Quick answer
Set up the Arctic Allies expansion by first sorting the new hero cards and minion tiles, then shuffling the arctic runes into the existing rune pool. Follow the steps below to avoid common setup delays and play smoothly.
Why setup order matters
The Arctic Allies expansion adds 2 new heroes, 8 arctic minions, and special runes and quarrels. If you mix everything in at once without a plan, you may end up with unbalanced encounters or miss key components. A deliberate order keeps the game moving and helps your group focus on the adventure.
Common trade-off: rune pool size
Adding the arctic runes expands the rune pool, which can dilute the chance of drawing specific runes from the base game. If your group prefers a tighter rune pool for more predictable outcomes, consider using only half the arctic runes on your first play. The expansion still works well with the full set, but the choice affects game pacing.
Setup and play steps
- Sort the new hero cards: Separate the 2 new hero cards from the rest of the expansion components. Place them near the base game hero deck. Do not shuffle them in yet. Common mistake: mixing heroes into the deck before reading their abilities. Read each hero's special rule first to plan your party.
- Prepare the arctic minion tiles: Take the 8 arctic minion tiles and set them aside. During the game, when an encounter calls for minions, you may draw from this set instead of the base minion pool. Decide with your group whether to replace some base minions or add them as a separate pool. Checkpoint: agree on minion pool rules before the first encounter to avoid mid-game confusion.
- Integrate arctic runes and quarrels: Shuffle the new arctic runes into the existing rune deck. Do the same for any arctic quarrel cards. If your base game has a rune limit, adjust the total count so the deck remains balanced. Common mistake: forgetting to shuffle thoroughly. Run a quick test draw to ensure runes are mixed evenly.
- Choose heroes and assign guilds: Each player selects a hero from the combined pool (base + Arctic Allies). Since the new heroes can align with any guild, let players pick guilds based on strategy rather than hero restriction. Checkpoint: confirm each hero's guild alignment before the first turn to prevent rule disputes later.
- Set up the first encounter: Place the encounter deck as usual. When the first encounter card instructs you to draw minions, use the arctic minion pool if the card specifies an arctic theme. Otherwise, draw from the base pool. Common mistake: assuming all encounters now use arctic minions. Only use them when the card or scenario calls for it.
What's in the box
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AlderQuest: Arctic Allies: Adds 2 new heroes, 8 arctic minions, and special arctic runes and quarrels. The new heroes can align with any guild, giving your party more flexibility in team composition without locking into a specific faction.
AlderQuest: Arctic Allies
