If you are not familiar with HeroQuest, why are you reading this?
Not trying to be mean or rude. Just wondering what lead you to this blog and this post specifically if you didn’t search for HeroQuest. You’re here now so stick with it and learn a little about a game you are not likely to get your hands, never going to see on the shelf, and may never have the joy of playing.
HQ came out back in 1989. Not sure when I became aware of it, but it wasn’t too late after that release. If I recall correctly I got HQ the same year my oldest brother got Battlemasters, which means that if had to be 1992 at the earliest. Regardless I remember saving money and buying the base game for myself.
I was already into fantasy novels and stories but hadn’t stepped into AD&D or any role playing yet. Reading Tolkien, David Eddings, the LoneWolf books, and similar stories made me the target audience for games like HQ. There were no real hobby or gaming stores in my area at that time, so the connection to Games Workshop and Warhammer Fantasy was not noted. I just saw a game unlike anything I had ever played before.
Games were not plentiful in the house when I was growing up. There were a few, and God knows my mother tried to buy us games for Xmas, but with four boys in the house and a lack of supervision those games did not last long. Pieces went missing, rules got misread (sometimes intentionally), and tables were flipped. Most games back then were boring anyway and it was tough to get enough people in the house motivated to play a game. If you think Monopoly sucks with 4-6 players, try it with only two.
My oldest brother was introduced to wargames a few years before so we had some experience playing large tactical games. But these were not miniature wargames. These were chit & table style wargames. Great for what they are, but they took a long time and a lot of trust that the oldest brother wasn’t just making up rules.
HQ was the first game I owned outright. And, surprisingly, it was a game that the other brothers were willing to play. I was always the Game Master, the controlling wizard Zargon, with my three brothers filling the roles of the heroes. By my recollection great fun was had by all.
Most of that original set survives to this day. Over time I bought the two available expansions and added those to the mix. I think I lost one Monster card; probably used it as a bookmark. But everything else is there.
HQ got me into gaming. It informed the type of games I like and has clearly driven my preferences towards games with minis and expandable rules that allow the players to go beyond the designed scenarios.
Why did I type just shy of 500 words about HQ? Because I’m finally, after 30 years, going to paint up a set. One of my projects for this year is to paint and play the original box set of HQ. The plan is to start with the first quest in the game, paint all of the figures and furniture required for it, and then play it. Move to the second quest and repeat. As I finish the original game box I will move on to the expansions. For the ones I do not have, I will attempt to find the appropriate figures or reasonable stand-ins. I do have a 3D printer so that may help.
This means that I need a set to paint. I do not intend to paint the original set I bought when I was 12. That one will stay as is for now. I did find a full set plus one of the expansions at GoodWill a few years back. Complete British 2nd edition in great condition. The price was steep.
This set was played, clearly, but well cared for. The American version did not come with the plastic tray. This probably helped preserve the figures. It prevents the board from smashing down on the miniatures.
All of the figures are present, including the often broken and difficult to replace Gargoyle. This box included two gargoyles, one a slightly broken American version.
If you are wondering how I am telling the differences between the American and British versions of the miniatures, the bases are different. Still annoying to fit on the board in both releases, but the British version has a step or double layers look to them.
Furniture is all present. Doors are as bent as one would expect, but nothing is missing. Nicely the owner did not glue anything so repairs can be made.
I have bought sets from older games where the owner clearly used whatever adhesive they could find. Or raid from a craft cabinet. I have Battlemasters stands that were assembled with hot glue. Very happy that these were not glued at all.
The only missing part is the base of the altar. Sure I can find the image online, but I’m not sure how to print it up. Learning something new, maybe.
The cards were all there. This lead to a discovery. The British version was easier. All of the monster cards show the bad guys having a single hit point each. The American version had many more, making them all tougher to kill. Grumble grumble grumble…
The dice are tough to find and when found tend to be unreadable. Great to have another set, but I may have to find a better option. Printing? Custom online order? Something more durable and coated with a sealant to keep them readable, perhaps.
This is the set I will start painting. Some of the figures are already painted. Not a hint of primer on any of them, so cleaning won’t be tough.
One last thing, the box had the original owner’s character sheets. If anyone remembers playing as Butt Crap! the dwarf or Master Cheese the Elf, please let me know how the adventures of these heroes turned out.
2021 Count to Date:
10 figures painted
0 purchased
the immortal frequentist 