Dark Ascension: Dark Sacrifice Review (Part 2 of 2)

This is it- our last Dark Ascension playtest, at least until the Event Decks release. The set has seem some interesting inclusions, from the all-star Grave Power to the Zombie-tribal Relentless Dead, and it will be interesting to see how this ranks amongst them. Joining me in the arena is Sam, who is piloting the aforementioned Blue/Green Grave Power. Who will come out on top?

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Dark Ascension: Dark Sacrifice Review (Part 1 of 2)

By the late 1980’s, Dungeons & Dragons was having itself something of an image problem. The game, first published in 1974, had never shied away from adopting the terms and imagery of the occult, a fact which went largely unnoticed while the game was still in its infancy. Read more

Dark Ascension: Grave Power Review (Part 2 of 2)

With more behind us than ahead, we’re eager to savour every bit of Dark Ascension that we can. For today’s bout, we’ll be putting Grave Power through its paces. A deck with considerable potential, how will it do when required to perform? To test that out, I’ve enlisted Sam who’s selected Relentless Dead to pilot. Here we go!

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Dark Ascension: Grave Power Review (Part 1 of 2)

If there’s a common complaint against the Intro Pack decks, it’s in the matter of thematic consistency. It’s not unusual to hear laments along the lines of, “half of the cards are focused around a theme, and the other half are just filler.” Even the most charitable precon fan has to admit that this has a ring of truth, and indeed the last deck we reviewed, Swift Justice, seemed to suffer from a lack of pronounced clarity (though it still did the business with Monstrous Surprise).

Today’s deck puts that notion to bed.

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Dark Ascension: Monstrous Surprise Review (Part 2 of 2)

Moving on through the Intro Packs of Dark Ascension, it’s now time to test out the undying mechanic. Early feedback seems to be that its’ quite robust, but the jury’s still out until we’ve had a chance to give it a test drive. Joining me is Jimi, who has opted to pilot Swift Justice. Will I be able to take her down, or will it end up being me who’s in for the surprise?

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Dark Ascension: Monstrous Surprise Review (Part 1 of 2)

When Innistrad was released, it stamped its identity from the outset with its selection of Intro Packs, resulting in a wonderfully evocative quintet. The tribal call was put out with Spirits, Vampires, and Humans each getting their own deck to showcase their latest incarnations. The flashback mechanic was given space on the stage with Eldritch Onslaught, and morbid had its turn with the somewhat disappointing Deathly Dominion deck. The other two significant innovations were left out- dual-faced cards were too complicated, and the curses just weren’t enough to carry a deck (much like imprint in Scars of Mirrodin).

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Dark Ascension: Swift Justice Review (Part 2 of 2)

Our second run-out for Dark Ascension sees us testing the Boros-coloured Swift Justice. With some disruptive ground game and a few aerial threats, will it mete out retribution to Jimi’s Dark Sacrifice? Only one way to find out!

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