by m_peretz
Being home for a while, and played both games, I decided to compare both systems and see which one is better for solo play. I scored each element of the game I like more.The score is only for solo play with the app.
Descent second edition vs Imperial Assault - solo mode comparison
(Descent +1)
Hero Feat: In Descent each character has a Hero feat that can be used once during a mission.IA doesn’t have this mechanic. This provides some epic moves that can be a game changer. The only thing I wished, is that they would give it a name, so you can say “I am going to do “Epic Massive Blow”... (or something like this)
(IA +2)
Line of Sight: Line of sight is not calculated the same way, in Descent it is very simple corner to corner line, in IA you need one corner to two corners. This is such a major improvement over the original line of sight rules in Descent, I give IA 2 points for that.
(IA +2)
The Blue Die X vs the White Die X: In Descent almost all the attacks can be a “miss” due to the X, in IA a miss is done with a white defence die. The X can sometimes completely destroy your plans, where in IA the same can happen but only on certain units, so you can do some mitigation. To be honest, I hate the X on the blue die, it is the one part of the game in Decent I truly hate. I know it is balanced because the enemies can also get an X, but the devastation of getting an X on a beautifully planned attack is just crushing. Tried a few house rules to take it out, but in the end it messed up the game, so I just played with the X.
(IA +1)
Surge Cancellation: Defense die can cancel surges, this is in IA only and a really nice, I guess it is done to balance the X
(IA +1)
Attribute Tests: Attributes tests are done with attack die in IA (using surges), vs Defense die in Descent. Although very similar, the biggest change is in IA attribute tests value change when a hero is wounded. Attributes are very similar, but offer more design flexibility in IA (sometimes you need 2 successes to pass an attribute test).
(Descent +1)
Conditions: Not going to go into all the conditions, but in Descent the conditions seem to be more interesting, for example burning causes you and everyone around you to suffer health, that’s kinda cool.
(Descent +1)
Terrain - Different types of terrain for both system, but in Descent there is just more “stuff”, special doors, bushes (and I don’t have all the expansions), so I think Descent overall offers more terrain choices
Weapons Modification: This is in IA only, and it is a nice mechanics because it adds strategy on which weapon to choose (IA +1)
(IA +1)
Large Figure movement: in IA, they can’t move diagonally, in Descent they actually do a pounce, rules for large figures in IA seems better than Descent and make more sense.
(IA +1)
Massive: Massive units in IA can push, can be on hard terrain, and therefore I think offer more strategy
(Descent +2)
Trade Items: You can only trade items during a mission in Descent. This is such a core rule for a cooperative game, sharing is caring! I really don’t know why it was removed in IA. I think it is a cool system
(Descent +1)
Recover Health: In IA you use med packs, and in Descent it you need a healer and abilities, I think in Descent it is harder to heal and requires more synergies in the team, adds to strategy
(Descent +1)
Equipment: This is another major change in my opinion, in IA you are limited to bring 2 weapons, 3 equipment cards to any mission, and one armor, but in Descent you Equip your character in the beginning, choosing what to enable what to disable, I find this add more strategy, and a nice combo to the trade rule
(IA +1)
Monsters Blocking: Monster block movement in Descent, in IA they cost an extra movement point. Blocking Monsters force you to kill them, making strategy simplistic, for this reason I think IA handles it better
(Descent +1).
Enemies - In Descent you have a master and minions, in IA all units in a group are equal, but you can have elite groups. Still there can be synergies effects between the master and minions, making groups in Descent offer more strategy. The enemies almost always have some sort of special action and effect that really makes them unique.
(Descent +1).
Class cards vs Character decks: With IA each character can only use one deck, but in Descent you can choose a class type and therefore have a choice of decks. I believe this offers more replayability, each character in Descent can be played very differently each time
(IA +1)
Wounded vs knocked out (A): In IA, wounded heroes become weaker and have different stats, in Descent you can get knocked out a few times, but your character stays the same. In IA a weaker character is a modified character, offers different options and for this reason IA gets a point.
(Descent +1)
Wounded vs Knocked Down (B):: In Descent a figure can revive a knocked down hero, allow you to send someone to save a hero, that adds strategy to the game, for this reason Descent gets a point.
(Descent +1)
Content: This is hard one, but in Descent there is just more of everything, more enemies, more tiles, more scenarios, and therefore more strategic ways to play
Final Thoughts:
So it is really too close to call, but decided to go with Descent for social distancing, once I am done I might try IA.
Total:
Descent 11 points
IA: 10 Points