Hero Tactic Thursday’s Dev Blog
Community Update: Starter Decks, Charge Counters, and New Class Abilities
Hello everyone, and welcome to another weekly blog from your friends at Dragon’s Gate Design Studios.
We have several important updates to share this week, from new gameplay mechanics to digital tools that bring Hero Tactics closer to full release.
Digital Progress: Deck Builder and Life Tracker App
First, a huge thank you to Donavin, who has been working tirelessly to develop our digital ecosystem.
The official Hero Tactics website is nearly complete. You will soon be able to browse the full Dawn of War set and build your own decks directly through the site. This will make testing smoother and help everyone share builds and strategies more easily.
In the mean-time, check out The Card Viewer app launched earlier this week! This is still showing the cards from the playtest, and will be updated with the full launch to latest rule changes.
Donavin is also finalizing the Hero Tactics Life Counter App, a streamlined way to track Health, Afflictions, Counters, and more. With a single tap, players can even introduce a new challenger into the field.
Both of these tools are significant milestones that will make it easier for the community to engage with the game and each other.
Gameplay Update: New Starter Decks
While Donavin has been focused on the technical side, I have been updating and rebalancing cards for testing.
As promised, we now have a set of new and improved Starter Decks. Each deck includes five characters that complement each other in play and are designed to provide balanced matchups. These decks feature updated damage values, new hero skills, and a few mechanics that expand gameplay depth.
Even returning testers will notice that some familiar characters have evolved. The goal is to make each match feel more dynamic and every decision more meaningful.
You will be able to preview this decks with the fully launched Hero Tactics App!
New Mechanics in Testing
Charge Counters
Certain characters now generate Charge Counters when specific conditions are met. Once a character has accumulated enough counters, players may remove them to trigger a special effect.
Activating this effect does not cause the character to rest or require players to pass priority. These abilities function similarly to reactions and can even be used during an opponent’s turn.
Front Row and Back Row Roles
Some heroes now benefit from placement-based bonuses. Their abilities may change depending on where they are positioned.
Front Row: typically focused on offense or protection
Back Row: generally provides healing, buffs, or support
This feature adds a new layer of tactical depth to positioning and strategy.
Class-Specific Keywords
To strengthen class identity, we have introduced keyword abilities for certain archetypes:
Lancer – Pierce: Ignores shields and defensive effects
Berserker – Breaker: Destroys a set number of shields before applying damage
These distinctions make combat interactions more transparent and give each class a unique mechanical flavor.
Community Reception
We have been sharing the latest build of Hero Tactics with new players, and the feedback has been very positive. Many have noted that the game feels distinct and engaging, offering both tactical play and strong thematic character identity.
Our focus remains on refining balance while preserving that uniqueness that sets Hero Tactics apart.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you again for your continued support and feedback. Every discussion, test, and suggestion helps us make Hero Tactics a better experience.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog, where we will share additional balance updates, early art previews, and insights into the next phase of development.
Until then, keep testing and strategizing, and thank you for being part of the growing Hero Tactics community.
– Guillermo
