
- BGG rank
- BGG #234
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2012

Rules assistance for Descent: The Tomb of Ice
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Descent: The Tomb of Ice is an expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark released in 2008 for 2–5 players, 120–240 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Kevin Wilson and Jason Steinhurst and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Role Playing.
From the Publisher: Far north of Terrinoth, past the Spires of Thunder, across the Sea of Weik, lies the icy realm of Isheim. Here, unquiet apparitions of a lost people are the harbingers of the age of frost that threatens to swallow the world. Day by day, this arctic blight encroaches further south. The Tomb of Ice is the fourth expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark. Included are more than two dozen new plastic figures representing spectral shades, volcanic lava beetles, petrifying medusas, stealthy wendigos, and gigantic ice wyrms - not to mention six new heroes. Along with new treasures and a new potion type, the heroes gain an entirely new weapon for their arsenal - Feat cards they can use to surprise the overlord. This product also introduces new features for the Road to Legend campaign games in the form of outdoor terrain and new Dungeon, Rumor, Location, and Incident cards.
Descent: The Tomb of Ice 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: The Tomb of Ice is 120–240 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: The Tomb of Ice for ages 12 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: The Tomb of Ice has a complexity rating of 3.4 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: The Tomb of Ice belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Role Playing. 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: The Tomb of Ice are: Kevin Wilson and Jason Steinhurst. 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: The Tomb of Ice as an expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark. 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 to use it. Check that your edition of Descent: Journeys in the Dark is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.