Crown and Scepter Overpowered

[Umbrella Incorporated]

I have played Talisman many, many times, both here on Steam and the physical game at a friends house. The rules for the Crown and Scepter are the same both in the digital edition and the physical version, at least the updated rules that came with the ending card that was eventually printed for it.

All of us in my gaming group agree that the reworked Crown and Scepter is far too overpowered. We understand the idea of speeding up the game and trying to end it quicker, but if noone is following close behind whoever reaches the Crown first, the game is immediately over.

The main points that are problematic are as follows, along with our alterations:

1) Command spell is cast at the start of every players turn. We only cast it during the player's turn that is on the Crown (if they are uncontested, of corse).

2) Command spell automatically succeeds. We have it succeed on a roll of 4 or better.

3) Command spell targets all other players. We have it target one player specifically.

All other parts of the Crown and Scepter endgame we are fine with, like no healing or gaining lives. We basically continue play with the inital rules for it that came with the main set book, adding the no heal rule into it.

With the person on the Crown casting the Command spell during each player's turn, and have it automatically succeeding every time and targeting everyone else means that as soon as someone reaches the Crown and Scepter, the game will maybe go around 1 or 2 times before everyone else is dead, leaving no hope for anyone else to try to challenge the player on the Crown.

Again, this is the unanimous feelings my entire play group has. The person who owns the physical game (and all expansions, I might add) has even played the original game back in the 80s and agrees this Crown and Scepter needs to be toned down, drastically.

If anyone else agrees, please let me know.

If you do not, please let me know just as well and why.

[Artaterxes]

I don't think we should (or if Nomad is even allowed) use the digital edition as an opportunity to redesign the physical game. After all, the DE is a port, not a remake.

I understand that Crown and Sceptre seems like a pointless or overpowered ending, but consider it this way. Frostmarch was the first expansion to have alternate endings. What was the main complaint about the standard ending? Too long and boring. Crown and Sceptre was most likely an ending to make the first player to reach the Crown the winner. Of course, it would look cheap to use an entire ending card to say, "First to the Crown wins," so they added extra conditions, but the result is basically the same except in very rare cases.

If we didn't have the "Race to the Crown" house rule in the DE, the Crown and Sceptre ending would be even more important. But ignoring that, just try to treat the C&S ending as "Race to the Crown," since that was likely the intention since it was designed.

[Umbrella Incorporated]

But with the rules for the Crown and Scepter as they are, why is there even a Race to the Crown option? They're both basically the same thing.

Too long and boring? If the Ice Queen knockes you off of the Crown, she heals back completely and you have to trudge through the Inner Region all over again! You might die trying to get back to her! And it can all happen all over again. How is that quick and easy in comparison?

I didn't say that the rules for it should be changed for the physical version. You can mod the rules for the physical version all you want! I even stated that we use the original rules for the Crown and Scepter that were printed with the initial instruction booklet when the physical game first came out. It was only later when the alternate endings cards were made that it was retooled into what it is now.

[Artaterxes]

At first I thought you said Crown and Sceptre had two versions! (An older one and "reworked" one). Now I understand: you're comparing the standard "Crown of Command" ending to "Crown and Sceptre."

OK well for starters, you can still play with the old Crown of Command ending (just don't click "hidden ending" or "revealed ending"). But as soon as you enable alternate endings with Frostmarch, Crown and Sceptre goes into the mix.

But yeah, Crown and Sceptre is basically "Race to the Crown," and a very aggressive version of the old Crown of Command (which is still playable).

Also, unfortunately Race to the Crown still needs to be present for those who don't own Frostmarch.

[Dijad]

It's a more powerful version of the Crown ending, and MAYBE the only thing I would change is it casting every turn. I have noticed that it basically causes a game over, as hardly anyone, unless they are RIGHT BEHIND the person in the lead is going to have a chance at over taking them. But then again, that's the kind of ending its pretty much supposed to be. It's the quickest way to play barring warlock quests.