(Written by Sarah)
Several weeks ago I wrote an email to LEGO about Heroica and how much it rocks. Out of all of the new LEGO board games, it truly has the greatest potential for customization and creation of new game-play. My only complaint is that there aren’t any female heroes! 🙁
Before I get into what I said to LEGO about Heroica, I want to point out that there are 5 new locations on the Heroica map on LEGO’s website.
I can only assume that this means more Heroica expansions – yay! I have not been able to find out any other info, but here’s a list of the locations with their short descriptions:
Heroica – Barresh Settlements: The barbarians are proud descendants of an old line of warriors, who have made the mountains their home. This rugged terrain is a harsh environment for even the toughest of warriors. For these wild sons of warriors each day is a constant fight for survival. Forming small scattered settlements, they band together to overcome the surroundings. Now facing a common enemy, they honor a code of solidarity and fight evil together.
Heroica – Ilrion: Since the dark forces settled upon the land, farmers have struggled to maintain their livelihood. Monsters constantly ravage the fields and destroy most of the crops, and what is left is barely enough for families to survive. There is no longer enough to trade, and even if there was, the Goblin General’s siege on Draida Bay makes it impossible to sell or buy anything. Prospects are grim.
Heroica – Gates of Elsruck: This ancient powerful gate is the primary defense for the kingdom of Ennon. It guards a mountain passage that leads to the neighboring lands. The gates were built by the original founders of Ennon but their names have long been lost to the pages of history.
Heroica – Seldaan Village: Seldaan Village is struggling like every other corner of the kingdom. However, secret alliances of heroes are emerging in the village, where they meet in secret locations to plan everything from smuggling messages and goods in and out of the area, to raising an army to fight evil.
Heroica – Drandora Port: Drandora Port is the Rogue’s old stomping grounds. Once, the differences here between rich and poor were evident, but now the people of the city are coming together to defend the bastion of their world. Will they be able to stand united, or will some fall for the temptation of becoming spies for the dark armies to save their lives?
Heroica is one of the best adventure board games I have ever played, and I’ve played quite a few of them. My role-playing group sometimes takes breaks by playing an adventure board game, what we call role-playing lite. I haven’t yet introduced them to Heroica, but I plan to once the opportunity comes up. I have all four Heroica games that are out and I think my group will get a kick out of it.
The main downside is that there are no female heroes in Heroica and I have a few females in my role-playing group that will be disappointed by that.
If I can get a hold of the female barbarian and princess from LEGO Champion, I’ll figure out a unique power for each and that will give my friends options. The only other female micro-figures are from Harry Potter Hogwarts – Hermione and the Ravenclaw student. They don’t quite fit Heroica, but I’ll think on those.
One of the things that I think LEGO really needs to work on is female representation. We don’t need our own girly sets. We need to exist in the normal LEGO world. So make a female knight, a female fire fighter, a female robber, etc. Don’t just relegate us to nurses, citizens and store clerks. I know better than to expect a 50-50 split, but a few more of us would be greatly appreciated. 😛
Back to the main topic of Heroica, while I wait anxiously for new expansion, I’m going to work on making my own. I picked up an extra copy of the Ninjago board game. I’m going to create powers for each of the ninja so they can join the band of heroes. Then I’ll remake the board to fit in with the Heroica boards. I’m thinking of some sort of cursed temple with the skeleton guardians. The hard part will be creating new challenges that are different from the other Heroica games.
That pretty much sums up what I told LEGO. I sincerely hope LEGO continues making Heroica games. The only limit is their imagination. If they come to road blocks, they should ask any role-playing group for advice. The world of fantasy adventure is unlimited.
For more information on Heroica LEGO games currently available visit LEGO’s website (links below):
- #3857 LEGO Heroica – Draida Bay
- #3858 LEGO Heroica – Waldurk Forest
- #3859 LEGO Heroica – Caverns of Nathuz
- #3860 LEGO Heroica – Castle Fortaan
What I’d like to know now is what you readers think about Heroica. Have you played any of the LEGO games? Have you made your own rules or game boards? Please share your thoughts and creations in the comment section below. If you’ve got pictures, I’d love to see what you’ve made! 🙂
Interesting post, and I really like what you said about Girly sets “We need to exist in the normal LEGO world.” I’m a man but I totally get what you are saying. With all this “friends” controversy going on if Lego should have only one feedback from the fans I think ot would be that one.
Back on the topic, I never played Heroica but you made me want to try! Is there a set you would recommend to get started?
I agree, if LEGO gets only one thing out of all the controversy, it’s that females should co-exist in the LEGO universe.
As for the best Heroica to start with, it depends on what you like. I usually suggest Draida Bay because it’s the cheapest, but it’s also the smallest so only gives a short hint of what Heroica is. But if you like adventure board games then I’d really suggest the biggest and most expensive one, Castle Fortaan.
Really, though, the best part of Heroica is mixing them together so getting more than one is a plus, even if you just get the two cheapest ones.
If you’re unsure of what you’ll like, look for sales. A couple of weeks ago, Target had Castle Fortaan discounted. So maybe wait and keep an eye on the sales. Some stores are going to want to move these products out to make room for new LEGO.
Good luck and do let me know what you pick up and how you like them. Next to the Harry Potter board game, Heroica is my favorite of the LEGO board games.
I ended up getting all four. The first time I played them all through with a group was awesome. It took us about an hour to get through all four linked missions. I like the idea of more female characters, really necessary I think.
Since finding Heroica sets on sale, buying some other Lego games on sale and just having some extra pieces left lying around, I’ve ended up building a good number of extra sets. I’ve got one where you sail around islands, a city one and a snowy mountain one, and a few more besides.
Good to see people getting into Heroica. It’s a fun game!
I’m glad to see someone else into Heroica. That’s great that you’re building expansions. If you have a chance, please post a link to pictures of what you’ve made.
Some suggested rules modifications for Lego Heroica. Comments welcome
Wounds – Players start with 6 Life. Each time they are defeated, they are weakened and lose 1 Life permanently (put it back in the box). Healing back to 5 Life (then 4, then 3 etc) carries on the next turn as normal. Eventually a Hero will only have 1 Life left, if they lose that it’s all over for them.
Poison – if you roll a 1 in combat when fighting a poisonous monster (e.g. spiders) you are poisoned and must lose 1 Life at the end of each of your turns. (the poison wears off when the player is KO or gains Life)
Victory Points – The game continues until all available treasures and monsters have been found, or until players agree to end. Players then count their points.
Monsters 1,2 or 3 points (enemy Strength)
Gold 1 point per Gold
Potions 1 point
Wands, gold cup,crystal etc 2 points
Possibly unlocking a door or removing a magic door = 1 point
Start – Pick Heroes randomly and roll the dice to see who goes first.
Layout – Stick a few Lego sets together and make big rooms / multiple levels with stairs (photos to come)
Post more ideas!
Dave, I would really like to see some photos of this! I’m very intrigued by the multiple levels idea! 😀
Very nice rules expansions. Wounds and Poison do make the game much more serious, and with the right group of people, I think it would work fine. Some may not like being put out of the game permanently since the damage you take is completely random.
I like the idea of victory points except for the inclusion of potions because those are meant to be used. Although, it does show that you managed to get through the game without its help. Same goes for the gold. It is meant to be used to buy weapons. Maybe have the weapons count for 3 points since that’s how much gold it costs to buy them.
Random would definitely be interesting and including regular LEGO sets would be quite something. I’ve seen people make layouts specifically for Heroica, but haven’t seen anyone use a regular LEGO set. That would definitely be interesting to see.
Please post pictures when you have a chance.
Thanks for reading and responding!
I realize that this is a ridiculously long post, but you cannot upload stuff. this is an expansion of sort, so you can use all those other micro figures and sets you have laying around.
Classes
Berserker (Fire Dragon Microfigures) Oblivious: Once per game, you may choose to ignore all wounds you take in one turn. This power is use after you have move and attacked.
Wizard (Harry Potter Hogwarts Microfigures) Same as the wizard in Heroica.
Merchant (Oriental Bazaar) Opportunists: gain 1 gold for each monster you kill, along with its loot.
Explorer (Ramses Pyramid Microfigures) Adventurous: move on extra space for regular movement
Beast Slayers (Magma Monster Microfigures) Courage: when a beast slayer attacks a strength 3 or higher monster, make the monsters strength 2 for the duration of the attack.
Warrior (Minotaurus, Greek Heroes) Warriors Glory: when a Greek Hero destroys a monster, move 3 spaces and attack again if possible
Buccaneer (Pirate Plank Microfigures) Blunderbuss: when you roll a shield symbol, choose 1 monster up to 4 straight spaces away, destroy the monster and select and destroy 1 adjacent monster
Ninja (Ninjago Ninjas) Student: after you destroy 4 monsters, you may change your class to Sensei.
Sensei (Ninjago Master Wu)(you may not start the game as Sensei) Master: if you roll the shield symbol, Move four spaces and destroy all level 2 or lower level monsters that you passed over during your move.
Enemies
Magma Monster (Magma Monster) Strength 4,
Loot: 1 Strength Potion
Minotaur (Minotaurus) Strength 3,
Loot: 3 gold.
Hero Hunter: after each players turn, take a turn with the Minotaur as you would your hero. Move him toward the nearest hero on the board and attack it if possible.
Garmageddon (Ninjago) Strength 3,
Loot: 1 health potion.
Lightning Staff: if a Hero ends its movement within 4 straight spaces away, Garmageddon must attack the hero after the heroes turn is finished. IF Garmageddon rolls a 2, he takes no wounds.
Fire Dragon (Fire Dragon) Strength 1,
Loot: Dragons Blood Potion (see potion list at the end)
Searing Flames: if you take a wound, roll the die again and keep taking wounds until you roll a 3 or shield. The monster is not destroyed when this happens, and you turn ends
Ramses (Ramses Pyramid) Strength 4,
Loot: Crystal Crown: if you roll a shield and choose to move, add two to your movement
Alien (UFO Attack) Strength 3
Skeleton (Ninjago) Strength 2
Mummy (Ramses Pyramid) Strength 1
Crab (Sun Block) Strength 3
Demon (Monster4) Strength 1
Scorpion Strength 1 Venom: if you take a normal wound from a scorpion, roll the Heroica Die. If you roll a one or two, take one extra hit. If you roll a 3 or shield, nothing happens.
Jack o Lantern (Monster4) Strength 3,
Loot: Pumpkin Mush Potion: Gain 2 Lives or choose an adjacent friendly figure and they gain 1 life’s
Poison Frog (Frog Rush) Strength 1,
Loot: 1 Poison Frog (Add poison frog to your inventory. It counts as a one-time use weapon, Stats: range 2. You may reroll your attack once if you attack with Poison Frog)
Items
Weapons/Permanent Items
Poison Frog: counts as a one-time use weapon, Stats: range 2. You may reroll your attack once if you attack with Poison Frog. Loot only
Crystal Crown: if you roll a shield and choose to move, add two to your movement
Potions/Usable Items
Pumpkin Mush Potion (Monster4 Pumpkin Head) Gain 2 Lives or choose an adjacent friendly figure and they gain 1 life
Dragons Blood Potion (Magikus Red Horn Potion) when you use this potion, roll the Heroica Die. If your roll a 1 or 2, you die and must be revived. If you roll a 3 or shield, heal all your wounds
Oblivious Potion (green whatever: D) when you use this potion at the start of your turn, you may ignore all wound you received at the end of your turn. If you die, revive yourself with 3 lives at the end of your turn.
Extra Rules
Movement
When not moving on a Heroica game board and you are moving on Lego studs, double the amount rolled for movement on the die or when moving with potions. (Because two studs are worth one Heroica space. Also, the area around a monster where you have to stop and fight is extended to 2 studs, and your range is doubled)
Wow! Those are simply amazing new rules that you’ve come up with. As I said in my post, I’m going to work on redesigning the Ninjago board game into a Heroica Expansion, but you’ve just taken the other board games as is and included them with Heroica rules.
That’s fantastic and they’re really great rules. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m going to be trying those out.
thanks! me and a friend have been working on them a while, and were looking to add things like hiring the barbarian (because nobody plays as him) and other unique twist to make the game more interesting.
Lego is canceling Heroica. I don’t know why. Maybe they’re updating the rules and giving us a second edition. Maybe they’re just treating this like any of their other sets where they cancel it after a time. Either way, please post about this travesty and help me start a letter writing campaign to get Lego to brink Heroica back and better than ever.
Joe, yeah, unfortunately LEGO routinely retires sets and themes. This is to keep their product-line fresh and exciting, but it also has the downside of saddening fans of a particular product or theme. I’m not sure why Heroica is getting retired, but my suspicion is that sales are declining and it no longer makes financial sense to LEGO to continue the theme. I know that my local department stores are full of Heroica sets that are just sitting on the shelves and won’t move even when there is a discount. However you can certainly write LEGO and encourage them to follow the theme or bring out something similar. I would also suggest to contact the Heroica group at Eurobricks.com as they have enough members to create a resistance. 😉
Hi all,
I had heard rumor of Lego retiring Heroica. I was afraid of this, and it truly is a great game with tons of potential for folks of all ages. That being said I think one of the best ways to continue Heroica is to encourage a community to thrive. Please check out our Facebook page and give it a like. We have house rules, tips on how to make your own micro figures and general inspiration for levels and games. It may also serve as a good platform to show LEGO that Heroica does have a following, that may even contribute to other LEGO sales (G-d knows I wouldn’t be buying LEGOS at my age if it weren’t for this game) even if it isnt producing the kind of numbers it would expect from a traditional line. Heroica is a great game to encourage new generations to unplug and engage in socialization with other people (shocking thought these days). Happy Questing.
https://www.facebook.com/LegoHeroicaAndStarWarsAdvanced
cheers
Cyrus
One more thing, while they may be retiring Heroica they do seem committed to producing compatible games. There is a great Star Wars Battle of Hoth game that is in the HEROICA scale (which would make a great Star Wars Heroica game with a little bit of new house rules) but I have also heard rumor of a new Lord of the Rings set (not the Hobbit one) which will have tons of new micro figs.
http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/50011_The_Battle_of_Helm%27s_Deep
Any way take a look, and please visit the Facebook page in the above post. We can always use new folks with a love for Heroica.
Cheers
Cyrus, thanks for sharing! I may actually write a new article about this topic so it gets a bit more exposure. 😉
i dont know if anyone comes on here but i have creared blueprints for what i think the sets should look like abd createdhem using parts from the other sets
Michael, can we see your blueprint? 🙂
Ah, I have a Heroica set. Ganrash.
I own all The LEGO Heroica sets exept for Ganrash.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Its fantasy(I LOVE THAT)
IT is weird there arent Any (importnant) female figures.
I think Lego is designing barresh now.
I don’t love a city
I don’t love food
I love heroica!
(Thats my quote )
Sander
Hey all
I’m considering this game, but I’m conserned by the player limit of 4. Is this really true. I would love to be able to play this game with 6 or more players. Is it a good party/holiday (christmas) game? I mean, can it be played with little or no knowledge of the game?
Thanks all, and keep legoing!! 🙂
Dan, I’m going to ask Sarah to answer that question for you. 🙂
Hi Dan,
I’ve never played with that many people, but here’s my suggestions. Buy several of the Heroica games and put them together to form a large map with multiple enemies to target. This will give everyone a chance at fighting and defeating a boss. The rules would need to be changed a bit so that each boss counts as points and then the ultimate winner would be whoever earns the most points. You could also give the basic bad guys points for those who don’t make it to a boss, but it will still make them feel like they’re making progress. You could also give points for overcoming challenges, as some of the games have barricades to break or doors to unlock.
As for whether it’s a good party game, I think the people would have to like LEGO and maybe also dungeon-crawling type games. The game isn’t hard to play. The rules are really easy, so I don’t think anyone has to know how to play the game ahead of time.
But if you’re looking for a good party game for people who like LEGO then Creationary is a better choice, but only for those who like to build with LEGO.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions,
Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
Thanks Sarah!
I’ll have a look at creationary.
Merry Christmas to all! 🙂