One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows (2017) Board Game

One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows is an expansion to the base game, One Deck Dungeon, which was released in in 2017. This expansion adds new heroes, new dungeons, and new challenges for players to overcome. Designed by Chris Cieslik and published by Asmadi Games, this cooperative card game offers a unique dungeon-crawling experience in a compact form.

Game Components of One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows

New heroes (six female characters)

New dungeons

New foes, including Panthers, Shadowstalkers, and Vine Traps

New perils and event perils

Poison mechanism

Compatible with the base game for hybrid play or playable on its own

Notepad for character leveling.

How To Setup One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows

Setting up the game involves shuffling the deck, selecting heroes, and preparing the dungeon. Each player chooses a hero and starts with basic stats and equipment. The deck is then shuffled, and players draw the starting monsters and challenges. The game includes a rulebook, but the best way to learn is by starting to play and referencing the rules as needed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card and dice-driven gameplay

Dice rolling and mitigation

Character leveling and skill acquisition

Potion system with multiple effects

Time mechanic: discarding cards from the deck to advance through the dungeon

Cooperative gameplay for 1-2 players, with options for 4 players when combined with the base game.

Game Objective

Explore the dungeon, combat monsters, and collect experience, items, and skills.

Survive the increasing difficulty and ultimately defeat the dungeon boss.

Manage resources and time to optimize character progression and survival.

Player Experience

One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows offers a challenging and dynamic experience. Players must balance dice rolls with skill and item usage to overcome obstacles. The game’s difficulty scales quickly, requiring strategic planning and adaptability. The inclusion of new heroes, dungeons, and perils adds variety to the gameplay, making each session unique. The game is particularly appealing for solo players or those who enjoy cooperative games with a small number of players.

Pros

Variety and Replayability: New content adds significant replay value.

Improved Potion System: Allows for healing and additional effects simultaneously.

Dynamic Gameplay: Combines dice luck and mitigation with strategic decision-making.

Accessible: Easy to learn, with intuitive mechanics.

Cons

Rulebook Complexity: Can be confusing initially, requiring practice to fully understand.

Card Luck: Enemies and challenges can be unpredictable and sometimes unmanageable.

Time Mechanics Misunderstanding: The “using time” mechanic can seem counterintuitive at first.

Personal Thoughts on One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows

One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows is ideal for fans of roguelike games and those who enjoy cooperative or solo gameplay experiences. It’s a great fit for players who appreciate dynamic, challenging adventures with deep character customization. If you already enjoy One Deck Dungeon, this expansion is a no-brainer, offering more content and new mechanics to enhance gameplay. However, for those seeking entirely new innovations, it might not fully meet expectations.

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