The status of the conversion kit was updated today to shipping now (as in shipping to stores and distributors), so hopefully it won't be too much longer.

The way this supplement is releasing seems very odd to me. There was a great deal of fanfare from FFG and from online stores about the 2nd Edition base game. It's release date was made public weeks ago and I was able to order it last Monday from Coolstuffinc - two days before FFG "officially" announced it was available in stores.

The release of the Conversion Kit seems almost shrouded in mystery by comparison. Coolstuff and several other online stores don't have it for pre-order (listing it as out of stock) and don't even have a box cover pictured on the sales page. Other than a short preview months ago, FFG hasn't had much to say about the Kit at all.

What gives?

Does this mean we know how many sleeves to buy now?

Marximus said:

I'm not exactly sure how much you're looking for here. Would a release date have been nice? Yeah, but the big deal was the main game. The conversion kit simply gives access to the old heroes and monsters. For the most part, only those who are buying the game are going to consider the conversion kit. In regards to the marketing, they were previewing numerous heroes on their facebook site. You can find all the previewed information on the kit on BGG.

In regards to it not being available for pre-order, I can tell you from experience that Coolstuffinc has had it for pre-order for months now and I just double checked and it is still listed as available for pre-order.

In regards to the sleeves, that should be fairly simple to figure out. I don't see any reason FFG would use different size cards from what is in the main game. So basically, you'll simply need 2 sleeves (ACT I and ACT II) of the appropriate size (don't remember off the top of my head) per monster type that was in the first edition (again, don't remember off the top of my head). Unless you are buying sleeves for the hero cards (oversized) that should do it.

Unclechawie said:

How many is that? And are there any smaller card sleeves needed?

Sausageman said:

Since I don't have the 1st Edition game I had to rely on the information contained on the www.descentintothedark.com website. It shows 25 first edition monsters. Thus 50 sleeves. The monster cards from the 2nd Edition are "Bridge-sized" per the 2nd Edition rulebook. So overall, you'll need:

152 Small Sleeves (Base Game) -FFG Yellow - 1 5/8" X 2 1/2" - 41mm x 63mm

132 Bridge-sized Sleeves - FFG Green - 2 1/4" X 3 1/2" - 56mm X 87mm

Base Game - 82 cards

Conversion Kit - 50 cards

Hope this helps.

Bear in mind that the monster cards have their stats on one side and traits, group sizes and any special abilities on the other - so you will need clear sleeves for those.

Unclechawie said:

Typo: Should be 134 Bridge Sized Sleeves.

Unclechawie said:

Thanks very much for the information and time. Slightly moot in that I can't actually get any bloody sleeves at the moment, but it's appreciated nevertheless

Sidenote: Holy cow that's a lot of sleeves…

Its not that many sleeves really. Try putting every card from the Arkham Horror series into sleeves. Now THAT is a lot of sleeves. haha.

The really sad part is that to sleeve all the cards you need for packs of sleeves (smaller mini-american size). Unfortuantely, unless you have another game to use them on, 48 of the fourth pack go to waste. Makes me wonder if FFG did that on purpose to sell more sleeves. I know it's not a ton money but if you don't want to buy that 4th pcak, just unsleeve to of the condition cards and leave them in the box.

Unclechawie said:

Considering how varried the number of cards of any give size are in any given game, how many sleeves would you suggest they put in one pack?

But aside from that, cards and card sleeves have always had the same relationship as hot dogs and hot dog buns.

Most card games require a deck minimum of 60. So how may sleeves are in the standard pack? 50.

Yes, they love your money.

I have every Dominion card sleeved and sorted. I feel your pain.

KristoffStark said:

I agree that from a business perspective they need to decide on a standard pack size. It just sucks that in this case, FFG decided the the appropriate number of cards for the game was 152 instead of 150. It wouldn't have been as annoying if there were 175 of those sized cards, but in my case, I don't have any other games that use that sized card. Thus 48 get to go to waste/get reserved (to replace damaged sleeves).

Unclechawie said:

Yeah, I noticed that as well. Luckily I had 56 mini american sleeves left since I bought WOW Boardgame and Arkham Horror, so I wil only have to buy 100 of them for Descent 2nd Edition… (Descent carries 152 mini american sized cards)

Unclechawie said:

Sadder is that, certainly in the UK, you can't get those mini American sleeves ANYWHERE. Starting to wish FFG just charged a few quid/dollars more and just added sleeves in with the game

For the majority of you, when you read this e-mail, please be kind and try to respond to my question after you are done laughing, and with a minimum of flaming …

I am trying to understand this whole issue of "sleeves" for cards. I have owned many, many games over the years (I am 51 … probably older than the majority of you), but have never done anything beyond just caring for them as much as possible, while playing with them extensively.

If I understand this discussion correctly, many of you buy what would appear to be plastic cases to hold each individual card that comes with the game. When playing the game, do you actually take the time to remove the cards from the sleeves before playing, or is the point of having the sleeves to leave the cards in them, and play with them that way (thus protecting them from greasy fingers, spills, tears, etc.)?

Are the sleeves sealed and form fitting to the cards? I assume they are transparent. But for us older players, who actually have to wear glasses to read these cards because the size of the print is microscopic (a whole other topic), it would seem that having plastic around the cards would make them far harder to read.

I am just curious how the majority of you use these things. Further, if someone who does use them would be so kind as to post a picture of what a sleeve in action actually looks like, I would appreciate it.

Let the laughing and flaming begin …

No flaming or shaming (but I did chuckle a little).

Many people (myself included) sleeve cards that are handled frequently in order to protect them from wear, tear, and - most importantly - from the greasy and/or sticky hands of the younger set. The sleeves come in many sizes and are form fitting. They are generally transparent but sleeves for many collectible card games feature colors or artwork on the back side. The sleeves remain on the cards while being played (again, they are for protection). Yes, this makes them more difficult to shuffle and stack. The sleeves could also make the text harder to read but that would be a result of glare.

In the end, you have to decide whether the benefit (protection) is outweighed by the negatives (cost, shuffling/stacking issues, glare, etc.).

Now, if you want a full-throated defense or condemnation of card sleeving - as well as flaming, shaming and general ridicule - head over to BoardGameGeek.com and post a thread with either of the following subject lines:

(a) "Card sleeves are a waste of money; or

(b) People who don't sleeve cards don't love their game

Then, just sit back and enjoy.

Marximus said:

roflmao Now that is funny. I thought I was the only one who liked to push buttons and watch the little kiddies whine.

First, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. The end of your message made me laugh. I am a professional poker player, and participate in several forums that has the same foibles.

All you need is a provacative title, and then sit back and watch the flaming wars begin …

I assume that these sleeves must be just millimeters thick … but even then, as you say, it adds up. Stacking the cards, shuffling them, etc. must be such a royal pain in the ass. It must also take far more room to store the things.

As you said … there are trade offs. I think for now, I will avoid the sleeves. Appreciate the reponse.

Also, I like to add that for us South Americans the game costs us a little fortune. It can't be bought nowhere, so we have to ship it from USA, which doubles the cost. After spending that much money, I want to protect the cards so they can be played with even when I'm dead

Acording to the case they come in, they are "100 micron polypropylee" plastic. I guess that is the measure of how thick they are. I only had a difficulty shuffling the item decks of WOW Boardgame (hundreds of cards), else you won't notice any difference. And the cards can be read as well as those without sleeves.

To Unclechawie: here not even the games are sold in stores (the most complicated boardgame you'll find in Argentina is Monopoly). So we buy everything online from CoolStuffInc ( http://www.coolstuffinc.com ) or The War Store ( http://www.thewarstore.com ). Maybe you can try that too.

any2cards said:

Left to right: sleeve, card without sleeve, card in sleeve

Igneus said:

Entiendo Senor. I lived in Bolivia for 6 years and getting most things down there was ridiculous. As a matter of fact my parents still live there on a full time basis. I'd offer their assistance to make the shipping less expensive, but they are currently in Cochabamba with no plans on coming up here. Plus they normally have all their suitcases chock full of stuff to take back with them. As for me, I currently live in Texas so don't have any issues with supplies. Coolstuffinc is a great place and I'm currently waiting for them to send me my e-mail as to when my order is shipping (stupid conversion kit). One of the guys that works there (does all the TCGs) is an online acquaintance of mine from having played VS System for several years.

Thank you so much for posting a picture of the sleve, card in sleve, etc. Gives me a better appreciation for the thickness, etc.

Llenyd said:

You win!