Ascension: Gift of the Elements (2017) Board Game

Ascension: Gift of the Elements is a standalone expansion in the popular deck-building card game series, Ascension. It was released in 2017 and designed by Aaron Nakahara and Eric Sabee. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of heroes competing to gain powerful cards and defeat monsters.

Game Components of Ascension: Gift of the Elements

Cards: Includes a variety of hero cards, monster cards, and event cards.

Rune and Power Tokens: Used for purchasing cards and defeating monsters.

Honor Point Gems: Represent the points needed to win the game.

Mystics, Heavy Infantry, and Cultist Cards: Special cards that provide upgraded resources.

Infest and Empower Abilities: New mechanics introduced in this expansion.

How To Setup Ascension: Gift of the Elements

To set up the game, each player starts with a deck of eight Apprentice cards and two Militia cards. The central row is filled with a random selection of cards from the deck, along with three piles of always-available cards: Mystics, Heavy Infantry, and the Cultist. The honor point gems are placed within reach of all players. Each player draws a starting hand of five cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-Building: Players spend Runes to acquire more powerful cards for their deck.

Resource Management: Use Runes to buy cards and Power to defeat monsters.

Card Combos: Combine cards to enhance resources and abilities.

Event and Flip Cards: Mechanics from previous versions reworked for new strategies.

Infest and Empower: New abilities to manage deck efficiency and interaction.

Game Objective: Earn the most honor points by purchasing cards or killing monsters.

Player Experience

The gameplay is simple enough to teach quickly but offers endless card combinations, keeping the game fresh over many plays. The theme of banishing cards to make the deck more efficient adds a layer of subtle complexity, making the game both satisfying and intriguing. The Infest mechanic introduces a nice layer of player interaction, helping to balance out a runaway leader.

Pros

Dynamic Play Experience: Offers a wide range of card combinations and strategies.

New Mechanics: Introduces Infest and Empower abilities, enhancing gameplay depth.

Standalone Expansion: No prior knowledge of the base game is required.

Balanced Interaction: Player interaction mechanics help prevent a single player from dominating.

Cons

Complexity for Beginners: While the basic rules are simple, managing card combinations can be overwhelming for new players.

Luck of the Draw: The random nature of card draws can sometimes hinder strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Ascension: Gift of the Elements

Ascension: Gift of the Elements is ideal for fans of deck-building games who enjoy strategic depth and dynamic gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who like to optimize their deck efficiency and engage in strategic planning. New players to the series can jump in easily, thanks to its standalone nature, but may need some time to get accustomed to the array of card combinations and new mechanics. Overall, it’s a strong return to form for the Ascension series, offering a rewarding experience for both veteran players and newcomers.

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