I've seen a few complaints about the price point at around $80 for the new edition of Descent. I've been looking at the limited information we have so far, and I have to say I think we'll actually be getting a lot of bang for our buck. Let me explain:

1) Only 8 characters? Normally, the people in my gaming group latch onto one character anyway. In AH, I've got a guy who always plays as "Ashcan" Pete despite the fact that I have all the expansions and nearly 50 characters to choose from. Yes, having a ton of characters gives you more options, but it doesn't mean they'll all get played. I personally enjoy randomly choosing a character and going from there, but to each their own.

2) Less tiles? Yes, there are (technically) less tiles. 48 map pieces as opposed to the 61 in First Edition. However, according to the info page, they are double sided. So (again, technically), you're actually getting 96 map pieces. You just can't use them all at once. Of course, how often do you use all of your Descent 1E map pieces at the same time? Plus, the artwork on the 2E pieces are awesome! Just look at them. Right there, you can see where the extra bucks are going to. Keep in mind, price of a game is more than the number of figures and pieces. It's also the quality.

3) Streamlined rules? Now, I'll be honest, I still haven't played Descent. Friends of mine who have it never want to play it due to the fact that it takes a while to set up. The fact that there are streamlined rules means that there's a higher probability of play. Of course, this time I'll be the one picking up the game, so I'll be sure to host as many as possible. I'm also intrigued with the campaign play right out of the core set. Both Road to Legend and Sea of Blood captured my imagination, so it bugged me even more that I never got to play. It seems that FFG has really taken the time to address some concerns from 1E. Again, this is another thing that your money goes to when you're buying a game. It doesn't seem that the campaign mode will include a map board like either RtL or SoB, but I'm sure that'll be down the line sometime.

4) 2E is cheaper than 1E. So, again, for those complaining about the price point, keep in mind the 2E core set is still about $20 cheaper than 1E's. Despite fewer heroes and monsters, it seems like there's more PLAY involved. You get campaign, streamlined rules, excellent artwork, and I'm sure there will be expansions adding to that down the line. PLUS, if you have 1E you can just get the conversion set for like $25. That means (for all of that are still irked about less monsters and heroes in 2E) you can end up with a massive amount of figures for 2E.

Honestly, I just don't see the downside. Their taking something great and making it better.

Sorry, I said it's $20 cheaper and it's like $10 cheaper. I still think it's a great deal. Really looking forward to more info coming out over the next few months.

causeitwasfunny said:

The description page actually says there are 8 classes of characters and it mentions multiple players playing the same class, so I'm guessing there is either a more generic way to build a character or there are more than 8 included.

PWBrian said:

In the list of components it says "Eight hero figures and 38 monster figures". However, with multiple classes for each figure there will be a massive amount of customization. Man, that's just more good news though.

Good news indeed. I have yet to see anything about this that displeases me.

It seems like they really went out of their way to make it accessible to anyone, including those that have the first edition. While it's still Descent, it feels a bit like a different game.

you cant say anything about prices half a year ahead. economy actually crashes, so pray there will be any ffg in half a year at all and you re not running to the townsquare for a soupe.

magicrealm said:

Cheery fellow aren't you? Somehow I don't see FFG going out of business in the next year, especially given all the money I have been spending on them lately. If they say the price point of 2e is going to be 79.99 then that is what it will be. Companies don't announce things like this without having thought them through very carefully and from what I see from FFG, they are not going to have a problem.

At the worst, the first run will be $79.99, then a price increase (like what happened when they released Battlestar Galactica) but for allt he economic Doom and Gloom, I think we are all better off handling a double-dip recession than we were when it happened the first time around.

I know I'll be playing this version, I just don't know if I'll be the one who buys it first or another friend of mine. There are a bunch of us who love to play Descent, but the setup always makes it take back burner. This version, though, I have really high hopes for.

You guys are funny with 80USD cap. Imagine me, here in Europe, that will "have" to pay 80EUR for this.

That is over 100USD. tadaa

Same here in Norway. Battles of Napoleon costs166,48 USD on a webside with average norwegian prices...

I'm personally not too upset with the price point. If you compare this to the cost of newly released video games, they're relatively close. The benefit with board games is that you don't have to buy additional hardware and you can still play if the power goes out (provided you have a light source). I'm mainly upset by the fact that I just got the first edition two months ago and was making plans to get the expansions. *lol* I'm not really that upset. From what has been revealed, this edition looks awesome. I hope to get it eventually. Until then, like so many other people, I'll still be rocking out with the first edition.

Anduril82 said:

Considering that both editions seem fairly different in play mechanics, I'm still considering buying a copy of 1st ed. Right now, I don't have the money to get all the expansions as well, so I may just stick with 2nd ed. We'll see.

Several of the expansions are scheduled for a reprint after the 2nd edition release. I would image they would be reprinted with 2nd edition rules updates, etc.

If that's the case, perhaps they would make the updated quests available seperately for us 1st edition owners...

I imagine the way the economy is headed we'll be paying for the game in livestock - I guess it will cost a goat and 1/2 a chicken - but no more than a yak

Old Blue said:

Lol, QFT

Anduril82 said:

you dont need to buy additional hardware. but. there are always expansion for the game, and I assume there are going to be at least 3> for new Descent. each +35USD/EUR

comparing pc games with boardgames seems stupid anyway

causeitwasfunny said:

I have no stake in this either way, but you seriously do not see half the miniatures for nearly the same price as a down side?

In comparison to the previous edition, I agree with your positives and they are strong points, but the negative you left out or missed or refused to include is pretty glaring.

What I do not understand is why current owners are whining when it will be the new player that will be hurting over this. The owners of previous editions buy an $80 game and a $25 upgrade kit and they are all set to go with a huge assortment of stuff to choose from and use. It's like a fairly pricey expansion.

The new buyer wont be able to get the older stuff at a reasonable price after awhile because FFG wont be printing it anymore, so it's inflated ebay prices on top of FFG charging nearly as much for about half the product miniatures wise. Who knows what the expansions in the future will look like and at what price will be charged for it.

Like I said, I do not have a stake in this either way as I do not own descent nor will I be buying the 2nd ed unless some miracle occurs. But a devil's advocacy had to be made to counter the harpsichord playing on FFG's marketing behalf.

magicrealm said:

Not all of us were losing our shirt while the market took a dive.

It's about where they culd price it for the minis they were going to include. Seems about right seeing as how we knew the original game could never get reproduced at the price it was originally.

Hellfury said:

Like I said, I really don't see a problem with starting out with only 8 characters. I understand others wanting more, but so many people out there own the 1st ed of Descent, so when you couple it with the conversion kit there's not really a huge issue. Plus, like I mentioned, most people I know tend to stick with one, maybe two, characters anyway.

While I'm sure FFG will eventually stop printing 1st ed, it seems like they have plans to go into reprints for some of the expansions. That tells me they plan on continuing support for the original for at least a little while longer. It feels like they are treating 2nd ed as a very different game, but allowing users of the original to feel as though they are not left out. Unless you work for FFG, I can't fathom why you would proclaim their plans for their product.

causeitwasfunny said:

It's not just about 8 characters. You are missing the point.

My argument is about the entire plastic content. It's cut straight in half for nearly the same price.

As for proclaiming plans for their product. Thats your assumption of my statement. I think if you look at the precedence that FFG themselves have made over the course of YEARS, it doesnt take an employee of theirs to understand much of how they continue to support or not support games.

I just do not see the reprint status looking the same next year for this game. It will likely be all 2nd ed stuff.

They want people to buy new 2ne ed stuff, not spurn 2nd ed and continue to buy 1st ed stuff.

Hellfury said:

Right, but if you'll re-read my original post, you'll notice that I made a point to go over more than just the plastic in the game. You're not just paying for the figures. You're paying for art design, play-testing, working out the streamlined rules, etc. So, I hope you'll pardon me, but I think you missed my initial point.

Speaking of plastic, just to reiterate my point on value, I also made the point that if you already own the other games (which, obviously, doesn't apply to everyone) you can purchase the conversion kit for around $20 and now have an additional 38 heroes (plus promotional heroes and the 4 from Dungeonquest) on top of the initial 8 to play in 2nd ed, as well as all of the monsters from all the games (which I'm not going to bother to count, sorry). I know you're comparing only plastic figures that you purchase in boxes you initially pay for, but if there's a way to include figures in two separate games, I'm sorry, but that is added value anyway you slice it.

Also, I'd like to point out that you're again going over the possibility of FFG not reprinting 1st ed. While I did say that was a possibility, I also said that 2nd ed. is different enough that they would have the opportunity to continue printing 1st and reach multiple audiences. The fact that the conversion kit exists only assists in that line of thinking as it allows those picking up 2nd ed. to try out 1st if they had never played it. I never made a definite statement one way or the other. I only spoke to the possibility. On top of that, several expansions for 1st ed. are listed in their "Upcoming" section, which would again lead me to believe that there is a continued interest in supporting it; at least in the near future.

So again, respectfully, unless you work for FFG I wouldn't recommend making a definite statement without backing it up. (e.g. "They want people to buy new 2ne stuff, not spurn 2nd ed and continue to buy 1st ed stuff"). I say, for the time being, they can do both if they want to. That's all.

Edit: As of now it looks like the Descent 1st ed products have been removed from the "Upcoming" section of FFGs website. Now, this would push me to believe that they may not continue printing 1st ed. However, I still stand by my statements as they were written using information available at the time.

causeitwasfunny said:

Not only from "Upcoming".

Core Box, WoD, AoD & RtL are "Not available" in the catalog

Exarkfr said:

Well, yeah. When I started the thread it wasn't the case, so I went with that information at hand. I still don't think it's a huge deal. There are a some game stores in my area that have them, but I don't plan on getting them anyway. I'm fine with starting from scratch with 2nd ed.