# Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients – Beasts and Eggmen

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-6
- **Duration**: 20-120 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Rob Lemon
- **Artists**: Rob Lemon
- **Publishers**: Gilded Skull Games
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Fighting, Science Fiction
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you love expanding your games with more factions and challenges, this Dark Venture expansion is for you! It adds units with unique mechanics and a game-changing merchant.New factions with unique abilitiesMerchant adds extra strategyMore scenarios and replayabilityQuality thematic componentsRequires the base gameCan increase complexityUnit draw can be frustratingFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Get ready to expand the battlefield of Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients with the new BEAST and EGGMEN factions! This expansion introduces wild creatures and psychically linked soldiers, each with their own tactics and challenges. The BEASTS are an unpredictable bunch, with powerful units whose strength and defense attributes fluctuate with each combat. They are limited in number on the map, and their units are drawn from a special bag, adding an element of surprise to every play. Meanwhile, the EGGMEN come in 'formations,' moving in groups and led by a Wizard capable of casting devastating spells and supporting their allies. To top it off, the wandering merchant Darvin arrives with magical items, skills, and powerful mercenaries, accepting victory points and traded items as payment. The expansion also includes auto-enemy decks for the new factions, new map boards featuring castles and turrets, a scenario book with a branching, replayable adventure, and more item and action cards. It's your chance to give your battles a complete overhaul and face new dangers in an action-packed science fiction universe!

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game 'Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients' to play?
Yes, absolutely! This is an expansion, so the base game is essential to use the new factions and components.

### How many players does this expansion support?
The expansion maintains the player count of the base game, which is for 1 to 6 players.

### Are the new factions very difficult to control?
Each faction has its own quirks. The Beasts are more volatile and focused on powerful units, while the Eggmen excel in group movement and magic. Both add an interesting level of challenge, but they aren't prohibitive.

### What exactly does the merchant Darvin do?
Darvin is a neutral character who sells magical items, skills, and even mercenaries to any player. He accepts Victory Points and items as payment, which can create very interesting strategies.

### Does the expansion add many new rules?
It introduces the specific rules for the Beast and Eggmen factions, as well as how the merchant works and the new scenarios. The core gameplay remains, but there's an added layer of complexity to learn.

### Is it worth it for those who already own the base game?
If you enjoy varying your games, trying new strategies, and like science fiction and combat themes, then yes! The new factions bring a welcome freshness.