent requires at least 2 people) and that the competitive element is removed for groups who can't (or don't like to) have a human Overlord.

The good news is that the base app (and first campaign, Kindred Fire) are free so you can always change your mode of play. Play the standard intro, First blood. Play the intro campaign in the app- see which feel you like better.

While I can appreciate the uniqueness of Descents OL and the 1 vs. Many asymmetrical gameplay, if I want this to hit the table with any regularity then it's going to have to be co-op. We have played games like Last Night on Earth and Betrayal on the Hill and both editions of Mansions of Madness and if we can get a big enough group then the 1 vs. many works great but usually it is just my wife and I, so co-op variations are preferred.

Our main goal is to play the co-op version eventually so I guess the gist of my question was if we need to play the regular version in order to understand the rules. It seems like most people feel like that is the best way to go. I'm sure I can convince her to a session or two of 1 on 1.

I would be interested in your suggestions for other co-op dungeon crawlers though. I'm lucky enough to be borrowing descent so I haven't invested in anything yet.

I would actually suggest playing with the App as you learn the game.

The app is fairly forgiving and since neither player has any particular (opposing) bias when figuring out the rules, you can get through the game much easier and will likely enjoy it more. You will probably lose due to some oversight of a rule, but it will get both of you used to looking at both the heroes move options and the overlords monster movement.

Once you are both comfortable with the rules, I would highly suggest playing with one of you as the OL.

So I was able to get a copy of the game with a couple of expansions so my wife and I can play co-op using the app. But since neither of us have played before, do you guys think we should jump right into using the app or play a game or two with one of us as the overlord? We have played similar games including the new version of Mansions of Madness which seems to have a lot in common.

Use the app. That way you'll both be working on getting the same set of rules straight. Some one won't have to play 2 heroes which would make things more complicated. And the app has a good tutorial level to ease you in to playing.

In all honesty, there are better (and truer) dungeon crawlers.

Such as?

So I was able to get a copy of the game with a couple of expansions so my wife and I can play co-op using the app. But since neither of us have played before, do you guys think we should jump right into using the app or play a game or two with one of us as the overlord? We have played similar games including the new version of Mansions of Madness which seems to have a lot in common.

Use the app. That way you'll both be working on getting the same set of rules straight. Some one won't have to play 2 heroes which would make things more complicated. And the app has a good tutorial level to ease you in to playing.

I would argue that having competition results in a better rules understanding because both players will be looking for ways to use the rules in their favor.

Such as?

Such as any game, because Descent is not a dungeon crawler anyway.

It's the same discussion again, i.e. what you define as being a dungeon crawler. Some people think it's the exploration (Descent has none of that, at least in that edition), some people think it's the random monsters spawning, etc.

But I don't think it really matters. The point is that Descent (standard play) is the game it is because of the OL mechanism. Not many games with that type of asymetry can be said to be good. To be honest Descent is quite the pinacle of that category (even topping Imperial Assault). Therefore if you fall into the more standard co-operative play (which the app does), then you hit a huge concurrence of really good (and modern) games. What games exactly depends on the definition of what you are looking for.

Such as?

Such as any game, because Descent is not a dungeon crawler anyway.

It's the same discussion again, i.e. what you define as being a dungeon crawler. Some people think it's the exploration (Descent has none of that, at least in that edition), some people think it's the random monsters spawning, etc.

But I don't think it really matters. The point is that Descent (standard play) is the game it is because of the OL mechanism. Not many games with that type of asymetry can be said to be good. To be honest Descent is quite the pinacle of that category (even topping Imperial Assault). Therefore if you fall into the more standard co-operative play (which the app does), then you hit a huge concurrence of really good (and modern) games. What games exactly depends on the definition of what you are looking for.

When someone alludes to a better game, but refuses to divulge its title, I automatically assume its an amazing game with some incredibly intricate and interesting mechanics wrapped in a deeply embarrassing theme. 8}

When someone alludes to a better game, but refuses to divulge its title, I automatically assume its an amazing game with some incredibly intricate and interesting mechanics wrapped in a deeply embarrassing theme. 8}

But I was just the middle man here, Zaltyre started this off, so he can feel free to reveal his tastes to the community Something to do with men in kilts exploring a mine in complete darkness. Or unicorns surely. There are a lot of unicorn fans in North America, or so I´ve heard. Back in the days regular forum users used to inherit special avatars and titles from the admins, after revealing controvertial things about themselves 8)

Or the opposite situation, where some dude acting like a fanboy wouldn't stop bragging about that awesome game of his, the ultimate gaming experience, only for people to realize the game has been out of print for a decade, goes around 200$ on e-bay and is not even a good game

Both of the posters who asked for my examples of "better" co-op games got a PM. I figure the specifics are off-topic. The point is that (again, in my opinion) taking the OL out of Descent takes away the very thing that sets it apart, similar to what you alluded to, Indalecio.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with Road to Legend. It's fun to play, I just don't know if it would be my first choice to hit the table in that genre.

Such as?

Such as any game, because Descent is not a dungeon crawler anyway.

It's the same discussion again, i.e. what you define as being a dungeon crawler. Some people think it's the exploration (Descent has none of that, at least in that edition), some people think it's the random monsters spawning, etc.

But I don't think it really matters. The point is that Descent (standard play) is the game it is because of the OL mechanism. Not many games with that type of asymetry can be said to be good. To be honest Descent is quite the pinacle of that category (even topping Imperial Assault). Therefore if you fall into the more standard co-operative play (which the app does), then you hit a huge concurrence of really good (and modern) games. What games exactly depends on the definition of what you are looking for.

When someone alludes to a better game, but refuses to divulge its title, I automatically assume its an amazing game with some incredibly intricate and interesting mechanics wrapped in a deeply embarrassing theme. 8}

Hairpiece Billionaire 5Th Avenue Rampage: A dungeon crawler style game where you play a hairpiece wearing billionaire rampaging across 5th Avenue. You have to avoid getting caught, while scoring points by defeating "monsters'.

Such as?

Such as any game, because Descent is not a dungeon crawler anyway.

It's the same discussion again, i.e. what you define as being a dungeon crawler. Some people think it's the exploration (Descent has none of that, at least in that edition), some people think it's the random monsters spawning, etc.

But I don't think it really matters. The point is that Descent (standard play) is the game it is because of the OL mechanism. Not many games with that type of asymetry can be said to be good. To be honest Descent is quite the pinacle of that category (even topping Imperial Assault). Therefore if you fall into the more standard co-operative play (which the app does), then you hit a huge concurrence of really good (and modern) games. What games exactly depends on the definition of what you are looking for.

When someone alludes to a better game, but refuses to divulge its title, I automatically assume its an amazing game with some incredibly intricate and interesting mechanics wrapped in a deeply embarrassing theme. 8}

Hairpiece Billionaire 5Th Avenue Rampage: A dungeon crawler style game where you play a hairpiece wearing billionaire rampaging across 5th Avenue. You have to avoid getting caught, while scoring points by defeating "monsters'.

When you beat the game, do you get to be President?