Necromancer

Lore & Background

The game uses 12-sided dice for skill and combat resolution. Both heroes and monsters are defined by Weapon Skill, Bow Skill, Strength, Toughness, Wounds, Speed, Intelligence, and Bravery. Combat is resolved in melee by rolling a target figure that is determined by the difference between the target's and player's Weapon Skills; in ranged combat, the target number is determined by how far away the target is versus the character's Bow Skill. In both cases, if the target number is achieved, the attacker rolls a number of dice determined by Strength and what weapon was being used. The number of dice that exceed the opponent's Toughness becomes the number of Wounds inflicted. In the 1980s, for a dungeon crawler, Advanced Heroquest was unique because it utilised a twelve-sided dice (D12) system for all gameplay mechanics. These included combat, magic, exploration, and random dungeon generation. Advanced Heroquest was one of the first specialist games using a D12 system produced by Games Workshop. Whilst the optional Hero creation rules referenced smaller dice (D4, D6, and D8) to determine starting characteristics, the manual suggested players could simulate these results using the provided D12.

In Their Own Story

The boxed set includes: A 64-page rulebook including an introductory campaign the 'Quest for the Shattered Amulet' and solo gameplay rules; 36 plastic 25 mm miniatures: 4 heroes (warrior, dwarf, elf, wizard), 20 Skaven, and 12 henchmen; 6 plastic doors; 2 twelve-sided (D12) dice; 78 counters and interlocking room and corridor sections that are combined to produce modular dungeon maps. An expansion called Terror in the Dark was released in 1991 (written by Graeme Davis and Carl Sargent), adding new monsters, treasures, and spells. The included quest, called the 'Quest for the Lichemaster', featured the heroes being pitted against the Lichemaster, a powerful necromancer. The 96-page expansion rulebook incorporated material previously published in White Dwarf issues 138 and 139. Contrary to popular belief, the Lichemaster did not appear in the original HeroQuest game. Instead, this character is loosely based on Heinrich Kemmler, a necromancer from the Warhammer Fantasy Battle Lichemaster campaign.

Reader's Guide

Several articles and quest scenarios for Advanced Heroquest were published in White Dwarf magazine between issues 121 and 159 to support and expand the core rules. WD 121: 'The Quest for Sonneklinge' (Andy Warwick) – quest scenario and the Jade Wizard's spell book. WD 122: 'The Priests of Pleasure' (Andy Warwick) – quest scenario. WD 125: 'The Dark Beneath the World' (Andy Warwick and William King) – a crossover adventure featuring characters Gotrek and Felix and the Amethyst Wizard's spell book. WD 134: 'The Trollslayer's Oath' (Ken Rolston) – quest scenario. WD 138: 'Henchmen' (Graeme Davis, Robin Dews, and Carl Sargent) – new rules for Dwarf Trollslayers, Elf Wardancers, Human Captains, and Wizard's Apprentices; later incorporated into Terror in the Dark. WD 139: 'Treasure' (Graeme Davis, Carl Sargent, and Robin Dews) – expanded treasure lists and the Light Wizard's spell book; later incorporated into Terror in the Dark. WD 145: 'The Eyes of Chaos' (Carl Sargent) – quest scenario. WD 150: 'The Changing Faces of Tzeentch' (Dominic Camus and William King) – quest scenario. WD 159: 'Rivers of Blood' (Carl Sargent) – quest scenario.

Did You Know?

• The included quests feature the heroes entering a Skaven-infested dungeon to retrieve a magical artefact.
• The only monsters included in the miniatures set are the ratmen known as Skaven.
• Advanced Heroquest was one of the first specialist games using a D12 system produced by Games Workshop.
• The expansion Terror in the Dark introduced the Lichemaster, loosely based on Heinrich Kemmler from Warhammer Fantasy Battle.
• The game includes solo gameplay rules and an introductory campaign called 'Quest for the Shattered Amulet'.