ELO Darkness (2018) Board Game

ELO Darkness is a card game designed by Fernando Armentano and published in in 2018. It is set in a fantasy world with a fighting theme, drawing inspiration from video games. The game incorporates elements of hand management, open drafting, simultaneous action selection, and variable player powers.

Game Components of ELO Darkness

Cards: Over 400 cards, including hero, item, action, roaming/free lane, monster, and hero draft cards.

Game Board: A double-sided board with 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 options.

Tokens: Representing money, locations, classes, influence, and turn order.

Hero Cards: 25 cards per player, divided into Laner and Gank types.

Item Decks: For purchasing items during the game.

Towers and Minion Tokens: Placed on the board according to the rule book layout.

How To Setup ELO Darkness

To set up ELO Darkness, players first place their item decks and roaming/free lane cards next to the board. The gold, greedy, influence, and monster tokens are also placed nearby. The towers and minion tokens are set up on the board following the rule book’s layout. Each player chooses a color (blue or orange), and the turn token is flipped to determine who goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Modes: 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 team mode.

Phases: Farming phase (discard hero cards for gold, draw new cards, gain experience), backing phase (purchase items), and combat phase (deploy Laner cards, resolve combat).

Lane Types: Desert, forest, and volcano lanes, each with associated heroes.

Combat Resolution: Compare influence values; the player with higher influence wins and advances minion tokens towards the opponent’s base.

Objective: Be the first to invade the opponent’s base.

Player Experience

ELO Darkness offers a dynamic and engaging experience with its colorful and action-packed illustrations. The game’s bright and vivid cards stand out against the dark, moody backdrop of the game board. Players will enjoy the strategic depth of managing their hero cards, purchasing items, and executing complex combat maneuvers. The game’s phases—farming, backing, and combat—provide a balanced mix of resource management and direct competition.

Pros

Visuals: Bright and vivid colors, bold and action-packed illustrations.

Strategy: Deep gameplay with multiple phases and card combinations.

Customization: Over 400 cards allowing for various deck builds.

Engagement: Exciting and competitive, especially in the combat phase.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the number of cards and phases.

Setup Time: Requires careful setup and placement of tokens and cards.

Learning Curve: Steep learning curve due to the intricate rules and card interactions.

Personal Thoughts on ELO Darkness

ELO Darkness is an excellent addition to any board game collection, particularly for fans of MOBA games and strategy enthusiasts. It’s a great game for those looking for a challenging and engaging experience, but it may not be the best fit for those new to board games or seeking something simple and quick to learn. The game’s intricate mechanics and customization options make it a standout in its category, but it demands a commitment to understanding its complex rules.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.