I just recently got Runebound and will probably be playing alot of solo games any recommendations on which hero to play with

I play mostly solo now and rotate the heroes. For fun, I made a quick chart to track wins and losses for each one. Not playing the same hero every time helps keep the game fresh for me.

I also use the travel hazard variant and my own solo rule of knockout equals death for the hero, so a solo game can be rather short and give you time for multiple plays in one sitting.

All the heroes are good in different ways. I can't remember all of the off the top of my head but red scorpion is good. Also the character that allows you to take an exhaustion to attack in a second phase that round. Generally though I preder heroes which have at least one category in which they do 2 damage.

If playing solo check out not only this forum, but the Board Game Geek site, for solo house rules, ideas, etc. Re characters to use, I would think all of them - why not?? - or go with the party idea, and use several.

Shuffle them together and randomly select one - that's the only way to play.

My solo rules: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/122763

My guide to expansions when you are ready for more: http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=769&Itemid=551

There are basically three "types" of heroes that differ in the strength in the three phases of combat...Range, melee, magic. They all play differently and I would start by exploring one of each type. That being said, it is not unheard that a character strong in melee will not end up strongest in Range or magic if you choose to boost those stats in leveling.

Some have said that the Ranged heroes are strongest because they can kill their challenges in the first round of combat, while magic heroes have to last two phases before getting to attack; however, I have found they all have strengths and weaknesses and are pretty well balanced.

I would rotate through all of the characters. Each will give a totally different play experience.

Enjoy