Unlocking new party members in Across the Obelisk is essential for building versatile deck synergies and conquering higher difficulty levels. While players begin their journey with four default heroes, expanding your roster requires completing specific multi-act event quests across the map. Understanding how these quest triggers work helps you plan efficient runs without wasting valuable time.

Starting Quests in Act 1

Many hero unlock chains begin during the first act of a run, where quest markers appear on specific map nodes. Interacting with these nodes awards essential quest items or tasks that must be carried into subsequent acts. For instance, obtaining key items early allows you to fulfill character conditions later when exploring alternate elemental paths.

Navigating Portal Choices and Subsequent Acts

After clearing Act 1, your choice of portal determines which hero quests you can progress during that run. Certain heroes require visiting the Blue, Red, or Green portals to reach their specific quest locations. Planning your route ahead of time ensures you do not miss critical node interactions required to finalize character recruits.

Completing Event Requirements and Boss Encounters

Reaching a character node in later acts often triggers a battle or requires presenting a specific item collected earlier. Some heroes join your party automatically after handing over key quest items, while others require defeating challenging minibosses. Preparing your team composition and saving gold for required fees will ensure a smooth final step in the unlock process.

Maximizing Efficiency Across Multiple Runs

While attempting to unlock multiple party members in a single playthrough is possible, focusing on one or two targets per run is generally more reliable. Branching map paths frequently prevent players from visiting every required quest node in one go. By systematically mapping out target routes, you can steadily expand your roster and experiment with powerful new combat strategies.