Quote Originally Posted by Exempt View Post
half say yes and half say no because the change is semi recent. If you get a card (from fair or heaven palace or other means) and you don't have the champion, but have the required rep to have him unlocked. You can click on the card and select "USE" to recruit that hero.
If that's the case, I'd say it would work for both fair and lab, since you can't get cards for unrecruited heroes at the tavern. But still not enough of a present for me to spend any gems on.