Heroquest - the best thing about it.

Balin the Dwarf contemplating his next move, while Sophia the Sorceress considers her Spell cards. 

One of the pleasures of children is sharing something that you enjoy with them and watching them enjoy it too.  I came into a copy of Heroquest last year and have been biding my time at introducing the Kinchlets to it.  I've always had a soft spot for the game and I'm aware that it's recently been re-released, but the new edition has left me cold.  

I really enjoyed the setting of the Old World in Warhammer of the original and I didn't care much for the World of Warcraft stylings of the new figures, so it made sense to stick to the edition of the game that I played as a youngster. 

The adventurers quickly split up

We've played the first few quests and this is our third game.  The kids have gotten into the rhythm of the game well and are enjoying it.  Though I like to think that my extremely hammy reading of the introductory text of each quest doesn't hurt. 

My Orks, of course, talk like a ultra-violent Dick Van Dyke.  The trick is to stick your lower jaw out and yell things like "Oi you gits!" with appropriate amounts of gusto. 

Orks

I have a bit of an allergy to playing with unpainted figures.  I've been slowly painting my set using the tutorials from Miguel at Rush the Wash.

But by the same token, it would a poor father who refused to play just because the figures weren't finished.  It's amusing how little children care about such things. 

Sophia the Sorceress has bitten off rather more than she can chew

This was an interesting game. It was quest number three - Lair of the Ork Warlord.  This is a follow on from the previous game we played The Rescue of Sir Ragnar.  Sir Ragnar had been kidnapped by the Ulag the Ork Warlord and the heroes have been sent to put a stop to his evil schemes. 

It was also the first game we played where the Kinchlets lost. 

Slinging spells like Billy-oh - Sophia fights for her life. 

Sophia the Sorceress got rather cocky and was running around the board attracting the attention of many monsters, but didn't take the time to take care of the ones she activated. The kids also got separated which meant that they were surrounded.  Sophia the Sorceress who had started the game being very cautious with her spells was slinging them with gay abandon by the end, but it wasn't enough to get her out of trouble. 

The Ork Warlord Ulag is struck down

She did manage to use a spell to take out the Ork Warlord Ulag, but got greedy and went to check his treasure room rather than immediately running for her life.  Meanwhile Balin the Dwarf who was valiantly trying to hold off a horde of nasties took a big hit from a Chaos Warrior.  Reduced to one Body Point he made a run for the stairs. 

The result was the first game that the kids lost and there was a certain amount of tears and disbelief.   I really enjoy sharing games with them, but I think it's important that they realise that the contest is in fact a real contest.  After some big hugs and a chocolate digestive, we agreed to try again another day. 

Heroquest at Targets

For those of us who were born in the eighties and liked a certain sort of game, this advert was a revelation.  I recognise now that in many ways Heroquest hit a lot of sweet spots for my ten year old self.  It was basic enough that I could play it without assistance from my Dad or another adult and short enough that you could actually get through multiple games in an afternoon.  This was a boon and while I always enjoyed playing Aquitaine with Dad; Heroquest was a game that I could pick and play without an adult interpreter.  

The Heroes knee deep in adventure

(our Wizard has been slain and can be seen lying on his side)

Target got a copy of Heroquest for Christmas last year and we've been meeting at his home to play the occasional game over the last few months. So far it has proved excellent fun and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, leaving Evan the Self Hating Elf to victory on several occasions. The game is simple enough to be picked up quickly with enough variety in the scenarios to keep things interesting.  One change that Target did introduce was using a print out of the American rules for the monsters, which were tougher than those in the UK version. This has added a frisson of extra danger to the play so far. 

The Dwarf and the Barbarian bravely take on the Witchlord

(while I bravely hide with only two body points) 

We played through three scenarios in an evening, made all the more pleasent by Targets cheese board and excellent whiskey.  Show me a man who plies his guests with Crested Ten and I will show you a man who will find me returning to his home with monotonous regularity.  The games we played formed part of the Witchlord campaign.

Target shows his usual restraint and magnanimity 

In the Witchlord campaign, we bravely broke into the Witchlord dungeon, murdered his friends and stole his house hold goods. Once that was done, he rose from the grave to smite us and we had to run away as we discovered that he could only be slain by the Spiritblade. We then toddled off, got the Spiritblade, came back and hit him for six. It is was splendid fun. 

Target also cackled rather spectacularly when Jon's Barbarian was killed by an Ork and Liz died when rocks fell on her head.  I always consider a casualty or two the sign of a good dungeon crawl, as Lady Gaga eloquently put it in her anthem for Heroquest GMs everywhere Pokerface, "...if it ain't rough it isn't fun."

Evan the Self Hating Elf 

On examining my character sheet, I have discovered that Evan the Self Hating Elf has survived quite a few dangerous encounters (six in fact) and it looks like we are going to have to embark on "The Return of the Witchlord" campaign (apparently we wasn't really dead...or was that undead?) 

An impressive piece of cutlery

Target picked this up recently.  It doesn't appear to be sharp, so I suspect it is a wall hanger, but still very nice to look at.  If it is a wall hanger, I think it's an oldish one.

The full thing

Given that those who read J&F are often interested in swords, I thought I'd take a few pictures. If it does strike a cord of recognition with anyone, I'd be interested to know. 

Detail on the hilt

But on the whole, a good night was had by all and I shall look forward to the next one.