Since Ascension: Storm of Souls is both a standalone and expansion to Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer, is there any reason to buy COTG? SOS adds new mechanics and seems to have better artwork.
3 Answers
Not to be Captain Obvious, but you would buy CotG if you want the cards.
I quickly glanced at the card list and a few "must-haves" stuck out:
Enlightened: Master Dhartha, Twofold Askara, and Tablet of Time's Dawn (though you might NOT want the possibility of infinitely many turns...)
Mechana: all the constructs in this set are valuable, Burrower Mark II maybe not as much.
answered Oct 18, 2012 at 16:59
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Burrower Mark II is at least one 'free' card, often several over the course of the game, virtually never dead in your hand, and 3 veeps for 3 cost. It's a rock-solid card. Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 20:51
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All the Mechana constructs are 1:1 (cost:VP), though, aren't they? Maybe it's just a preference. I've gotten to the point where I own 40+ constructs, with infinite turns. In this context, the BMII is barely on the radar :) Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 21:04
I own all of the Ascension blocks and personally play CotG the most since the minimal mechanics allow it to be more accessible to my wife. I find it as a good introduction into the world of Ascension and then once she becomes more comfortable with it, I'll pull out the other blocks :-)
Hmm, I find the artwork in SoS vs. CotG to be the same difference. Then again, my taste in art is typically less sophisticated when compared to many other board gamers. However, the fact that this is so subjective means it could be a good reason or not to the next person.
Speaking of art, SoS has new art for the starter deck and "always on" deck (Mystics, Apprentices, HI, Militia, Cultist). Aesthetics aside, the layout colors, and patterns of one set here may be more pleasing and distinguishable compared to another.
Key (x/y faction/noun) x is the cost, or power of monster. Y is the honor it gives faction is enlightened, void, etc. Noun is hero, construct, or monster
As for the cards and the games themselves, in some ways, SoS is a superset of CotG. OTOH, there are some cards that round out SoS nicely. It's a hassle to deal with twice as many cards, but it can be worth it. For example,
-The Pen/Umbral Edges (6/3 v/c) can be a bit overpowered with just SoS due to higher odds of getting both of them. Adding another set keeps it more diluted and less of a power creep
-The base game m/c were rather OP-ed... you go for them, and it's a solid path to winning. Dilution helps with that.
-Two-Fold Askara (4/2 e/h) lets you copy the effect of any here, and is always fun to have around.
-Arha Templar (4/3 e/h) pairs nicely with Rise Of The Cult event since they can go after Fanatics that now have their power/hp at 4.
-some interactions between the Events and base game cards
-SoS's Events and Trophy Monster system makes going power a more viable path, but adding base game brings back the "classic cards"
