Ascension: Delirium (2018) Board Game

Ascension: Delirium is a standalone expansion to the popular deck-building card game Ascension. Released in 2018, it adds a new dimension to the game with the introduction of Fate cards, which can be used to manipulate the game in various ways.

Game Components of Ascension: Delirium

Card Deck: Includes hero cards, monster cards, and event cards.

Delirium Die: Used to access powerful new hero abilities and trigger special effects.

Honor Tokens: Used to track players’ progress and determine the winner.

Player Boards: For managing players’ decks and resources.

Rulebook: Contains instructions for setup and gameplay.

How To Setup Ascension: Delirium

To set up the game, each player chooses a starting deck and a player board. The central pool of cards is shuffled and drawn to create the available pool of cards for the game. Honor tokens are placed within reach of all players. The Delirium die is rolled to determine the starting conditions for the game. Players then begin their turns by drawing cards from their deck and taking actions such as recruiting heroes, defeating monsters, and using events.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select cards from the central pool to add to their deck.

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building: Players manage their deck, use the Delirium die, and interact with the central card pool.

Dice Rolling: The Delirium die is used to access new abilities and trigger special effects.

Hand Management: Players must manage their hand to optimize their actions.

Objective: The goal is to collect the most honor tokens by the end of the game, which ends when all honor tokens are gone.

Player Experience

Ascension: Delirium offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience for 1 to 4 players. The game is relatively simple to learn but deep in strategy, making it appealing to both new and experienced players. The dream-themed world adds a unique twist to the traditional card game mechanics, providing an engaging and immersive experience. Games typically last around 30 minutes, making it a great fit for a quick session.

Pros

High Replayability: The combination of card drafting and dice rolling ensures each game is different.

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance between simplicity and strategic complexity.

Expandable: Can be combined with other Ascension games to play with up to six players.

Unique Theme: The Dreamscape setting adds a fresh and intriguing element to the game.

Cons

Availability Issues: Often out of stock at various retailers.

Learning Curve: While the basic rules are simple, mastering the game’s strategies can take time.

Randomness: The Delirium die can introduce significant randomness, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Ascension: Delirium

Ascension: Delirium is perfect for fans of card games and deck-builders who are looking for a game with a unique theme and engaging mechanics. It is suitable for players aged 13 and above, and its relatively short playtime makes it an excellent addition to any game night. If you enjoy strategic gameplay with a touch of fantasy and randomness, Ascension: Delirium is definitely worth checking out. However, be prepared for the potential challenge of finding it in stock due to its popularity.

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