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.
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
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Best player count
BGG community vote
3
OK
4
REC
5
BEST
6
BEST
7
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
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
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.