# The Quest for El Dorado: Heroes & Hexes

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2018
- **BGG Rating**: 7.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 30-60 min
- **Weight**: 2.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Reiner Knizia
- **Artists**: Franz Vohwinkel, Vincent Dutrait
- **Publishers**: Ravensburger AG, 999 Games, Arclight Games, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi, Lavka Games, Meeple, Nasza Księgarnia, Reflexshop, Well Designed Game
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Delayed Purchase, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Hexagon Grid, Hot Potato, Modular Board, Multi-Use Cards, Once-Per-Game Abilities, Open Drafting, Race, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you love the dash for El Dorado and enjoy a tasty extra risk, Heroes & Hexes gives you just that.Strategic curse mechanicsVaried scenario optionsUnique familiar powersSlight learning curveNeeds Caves variantRECOMMENDED

## Description
The Quest for El Dorado: Heroes & Hexes adds an extra layer of danger and strategy to the classic race for the legendary golden city. The expansion introduces three double‑sided terrain tiles that bring dreaded demon spaces onto the board. When a player lands on one of these hexes, they draw and reveal a curse token, which might force them to discard specific cards, become paralyzed for a turn, or even insert a useless demon card into their deck that turns into a constant nuisance. Some demon hexes also feature tunnels that allow free movement within the same tile, creating a dilemma: is the shortcut worth the curse?

Beyond the new terrain, the set adds two demon‑marked blockades; the first player to break a blockade suffers the associated curse. Heroes & Hexes is meant to be played with the "Caves" variant of the base game, which already uses cave tokens; the expansion adds new cave tokens and four new expedition card types (three copies each) that appear in the market when a stall opens. Each player starts with a random familiar, granting a recurring power and a one‑time bonus ability. The three tavern spaces scattered across the map let players "juice" their deck: when visiting, you draw three hero cards, keep one in hand (and later in your deck), and shuffle the other two back.

For those craving a tougher experience, the expansion provides six preset map setups ranging from medium to hard, all using the new tiles. It also includes guidelines for creating custom maps, ensuring endless replayability. Playtime stays around 30‑60 minutes for 2‑4 players, preserving the light 2/5 weight while offering fresh tactical decisions that please both seasoned fans and newcomers seeking more variety.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 4 players, just like the base game.

### What is the typical playing time?
Around 30‑60 minutes, depending on the scenario.

### Do I need the base game to use the expansion?
Yes, and it’s recommended to play with the "Caves" variant of the base game.

### What new components are included?
Three double‑sided terrain tiles, curse tokens, two demon blockades, new cave tokens, and 12 expedition cards (four types, three copies each).

### How do the familiars work?
Each player randomly receives a familiar that provides a recurring power and a one‑time bonus ability per game.

### Can I create my own maps?
Absolutely; the expansion provides guidelines for building custom maps with the new tiles.

### Does the expansion make the game harder?
It adds medium‑to‑hard preset scenarios, so it can increase the challenge if you want more difficulty.

## Price Comparison
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