Spartacus: The Shadow of Death Expansion Set

Gale Force Nine, LLC, Games Factory Publishing · Board game · 2015
— Ludopedia 8.0 BGG 3–7 · best 7 150 min Weight 2.5/5
Buy · from US$ 26.68
— rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're already a Spartacus fan and crave more arena action, this expansion is for you! It brings more powerful gladiators and events that make the game even more intense.

Highlights
  • Powerful new gladiators
  • Dynamic festival events
  • More strategic options
  • Expands the base game
Keep in mind
  • Requires base game and another expansion
  • Increases complexity
  • Longer playtime
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for more arena drama with Spartacus: The Shadow of Death! This expansion introduces supercharged new versions of Spartacus, Crixus, and the dreaded Theokoles, each boasting special Primus abilities to make the fights even more epic. Exclusive miniatures are included to represent these gladiators in the heat of battle during the Arena Phase. Plus, there's a new noble house in town: the esteemed House of Magistrate Calavius, ready to vie for power and influence.

But that's not all! Festivals arrive to shake things up, featuring special events that alter gameplay and honor the rather capricious Roman gods. You'll be able to boast about your gladiators' prowess for lavish rewards, but be warned: if your fighters can't live up to your claims, your influence might just vanish. Will your house withstand the pressure and the shadows of death looming over the arena? Remember, to enjoy this expansion, you'll need both the base game and the Spartacus: The Serpents and the Wolf expansion. If you already enjoy the chaos and glory of Spartacus, this expansion is a must-have to further enhance the fun and complexity of your games.

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–7 players
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Ancient: Rome Players: Expansions Changing Player Count Theme: Gladiators
Publisher Gale Force Nine, LLC, Games Factory Publishing
Designer Aaron Dill, John Kovaleski, Sean Sweigart
Artist Starz Entertainment

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,583owners
180wishlist
63want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base Spartacus game to play this expansion?
Yes, you need to own the base Spartacus game and also the Spartacus: The Serpents and the Wolf expansion to play with The Shadow of Death.
How many players does this expansion support?
The expansion maintains the player count of the base game, which is 3 to 7 players. It adds more options and depth for this range.
Does the expansion add many new rules?
Yes, the expansion introduces new mechanics like Festivals and new gladiators with unique abilities, which increases the overall complexity of the game.
Does the game become longer with this expansion?
Generally, yes. With more options, gladiators, and events, games can extend a bit longer than in the base game.
Is it worth it for someone who already has the base game?
If you enjoy the theme and mechanics of Spartacus and are looking for more variety and challenges, this expansion is considered a great addition.
Are the new gladiators much stronger?
They are designed to be powerful and bring new dynamics, but the balance is maintained within the context of the expanded game.