by super_bruno
I've played both Descent 3 times and Malifaux 3 times. They feel similar in my mind. Difference is that Descent is much simpler and actions are resolved with Dices instead of Cards.Both are objective based tactical skirmish games. It's not about eliminating the other as much as completing your objective.
Each player receive a number of action points to spend on his turn. The actions are similar, but with more choices in Malifaux.
On attacks you can get special bonus effects through surge and triggers respectively.
Both have a kind of currency management in the form of Fatigue and Soulstones. Admittedly, they are used in different ways, but to me it feels similar.
One complaint I had in Malifaux is that for a beginner, playing with a crew of 5, it is an overload of information. You have to keep track of up to 10 powers for each character you control, plus effects and modifiers. My 3 games were not fun. Too much for me.
Descent on the other hand holds you by the hand. You start with few powers, and you get more and more while playing the campaign. The learning curve is easier this way.