FIRST LIGHT discussion

[Gold Bearer]

The only change is Courage, which now specifies that it only works for one attack.

It always did.

[Kurgan]

Subtle changes in this one... not only the clarification (one I reject, I think it nerfs the spell too much, but I can respect that's what they intended this time) for Courage and the Dwarf's starting weapon (and of course the new Dragon and "caverns" on the reverse side of the board).

Also:

Potion of Speed (equipment) now says it can't stack with itself (can only use one of these per turn, similar to Potion of Dexterity). I notice it doesn't say you can't stack it with Swift Wind spell.

Dread Spell Command says it works with the affected hero's movement and weapon attack (so nothing about letting you use their spells or other items, though this would present a weird situation if it was used on the Monk, but I guess you could say his fists are his weapons!).

Tempest is missing its flavor text, just describes the gameplay mechanic (which is the same as ever).

Artifact Orc's Bane clarifies the double attack is against a single Orc (rather than splitting it between two adjacent Orcs).

The clarifications for Helmet and Hand Axe (both Equipment) are retained from the 2022 box (and ROTDM). Otherwise, while the wording on every card is changed, the mechanics remain the same.

I looked at all the Equipment, Treasure, Artifact and Spell cards (no photographs were allowed while I was doing this) but didn't notice any other mechanical changes on them. I'm glad to I got to do this though as only a few of the cards were actually used in Quest 1 that we played, or shown in the glass case on display.

What we didn't learn:

When & where First Light was going to be released (only "Coming Soon," and the assumption of retail store shelves).
What the back of the box looks like. Realistically I can imagine with the Yellow Fire (Talisman 5e cover creators I hear) whipping up the new design to replace that of Clark Mitchell's much maligned cover, they may have delayed the thing somewhat. Maybe they need to retool the back cover as well and the cover to the quest booklet and/or rulebook (which when I looked were just purple with the title and logo on it and not much else). FL itself was on the table in these plastic totes and cards marking them as demos. I'm going to go with Bohemyus' guess and say November, but that's not in any way official.

So my source was wrong (or speaking of an outdated stage)... the only plastic monster in the box is the Dragon. So no alternate Orcs or Goblins with new weapons/poses (that would have been cool) but the great thing is that there are plastic heroes, and I think they look great, maybe even better than the 2021 sculpts. They certainly have been trying to give the fans what they want, even within the restrictions of a set like this which is intended for casuals to afford and get more people into the game that otherwise wouldn't notice or think the game is too big and expensive.

I'm glad to hear that even if this is a success the plan is NOT to make expansions that require First Light to play, or to break compatability with existing expansions. Nor do they plan to "stop making" the big deluxe version of the GS that we know. Even if someone bought all of the rest of the existing expansions (and downloaded the PDF of the 14 original quests) they'd still be missing out on some of the furniture and monster designs if they never bought the 2022 or 2021 boxes.

I did notice that all of the demos and copies of the GS being sold at GenCon were the 2021 version. I asked about it and was told that they just have a ton of these and also send them off fresh from the factory... I guess they are durable and easy to bring in to use.

I got to play First Light one time, and enjoyed it, it really had the feel of classic HeroQuest to me (appreciate that Stephen Baker was once again involved, writing the quests within it), and played Jungles of Delthrak three times... two times playing the first quest (once as a hero, once as Zargon) and also we played quest 2 with FIVE HEROES (and we still got our butts kicked). Jungles is not an easy quest pack, my friends (especially with starting heroes). But I digress...

I'm sorry I missed Daedalus, I hear he played FL as well, about the time I was playing JoD.

[LucaRocks]

Awesome update!
I gotta check out the recap videos on B&BM. Nice that AH gave us veterans some new things in FL. Hopefully that second board will come in handy for a future Dwarf Quest pack

[Vorimir]

I dont think we will see that board again in any expansion set because it will be for FL owners only and it will put aside non FL buyers aside so less sales. Maybe in a online free quest or something like that but I dont think thwy will reuse it.

[Kurgan]

AH intends people to make their own homebrew quests with the new board/dragon. They gave out a few revised ADK pads at the convention (sadly they ran out quickly).

[HispaZargon]

Thanks Kurgan, good report!!

My feelings are good about this FL product. I really expect it will achieve its objective by attracting more people to the game, and ensuring the franchise will be alive at shops for some more years.

Old fans are not the main target of this product, however I think it includes enough addons which makes it enough cool for many of us to purchase it. Five new minis, revised cards, new board display and the most important (at least for me) a new official questbook, written by Stephen Baker himself.

For me the direct involving of Mr. Baker guarantees that we will have a good HQ adventure inside those pages. He already demonstrated with Prophecy of Telor that he still have smell to make new interesting quests for our beloved game, probably extending more the official lore.

Though not perfect, we are for sure living a Golden Age in HeroQuest history.

[Kurgan]

Also, even though some could view the cardboard minis as "cheap" this is a perfect opportunity to print the Brazilian standees as alternates for this one.

[Alby87]

Having a second board only for five official quest is sad, but the idea that it can not be used because of the original owner of the game not having it is bad.

Maybe, in the future, quest packs could have like 10 quests with the classic board, and 2 or 3 "first light only" optional quest? Jungles already toys with the idea of optional quests. Maybe the board only will be available for everyone as shrinkwrapped (surely, it will be available via non official prints like Etsy shops)).

I'm curious about the rulebook, will they make some fixes to it? I don't think there will be changes in the most unexplained part of the game, but maybe some LoS specifications?

[Daedalus]

The Dragon abilities are "Draconic Flight" and "Fire Ball" at will.

Leaks around GenCon assistats say that Draconic Flight consists on allowing the dragon pass through heroes, and could move, attack and move.

. . . and furniture. No doubt Zargons will enjoy these run-and-gun tactics in large rooms. I wouldn't want to meet a dragon in the long corridors.

. . . For me the direct involving of Mr. Baker guarantees that we will have a good HQ adventure inside those pages. He already demonstrated with Prophecy of Telor that he still have smell to make new interesting quests for our beloved game, probably extending more the official lore. . . .

Yes. Loretome be praised, Stephen delivers again.

[Daedalus]

. . . What we didn't learn:

When & where First Light was going to be released (only "Coming Soon," and the assumption of retail store shelves). . . .

I can help with this one. One of the AH staff told me they were hopeful First Light would be released by January or February. While it's unfortunate that this misses Christmas, their leaks regarding release dates are usually conservative estimates, right? What a grand slam it would be to get it under Christmas trees again. That could mean a lot of older fans who wouldn't buy the game for themselves gifting the game to family young-uns. I think their aiming for it.

I'm sorry I missed Daedalus, I hear he played FL as well, about the time I was playing JoD.

Dang-it! There's always next year, though. Fortunately, HQ will be returning to Gen Con for a while.