Why do u play Doom when there is Descent?

A. I own Doom but not Descent.

B. I don't plan to buy Descent, as I love Runebound, already have Warhammer Quest and Dungeoneer, and don't really want another dungeon crawler.

Doom offers a different experience compared to Descent.  While not a completely different game, since the mechanics are similar, the sci-fi atmosphere, being Doom related, and provding me the with a dungeon crawl experience with guns.

I've toyed with the idea of Mage Knight Dungeons, Descent and others I've found over at the board game geek but I have to devot more research to finding one I'd enjoy for a long time that is also acceptable to my gaming group.  Descent is a top contender right now for my money and there is plenty to like about it (notably that it is based on the Doom rule set).

My question for you was this topic supposed to elicit uproar or is it just a friendly question asking why we play a game that is no longer officially supported by FFG when there is a similar game that has active support?  I'm leaning towards the latter of the two.

I prefer Sci-Fi and Futuristic games (Doom, Warhammer 40k, etc.) over Fantasy type.  I still wouldn't miss out on good ol' Warcraft though, probably the only fantasy game I like.

My preference for Sci-Fi is the reason why I'm getting Cosmic Encounter and Starcraft TBG soon

I had to decide between Doom and Descent recently, when I knew I'd buy one of them but didn't know which it would be. A few things influenced my decision:

• Game time - a typical Doom game will (at least that's what I'm told) last less long than a typical Descent game
• Complexity - I have ample complex games, Twilight Imperium is my favourite game currently and requires over an hour to explain rules before you can even start, Doom's rather light rules are a nice change
• Descent's RPG elements - if I want to play an RPG, I'll play an RPG; I don't need a game to tell me with cards which items I can buy, a good GM with a couple source books will be more than adequate
• Difficulty - the Invader player in Doom is apparently significantly stronger than the monster player in Descent, where even level end bosses are apparently "meh, he'll be dead in a round or two"
• Setting - I love the Doom atmosphere, and unlike the sucky movie the board game actually kept the "invaders from hell" background and tries (and succeeds) to stay true to the FPS roots
• Budget - Doom with all expansions is just plain cheaper than Descent

Overall, I bought Doom over Descent, and I am very happy with it.

Doom is meant to be a hard game for the Marines, so you know what to expect.  Descent is meant to be balanced between the heroes and Overlord, but isn't at all.  A good reason to play Doom, in my opinion.

Plus, the people I know usually like sci-fi more than fantasy.

I have both games.  I really like fantasy games and my fella (who I play the most boardgames with) loves Sci-fi but is not a total board game addict like me.  Therefore, Doom gets played more often because it is more to his taste and takes a lot less time to play.

Descent gets played when we have friends over for a weekend - i.e. when we have more time and because they are more into fantasy genre.

Although to be honest when it is just the two of us we both prefer Arkham Horror because it is co-op and you can scale the time easier.

I prefer Doom much more over Descent.  While I own Doom and not the latter, I like the whole sci-fi atmosphere in Doom compared to the fantasy one in Descent.  Also, I find that Doom is a bit more streamlined and can be played in a shorter amount of time than Descent.  But most of my reasons are matters of opinion.

Doom> Descent. Less fluff, takes less time, and is a much more intense experience.

 I own and play both.  I guess I just find Doom to be more exciting/challenging.

I ended up getting Descent due to a christmas present gift voucher from my local game store - and I still like Doom more. But I will get all the Descent expansions very soon, too, I guess

Own both but it's been a while since I've played Doom. The reason? Road To Legend and the Advanced Campaign. Descent is so complex, it feels like a board game with one or two expansions already squeezed into it. For that reason, we didn't play it very often, UNTIL the Advanced Campaign came out, now it seems like the only game we play.

I wonder if you could create a Campaign for Doom?

-shnar

Hey bikinilord, I got a good question back to you.  Since you asked us why we play Doom when there is Descent... I want to ask you...

Why do you play Descent when there is Doom?

They're two similar but different games, and they scratch different itches. I like them both, and thus play them both. Descent, with all it's options, really opened up with the Advanced Campaign, a slow build up of the characters as the game progresses. Doom is a more run-n-gun game, fun in its own right (though if you were to compare Doom against Space Hulk, I'd probably choose Space Hulk). There's the Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy as well, just different itches to scratch, etc.

-shnar

Doom: great one off game.

Descent: great campaign game.

Also, in DooM you get to use the FIST. That alone pushes aside all the other problems in the DooM game. 

You can use your Fist in Descent, just most people don't (it's in the main rulebook). Also, give me another week or two and we'll have a Campaign for Doom :D

-shnar