How To Play

Getting Started

Every game of Hero begins with each of the players deciding which of the heroes they wish to play as. Unique and powerful, each hero has a playstyle that will appeal to everyone differently.

Your hero is not simply a persona to play as, each one can attack and use powerful abilities that will shape the game. If your hero dies, then you lose. Your goal is to defeat the other heroes and be the last one standing.

Using Your Hero

At the start of every round (the first player’s turn) your hero will level up, gaining new abilities, increasing your power and allowing you to play stronger cards.

On even levels your hero will gain new abilities. Ability cards are double-sided, giving you a choice between which ability you want when the time comes. When you reach the appropriate level you will decided which side of the ability you want to use for the remainder of the game.

Any bolded text that is followed by a colon is the cost required to use an active ability. Active abilities can be used at any time on any player’s turn.

On odd levels your hero will gain an increase in power. Attributes will be covered more in the next section, but the most important thing to keep in mind for now is the green symbol.

The green plus symbol shows you your hero’s starting health, and when your health reaches 0 your hero will be defeated and you will be out of the game.

Card Types

There are 4 types of cards you’ll come across throughout your games of Hero:

  • Companions

    Companions are the allies you’ll call to your hero’s side.

    Companions can attack and defend as well as have powerful abilities.  They will be a key part of any player’s victory.

    Companions can have a variety of different subtypes, but they rarely effect gameplay.

  • Equipment

    Equipment are the weapons you’ll forge to aide you in battle.

    Equipment go directly onto your hero and will give them bonus attributes and abilities.

    Equipment have 3 subtypes, accessories, armor and weapons.

  • Spells

    Spells are the magic your hero will cast. Spells have very unique and powerful effects.

    Spells can have 2 subtypes – buff or quick-cast.

    Buff spells can only be played on companions and will stay on them until they are killed.

    Quick-cast spells are special spells that can be used whenever you want and on any player’s turn.

  • Quests

    Quests are special cards with unique card backs that have no cost involved.

    When a quest appears at the top of the deck, it immediately activates and all the players take part in it.

The Shared Deck

One of the most unique aspects of Hero compared to other card games is that all the players play off of one shared deck together. No prior deck building or collecting is required, everything you'll need to play will be available strait out of the box. There are two different decks you'll be using in your games — the Main Deck and the Side Deck.

  • The Main Deck

    The deck of cards you’ll draw from as you play. This deck will contain the majority of your cards. Each player draws one card at the start of their turn. You’ll start the game by drawing 5 cards each from the main deck.

  • The Side Deck

    The side deck contains all of the specialty cards that are only brought into play through other cards and abilities. You’ll never have to draw from the side deck, so you don’t have to worry about shuffling it.