Iron Helm - Dungeon Deck II - The Howling Abyss

The Howling Abyss is the first alternate dungeon deck for Iron Helm. It is listed as dungeon deck #2 because I consider the original (that comes with the base game) to be dungeon deck #1. This deck is meant to be used during play in place of the original deck to create a whole new experience! Swapping out the dungeon deck is an easy and creative way to modify Iron Helm with the use of just 18 cards!

The Howling Abyss sees the return of all the orginal cards from the base game's dungeon deck, but with all-new artwork and quite a few twists. In addition, this new deck adds 4 completely new cards that will challenge you as the player. The morality tracker will come into play more with this new deck and a lot more tension is created with a bit more press-your-luck infused in as well.

Above is a side by side comparision of a card from the original dungeon deck and that of one from The Howling Abyss. You will notice that the artwork is new, but also the mechanics have changed. Instead of just getting a set number of rations in the mushroom grove, you will have to roll to see what you find. This does two things. (1) This creates a random outcome and (2) this random outcome creates tension, as you can actually now get poisoned in the mushroom grove. This creates risk and risk equates to tension. All of the original cards have interesting new tweaks that do similar things.

Above is a look at two of the four new cards that come in The Howling Abyss. As you can see both of these new cards focus heavily on the morality tracker. The Archangel rewards players for making positive moral choices during the game with some much needed health regeneration. However, if you have a negative score on the morality tracker, she will attack you, dealing damage to your health. Now couple this with the new False Idol card and a lot of tension is natually created. You can beg at the False Idol and gain some pretty powerful and timely rewards, but at the cost of moving down on the morality tracker. As the player, you will most certainly be questioning yourself when the False Idol shows up and you know that the Archangel is also in the deck.

Below is a quick video showing you all of the cards in The Howling Abyss and they work. Enjoy!