8.5
rating
Ludopedia
8.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
If you enjoy Dominion and want more complexity and darker themes, this expansion is a must-have! Dark Ages brings interesting 'trash' and 'upgrade' mechanics that add a new flavor to your games.
Highlights
- New 'trashing' mechanics
- Creative 'upgrade' cards
- Expands Kingdom variety
- Tension with Ruins cards
Keep in mind
- Requires base game
- High language dependency
- Can be a bit chaotic
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Hey there, board game enthusiasts! Ready for another dose of Dominion? Dark Ages, the seventh expansion in the series, arrives to stir things up (literally, perhaps!). Forget fancy castles; the vibe here is more… rustic. We're talking about living in ravines, dealing with plagues, barbarians, and, worst of all, a lack of money to fund those new cards. But relax, because in the world of Dominion, there's always a way to come out on top, or at least do a little better than your neighbor.
This expansion brings 500 new cards, focusing on themes like 'trash' (yes, cards you trash that still do something!) and 'upgrade' (cards that become better or that you use to improve others). There are 35 brand-new Kingdom cards, plus the dreaded 'Ruins' cards to spice up opponents' games, and 'Shelters' that replace the starting Estate cards, adding a different touch from the get-go. If you like the idea of cards that do things when trashed or give you advantages for having a lot of junk in your deck, this expansion is for you. Get ready to manage your hand, build your deck strategically, and maybe even do well in this dark and chaotic era. Remember, Dominion: Dark Ages is not a standalone game, so grab the base game and dive into this new adventure!
This expansion brings 500 new cards, focusing on themes like 'trash' (yes, cards you trash that still do something!) and 'upgrade' (cards that become better or that you use to improve others). There are 35 brand-new Kingdom cards, plus the dreaded 'Ruins' cards to spice up opponents' games, and 'Shelters' that replace the starting Estate cards, adding a different touch from the get-go. If you like the idea of cards that do things when trashed or give you advantages for having a lot of junk in your deck, this expansion is for you. Get ready to manage your hand, build your deck strategically, and maybe even do well in this dark and chaotic era. Remember, Dominion: Dark Ages is not a standalone game, so grab the base game and dive into this new adventure!
Expansion for
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
3
BEST
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Rio Grande Games, 999 Games, Albi, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, Devir, Filosofia Éditions, Giochi Uniti, Hans im Glück, Hobby Japan, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi
Designer
Donald X. Vaccarino
Artist
Alayna Lemmer-Danner, Alex Drummond, Brian Brinlee, Claus Stephan, Dennis Lohausen, Donald X. Vaccarino, Doris Matthäus, Eric J. Carter, Franz Vohwinkel, Garret DeChellis, Harald Lieske, Ian Kirkpatrick, Jason Slavin, Jessica Cox, Joshua J. Stewart, Julien Delval, Kurt Miller, Lorraine Schleter, Lynell Ingram, Marcel-André Casasola Merkle, Marco Primo, Martin Hoffmann, Matthias Catrein, R. C. Torres, Raven Mimura, Ryan Laukat, Simon Jannerland
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
18,807owners
1,340wishlist
316want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need the base Dominion game to play with Dark Ages?
Yes, absolutely! Dark Ages is an expansion and requires the base Dominion game to be played.
How many players does this expansion support?
Just like the base game, Dark Ages is for 2 to 4 players.
Does the playtime change with this expansion?
The estimated playtime is around 30 minutes, similar to the base game. Complexity might increase slightly depending on the chosen Kingdom cards.
What are the main themes of Dark Ages?
The themes revolve around hard times, such as plagues and barbarian invasions, with mechanics focused on 'trash' (discarded cards that still have effects) and 'upgrade' (improving cards).
Does this expansion add many new components?
Yes, Dark Ages adds 35 new Kingdom cards, plus 'Ruins' and 'Shelters' cards, totaling 500 new cards to mix with your Dominion.
Is it difficult to learn the new cards?
Dominion already has a certain level of complexity, and this expansion adds more cards with unique effects. If you already play Dominion, you'll get the hang of it quickly. If you're new, it might be good to start with the base game first.
Do I need to translate many cards?
Yes, Ludopedia indicates 'Extensive Language Dependency', so a full translation of the cards is recommended to fully enjoy the game.