Sparks and Recreation

In what is essentially part 2 of the PaxU experience, this episode features Tuff taking center stage to share his experiences at the con, where he participated in both the Star Realms and Hero Realms Legends tournaments. The crew first dives into the Star Realms event, where a controversial ruling against Tuff created some unexpected turbulence. This sparks a larger conversation about shuffling techniques and the nuances of playing in paper. But the story doesn’t end there! The Hero Realms tournament the following day offered a shot at redemption. With immaculate shuffling and sharp gameplay, Tuff fought his way to an impressive second-place finish. Join us as we break down all the details from the most recent tournament scene, and also reveal the recent S&R contest winners!Star Realms Discussion: 8:13Hero Realms Discussion: 35:17Taps/Scraps and Goodbyes: 56:09Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg & John "Tuff" LabellaProducer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcContact S&R: contact@sparks-and-recreation.comSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

Sam "scrapforce" Parsons and Jeff "Tuff" Labella sit down with Hero Realms designer Rob Dougherty at PaxU to discuss the balancing process for the game, future digital game developments, and more!Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Sam "Scrapforce" Parsons, John "Tuff" Labella, and special guest Rob DoughertyProducer: Matthew RooksHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcContact S&R: contact@sparks-and-recreation.comSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

Draconis 8: 9:26WWYD: 16:49Getting to know Asawesomas: 32:56Bard Build Lab: 51:38 RangerBuild Lab: 2:00:16Community Round-up: 2:20:03Taps/Scraps and Goodbyes: 2:34:48Join DblDubz, Tuff, and Filtrophobe as they welcome special guest Asawesomas aboard the SS Sparks & Rec! After briefly touching on Draconis 8, the episode kicks off with the always-entertaining WWYD segment before diving into an interview to learn more about Asawesomas and his history with the game. Then it’s time for a double helping of Build Lab goodness! First up: Bard at level 16—tactics, build choices, and match-ups, are all analyzed in great detail. But wait, there’s more! The team does it all again (much more quickly!) for Ranger, breaking down the key tactics and synergies that define the class. Whether you play one, the other, both, or neither…you’re sure to pick up some new insights! Of course, no episode would be complete without a spin through the latest community events in the round-up before the crew signs off.Asawesomas’ Bard Build: https://www.realmsrising.com/strats/a-tale-of-triumph-bringing-bard-into-the-spotlight/Filtrophobe’s Ranger Build: https://www.realmsrising.com/strats/five-builds-to-get-started-in-pvp-ancestry-edition/Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg, Cooper "Filtrophobe" Fitzpatrick, John "Tuff" Labella, and special guest Alex "Asawesomas"Producer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcContact S&R: contact@sparks-and-recreation.comSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

Interview with DaKatSesMeow: 1:39Audio submission by Filtrophobe: 1:29:48Audio submission by Romu: 1:38:16Taps/Scraps and Goodbyes: 1:51:29With the sixth season of the Tavern Brawl concluded, it’s time to take a look back at what happened. Tuff and DblDubz welcome the Daredevil of the winning team – DaKatSesMeow – onto the show. He dives deep into the event, sharing the behind-the-scenes strategy that made his team’s run one for the history books! From team composition to match-up strategies, the crew breaks down the tough decisions on class and ancestry choices, as well as the weekly pairings that helped secure those crucial wins.The discussion heats up as they reflect on their playoff experience—highlights, key moments, and the road to the finals. Plus, they share insights on teamwork, practice routines, and how they supported each other through the grind. Before wrapping things up, we even get the perspective of two more Daredevils – Filtrophobe and Romu who both captained their teams to excellent finishes this season. If you’re planning to participate in the next season, be sure to give this episode a listen for all the tips to help you level up your game for next time.Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg, John "Tuff" Labella, Alex "DaKatSesMeow" RogersProducer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

To kick off the episode, Tuff is welcomed into the fold as a Sparks & Recreation crew member! Happy to have him onboard, he and Dubz sail forward into a pair of in-game situations with a WWYD and an LFL. Then an initiate of the Damage goes Brrr! clan stops by to say hello. Up next is a conversation covering Tuff’s most recent article where he proposes one balance change per class to balance the meta. What if this were brought to reality by the Lords of Lua to form the first ever Lua League?? Let us know on the Discord server if this appeals to you. Finally the duo discusses the most recent balance update released by WWG. Journey across the realms by signing up for Birdlaw’s upcoming in-person event below! “Commander Realms of the Cosmos” takes place on Saturday, February 1st at CaptainCon. https://tabletop.events/conventions/captaincon-2025/schedule/154 WWYD: 12:26 LFL: 25:51 Lil’ Labella Hello 32:48 Balance Article discussion: 37:09 v279 Balance Changes: 1:32:51 Community Round-up: 1:57:21

Join Tuff and DblDubz for a conversation with StormShield that spans tabletop gaming, in-depth tournament coverage, and even some retro console gaming. It wouldn’t be an episode of Sparks and Rec without a WWYD as well as the community round-up so be sure to check those out. Our giveaway was also announced on this episode. Contest details found here.Giveaway announcement: 3:07 WWYD: 7:33 Getting to know StormShield: 17:00 Tournament Recap: 31:09 Community Round-up: 1:20:49 Goodbyes!: 1:27:34Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg, John "Tuff" LabellaProducer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

On this episode of Sparks & Rec, join DblDubz and Filtrophobe with special guest Tuff as we take a dive into the first level 16 build lab for one of the Dungeons classes – necromancer! Tuff’s recent article on the class provides the framework for the discussion and Filtrophobe’s new article on getting into level 16 PvP is also a point of conversation. Both will be linked below. Listeners will get a chance to analyze some board states with the crew during a WWYD and a LFL. And of course, we touch on community events before scrapping, tapping, and saying goodbye. We hope you enjoy the show!WWYD: 6:03Looking for Lethal: 23:04Mailbag: 30:59Filtro PvP article: 1:17:34Necro Build Lab: 1:23:08Community Round-up: 2:09:47Taps, Scraps, Outro: 2:13:13Bone Dancing to Diamond; A Necro’s Journey: https://www.realmsrising.com/strats/characters/necromancer/bone-dancing-to-diamond-a-necros-journey-levels-1-16/Five Builds to Get Started in PvP, Ancestry Edition: https://www.realmsrising.com/strats/five-builds-to-get-started-in-pvp-ancestry-edition/Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg, John "Tuff" LabellaProducer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

Join the Sparks & Rec crew as Filtrophobe presents the first ever level 16 Meta Mashup. DaKatSesMeow is on hand to give his reactions to the stats while also breaking down his level 16 Boots Thief later on in the Build Lab. Fear not Shadow Mask players as this playstyle is covered in the episode as well. Listeners will of course have a chance to analyze some in-game board states with both a WWYD and a Looking for Lethal. WWYD: 10:20 Looking for Lethal: 19:30 Mailbag: 28:17 Meta-mashup, OG classes: 34:37 Meta-mashup, beta classes: 1:21:16 Build Lab, Shadow Mask: 1:31:08 Build Lab, Silent Boots: 1:41:05 Community Round-up: 2:03:24 Taps, Scraps, Outro: 2:08:54Be sure to check out Filtrophobe’s article on the Level 16 meta-mash up along with the linked YouTube videos showcasing the Boots thief in action. Article: https://www.realmsrising.com/strats/meta-mashup-level-16-for-everyone/ Boots thief gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwEGvGU5imE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0zJmOhVhj0 Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed expandable deckbuilding game from Wise Wizard Games.Hosts: Chris "DblDubz" Walberg, Cooper "Filtrophobe" Fitzpatrick, Alex "DaKatSesMeow" RogersProducer: Chris WalbergHero Helper: https://hero-helper.com/Realms Rising: https://www.realmsrising.comYou can find the WWYD screenshots for this episode here: https://www.realmsrising.com/podcast/the-jam-packed-journeys-jamboree/Patreon: https://patreon.com/sparksandrecHyperGeometric Calculator: https://aetherhub.com/Apps/HyperGeometricCommunity Tournaments & Events Primer (+ signup links): https://www.realmsrising.com/community-events/Realms Rising Discord: https://discord.gg/8pTxKqzFDcContact S&R: contact@sparks-and-recreation.comSupport Sparks & Rec: https://hero-helper.com/support-usSparks & Recreation Website: https://www.realmsrising.com/sparks-and-recreation/Thank you so much to Level 12 Hero Sarah T., Warden Slayer, as well as Level 7 Hero Nudeltulpe!Specific songs used in this episode were:Intro/Outro Music: "Uplifting Orchestra Pack" by GoodBunny. (Under the Music Standard License)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

The Hero Realms digital app offers players the chance to design and code their own custom scripts. One player went so far as to design their own set from the ground up. That player is Userkaffe and he is here to tell us all about his experience in designing and developing this fantastically flavorful and interactive set, filled with synergies– some subtle and some bold! There are some extra links that are super important this week. First is how to actually play these sort of games yourself within the app:WWYD (Industrialization Edition): 3:49 Getting to know Userkaffe: 16:09 Industrialization Design and Development Interview: 42:42 Card Talk (Industrialization Edition): 1:56:06 Community Round-up: 2:15:25 Taps, Scraps, Outro: 2:23:50 (edited)https://www.realmsrising.com/lua/hero-realms-lua-play-at-home-edition/ Check out this card gallery to see all the cards in the Industrialization set: https://imgur.com/a/card-list-hr-industrialization-mod-ZwgxxNy Up next is the main WWG page on Lua Scripting in Hero Realms: https://www.herorealms.com/luascripting/ And if you’re interested in making your own Lua Scripts, there is no better resource than WardenSlayer’s Lua Lessons: https://www.realmsrising.com/lua/warden-slayers-lua-lessons/ Of course the Realms Rising Discord also has channels dedicated to these Custom Games so be sure to head there with any questions.