It starts again! But...

[Count Mohawk]

Oh no! I'll have to change the text in my signature to "They do call me 'Count' Mohawk just 'cause I tell 'em to!"!

[cornixt]

In vanilla Hero Quest, the Heroes are dubbed Champions at the conclusion of the base system Quest Book. This distinction carries no in-game reward.

This is not true...?!
You become a champion after completing "three tasks" as per Mentor's introduction in the beginning of the quest book.
in my opinion this translates as completing the first three quests.

You are right in that it has no actual meaning in-game. It's pure flavor.

Plus you get all that extra cash. My kids were overjoyed at being able to draw their own shield on the character sheet!

[Kitch1982]

Thanks guys! Yes I'm adding in a little upgrade/reward for my hero's when they reach champion status! I was hoping it was 10 quests at least but oh well

[Goblin-King]

Just make it 10 then...

But really... While we all kind of want the champion status to be a title awarded to the heroes of the empire, saviors of the realm, defenders against evil...
In reality I think it's more like the heroes having passed the bar and are now basically just sergeants. Nothing spectacular, but still higher ranking than normal soldiers.
It's like a hero's diploma.

[knightkrawler]

I did away with it. Either you play with advancement, then the ruling is ludicrous and too simplistic/one-dimensional and meaningless to boot,
or you play without advancement, then it's utterly meaningless.
I imagine a Hero completing a number of missions - however many a playing group decides on - is anointed to Knighthood or given some land or made, yeah, sergeant or something along those lines.
But imagine what the words champion and you in a sentence meant to a 10-year old boy in 1991's US (or anywhere, for that matter).

[Daedalus]

I know this isn't in exactly the correct thread but can anyone tell me how many quests you must complete to become a champion? And is this the highest level you can reach?

Like Goblin-King said, a Hero becomes a Champion after completing 3 Quests. The benefits are later access to potions of the Alchemist's Shop and hiring Men-at-arms. As it appears you are an EU player, that should suffice. However, the North American game works a bit differently regarding attainment of Champion status.

First off, the NA instruction booklet doesn't mention Champions at all. How to become a Champion is mentioned in the opening fluff text of the Adventure Booklet of the Main Game System: "...Each of you must complete 14 Quests. If your do this, you will be acclaimed as Champions of the Realm and dubbed Imperial Knights...." Also, Quest 14, Return to Barak Tor, notes that all surviving Heroes who successfully complete the Quest are awarded Champion status.

So the NA rules dub Heroes as Imperial Knights as well--take that, EU players! The fluff text continues: "...Only then will you be on the road to becoming true Heroes...." No honorific mentioned, but an indefinite, higher level is implied. More on that later.

Secondly, the opening fluff text of the Barbarian Quest Pack mentions a less formal, northern-tribal path to becoming a champion with a lower-case "c." They seek a champion to confront the Frozen Horror, and have set forth three Quests as a test for the lone Barbarian to prove he or she is that champion.

The Elf Quest Pack features a similar set of three Quests as a test, but no mention of being a champion. However, both Quest Packs upgrade a starting Hero quickly in the solo Quests well in excess of 1000 gold coins of gear and treasure, so effectively these starting Heroes become champions, though not Imperial Knights.

Next, the BQP introduces Mercenaries, which are essentially just EU Men-at-arms. They may be hired by a starting Barbarian only after the first three solo Quests are completed and he or she is acclaimed a champion. For other Heroes in the group, this can be as much as 20 Quests after attaining Champion status, following Kellar's Keep and Return of the Witch Lord. However, those other Heroes have enjoyed the other benefit of becoming Champions when they gained access to the potions of the Alchemist's Shop and spell scrolls in those expansions.

Finally, a word about the highest level. No limit is set, though in the EQP Queen Terrellia has the Heroes' names set in the ancient Book of Elven Heroes and the Elf can gain the Elven Bracers. This artifact grants him or her 2 extra Body Points and 1 extra Mind Point. In the BQP, the Barbarian's praises will be sung forever in the Northlands and he gains the Amulet of the Northlands. That artifact grants him or her 2 extra Body Points and 1 extra Mind Point.

For an EU alternative, the Emperor awards a Ring of Brilliance to each Hero at the end of The Dark Company linked Quests. What that means is left for the evil wizard player to decide, though at least it sounds like an accolade succeeding Champion. Some at the Inn have suggested these rings be ascribed artifact power similar to an Amulet of the North or Elven Bracers.