Hey everyone,

So I've been getting into Descent lately, and I've noticed on their forums that they really don't like the idea of hidden information over there, at least that seems to be the general consensus (for reference, there isn't any hidden info in Descent's quests apart from the Overlord's hand).

How do we feel about this in IA? Do you think the narrative value of hidden info is a strength of the game, or do the balance issues that it may present make it not worth the hassle?

Do you think the very nature of Imperial Assault (more/ changing objectives. less but meatier evil units) makes it more suited to having hidden info (verses the more straightforward objectives of Descent, and more numerous but fragile troops)?

Or, is it that Imperial Assault missions are balanced specifically with hidden info in mind?

Or do you think the effects of hidden info are or can be minimal?

Part of the reason I ask this is because I personally want to run a Descent campaign with more narrative elements, including perhaps obstructing some information until it would be revealed (in a more IA sense).

When I proposed this in the Descent forums, they were pretty against it.

People who have played both games , though- is Descent significantly different enough from IA that I just don't understand how game-breaking this could be? Or, do you think that while it's different from what the Descent people are used to, it could probably work for some groups still?

The main difference between Descent and IA is that in Descent all the heroes go in a row then the overlord activates all groups in a row, whereas in IA the heroes and Imperials take turns swapping activations. This is a huge advantage for the heroes in Descent. Imperial Assault is a lot more fair to the imperial player in this regard.

As to the hidden information, it makes a much bigger difference on some missions more than others. Most missions hidden information won't make or break the game, but sometimes you can just get unlucky due to unforeseen circumstances and lose. Sometimes it can be pretty frustrating, but overall I like the mystery of hidden information.

The two games are balanced very differently. Descent usually relies on time limits and keeping NPC's alive, which relies on knowing all the available information. IA is much more about keeping your own heroes alive which allows for some mystery..

The games are designed differently.Revealing the information in IA has a different affect in Descent. IE There are very few trigers in Descent and very many in IA.(D2e)

https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/134544/differences-between-descent-20-and-imperial-assaul

This site will be helpful in your quest to kill Eliza, or other Lutenits. on the descent side of ffg, you will find many obscure rules and community Rules and reference guide CRRG. I recomend following Zytel.