Quick Answer
Hero Realms promo packs add exclusive cards that introduce new abilities, interactions, and strategic depth. To get the most out of them, you need to understand what each pack contains, how to integrate the cards without breaking game balance, and how to handle rules that aren't covered in the base game.
What Each Promo Pack Brings to the Table
The Journeys Promo Pack Bundle includes all stretch goal cards from the Hero Realms Journeys Kickstarter campaign. These cards were designed to enhance the Journeys campaign mode, adding new encounters, treasures, and player abilities that make co-op and solo play more varied. Because it's a bundle of all unlocked promos, you get a complete set without hunting for individual cards.
The 1st KS Promo Pack contains 35 exclusive cards from the original Hero Realms Kickstarter. These are general-use promo cards that can be shuffled into the main deck or used as starting hands for specific champions. They often introduce mechanics not seen in retail sets, such as alternate champion abilities or new types of actions.
Trade-Offs When Adding Promo Cards
Promo cards can increase replayability, but they also add complexity. Some cards may be more powerful than the base set, potentially unbalancing the game if used without care. The 1st KS Promo Pack, for example, includes cards that were balanced for the original Kickstarter backers and may not have undergone the same level of testing as retail releases.
Another trade-off is availability. Both packs are Kickstarter exclusives, meaning they are not sold in regular retail channels. Once current pre-order stock sells out, they may be hard to find. This scarcity can make them appealing to collectors but less accessible for casual players.
How to Decide Which Pack to Use
Your choice depends on your preferred game mode. If you mainly play the Journeys campaign (co-op or solo), the Journeys Promo Pack Bundle is the clear pick. It directly enhances that experience with cards designed for it. If you play competitive 1v1 or multiplayer games, the 1st KS Promo Pack offers more general-purpose cards that can spice up any match.
You can also combine both packs for maximum variety, but be prepared for a more chaotic game. Start with one pack at a time to see how the new cards feel before mixing them.
How to Integrate Hero Realms Promo Packs Step by Step
- Step 1: Sort and Review the Cards: Open your promo pack and separate cards by type: champions, actions, items, and any campaign-specific cards (e.g., encounters or treasures). Read each card carefully to understand its effect. Some promos may have keywords not in the base game, like 'Persistent' or 'Guard'. If a keyword isn't defined, treat it as a unique ability per the card text. Common mistake: assuming all promo cards follow base game rules. Always check for new keywords.
- Step 2: Decide Which Deck to Modify: For the 1st KS Promo Pack, shuffle the cards into the main market deck. This adds variety to the cards you can buy each turn. For the Journeys Promo Pack Bundle, follow the campaign setup instructions—these cards are meant to be added to specific encounter decks or treasure piles, not the main deck. Checkpoint: If you're playing a standard competitive game, only use the 1st KS Promo Pack. The Journeys cards are designed for campaign mode and may not work well in a normal match.
- Step 3: Test with a Single Pack First: Play a few games using only the promo pack you've chosen. Observe how the new cards affect the flow. Are certain strategies now overpowered? Do some cards rarely come up? Adjust by removing a few cards if needed. For the 1st KS Promo Pack, you can also use them as starting hands for specific champions instead of the market deck. Common mistake: adding too many promos at once. Start small to avoid diluting the base game's balance.
- Step 4: House Rule Any Ambiguities: Promo cards may lack official rulings for edge cases. If a card's effect conflicts with another, agree on a house rule before the game. For example, if a promo card says 'draw two cards' but the base game has a rule about hand limits, decide whether the promo overrides it. Write down your ruling for future games. Checkpoint: Consistency matters. Keep a note of your house rules so everyone plays the same way next time.
Product Facts
-
Hero Realms: Journeys Promo Pack Bundle (Kickstarter Pre-Order Special): Board Game Geek Avg Player Rating: 9.00; Players: 1 to 5; Published: 2020 This high rating reflects strong player satisfaction, especially for solo and co-op play, making it a top choice for Journeys campaign fans.
Hero Realms: Journeys Promo Pack Bundle (Kickstarter Pre-Order Special)
-
Hero Realms: 1st KS Promo Pack (Kickstarter Pre-Order Special): Board Game Geek Avg Player Rating: 7.66; Players: 2 to 4; Published: 2019; Includes 35 KS Exclusive promo cards With a solid rating and a large card set, this pack offers substantial variety for competitive games, though it lacks official solo support.
Hero Realms: 1st KS Promo Pack (Kickstarter Pre-Order Special)
