The dungeon-crawling renaissance continues as Avalon Hill, Hasbro's storied strategy game imprint, has finally pulled back the curtain on highly anticipated details for actor and superfan Joe Manganiello’s upcoming HeroQuest expansion. Titled "Rise of the Dread Moon," this collaboration marks a milestone in the beloved fantasy board game’s revival, blending Manganiello’s lifelong passion for the franchise with fresh, high-stakes adventures. Fans worldwide are now buzzing with excitement as concrete gameplay mechanics, narrative hooks, and miniature designs emerge.
For the uninitiated, HeroQuest isn’t just a game—it’s a legend. Originally released in 1989 by Milton Bradley and Games Workshop, it pioneered accessible dungeon exploration with its modular board, plastic furniture, and tense quest-based gameplay. Its 2021 reboot by Avalon Hill shattered crowdfunding records, proving the decades-old flame still burned bright. Now, with Manganiello—known for roles in True Blood and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and an outspoken tabletop advocate—stepping into a design role, the expansion promises to elevate the system to new heights.
Manganiello’s involvement isn’t superficial. A self-proclaimed "lifelong HQ devotee," he approached Avalon Hill with a vision: to craft an epic, character-driven saga worthy of the game’s legacy. "This isn’t a celebrity vanity project," he emphasized in earlier interviews. "It’s a love letter to the game that shaped my imagination." His expansion introduces a sprawling 10-quest campaign centered on the sinister Dread Moon, a celestial omen heralding the return of the undead sorceress Vélezor. Players will confront corrupted forests, necromantic strongholds, and a new faction of spectral enemies, all while navigating moral choices that alter the story’s outcome.
So, what’s new? Avalon Hill’s latest reveal dives deep into mechanics. First, the Spiritborn character class debuts—a versatile warrior with ethereal abilities, including temporary intangibility and spirit-based attacks. Accompanying them are 35 finely sculpted miniatures, including spectral knights, corrupted treants, and Vélezor herself, all rendered in HeroQuest’s signature style. The expansion also introduces "Dread Points," a dynamic system where players’ decisions accumulate cosmic dread, influencing enemy spawns and environmental hazards. Fail to rescue a village? Expect tougher undead patrols later.
Environmentally, the game evolves with new tiles depicting moonlit groves and crumbling necropolises, alongside furniture like possessed altars and haunted trees. But the crown jewel is the campaign’s branching design. As Manganiello noted, "Your choices have weight. One misstep could doom an ally—or unleash Vélezor’s full wrath." This narrative depth, rare in classic HeroQuest, signals Avalon Hill’s commitment to modernizing the experience without sacrificing its nostalgic soul.
For an in-depth look at the reveals, including exclusive images of the miniatures and Vélezor’s haunting design, check out the full coverage here:
Avalon Hill Releases More Details of Joe Manganiello’s HeroQuest Adventure Expansion.
Community reaction has been electric. On Reddit and BoardGameGeek, fans praise the Spiritborn class’s versatility and the Dread Point system’s tension-building potential. "It feels like a natural evolution—Manganiello gets what made the original magical," commented longtime player Derek Turner. Others highlight the miniatures’ detail, particularly Vélezor’s blend of elegance and menace, calling it "peak HeroQuest aesthetic."
Avalon Hill also confirmed compatibility: Rise of the Dread Moon integrates seamlessly with the 2021 base game and previous expansions like Frozen Horror and Mage of the Mirror. Pre-orders are slated to open later this summer via Hasbro Pulse and select retailers, with a Q1 2025 release expected. While pricing remains unconfirmed, insider whispers suggest it’ll align with prior large expansions (around $50-$60 USD).
The collaboration underscores a broader trend: celebrity passion projects revitalizing niche hobbies. Manganiello follows critical darling Henry Cavill (Warhammer 40K) and Terry Crews (tabletop RPG advocacy), proving star power can authentically amplify geek culture. For Avalon Hill, it’s a strategic masterstroke—leveraging Manganiello’s credibility to attract new players while rewarding the faithful.
As the Dread Moon rises, so does anticipation. This expansion isn’t just new content; it’s a testament to HeroQuest’s enduring magic—a game where imagination, dice, and plastic orcs forge lifelong memories. Manganiello’s dream project is poised to deliver exactly that: an unforgettable adventure where every choice echoes in the shadows. Prepare your spells, sharpen your swords, and ready your courage. The greatest quest yet awaits.
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