Two design suggestions for future versions

[DrSnooze]

Having a lot of fun with the game, but here are two suggestions that I think would make future versions of this game even more fun.

First, I'd add one simple mechanic: if a character encounters a card, but then fails to acquire/defeat it, he suffers the appropriate consequences as normal. However, another character at that same location can attempt the same encounter if they choose, before it gets shuffled back into the deck. So, let's say Lem encounters a monster. Unfortunately he doesn't have any attack spells in his hand, so he's defeated by the monster and takes damage. However, Seoni happens to also be at that location, so rather than returning the monster to the location deck, Seoni attempts to blast the monster with her Force Missile. She succeeds, and the monster is banished.

I think this would have a number of positive effects. First, it makes the game feel more like a party-based game, just like Pathfinder. Second, it would allow for some interesting abilities that can modify these situations. For example, maybe Valeros has the ability to step in and face a monster instead of the character who drew the encounter. Or maybe Merisiel can evade a monster, but leave some sort of poison that reduces the monster's effectiveness for a followup attack. Maybe Harsk has the ability to dictate who gets to face an encounter, or use his ranged attack to encounter a monster at another location. All of these would require a significant rebalance, but I think it would add a lot of fun interaction to the game.

Second, I'd like to see something different with the villain. I don't particularly like the villain running away from location to location. I'd love to see a "big bad guy" villain deck, using his deck for hit points the same way players use theirs. Maybe the characters have to explore various locations to find "keys" that unlock the final showdown with a villain. The villain is his own deck of powers that he uses against the players, but as players do damage, the villain is forced to discard them. Having a nice "boss encounter" like this would be a lot of fun, and would also add to the party experience.

[Kirk Bauer]

I like the first idea, but I agree it would make the game easier on its own.

I love the idea of a "super villain" in the future!

[Vic Wertz]

DrSnooze wrote:

Second, I'd like to see something different with the villain. I don't particularly like the villain running away from location to location.

You are going to enjoy chapter 5.

[Mike Riley 302]

One thing I would add (although it's easy enough to house-rule) is that after defeating a monster, the character can explore again. (Defeating monsters has been pretty anticlimactic. Everyone wants the "phat lewt.")

[Vic Wertz]

Getting to explore more than once in a turn is a big deal. I suspect with that house rule you would rarely bear the risk of running through the blessings deck. Which is to say, you'll make the game significantly less challenging, and to my mind, less interesting and less fun.

[Steve Geddes]

Yeah, I agree. If a turn defeating a monster really bugs you, one alternative would be to allow a 'follow up' explore but require you to burn another card from the blessing deck. I wouldnt personally make that change though - sometimes the dungeon room just has a monster with no treasure. :(