Ascension: Rise of Vigil
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.3 / 5
- Year
- 2013
About the game
Ascension: Rise of Vigil is both a standalone deck-building game and an expansion for the Ascension series, playable by 2-4 players or up to 6 when combined with another Ascension set. Players acquire heroes, constructs, and monsters from a shared central pool, building their deck while fighting monsters for victory points and useful effects. This installment introduces treasure cards that grant energy, letting players activate special powers on cards with an energy cost, and that energy can be spent multiple times per turn if enough is available. The game ends once all victory points are claimed or the shared deck runs dry.
Hobbli's Notes
Rise of Vigil is a strong entry in the long-running Ascension series, and the energy-generating treasure cards add a genuinely useful new resource layer without overcomplicating the core deck-building loop. It works well both as a standalone experience and as an expansion, giving it good flexibility for existing Ascension owners and newcomers alike. Fans of the series will appreciate the added depth, though the core acquire-and-fight loop remains fundamentally familiar to earlier Ascension sets.
What we like
- Works as both a standalone game and an expansion for other Ascension sets.
- New treasure and energy system adds meaningful strategic depth.
- Quick 30-minute playtime suits repeated plays in one session.
- Shared card pool creates constant tactical decisions on what to acquire.
- Combines with other Ascension games to support up to 6 players.
Keep in mind
- Core acquire-and-fight loop remains familiar to those who've played earlier Ascension sets.
- Randomized card pool can occasionally produce lopsided game states.
- Best experienced alongside knowledge of, or other sets from, the wider Ascension series.
Who it's for
Deck-building fans aged 13 and up who enjoy the Ascension series, for 2-4 players or up to 6 when combined with other sets.
