Star Realms United: Heroes – How to Use the Hero Cards

What the Heroes pack adds to your game

Star Realms United: Heroes is a 13-card pack: one rules card and 12 new Hero cards. These Heroes are not shuffled into your starting deck like ordinary cards. Instead, you acquire them directly into play, which means you get their powerful effects immediately and can also trigger ally abilities. The pack is designed to be used with the Star Realms United set, but the Hero cards themselves are self-contained—just follow the included rules card for any specific interactions.

The other three Star Realms United expansion packs are sold separately and add multi-faction ships, bases, and mission cards. Heroes focuses on immediate, repeatable effects, so it works well as a small add-on that changes how you time your purchases and scraps.

How to set up and play with Hero cards

Before you start, separate the 12 Hero cards from the rules card. The rules card explains any special interactions, so keep it handy. Heroes are not part of your personal deck at the start; they form a separate row or pile that players can acquire from during the game. The exact arrangement depends on the Star Realms United rules you are using, but the key is that Heroes are available to acquire directly into play.

1. Step 1: Separate the Hero cards: Remove the rules card and set the 12 Hero cards aside. Do not shuffle them into the main trade deck unless your specific game variant instructs otherwise.
2. Step 2: Place Heroes within reach: Put the Hero cards face up where all players can see them. They are acquired like other cards, but their effects happen immediately.
3. Step 3: Acquire a Hero on your turn: When you buy a Hero, it goes directly into play—not into your discard pile. Resolve its effect right away, then follow any additional instructions on the card.
4. Step 4: Trigger ally abilities: Heroes can trigger ally abilities if you have other cards of the same faction in play. Check the Hero’s faction and your current play area to see if an ally bonus applies.
5. Step 5: Decide whether to scrap: Some Heroes let you scrap them immediately for a powerful one-time effect, or you can save them to use again later. Choose based on whether you need the effect now or want to set up a bigger turn.

Timing your Hero acquisitions and scraps

The central decision with Heroes is when to acquire and when to scrap. Acquiring a Hero gives you an immediate effect, but many Heroes also offer a scrap ability that can be used right away or saved for later. If you scrap a Hero immediately, you get a burst of power now but lose the card. If you hold it, you can use its acquire effect again on a future turn—provided you have the resources to acquire it again. This creates a trade-off between short-term tempo and long-term value.

Because Heroes enter play directly, they can also trigger ally abilities at the moment you acquire them. That means the timing of your Hero purchase can matter as much as the Hero itself. For example, if you already have other cards of the same faction in play, acquiring a Hero might set off an ally bonus that swings the turn. Plan your acquisitions around your existing board state to maximize these moments.

Pack contents at a glance

• Star Realms United: Heroes: This 13-card pack contains a rules card and 12 new Hero cards. Knowing exactly what you get helps you decide if Heroes is the right small expansion for your group and whether you need the other United packs for full missions.

  

• Star Realms United: Heroes: Acquire these heroes directly into play to immediately gain powerful effects and to trigger ally abilities. This is the core rule that makes Heroes different from standard deck-building cards—you get the effect the moment you buy, not after a reshuffle.
• Star Realms United: Heroes: Scrap them right away or save them for the perfect moment to do it again! The scrap decision is the main strategic lever with Heroes; understanding that you can choose to scrap immediately or later is key to using them well.

Common questions about Hero cards

Do Heroes go into my deck? No—they are acquired directly into play. After resolving their effect, they are typically scrapped or set aside as instructed by the card. They do not become part of your personal deck unless a specific card says otherwise.

Can I use Heroes without Star Realms United? The pack is designed as an expansion for Star Realms United, and the rules card references that set. While the Hero cards themselves are self-contained, you’ll need the base game and the United set to use them as intended. The other United expansion packs are not required but add ships, bases, and missions.

How many Heroes should I include? The pack contains 12 Hero cards. How many you use in a game depends on the format you’re playing; the rules card will guide you. For a typical game, you might use a subset, but the full set gives you variety across multiple plays.