# Ascension: Gift of the Elements ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2017 - **BGG Rating**: 7.5 - **BGG Rank**: #4336 - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 30-60 min - **Weight**: 2.13 / 5 - **Designers**: Justin Gary - **Artists**: Aaron Nakahara, Eric Sabee - **Publishers**: Stone Blade Entertainment, Ultra PRO - **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy - **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Hand Management, Open Drafting ## Verdict The perfect deck-builder for those craving more chaos and strategy!Frenetic deck evolutionConstant player interactionFun sabotage mechanicsHigh strategic replayabilityRequires constant attention to center cardsCan be punishing for beginnersRECOMMENDED ## Description If you love the adrenaline of watching your deck evolve every single turn, Ascension: Gift of the Elements is the upgrade you've been waiting for! This is the eleventh standalone title in the famous series, meaning you can play it straight out of the box or mix it with other Ascension expansions for a party of up to six players. The core concept is classic: start with a basic deck and use Runes to acquire more powerful cards, aiming to collect as many Honor Points as possible by playing cards or defeating monsters. But don't be fooled; this set brings extra layers of strategy that will keep you on your toes. The famous 'Events' are back, but with a twist: besides causing immediate impact when they appear in the center, they can now be acquired and transformed into powerful Hero cards. And if you thought this was just a 'buy and play' game, get ready for the new 'Infest' mechanic. This allows you to sabotage your opponents' decks by forcing them to draw useless cards, slowing down anyone trying to take an early lead. On the flip side, strategic players can use 'Empower' cards to banish cards and keep their engine running smoothly. It's a game of constant reaction, where the plan you made in the first turn will likely change completely by the third. It's dynamic, competitive, and perfect for anyone wanting a deck-builder that refuses to be predictable. ## FAQ ### Can I play solo? Absolutely! The game includes integrated solitaire rules. ### How many players can play? 1-4 players in standalone mode, or up to 6 if you combine it with other Ascension titles. ### What is the average playtime? Expect about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your group's pace. ### Is it very complex? It has moderate complexity. If you're familiar with deck-builders, you'll be fine, but the new mechanics require focus. ### Do I need other games from the series? Nope! This is a standalone game, so you can play it all by itself. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4885395&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=676511&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.41 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1336495&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.10 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1656714&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 33.37 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=754103&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.58 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6912778&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/20036/ascension-gift-of-the-elements?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com