Epic Mode

Epic Mode: 3P+, Multiple Sets

Each box of One Deck Dungeon, Forest of Shadows, or Relics of the Forge can support 2 players/heroes. By combining multiple boxes, you can play with more. For simplicity, we will assume 1 player per hero in these rules, but if you’re an expert, you can run around the table and control multiple heroes!

To set up an Epic Mode Game, perform the following steps:

  1. Determine your party’s hero count. With an odd number of heroes, one will be an elite hero for the entire game.
  2. Choose one game box for each pair of heroes, plus one if you have an elite hero.
  3. Shuffle each box’s encounter deck together to create one epic encounter deck, and place a stairs card beneath it.
  4. Create Reference Zones (RZs) from each box, stacking the XP Level cards next to its Turn Reference Card (with potion token). Then, add expansion components if present: Basic Potion, Forge, and Relic.
  5. Tuck a dungeon from one of the boxes under any RZ (it does not matter which one), with Floor 1 showing.
  6. Choose heroes, and designate one the elite hero if there is an odd number. Arrange RZs such that each is attached to two standard heroes or the elite hero. Sample diagrams for up to 6 heroes are to the right.
  7. Create a general supply, combining the dice and tokens from all boxes used. For each box used beyond the first, exile two dice of each standard color and 1 black die.
  8. Flip the elite hero and all cards in its RZ to the 1P side. All other heroes and RZs use the 2P side of each card.
  9. Each hero chooses a Campaign Sheet Focus, and the party chooses a Challenge Tier, adjusting each RZ’s setup as appropriate.

Example Seating Charts

In the example charts below, circles are normal heroes, triangles elite. These are merely suggestions - arrange your table however you wish, as long as the RZs are attached to the correct heroes.

Gameplay Differences

In Epic Mode, the party still takes one epic-sized turn all together. The following is a list of all rule changes in the game.

  • Time Passes: Spend TT per RZ in play.
  • Doors: Each door slot holds one door per RZ in play. When exploring, place 2 or more door cards face down in a stack. If an effect would open, close, or discard a door, it does it to the whole stack.
  • Explore: Each RZ’s heroes trigger Resist Poison if they have any poison. Each RZ forges a fuel if it has a forge.
  • Stairs: Works like normal. Any hero can take the damage from Stairs.
  • Encounter Split: 2 normal heroes or 1 elite hero (an “encounter group”) must face each encounter card, and the party can split any way they wish. Each Step is performed by each encounter group simultaneously.
  • Relic Bearer: Each relic must be placed with one hero (from its RZ).
  • Step 3 - Gather & Roll Dice: After each hero has gathered their dice but before rolling, one may heroic assist by passing one die any other hero.
  • Step 4 - Actions: Heroes can take actions in any order, across all encounters. In practice, much of this can be done at the same time.
  • Potions: A hero can use a potion token to use a potion from their RZ.
  • Relics: A relic forges components to its forge.
  • Dungeon Boxes: To fill a dungeon box, each group that it is active for must fill it simultaneously. Consequences (and armor) in dungeon boxes apply to each group facing that type of encounter. Example: There are two groups facing combat encounters, and a dungeon box on the combat side with a 6. Both groups would need to stack a 6 there to fill it.
  • Dungeon Effects: Apply effects to each group separately. For effects that are triggered outside of an encounter (start of floor, each explore, etc), apply them one time per RZ in play.
  • Fuel: If an effect or consequence would forge fuel, it goes to the forge attached to the hero performing that effect or suffering that consequence. If there is none, choose a forge in play.
  • Loot: Loot for each encounter is taken by one of the two heroes in that encounter. If XP is taken, it goes to that player’s RZ.
  • XP Level: Each RZ levels up separately. One hero from a RZ gets the encounter bonus if present, chosen each encounter.
  • Boss: Works like a combat encounter. To fill any box on the boss card, each group must fill it simultaneously, just like a dungeon box.
  • Boss Consequences: All visible consequences except for skulls apply to each group in the boss fight.
  • Boss Effects: Boss effects that happen per round are executed once per RZ.