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rating
Ludopedia
10.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Deck Descent is for anyone who enjoys a good dungeon challenge, but with the convenience of a deck of cards. It's a game that delivers depth and fun in a super accessible package!
Highlights
- Compact and accessible adventure
- Robust RPG mechanics
- Solo and cooperative modes
- Varied classes and levels
- High replayability
Keep in mind
- Initial learning curve
- Can be chaotic with many players
- Relies on card luck
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for an epic adventure that fits in your pocket! Deck Descent is a dungeon crawler RPG that can be played solo or cooperatively, expanding on the core rules of the Scoundrel Solitaire system. The cool thing is that you only need a standard deck of cards (without red face cards and jokers in solo mode) to dive into this journey. If you're playing with friends, the cooperative experience is optimized for up to 4-5 players, but the fun has no hard cap on participants, should you dare to risk a larger (and more chaotic!) table.
The core combat maintains the essence of Scoundrel Solitaire, but Deck Descent supercharges the experience with a host of new features. Now, your characters can level up, unlocking and enhancing unique abilities from various classes. Yes, each class has its own tricks up its sleeve, and their power scales as you progress! In addition to the solo mode, there's a cooperative mode that brings jokers into play and a campaign mode that promises hours of continuous exploration. The goal is simple: survive! The game ends when all players run out of health points or when all active dungeon monsters are defeated.
Each player starts with 20 health points, unless their chosen class states otherwise. Diamond cards act as your weapons, dealing or preventing damage equal to their rank. Hearts are your life-saving potions, healing you for the card's rank. Clubs and Spades, on the other hand, are the monsters you'll face, dealing damage based on their ranks. You can use your equipped weapon to mitigate damage from monsters, or, if you're brave (or reckless!), face the fight bare-handed and feel the full impact. It's a compact experience, yet full of strategic depth and tactical decisions!
The core combat maintains the essence of Scoundrel Solitaire, but Deck Descent supercharges the experience with a host of new features. Now, your characters can level up, unlocking and enhancing unique abilities from various classes. Yes, each class has its own tricks up its sleeve, and their power scales as you progress! In addition to the solo mode, there's a cooperative mode that brings jokers into play and a campaign mode that promises hours of continuous exploration. The goal is simple: survive! The game ends when all players run out of health points or when all active dungeon monsters are defeated.
Each player starts with 20 health points, unless their chosen class states otherwise. Diamond cards act as your weapons, dealing or preventing damage equal to their rank. Hearts are your life-saving potions, healing you for the card's rank. Clubs and Spades, on the other hand, are the monsters you'll face, dealing damage based on their ranks. You can use your equipped weapon to mitigate damage from monsters, or, if you're brave (or reckless!), face the fight bare-handed and feel the full impact. It's a compact experience, yet full of strategic depth and tactical decisions!
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Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Families
Publisher
(Self-Published)
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1owners
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is Deck Descent a complex game for beginners?
Although it uses a standard deck, the expanded rules and RPG mechanics might have a small learning curve. But don't worry, the experience is worth it and fun is guaranteed after a few plays!
How many players can participate in Deck Descent?
It shines in solo mode, but in cooperative play, there's no hard player limit. However, the experience is smoother and less chaotic with 4 to 5 people.
Do I need anything other than a deck of cards to play?
Nope! The great thing about Deck Descent is that it only uses a standard deck of playing cards, with some cards removed depending on the game mode. Super convenient!
What is the average game duration?
A game of Deck Descent usually takes between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the game mode and the number of players. Perfect for a quick session or a longer campaign.
Does the game have high replayability?
Absolutely! The diverse classes with variable powers, the level-up system, and the solo, cooperative, and campaign modes ensure that each dungeon dive is a unique and challenging experience.
Can I play Deck Descent with children?
While the theme is adventurous, the complexity of the rules and the need for tactical decisions might be a bit challenging for very young children. It's more suitable for teenagers and adults who enjoy RPGs and strategic challenges.
