# ELO Darkness

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2018
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: #7381
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 45-75 min
- **Weight**: 3.44 / 5
- **Designers**: Alberto Parisi, Tommaso Mondadori
- **Artists**: Fernando Armentano
- **Publishers**: Reggie Games
- **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Fighting, Video Game Theme
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Open Drafting, Simultaneous Action Selection, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you love the adrenaline of MOBAs and want a tactical card combat experience on the tabletop, ELO Darkness is the perfect choice! It delivers fantastic immersion with its interactive board and deck customization, making each game unique and full of strategic decisions. It's a game that challenges you to think ahead, anticipate your opponent's moves, and wisely manage your resources to dominate the arena.Authentic MOBA experienceDeep deck customizationTactical board interactionStrategic dice-less combatSimultaneous action selectionInitial learning curveBetter with experienced playersSolo mode can be repetitiveRECOMMENDED

## Description
Hey everyone! Ready for an epic MOBA-style duel, but on the tabletop? ELO Darkness is a fully customizable card game that puts you in command of a team of heroes in an intense combat arena. It's designed for 2 players, but there's also a 2v2 mode to double the fun and strategy. Here, each player builds a 40-card deck, representing a team of five heroes, divided into different classes. The cool part is that you can dive deep into deckbuilding, choosing from 30 distinct characters in an initial draft to assemble your perfect squad and define your playstyle.

What truly sets ELO Darkness apart is the interaction with the board. It's not just a backdrop, but a crucial tactical element that adds extra flavor to the card duel, bringing true thematic immersion. Forget the dice; luck here is well-controlled, limited mainly to what you draw. But don't worry, the 'Farming' and 'Backing' phases help you manage your hand and even retreat on the map to draw more cards, mitigating this randomness.

Your hero cards are super versatile: use them in direct combat or discard them to gain XP and gold, which are used to buy and upgrade powerful items throughout the game. Combat happens every turn in each lane of the board, with a simultaneous action selection that makes you think ahead of your opponent. Plus, there's a back-and-forth phase where you play 'Gank' cards or activate combos and special abilities. To spice things up even more, there are objectives, like monster cards, that you can conquer through simultaneous resource bidding. The ultimate goal? Invade the opponent's base, take down enemy towers, and break through one of the board's lanes to victory!

## FAQ
### How many players can play ELO Darkness?
ELO Darkness is designed for 2 players, but it also offers a 2v2 team mode, allowing up to 4 players to participate in the battle.

### What is the average game duration?
A game of ELO Darkness typically lasts between 45 to 75 minutes, depending on player experience and the complexity of the strategies involved.

### What is the game's complexity level?
The game has a BGG weight of 3.4375/5, indicating a medium-high complexity. There's an initial learning curve due to the various mechanics and strategic depth.

### Do I need to know MOBAs to play?
It's not strictly necessary, but familiarity with the MOBA genre (like League of Legends or Dota 2) will certainly help you quickly grasp the theme and strategies, as the game is heavily inspired by them.

### Does the game involve dice or a lot of luck?
There are no dice involved in combat. Randomness is primarily limited to card draws, but it's mitigated by mechanics such as the Farming and Backing phases, which allow you to manage your hand and plan your actions.

### What are the main components of the game?
The main components include an arena board, dozens of customizable hero and item cards, and tokens to represent experience and gold. The focus is on the cards and board interaction.

### Who is ELO Darkness best suited for?
It's highly recommended for fans of strategic card games, MOBA enthusiasts looking for a tabletop experience, and players who enjoy deckbuilding and simultaneous action selection. If you like tactical duels and customization, you'll really enjoy it!