Descent: Legends of the Dark – The Betrayer's War, a.k.a., Descent Act II, is a sprawling and deeply co-operative dungeon crawler driven by player choice – all powered by an app that allows for games to run without a Game Master. The game's immersive storyline is packed with twists and turns sure to thrill players of all skill levels. Campaigns can be played solo or with up to four players, requiring co-operation and skillful teamwork to overcome challenges.
The Betrayer's War builds on the exhilarating dungeon-crawling adventure of its predecessor by introducing new villains, quests, and mechanisms. The game sees players returning to Terrinoth, where they find themselves in an unlikely alliance with their greatest enemy: Waiqar the Betrayer. They have to work together to battle against armies of dragons and the sinister machinations of the Uthuk Y'llan. All six heroes from the original game return to defend their legacy, each equipped with a new hero card and a variety of abilities to aid them in their battle against the impending darkness and the Dragonlord Levirax.
In this massive expansion, one to four players continue the journey of Brynn, Chance, Galaden, Kehli, Syrus, and Vaerix as they struggle to save their kingdom from the evil that threatens its legacy. With new abilities to wield, new enemies to fight, and a new story to tell, The Betrayer’s War makes Descent even bigger and better than ever.
Our heroes have been through a lot over the course of Descent’s first Act, Blood and Flame. Brynn, Chance, Galaden, Kehli, Syrus, and Vaerix have all suffered much, but they have also learned and grown. In The Betrayer’s War, each of the six heroes has received some serious upgrades, including a brand-new hero card* complete with new art and abilities.
Just like in the first Act, each hero’s card is double-sided, with a different ability on each side. In addition to increased health and stats and a second surge ability, each hero also utilizes a new mechanic unique to them, opening even more strategic options during a quest.
For example, Brynn now has access to the new Technique keyword, which grants her potent effects depending on which type of weapon she has equipped. Several of her new skills, such as Stand Fast and Counterswing , make judicious use of this keyword, giving Brynn even more tactical combat options than she had before!
Finally, each hero also gains access to a brand new card type: legends.
Both sides of one of Brynn’s legend cards.
Similar to skills, legends are double-sided cards that you unlock as you play through the campaign, and they cost Experience (XP) to equip. However, unlike skills, you can’t ever flip these cards; when you unlock them, you choose which side of the card to gain, and then you have access to that legend (while locking out its other side) for the rest of the campaign. Legends never cost any fatigue or actions to use—their abilities are always in effect!
We’ll go into more detail on each hero and their new cards at a later date, so stay tuned!
*Note: While playing through The Betrayer’s War, you are required to use the new Act 2 hero cards for each hero. However, you can still make use of any and all other cards you unlocked during the Act 1 campaign, including skills and weapons.
(Warning: Some spoilers for Act 1 lie ahead!)
While the heroes of Forthyn managed to evacuate many of the barony’s people during the ending events of Act 1, the cost was high: Frostgate has been sacked, and Highmont Castle lies in ruin. With Waiqar’s armies battling the forces of the dragonlord Levirax and hordes of Uthuk continuing to spread across the land, things are already bad enough. Add in the fact that the remaining baronies are at each others’ throats, and Terrinoth is teetering on a razor’s edge.
The heroes, it seems, have their work cut out for them.
As you guide Terrinoth’s legacy through this crisis, you and your party will face a number of dire threats and grave challenges. Just as the heroes have gained new strength, the enemies you face have gotten tougher. The new stress condition can force heroes to suffer fatigue when they discard other condition tokens from a card, and enemies have devious new tactics and come in even more powerful variations than before. The heroes will need to use every tool in their arsenal in order to emerge victorious, but be warned…
…there are some real monsters in this box.
With destruction and death rampant across Terrinoth, the situation could not be more dire for our heroes of Descent: Legends of the Dark. And yet, hope is not lost, for new tools, knowledge, and abilities can give the heroes the edge they desperately need. The journey will be long and difficult, but no worthwhile triumph has ever been easy.
