After years of fan requests and months of quiet teasing, Here to Slay: Banner Quest is officially launching on January 1. The expansion, developed by Unstable Games, represents one of the biggest shake-ups the hit fantasy card game has seen since its original release.
While the January launch marks its arrival on shelves, Banner Quest was first unveiled much earlier, during a surprise announcement that immediately caught the attention of the Here to Slay community.
Image Credit: Unstable Games
Banner Quest’s First Reveal Back in October 2024
Banner Quest was officially announced on October 15, 2024, in a creator update shared during Unstable Games’ Twisted Cryptids campaign. The reveal came after months of subtle hints, including a carefully worded Q&A during an earlier livestream that many fans later realised was a quiet tease.
According to the announcement, Banner Quest had been in development for nearly two years. The team described it as a major expansion designed to introduce brand-new mechanics, higher player interaction, and a completely new way to win the game.
At the time, Unstable Games confirmed that Banner Quest would be available as an early access Kickstarter exclusive. Backers could secure the expansion by adding it to their Twisted Cryptids pledge, or by pledging a small amount and picking it up later through the BackerKit add-on store once the campaign ended.
Unstable Games also made it clear that while Banner Quest and its dedicated play mat would eventually be sold through their website, backing the Kickstarter guaranteed early access to the expansion and its related extras. For many fans, it was the first chance to play with mechanics that had been quietly in development behind the scenes.
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What Is Here to Slay?
For those new to the series, Here to Slay is a competitive fantasy card game built around fast turns, dice rolls, and light role-playing elements. Players build a party of heroes from different classes or race to slay monsters, all while using items, magic cards, and sabotage tactics to disrupt their opponents.
Created by the same studio behind Unstable Unicorns, the game became a breakout hit after its Kickstarter campaign raised over US$3 million from nearly 39,000 backers. Its blend of accessible rules, expressive artwork, and chaotic strategy helped it become one of Unstable Games’ most popular titles.
Image via Kickstarter.com
How Banner Quest Changes the Game
Banner Quest introduces a new strategic focus through oversized Banner cards that stay in play and provide ongoing effects. These Banners cannot be destroyed, attacked, or returned to a player’s hand, but they can be seized by other players, ensuring that no advantage is ever truly safe.
The expansion also introduces new win conditions. Players can now win by ending their turn while holding three or more Banners, or by slaying three Monsters, giving matches multiple paths to victory and more tension throughout each round.
The Banner System Explained
There are two main types of Banners in the expansion.
Class Banners are tied to hero classes. There are ten Class Banners in total, each corresponding to a class found across the base game and expansion packs. To claim one, a player must be the first to assemble three heroes of the same class in their party, including their Party Leader. If another player later reaches the same milestone, the Banner can be seized.
The Hunter’s Trophy Banner works differently. There is only one in the entire game. The first player to slay a Monster claims it, and every subsequent Monster slay causes the Banner to change hands. This single card creates a constant tug-of-war that rewards aggression and timing.
To support these systems, Banner Quest introduces Class Tokens. Certain cards allow players to change a hero’s class mid-game, opening up new tactical options for stealing Banners or meeting Monster requirements. Double-sided tokens are included to clearly track class changes without adding mental overhead.
What’s Included in the Expansion
The final retail version of Here to Slay: Banner Quest includes 32 standard cards, 11 oversized Banner cards, 2 Monster cards, 20 double-sided Class Tokens, and a full rulebook.
Image Credit: Fictional Focus on Youtube
The expansion is fully compatible with all existing Here to Slay content. Players using only the base game can easily remove Banners, cards, and tokens tied to expansion-only classes, keeping setup clean and flexible.
Games still support two to six players, with typical play sessions lasting between 15 and 30 minutes.
Seeing the Content and How It Plays
Ahead of release, Fictional Focus has shared an how-to-play video that walks through both the content of the expansion and the flow of gameplay. The video shows how Banners are claimed, how they shift between players, and how the new win conditions reshape decision-making from the opening turns to the final moments of a match.
It serves as both an overview of what is included in Banner Quest and a practical guide for players looking to jump in as soon as the expansion launches.
New Play Mats Launching Alongside Banner Quest
January 1 will also see the release of new premium play mats designed specifically around Banner Quest. These include themed bundles, class-focused designs, and a dedicated Banner Quest Play Mat built to organise Party Leaders, heroes, Banners, and slain Monsters.
This Banner Quest Play Mat is notably the longest Unstable Games has ever produced, measuring 22.7 by 11 inches. It was created to support the expansion’s added components while keeping the table layout clean and readable.
Image Credit: Unstable Games
The play mats will be available through UnstableGames.com and TeeTurtle.com, alongside bundled options for fans looking to upgrade their setup.
The Future of the Here to Slay Universe
Looking further ahead, Unstable Games has confirmed that Here to Slay DUNGEONS will debut in Spring 2026 on Gamefound. Unlike the competitive card game format, DUNGEONS is a cooperative dungeon-crawler that expands the Here to Slay universe into a more customisable role-playing experience.
Image Credit: Unstable Games
More details and previews are expected as the campaign approaches, but the announcement makes it clear that Here to Slay is evolving into a broader fantasy franchise.
Release Date and Availability
Here to Slay: Banner Quest launches on January 1 and will be available through UnstableGames.com and select retailers. With its long development history, deeper strategy, and new ways to win, Banner Quest stands out as one of the most significant expansions the game has received to date.