HeroQuest: Ultimate Buying Guide

Originally released over 30 years ago, HeroQuest is one of the pioneering dungeon-crawling board games designed to bring the thrill and danger of tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons directly to your kitchen table. This game allowed players to step into iconic roles such as the powerful Barbarian or the spell-casting Elf, immersing them in heroic adventures that could be completed in just a couple of hours—a stark contrast to the longer sessions typical of traditional TTRPGs. HeroQuest's appeal lay in its extensive collection of plastic miniatures and its engaging, multi-quest storyline, which captivated fans who continued to celebrate the game decades later. Their enthusiasm was evident when Hasbro relaunched the game through its HasLab crowdfunding platform, meeting with resounding success.

Now, years after the successful campaign, both new and veteran fans have a wealth of HeroQuest content to explore, thanks to the new releases and numerous expansions. This buyer's guide aims to assist those eager to join forces and thwart the evil Zargon's sinister plans by planning their adventures effectively.

HeroQuest Game System

HeroQuest Game System

5See it at Amazon MSRP: $134.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 14 new quests
• 65+ miniatures (31 monsters, 4 heroes, 15 furniture pieces, 19 skull pieces, 4 rats, 21 doors)
• Gameboard
• Game Master screen
• 93 cards

To dive into the world of HeroQuest, you'll first need the core HeroQuest Game System. This is the foundation upon which all additional content is built, as there are no standalone expansions.

HeroQuest First Light

HeroQuest First Light Board Game

1See it at Target MSRP: $49.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 unique quests
• Game system rulebook
• Double-sided gameboard
• Game Master’s screen
• 5 miniatures
• 1 pad of character sheets
• 6 combat dice
• 2 movement dice
• 39 cardboard pieces
• 102 cards
• 52 plastic movers
• 31 monster tokens
• 15 furniture tokens
• 41 cardboard tiles
• 21 dungeon door tokens

HeroQuest can be a costly entry for newcomers, but HeroQuest: First Light makes it more accessible by offering a streamlined version of the game at a lower price. It's ideal for beginners, featuring cardboard tokens instead of plastic miniatures for many game elements, except for the core hero characters and the dragon miniature. While First Light is a great starting point, existing fans might only need it for its unique quests or additional hero figures for painting. Importantly, First Light is compatible with all other HeroQuest content released in recent years, making it an excellent entry point for those new to the game.

The App

MSRP: Free

For groups without a designated Game Master or for solo adventurers, the official HeroQuest companion app for mobile devices takes on the role of Zargon. With fully voiced descriptions, the app enhances the gaming experience and is compatible with all expansion modules. Best of all, it's free, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking to enhance their HeroQuest experience.

The Online Quests

MSRP: Free

Avalon Hill has enriched the HeroQuest universe with free downloadable quests available on HasbroPulse’s website. These quests, like the prequel "A New Beginning," add depth to the lore and backstory of the HeroQuest world. They're perfect for fans looking to extend their adventures without additional cost.

The Boxed Expansions

Kellar’s Keep

HeroQuest: Kellar's Keep Expansion

2See it at Amazon MSRP: $33.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• 19 miniatures (8 orcs, 6 goblins, 3 abominations, 2 doors)
• Sheet of cardboard tiles
• 14 cards

Kellar’s Keep is the first expansion for HeroQuest, offering a lighter experience that closely mirrors the base game. It's perfect for those who want more of the same without a significant increase in difficulty.

Return of the Witch Lord

HeroQuest: Return of The Witch Lord Quest Pack

2See it at Amazon MSRP: $33.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• 18 miniatures (8 skeletons, 4 mummies, 4 zombies, 2 doors)
• Sheet of cardboard tiles
• 14 cards

The Return of the Witch Lord expansion brings back the undead forces, featuring familiar miniatures and new, intriguing tiles. It completes a trilogy of storylines that began with the base game and continued through Kellar’s Keep.

Prophecy of Telor

HeroQuest: Prophecy of Telor Quest Pack

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $33.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 13 new quests
• New Warlock class
• 15 miniatures (13 translucent orange enemy minis, 2 warlock character minis)
• Set of 6 translucent orange D6 Dice
• 14 cards

The Prophecy of Telor introduces the Warlock class and translucent orange monsters, offering a unique and engaging expansion previously exclusive to the Mythic tier on HasLab.

Spirit Queen’s Torment

HeroQuest: Spirit Queen's Torment Quest Pack

2See it at Amazon MSRP: $33.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 14 new quests
• New Bard class
• 15 miniatures (14 translucent teal enemy minis, 1 bard character mini)
• Set of 6 translucent teal D6 Dice
• 15 cards

The Spirit Queen’s Torment expansion introduces the Bard class and features translucent teal monsters. It offers a new twist on gameplay with magical tunes that can influence the battlefield.

Against the Ogre Horde

Heroquest: Against The Ogre Horde Quest Pack

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• New Druids class
• 28 miniatures
• 2 sheets of cardboard tiles
• 29 cards

Against the Ogre Horde is perfect for those who enjoy battling hordes of enemies. This remastered classic expansion offers new miniatures and is great for fans interested in creating their own quests.

The Mage in the Mirror

HeroQuest: The Mage of The Mirror Quest Pack

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• 33 miniatures
• Sheet of cardboard tiles
• 35 cards

The Mage in the Mirror expansion delves into the Realm of Reflection, offering classic high fantasy adventures. It sets the stage for the story that continues in the Rise of the Dread Moon expansion.

Rise of the Dread Moon

HeroQuest Rise of The Dread Moon Quest Pack

3See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• New Knight class
• 29 miniatures
• Sheet of cardboard tiles
• 58 cards

Rise of the Dread Moon continues the story from The Mage in the Mirror, introducing new mechanics and the Knight class. It's recommended to play the Mage in the Mirror expansion first for the best experience.

The Frozen Horror

HeroQuest: The Frozen Horror Quest Pack

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 10 new quests
• 23 miniatures
• Sheet of cardboard tiles
• 35 cards
• 6 combat dice
• 2 movement dice
• 1 pad of character sheets

The Frozen Horror expansion is tailored for Barbarian fans, featuring new miniatures and icy blue war bears. It starts with solo quests before transitioning to group adventures, offering a unique experience.

Jungles of Delthrak

HeroQuest Jungles of Delthrak Quest Pack

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD

1-5 players (solo play requires the free HeroQuest companion app) Ages 14+ Contents

• Quest book w/ 16 new quests
• 29 miniatures (8 orcs, 6 goblins, 3 abominations, 2 doors)
• 39 cardboard pieces
• 36 cards

The Jungles of Delthrak expansion introduces new enemies and the Berserker and Explorer classes. It offers a rich set of quests set in a jungle environment, providing a fresh backdrop for adventures.

Character Packs

Hero Collection: Rogue Heir of Elethorn

HeroQuest Hero Collection: The Rogue Heir of Elethorn Figures

1See it at Amazon MSRP: $14.99 USD

Contents

• New Rogue class
• 2 miniatures (2 different body sculpts for the Rogue)
• 13 cards (12 game cards, 1 story card)

The Rogue Heir of Elethorn character pack adds the stealthy Rogue class to your party, complete with unique skills and two different body sculpts. The only drawback is the absence of dedicated story or quests.

Hero Collection: Path of the Wandering Monk

HeroQuest Hero Collection: Path of The Wandering Monk Figures

2See it at Amazon MSRP: $14.99 USD

Contents

• New Monk class
• 2 miniatures (2 different body sculpts for the Monk)
• 8 game cards
• 1 scroll prop

The Path of the Wandering Monk introduces the versatile Monk class, utilizing elemental powers for various effects. While the Monk offers unique gameplay, the pack lacks accompanying quests.

The End

Hasbro and Avalon Hill continue to support HeroQuest with enthusiasm, introducing new content that appeals to both new and returning players. While the game may be light on mechanics for some seasoned players, the community offers a wealth of custom rules and quests to enhance the experience. HeroQuest remains a beloved classic in the board gaming community, with a bright future ahead.