Heroquest Tabletop Board Game

By: Avalon Hill    Players: 2-5     Ages: 14+     Time: 90 mins

The Realm is in need of champions to challenge the evil forces of the Dread sorcerer Zargon. Four heroes: Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, and Wizard, have answered the call.

Gather friends together for an exciting night of tabletop gameplay in an epic battle of good and evil.

Embark on a cooperative campaign and work together to complete epic quests, find treasures, and defeat the forces of evil in this epic dungeon crawler.

What Is HeroQuest Board Game: A Fantasy Dungeon Crawler?

HeroQuest Board Game was originally released back in 1989, was designed by Stephen Baker, and created by Milton Bradley. Baker had previously worked for Games Workshop, whom he reached out to after being given the go-ahead by MB’s head of development, to assist with supplying miniatures for the game. Heroquest takes inspiration and tropes from classic Role-Playing Games and tasks players with venturing through various dungeons to complete numerous quests. One player will act as the game master, taking charge of setting up the board and commanding monsters, whilst the other players take on the role of one of four adventurers, all with different strengths and abilities. Thanks to it’s popularity and success, a number of expansions were released, offering different areas to explore and monsters to slay.

In 2020 Hasbro acquired the rights to Heroquest and Avalon Hill, a subsidiary of the company, began production shortly after. Aided by a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, the remake was released at the end of 2021 and included new and highly detailed miniatures and components. Since it’s release, there has been a steady stream of new adventures released and the game is more popular than ever before.

Game Set-Up

Heroquest contains a dozen adventures for players to embark on and even provides instructions on how they can create their own. Before setting anything up though, players must decide who will be the adventurers and who will be Zargon. Zargon is the antagonist of the game and one player must act as him, setting traps, arranging the dungeon layout, and hiding monsters for the heroes to encounter. In the quest book provided with the game, there are step-by-step instructions for each adventure on where everything needs to be placed on the board.

A gamemaster screen is used to keep the quest book and miniatures for the adventure hidden from the other players. Each adventuring hero will take their character card that details their abilities, and a character sheet to keep track of hit points, treasure, and items. There are different decks of cards for treasure, artifacts, and monsters that are sorted and placed by the board, as well as magic cards that certain classes can use. Once everything is set up, Zargon reads the flavour text for the adventure to set the scene for the players, and the game can begin.

How To Play HeroQuest Tabletop Board Game

The game is made up of both a phase for the adventurers and for Zargon. The heroes will take turns one at a time to move and carry out various actions. Although they may only carry out one action each turn, they can do this before or after moving and there are plenty to choose from. Moving is determined by rolling dice, players can move their character the number of squares equal to the total they roll. They can move along corridors and past friendly units but cannot step over hostile creatures.

As players edge further into the dungeon they’ll have the option of using their actions to find secret doors as well as search for and disarm traps that may be waiting for them. As they come across the various rooms in the dungeon, players have the option of how to approach them (literally) and can try and sneak in or burst into the room all bows blazing. However this is tackled, players will only be able to see what’s in their line of sight and more will come into view as players edge further into a room. The player acting as Zargon will gradually reveal more and more of the room as players enter, some of these may be innocent and unassuming, whilst others will contain a horde of monsters waiting to strike.

Throughout the heroes turn, Zargon will act as a framing device. If a player declares “I wish to search for a trap” or “I want to search for treasure” Zargon refers to the quest guide and explains what the players can or can’t do, as well as the consequence of their actions. On Zargons actual turns, the player will predominantly move and control the monsters the heroes encounter on their journey.

This normally means initiating combat, which is determined by a series of dice rolls. For every skull a monster rolls, the defending player must respond by rolling just as many shields. Failure to do so will result in a hit, and if the player receives enough hits that their health drops to 0, they are out of the game and lose everything they’ve collected along the way. Only if they have a healing potion or a player casts a healing spell on them do they survive.

Once a room is cleared of monsters, the adventurers can declare to search for treasure. However, this doesn’t always result in finding treasure, as a large majority of cards in the treasure deck contain monsters or hazards. Each player can search individually, but must be careful not to get too greedy!

Play will continue in a similar fashion with heroes venturing further into the dungeon, battling monsters, and claiming rewards until they achieve the missions goal and make their way to the stairway to dive deeper into the dungeon. Of course, if all the heroes die this will end the quest early, as will players heading to the stairway before completing their objective. If the heroes can tough it out however they will normally receive additional rewards for completing the adventure. As the game plays out as a rolling campaign, in-between adventures players can spend their hard-earned gold to purchase more weapons and armour and equip themselves for adventures that lay ahead.

There are plenty of adventures to keep players busy, as well as details on how to create their own, but once the base game has been exhausted there are a ton of expansions that can be purchased. These provide additional monsters, furniture pieces, maps, and quests for players to try out, as well as new adventurers to go exploring with also. One notable expansion is the Frozen Horror Quest Pack, which features a snow and ice theme with unique characters and monsters. Although the price tag of the game and the extra add-ons is pricy, you’ll certainly get more than your moneys worth and be kept busy for hours upon hours!

Quests and Adventures

In HeroQuest, players embark on thrilling quests and adventures, exploring a fantastical world filled with eerie dark dungeons, terrifying monsters, and hidden treasures. The game comes with 14 pre-designed quests, each with its unique storyline, challenges, and objectives. These quests are meticulously crafted to provide a rich and engaging experience, ensuring that players are always on the edge of their seats.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. HeroQuest also allows players to create their own quests and stories, adding limitless replayability to the game. This feature empowers players to unleash their creativity, designing custom adventures that can be as simple or as complex as they desire.

For those looking to expand their HeroQuest experience, the quest pack is a must-have. This popular expansion introduces new tiles, traps, artifacts, and monsters to the core system, further enriching the gameplay. Players can search for treasure, discover secret doors, and overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. The game’s modular design allows for endless combinations of quests and adventures, ensuring that no two games are ever the same.

Characters and Development

In HeroQuest, players take on the roles of four heroes: the Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, and Wizard. Each hero brings unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses to the table, allowing players to develop their characters and master their skills. The Barbarian is a powerhouse in combat, the Dwarf excels at disarming traps, the Elf combines combat prowess with magical abilities, and the Wizard wields powerful spells.

As players progress through the game, they can upgrade their heroes, acquire new equipment, and unlock powerful abilities. This character development system is designed to be flexible and dynamic, enabling players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles. Discovering new items, spells, and abilities further enhances the characters, making each playthrough a unique experience.

The journey of character development in HeroQuest is not just about becoming stronger; it’s about adapting to the challenges of each quest and working together as a team. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the game, the character development system ensures that every player can find their own path to heroism.

Monsters and Combat

In HeroQuest, players must battle terrifying monsters, from Orcs and Goblins to Undead and Chaos Warriors. The game’s combat system is designed to be fast-paced and exciting, with players using strategy and teamwork to emerge victorious. Each encounter with these fearsome foes is a test of wits and bravery, requiring players to think on their feet and adapt to the ever-changing battlefield.

The game features a wide range of monsters, each with its unique abilities and weaknesses. Players must use their skills, abilities, and equipment to defeat their enemies, often relying on clever tactics and the environment to gain the upper hand. The combat system is challenging but rewarding, with each victory bringing a sense of accomplishment and progress.

Whether you’re facing a horde of goblins or a powerful Chaos Warrior, the thrill of combat in HeroQuest is unmatched. The strategic depth and variety of enemies ensure that every battle is a memorable experience, keeping players engaged and eager for the next encounter.

Final Verdict

HeroQuest is a semi-cooperative board game that offers a unique blend of strategy, teamwork, and adventure. With its modular design, character development system, and epic quests, the game provides endless hours of entertainment for fans of fantasy and adventure.

The game’s highly detailed miniature figures, eerie dark dungeons, and fantastical world filled with monsters and treasures create an immersive gameplay experience. The semi-cooperative gameplay and epic battles make it an ideal game for groups of friends and families, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared achievement.

Overall, HeroQuest is a must-play game for fans of tabletop gaming. Its unique and exciting experience will keep players coming back for more, making it a valuable addition to any game collection. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to the world of dungeon crawlers, HeroQuest offers a captivating journey into a world of magic, mystery, and heroism.

Summary

• Set pieces and minis look great 

• Straightforward rules

• Cooperative, fun gameplay

• Plenty of replayability

• Lots of extras to try

Final Verdict: Quest Pack Review

Heroquest is a great game and one I would recommend to almost anyone. On the surface it looks more complicated than it is, but once you crack open the box and start playing, you’ll realise the rules have been simplified to make the game accessible for casual and hardcore gamers alike. It’s easy to jump in and out of the game with the many different adventures to play through, and has an addictive quality to it as your players grow more powerful. Although not as in-depth as some RPGs rule-wise and on the high end when it comes to price, it’s still an incredible game that’s enjoyable to play through and is excellent value for money. 

Also Read: Horrified Board Game: A Comprehensive Review

If You Liked This: 

If you enjoy a good dungeon crawler like Heroquest, here are some games we’re sure you’ll enjoy : 

Tiny Epic Dungeons: Like Heroquest but tinier…literally. Choose a hero and navigate your way through a dungeon that’s different every time. Contains a surprisingly deep set of systems that immerse you in the game.  

Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System: A series of games that take the concept of D&D, scale down the rules and have players play out an adventure on a board. Each one contains a great story and great characters to play as. The Legend of Drizzt, Wrath of Ashardalon, and Castle Ravenloft are all classics. 

Talisman:  A fantasy board game where everyone competes to win the crown of command. Facing perilous obstacles, players choose a character class and level up as they find treasures and companions and defeat evil monsters. 

Zombicide: Take on hoards of zombies in dozens of different adventures. Zombicide contains amazingly well-crafted minis and puts places in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Like Heroquest but set in the modern day.  

Star Wars: Imperial Assault:  Take on the role of iconic Star Wars characters and battle Imperial Forces across the galaxy. Containing many missions, offering plenty of expansions, and utilising both a campaign and skirmish mode, this I a must-have for Star Wars or Heroquest fans. 

HeroQuest Tabletop Board Game FAQ