Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you're a Dark Souls fan and enjoy a cooperative challenge on the tabletop, this standalone expansion is a treat! Get ready to die (and be reborn) in a painted world full of horrors.
Highlights
- Authentic Dark Souls experience
- Revitalized ruleset
- Stunning miniatures
- Challenging campaign
- Compatible with other games
Keep in mind
- High language dependency
- Steep learning curve
- Can be frustrating
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
Dark Souls: The Board Game – Painted World of Ariamis plunges you headfirst into one of the most iconic and bizarre areas of the Dark Souls universe, the Painted World of Ariamis. This is a standalone core set, so you don't need anything else to start exploring and dying (a lot!) in Lordran. If you enjoy the dark and challenging vibe of the video game, you'll feel right at home. The game features a revitalized, community-driven ruleset and is fully compatible with other Dark Souls: The Board Game products, meaning you can mix and match monsters and campaigns to create even more epic and varied experiences. Prepare to confront the dreaded Crossbreed Priscilla and a host of strange creatures inhabiting this macabre painting. The objective is clear: survive, explore, and overcome the challenges that only Dark Souls knows how to offer. The box is packed with high-quality components, including 18 detailed miniatures (one large boss, one mini-boss, three playable characters, and thirteen enemy minis), four double-sided game tiles to assemble diverse scenarios, three character boards, three token boards, one campaign dashboard, one rulebook, 15 dice, 169 cards, and two health dials. It's a complete package for those seeking an intense cooperative experience, with plenty of exploration and tactical combat in a dark fantasy world. Do you dare venture into this painted world and confront what is sealed within?
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
OK
2
REC
3
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Steamforged Games Ltd.
Designer
Mat Hart, Richard Loxam, Sherwin Matthews
Artist
Doug Telford
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
479owners
86wishlist
16want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is Dark Souls: The Board Game – Painted World of Ariamis an expansion or a core game?
It's a standalone core game! This means you don't need any other Dark Souls: The Board Game products to play it. It comes with everything you need to start your adventures in the Painted World of Ariamis.
How many players can play and how long does a game last?
The game is designed for 1 to 3 players, and each game session (or encounter) can last between 90 and 120 minutes. Be prepared to dedicate a good amount of time to each exploration and combat!
Is this game compatible with other Dark Souls: The Board Game products?
Yes, it is fully compatible! You can combine the monsters, characters, and other elements from Painted World of Ariamis with those from other Dark Souls: The Board Game titles to create even larger and more varied campaigns.
What is the complexity of the game? Is it easy to learn?
With a BGG weight of 2.5/5, it's considered medium complexity. Although it features a revitalized ruleset, the Dark Souls experience is known for being challenging, so expect a learning curve to master the mechanics and strategies.
What's included in the game box?
The box is packed! It includes 18 miniatures (one large boss, one mini-boss, 3 characters, and 13 enemy minis), 4 double-sided game tiles, 3 character boards, 3 token boards, 1 campaign dashboard, 1 rulebook, 15 dice, 169 cards, and 2 health dials.
Who is Dark Souls: The Board Game – Painted World of Ariamis recommended for?
It is highly recommended for fans of the Dark Souls video game franchise who are looking for a cooperative and challenging tabletop experience. If you enjoy dungeon crawlers, tactical combat, and aren't afraid to lose (a lot!), this game is for you.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme
Dark Souls: The Board Game
Chain Mail: Adventures of Earthshine
Dungeons & Dragons: Waterdeep – Dungeon of the Mad Mage Board Game
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil Board Game
Dungeons & Dragons: Tomb of Annihilation Board Game
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon Board Game
Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game
Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend of Drizzt Board Game