No dice was a big detractor when I was looking for a "big DOAM". But other factors (plus a friend who was willing to release his coffin box for very reasonable price) made me get this. After playing it, the cards work just fine.
Now the Heroes. I like them in the revised edition that they can contribute to battles. Also, once you get used to it (AKA, you know what you're doing), the heroes phase is a breeze. Just check your quest cards, see if your heroes have enough stat or not. If not train. Or if you want them to aid in a battle, go there.
I only played it once, back when it first came out. I remember liking it, but the heroes and questing didn't really work for me at the time. I suspect 2018 Nate would probably like it less.
The thing is, I think most of us have enough space in our gaming life for one, maybe two games like this. I have Clash of Cultures, which occupies much the same space even though it is very different thematically. I don't think I need anything else for a while.
That's funny you mentioned Clash of Cultures, because that is the other game that I'd have bought had I not gotten Runewars (it was a matter of availability).