Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer [Universal] [Storm of Souls expansion]

[Camzy]

Love to see this game getting a renaissance. I added a few games a couple weeks ago and have been having the best experiences with it so far.

It's just such a great pick up n' play game.

After over 3000 online games I'm still highly entertained.

I still haven't quite figured out how to win regularly at 3 or 4 player games though.. My win/loss with 2 player is 1704/928

But I'm at like 14/30 with 3 player...

[smj]

I wish this game had a campaign mode so badly. It would be cool to have the solo variation rules in this too.

[CoreyB]

Can someone explain what soul gem do in the immortal heroes expansion? I've googled it but I still don't really grasp what they do, how you use them.

[currymutton]

I am waiting for Riotgirl to "blog" her first victory against me here, good work! (sorry for the typo)

I have the following MP going on lively

Ascension
Carcassonne
Battle of Bulge
Fluxx
Nightfall
Battle Academy
Letterpress
Lost Cities (an underdog)

Ascension still provides the most fun.

[Riotgirl]

How the hell did I win that 3P game? I thought you had won with your last turn Avatar of the Fallen, then picking up the Hedron Cannon. In the end it was 64-34-67.

I changed tactics halfway through as I realised that you have little centre board management in 3P. Thus, you need other methods of scoring honour points e.g. Yggdrasil staff, Flytrap Witch, etc. Also, I observed your and Ruth's play in the first half of the game and you need a method of snap power i.e. Hero and/or Construct because of the lack of control of the centre board. Not to mention off-board honour (mechana).

For what it's worth, I didn't enjoy the 3P game compared to the 2P game, because the centre board changes too fast and the luck factor ramps up. Will play one more 3P game, then stick to 2P.

Note: techwrt brutally murdered me by 20 points. /sigh Also, played a thrilling live game with jnt325. I just won 78-71. Really edgy and tense.

[currymutton]

Originally Posted by Riotgirl

How the hell did I win that 3P game? I thought you had won with your last turn Avatar of the Fallen, then picking up the Hedron Cannon. In the end it was 64-34-67.

I changed tactics halfway through as I realised that you have little centre board management in 3P. Thus, you need other methods of scoring honour points e.g. Yggdrasil staff, Flytrap Witch, etc. Also, I observed your and Ruth's play in the first half of the game and you need a method of snap power i.e. Hero and/or Construct because of the lack of control of the centre board. Not to mention off-board honour (mechana).

Well as I mentioned, and Camzy said way earlier, honour-snatching cards like Yggdrasil Staff, and cards giving you extra cards are very powerful in 3P games, unlike 2P ones.

[jnt325]

Yeah that live game with riotgirl was a great one. Thought I was doing well early on but you flipped it pretty quickly on me. I'm on a massive cold streak - gotta figure out how to turn it around! Is anyone picking up the penny arcade game tonight?

[tecwrtr]

Definitely going for Penny Arcade.

[Riotgirl]

Originally Posted by jnt325

Yeah that live game with riotgirl was a great one. Thought I was doing well early on but you flipped it pretty quickly on me.

You had me seriously worried with the first turn Twofold Askara. I had to go Mystics due to the high value cards (all 5s) - it was then a case of (a) who would be first, and (b) card evaluation. I chose Watchmakers Altar for the off-board honour (and denying it to you), then I chose Ascetic of the Lidless Eye over my favourite Flytrap Witch. I figured that the extra card was worth more at the beginning - for flow - than the 2 honour.

The cards that were crucial were Rocket Courier X-99 (put a Mechana Construct immediately into play) and Hedron Link Device (treat all Constructs as Mechana). Hence, towards end of the game I was able to snag All-Seeing Eye and Tablet of Time's Dawn and put them into play immediately. To be honest, pure luck with Hedron Link Device because I've seen the card so rarely that I actually forgot its affect! The game actually warned me about adding the All-Seeing Eye to my discard pile!

Prior to that, I cursed inwardly when you picked up Martha Dartha (combined with Twofold Askara and ...).

Where I felt the game may have slipped from you was your card evaluation towards the end. I noticed that you choose the extra 1 honour from killing cultists than a 3P Monster. I felt this may have been a mistake because you allowed me the chance for the honour and the card ability. Also, your purchases of both Mechana Initiates and Rex on the same turn, whereas I would have used your Yggdrasil staff ability instead.

That is the beauty of the game, and this one in particular. Each round was nervous, tense with difficult card evaluation decisions. Each person evaluates the situation differently with 'what ifs'. I certainly disagree with criticism that Ascension is just luck or just pick the highest value card from the centre board.

Originally Posted by jnt325

I'm on a massive cold streak - gotta figure out how to turn it around!

You really played well. It was hard fought and competitive every single nerve-wracking round!

I have rematches with both currymutton and techwrtr in my 2P games. Normal service i.e. where I receive a beating, will no doubt resume

[Camzy]

@Riotgirl

Let's play! You've intrigued me. I'll add you and invite.