Monster Compendium refresh out now!

The updated Monster Compendium is now out on DriveThruRPG.  If you already purchased the compendium, you'll have the new version in your library!

The updated Monster Compendium includes these major changes:

• Monster Compendium expanded and revised 
• Updated Monster Compendium to color
• Added 40 monsters (now with 176 monsters!)
• Added section on encounter balancing

Monster Compendium Refresh

This Hero Kids Monster Compendium refresh has taken way longer than I hoped, but it's almost done. 

The Monster Compendium is increasing from ~130 monsters to almost 180 monsters!  This includes over 20 pieces of new and refreshed art, now in full color.

One thing for youse all, I'm redoing the Monster Stand-Ups PDF for printing, and I'm reducing the number of stand-ups on each page for the 'tougher' monsters, on the grounds that you should never need 8 tough monsters!  Let me know if this might be a problem. 

Brecken Vale Gazetteer OUT NOW!

I've just released the latest (and long-awaited) Hero Kids expansion, the Brecken Vale Gazetteer!

The Brecken Vale Gazetteer is jam packed with all-new artwork and 79 pages of information about the places, people, customs, factions, and adventures of the Brecken Vale.

Inside the gazetteer you'll find:

• Maps and regions of the Brecken Vale and beyond
• Maps and locations in Rivenshore
• People of the Vale (including 26 printable character cards)
• Culture and customs across the Vale
• Geography and climate
• Lineages of the Vale (humans, elves, dwarves and other lineages)
• Factions of the Varld
• Random encounter tables for each habitat or locale
• Campaign paths for beginner characters to heroes of the Varld
• Over 50 new adventure hooks

Hero Kids Bundle of Holding 2020!

For the next 17 days, the Bundle of Holding is offering the best value Hero Kids deal!

The Bonus Collection includes the Hero Kids Fantasy products as well as the Space Heroes expansions!

Check it out: https://bundleofholding.com/presents/Kids2020

Hero Kids review round-up

What better time for a round-up of the latest Hero Kids reviews than... RIGHT NOW!

"This whole rule system is a perfect way to introduce younger children to tabletop RPGs. I have played 3 seperate sessions with my son and my nephews, and they absolutely love it. I forget the rules for damage sometimes, and railroading sometimes comes into play, but with younger kids it is best to keep the game moving on and Hero Kids provides a great way to do that.

Not only does this system have a great starting base with the Basement O' Rats adventure as well as several other follow-on modules, the author is allowing for a ton of additional content to be written and published as part of the Hero Kids label. Kudos for that! And the price just cannot be beat!

Another awesome perk of this is that you can go ahead and purchase the hardcopies if you want, but for me the digital works just fine. I just print what I need for the adventure, and keep the rest on my computer or tablet.

Overall, I love this system, and am currently using it to build a campaign for my son for when I return home. Highly recommended!!!"

How 'about this one:

"I genuinely like this better than expensive competitors like Mice and Mystics (and even HeroQuest). 

Paper minis enable Hero Kids to have a larger variety of creatures to encounter, and creatures of many different sizes. 

The stories in this are better (the prose is more concise), and the rules are cleaner. This means you get to play faster without spending much time in the rulebook. It's a game I like to bring to the table with kids."

More-ish:

"I'm afraid I've not played a roleplaying game for years, but my 9-year-old daughter found my old dice, asked me how they worked, and she was entralled with the idea—so I poked around the internet to see what there was nowadays and i settled on HERO KIDS. 

My two younger kids were hooked from the beginning of Basement o' Rats. My 11-year-old, initially disdainful, got interested and asked to join in—we had to contrive a way for her to join in partway through. 

The combat was exciting enough, and they got into it, but their favorite part was the side trip to the chamber with the pool, where they had to figure out how to extricate a small treasure chest from amidst magically frozen rats, without getting trapped and frozen themselves. I also decided the mushrooms there would be useful magical ingredients and were safe to eat, but made the characters glow blue the remainder of the adventure, which tickled the kids. 

In all, you've roped in three kids, 7 through 11, who had a blast with their first RPG and one dad who had a blast with them, and got to roll some serious dice for the first time in ages. I highly recommend the bundle for grownups whose professional life doesn't leave lots of time for creating—the adventures are a lifesaver."

Finally:

"This product as a whole, Hero Kids, is an amazing investment. 

My 5 year old son and I have played over ten times in the first few weeks of owning it. I love how imaginative he gets. My D&D group has a few dads and we got together to all play. Each adventure is unique and has many options to increase the replay factor. 

It's flexible enough that we can go rules lite and really let the story be the focus, or play it straight up and work on his math and counting! And the narration is wonderful, putting the kids as the heroes to do what the grown ups can't! 

I have recommended this product and all of its adventures and expansions to all of my friends with kids."

Hero Kids Creator's Guild coming soon!

People of Hero Kids, in June we're launching the Hero Kids Creator's Guild on DriveThruRPG. The Hero Kids Creator's Guild is home to community created adventures, translations, monsters, equipment, heroes, pets, and expansions.

For game designers, translators, and enthusiasts, the Creator's Guild is a place to contribute to the Hero Kids universe. Here, creators can build on existing Hero Kids materials or create something new. Creators can publish and sell their work to the growing community of Hero Kids fans.

If you're interested in participating in the Creator's Guild program and getting something ready for the launch, get in touch with me here or at justinhalliday(a)gmail[.]com.

Hero Advancement Cards

Phew!  That was harder than it should have been.  The Hero Advancement Cards for Hero Kids are done, dusted, and released:

Hero Kids - Hero Advancement Cards

The Hero Advancement Cards expansion includes 120 cards, and allows players to improve all aspects of their heroes:
• Improve abilities (melee, ranged, magic, or armor)
• Gain new abilities (melee, ranged, magic, or armor)
• Add an additional health level to their hero
• Learn new skills
• Train new special actions
• Master new bonus abilities

Here's a look at the cards in the pack (warning; there's a lot!):

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Check out the Hero Kids Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle at DriveThruRPG

New adventure Darkness Neath Rivenshore

I've just released a new Hero Kids adventure; Darkness Neath Rivenshore!

This seven-encounter adventure takes place in the ancient tunnels, chambers, and cisterns beneath Rivenshore.

When the town’s well runs dry, a child’s pleas for help echo from the dry pit. The kids must delve to rescue the lost child. Yet something sinister lurks in the ancient structures beneath the town, and the kids will need all their skill and bravery to rescue the lost child Emon.

• Adventure with seven encounters and maps
• Monster Cards for the unique monsters (water beasts, dire rats, slime, slime beast)
• Additional 14 modular encounter maps

I'm trying something new with this adventure, it includes two possible endings, one for younger kids, and another for more mature players:

• The heroes rescue the lost child and reunite him with his parents
• The heroes discover that the lost child is a ghost who died in the well long ago

In the ‘rescue’ ending, the heroes find the child hiding in the final room, and reunite him with his parents. In the ‘ghost’ ending, the heroes find the child's bones, and take them to the cemetery to bury alongside his family.

I playtested the adventure with the 'ghost' ending, which my kiddos found challenging, but not distressing.

Once we got to the climax of the adventure, my youngest - Dash - twigged pretty quickly about the bones at the bottom of the fountain pool.  Violet was a bit more affected by the ending of the ending of the adventure, but they both determined to help reunite Emon with his (also long-dead) parents.

All in all, I was very proud of how they dealt with the adventure.

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Check out the Hero Kids Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle at DriveThruRPG

All Hallow's Eve Heroes

This expansion for Hero Kids includes ten new All Hallows' Eve heroes for your game:

• Jester Alchemist - The jester always gets the last laugh against anyone nearby
• Bear Brute - The bear brute is a formidable combatant
• Satyr Druid - The satyr can channel powerful druidic healing
• Krampus Duelist - Terrifying in stature and in combat
• Raven Hunter - The raven harries enemies from a distance
• Gorgon Mage - The gorgon is easily mistaken for a statue, to much demise
• Scarecrow Reaper - The reaper's razor sharp scythe sorts wheat from chaff
• Banshee Warlock - The banshee unleashes her fury against her foes
• Ghost Warlock - This ghostly specter crackles with magical energy
• Harpy Warrior - The harpy snatches up her enemies and drops them

Get them now from DriveThruRPG:

Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Hero Cards VI

Reign of the Dragon adventure!

Folks, it's been a long time coming, but I've finally finished the latest Hero Kids adventure: Reign of the Dragon.

This is by far the largest Hero Kids adventure yet, weighing in at a whopping 57 pages of encounters, maps and monsters.

This premium adventure takes the kids on a journey to rescue the dragon Algoxarth. Can the kids slip past the cultists who have surrounded Rivenshore? And can they rescue Algoxarth and her dragon egg from the Dragon Prince, or will he succeed in his fiendish plan?

• Premium adventure with 11 encounters
• Includes monsters; cultists, dragon, dragon hatchling, dragon prince
• Includes two playable heroes; dragon hatchling and dragon warrior
• Comes with 13 new modular map tiles and more variations

The kids certainly had a blast helping out with this adventure.  They both chose a core hero and a pet for this one.  Violet chose the female warrior (Ayla) and the fox (Bliss).  Dash chose the warlock (Warlock) and the wolf (Wolfy).

But it's quite long, so I recommend splitting it up across at least two sessions.

Check it out here at DriveThruRPG:

DriveThruRPG: Hero Kids - Reign of the Dragon

Hero Kids reviews and feedback roundup

It's been a little while, but I've been working/slaving on... Hero Kids things!

In the interim, there's been lots of reviews and random feedback for Hero Kids, so let's round it up:

"I just wanted to give you a quick shout to say thanks again for the complementary copy of Hero Kids. I played Basement O' Rats with my 8- and 5-yo boys and they went completely nuts over it! So I went and bought the full fantasy bundle and it has quickly become our favorite hobby.

Once I was comfortable with the system I ran a couple more sessions for my kids and their cousin (11-yo), along with my brother and my sister's boyfriend (both in their 30's) and it was a huge hit with everyone. Of course the adults added their own "flavor" to the game, secretly backstabbing each other and creating some pretty hilarious situations. Both my boys have created their own characters and pets, and my older son has started making maps and wants to run his own games eventually.

Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered the game as it has given me another way to connect to my kids, which is invaluable to me. I appreciate that you gave me a chance to check it out. Thanks and take care!"

Next, how about this:

"6.5 year old has very much enjoyed the game - we've played 2 of the adventures so far - one of which we did one evening while on a family vacation - just had printed the adventure beforehand - handful of 6 sided dice and a very compact game to play whereever the desire (or boredom) may strike.

Simple rules, simple math, the adults have had fun, she has had fun. Works on listening skills, critical thinking, some good math practice for the age group, and at least one of the adventures highlighted a discussion we needed to have on what kinds of things are appropriate for "keeping secrets" vs what should be discussed with an adult."

And maybe this:

"What a great system to introduce RPGs to my 6yo boy! I was an AD&D and GURPS player from waaaay back when, and have been missing the hobby. When my son found my old D&D books and expressed interest, I jumped at the opportunity. I went looking for an age-appropriate system, ultimately landing on Hero Kids.

We had our first extended session this past weekend, and boy howdy did he have fun! He picked up the game mechanics straight away, and I got back into my old GM groove (just like old times!) He immediately gravitated to the Wolfchild character, and we spent several hours just developing his backstory, and my mind is abuzz with some fun ideas for an extended storyline. I'm so jazzed he's taken to the hobby so enthusiastically, and that I'm able to scratch that RPG itch after so long.

Thanks for creating such a great game!"

And how about this:

"I DM D&D for my family and friends, but my younger kids and their friends want to play, too, and it is just over their heads. Hero Kids is simplified enough where the kids can grasp the concept, yet versitile enough that they can bring their own flair to the premade characters, or create their own custom characters. The system is well thought out and balanced fairly. I like how the hit points are simplifed and are "knocked out" instead of killed (Though I have some kids with huge imaginations that want the deaths to be cartoon bloody. lol).

I bought the complete package with extra heros, bad guys, and adventures. They're all awesome. I absolutely love that every hero and mob comes with a paper mini, too, that can be colored in for personalization. :)"

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Check out Hero Kids - Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle on DriveThruRPG

Hero Kids Bundle of Holding!

Friends, the latest Bundle of Holding is all Hero Kids, all the time!

This bundle includes over $80 of fantasy and sci-fi Hero Kids PDFs for a fantastic low price, and in support of the Reading is Fundamental charity.

If you've only got the core Hero Kids rules, this is a great opportunity to complete your collection.

Hero Kids - Bundle of Holding

Monstrous heroes into the fray!

This expansion for Hero Kids includes ten new monstrous heroes:

• Gargoyle Ambusher - The gargoyle hides in plain sight and swoops to attack
• Bugbear Brute - The bugbear brute swings a tree-trunk club
• Frogling Hunter - The frogling's sticky tongue pulls enemies closer
• Minotaur Knight - This bovine beast can charge with fierce horns
• Mummy Mage - The withering mummy terrifies enemies
• Goblin Rogue - Sneaky goblins scamper in and out from enemies
• Tengu Rogue - This baby tengu rains daggers at distracted enemies
• Fox Trickster - The fox deceives enemies with cunning and guile
• Kobold Warrior - This tiny kobold is a reckless warrior
• Lizardkin Warrior - Lizardkin are versatile warriors

Get them now from DriveThruRPG:
Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Hero Cards V

New Monstrous Hero Kids Pets!

This expansion for Hero Kids includes ten new monsterous pets:

• Beguiler - The beguiler's eyestalks unleash powerful and versatile magic
• Boar - The battle-boar carries stalwart heroes into battle
• Gorilla - Enemies' attacks only strengthen the gorilla's attacks
• Griffon - The griffon swoops down to carry off its prey
• Hydra - Each of the hydra's three heads has a different ability
• Phoenix - The phoenix is shrouded in blankets of flame
• Salamander - The quick-footed salamander radiates intense heat
• Wyrmling - This juvenile dragon spits balls of crackling lightning
• Wyvern - The wyvern fledgling buffets enemies with its wings
• Yeti - The thick-furred yeti throws hard-packed icy boulders

Get them now from DriveThruRPG:
Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Pet Cards II

Downloadable Hero Kids GM Screen

Spencer over at Wisps of Time has put together a free Hero Kids gamemaster's screen AND a Google Docs version of Josiah Fiscus's encounter generator spreadsheet!

Check them out:
Hero Kids Compatible Game Master Screen

Super Kids by Conrad Evanshire

I love seeing people take Hero Kids and using it in new ways, so it's great to see Conrad's take on a superheroes in Hero Kids.

From the description:

"Capital City needs superheroes. The police are kept busy dealing with all sorts of problems. Criminals, monsters, aliens, and super villains pose constant threats. This is a city that can use all the help it can get. That’s where super kids come in!

Super kids have awesome powers. They can call down lightning on their adversaries, fly over the battlefield, summon minions to do their bidding, shapeshift into powerful creatures, pick up and toss enemies, and more. Some are as tall as giants, others have wings, horns, and tails, and still others equip themselves with gadgets like water cannons and snowball bazookas.

This expansion allows you to introduce your young players to superhero roleplaying games using the Hero Kids’ rule system. It provides details on the setting, inventory and skills, and 14 ready-made Super Kids characters. Super Kids can be set in any time or place. Other Hero Kids’ material can be adapted by Game Masters to suit your Super Kids gaming."

Check out Super Kids at DriveThruRPG:
Super Kids - A Superhero Expansion for Hero Kids

And its adventure:
New Recruits - A Super Kids Adventure

Construction Paper Kingdom campaign

Check it out, people! Ryan Ross has just released a huge Hero Kids compatible Construction Paper Kingdom campaign.

Adventures in The Construction Paper Kingdom Presents "Scourge of The Goblyn Flu"

Monster Compendium 50% off in print!

Alrighty-then.  The new Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium softcover book is DONE!  Here's proof:

Let's take a look inside:

Use this link for 50% off the softcover Hero Kids Monster Compendium:
Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium

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Introducing Hero Kids Monster Compendium

It's DONE!  (The PDF anyway...)

Now, I know you're dying to know what's in this bad boy!  The PDF of the Monster Compendium has 136 monsters in the 60 page book.  I've designed multiple monsters for most of the 'types', so you can mix and match them to create interesting (and challenging encounters).

Bats, Beguilers, Boars, Brigands, Bugbears, Commoners, Constructs, Coot and Crone, Cultists, Dragons, Elementals, Firestarter, Flaming Skull, Foxes, Froglings, Gargoyle, Ghost, Giants, Gladiators, Goblins, Gorillas, Guards, Helm Knight, Hydra, Knights, Kobolds, Lizardkin, Minotaur, Mummies, Pirates, Ratlings, Rats, Scorpion, Sea Serpent, Skeletons, Slimes, Snakes, Spiders, Tengu, Water Beast, Weasels, Werewolf, Wolves, Wraith, Wyvern, Zombies...

Each monster section contains ecology and adventure hooks for the monsters.  As Brian Benoit says:

"From the perspective of a GM, I absolutely love all the hooks you've included in the book.  You could literally flip to any page and run an off-the-cuff adventure off of any one of the hooks provided, so I love the book from that perspective.  I also like the lists of names included, makes it easy to name an NPC on the fly.  It's a nice touch."

The PDF also comes with another 51 page PDF for all of the monster stand-ups.  They look like this:

It's slightly hard to see here, but the top half is monsters numbered 1 to 4, and the bottom half of the page is the monsters numbered 5-8.  So depending on how you play, and how many monsters you throw at your heroes, you can just cut the top half of each of these pages.

Now that the PDFs are finished (pending any updates), I'm gonna put together a print version of this Monster Compendium.

Get the Hero Kids Monster Compendium here:
Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium

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Six-Score Monsters Approaching...

Sooooo...  I'm still working on the monsters for the upcoming Hero Kids monster compendium. And now's a good time for an update.  First, I've finished 120 monsters.  Approximately 40 of these are from previous adventures and the core game.  The rest are new.  There's also a bunch of new art for some of the old monsters...

Second, I'm currently editing these monsters.  Much highlighting.

Third, I've been exploring boss monsters and how to make them work well when fighting one to four heroes.  For example, this hydra is my current favorite.  As you can see, each of its heads must attack a different target, giving it more actions as the number of attackers increases:

Finally, here's a preview of all these bad boys (and girls):