
- BGG rank
- BGG #39
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Mage Knight Board Game
- 1–4 players
- 60–240 min
- Complexity 4.4/5
- 2011

2016
Rules assistance for Ascended
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ascended is a board game released in 2016 for 1–4 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by David Costa and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Player Elimination.
In Ascended, players take on the role of a magic-sensitive creature that awakens alone in the middle of a medieval-like, dark and icy landscape, completely oblivious to where or what it is. Players will make their way through this wild and dangerous setting, fighting for self-awareness and searching for the ultimate reward - ascension. Ascended is a game that combines elements of Strategy, Exploration, Fantasy and RPG. It features several ingenious game mechanics ranging from changing game cycles (Daylight and Darkness) and terrain to unique map building, card drafting and combat systems, all framed within a dark and unexpected plot that unveils as the game progresses. The path to ascension is filled with adventure. Players will start isolated, unaware of each other's locations and identities. Based on a limited number of possible decisions, they will be able to explore random unknown territory, influence map building and positioning, raid ancient sites for precious artifacts, deal with local superstition, master god-like mutations, recruit brave companions and fight notorious Villains. Inevitably, they will also directly confront each other in epic Close Combat.
Ascended supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Ascended is 60–90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Ascended for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Ascended has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Ascended belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Exploration. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Player Elimination. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Ascended are: David Costa. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Ascended as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.