by M Cotton
My wife and I just started playing Descent and we like it enough to expand the game. The obvious consensus choice for a first expansion, especially since we primarily play two-player (we enjoy playing co-op w/ the app as well as competitively with me as overlord and her controlling the heros), is Shadow of Nerekhall. So we're probably going to pick that up very soon.But now I'm wondering if we keep enjoying the game as I expect we will then what additional expansion(s), within my budget of what I'm willing to spend on a single game, is the best option. For a game we really enjoy, I'm willing to buy two big box expansions (so Nerekhall and Labrynth of Ruin), or one big box (Nerekhall) and two smaller expansions.
With that in mind I've tried to do my research and come up with a few options that look best to me so far, and here they are:
(Note that I'm counting the hybrid class option for each archetype as 6 options instead of one. And for number of map tiles I'm using the tile code numbers from the following FAQ + what someone said about the codes for Chains that Rust being 88-98: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/11/98...) Please let me know if this is the wrong way to count the map tiles.
Option 1) Base + Nerekhall + Labyrinth of Ruin
Hero combinations: 64 (16 heros w/ 4 classes each)
Monster groups: 17
Map tiles: 58 ...(Does Labyrinth really have so few tiles?!)
Pros: 4 more hero characters. 4 more distinct classes. Additional long campaign. Cheapest option within allowable expansion budget.
Cons: Fewest map tiles. Fewest monster groups. No hybrid classes.
Option 2) Base + Chains that Rust + Mists of Bilehall
Hero combinations: 144 (12 heros w/ 12 classes each)
Monster groups: 19
Map tiles: 71
Pros: Most map tiles. Tie for most monster groups. Chains plus Mists adds an additional long campaign.
Cons: Fewest hero characters.
Option 3) Base + Chains that Rust + Bonds of the Wild pack
Hero combinations: 192 (16 heros w/ 12 classes each)
Monster groups: 19
Map tiles: 61
Pros: 4 more hero characters. Most hero options w/ familiars + hybrid classes allowing for the most complex heros. Tie for most monster groups. Kobolds. (I really like the kobolds)
Cons: Fewest map tiles. No additional long campaign. Least amount of other content not included in this list.
So, what do y'all think? Are there expansion combinations within the budget constraint that are better? Are there serious considerations about the other content in these expansions that make a big difference? Please help me out and let me know!