
- BGG rank
- BGG #498
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Descent: Legends of the Dark
- 1–4 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2021

Expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
Rules assistance for Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild is an expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) released in 2015 for 2–5 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Nathan I. Hajek, Grace Holdinghaus, and Kara Centell-Dunk and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling.
Description from the publisher: A branch from the Tree of Life has the power to stop plague and heal illness. Now, you must find this lost artifact, for the good of all Terrinoth in the Bonds of the Wild Hero and Monster Collection! In this Hero and Monster Collection, you’ll find twenty-two plastic figures, previously only available in the first edition of Descent: Journeys in the Dark, now reimagined with new figure sculpts and artwork. In addition to these detailed figures, you’ll find two brand-new quests chronicling your quest for the healing power of the Tree of Life. Four heroes gather together and venture into the wild in this expansion. You can work magic alongside Lyssa or Challara, or rely on the aid of your familiars with Vyrah the Falconer or Ronan of the Wild. The overlord’s monsters stand to oppose these noble heroes, however. Twelve kobolds, four hellhounds, and two deep elves oppose the heroes' quest and seek the branch for their own nefarious ends. Bonds of the Wild contains: Four heroes of Terrinoth, with detailed figures and character sheets Three complete monster groups with monster cards Two new quests: One Man's Trash and Bonds of the Wild
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild supports 2–5 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 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild is 120 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 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild 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.
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Dice. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling. 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 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild are: Nathan I. Hajek, Grace Holdinghaus, and Kara Centell-Dunk. 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 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) – Bonds of the Wild as an expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition). Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) to use it. Check that your edition of Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.