Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven, designed by Isaac Childres and published by Cephalofair Games in 2017, transformed expectations for campaign-based board games. This massive cooperative adventure combines tactical combat with persistent character development across 95 interconnected scenarios. The game accommodates one to four players, ages 14 and up, with individual sessions lasting 60 to 120 minutes. This review examines the mechanics, components, and overall experience to help you decide if Gloomhaven suits your gaming group.
Gloomhaven Game Overview
Players control mercenaries exploring a dangerous fantasy world. The campaign unfolds through scenario-based missions where you fight monsters, discover treasures, and make narrative choices. Victory requires strategic card play rather than dice rolling.
Each scenario presents unique objectives beyond simple combat. Extract items from dungeons, escort vulnerable allies, or survive against overwhelming forces. Failed missions can be retried without campaign penalties.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Isaac Childres |
| Publisher | Cephalofair Games |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Players | 1-4 |
| Age Range | 14+ |
| Playing Time | 60-120 minutes per scenario |
| Game Type | Cooperative Campaign, Tactical Combat |
| Complexity Rating | 3.86/5 (Heavy) |
What’s in the Gloomhaven Box
The box weighs approximately 22 pounds and contains extensive materials for the campaign. Component quality varies but remains functional throughout extended play.
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Character miniatures | 17 |
| Monster standees | 232 |
| Cardboard map tiles | Over 40 |
| Ability cards | 457 |
| Modifier decks | 504 cards |
| Event cards | 152 |
| Item cards | 252 |
| Scenario book | 1 (95 scenarios) |
| Token sheets | 4 |
Cardboard tokens are thick and durable. Map tiles feature clear artwork that identifies terrain types easily. Monster standees remain upright in plastic bases without issues.
Character miniatures arrive unpainted. The sculpts show decent detail for players interested in painting. Standees can replace miniatures if preferred, similar to how Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island handles character representation.
Gloomhaven Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Card-driven combat eliminates random dice rolls and rewards planning
- Campaign features meaningful choices that permanently affect the world state
- Seventeen unlockable classes provide fresh tactical approaches throughout play
- Solo mode functions smoothly without requiring adaptation of core rules
- Scenario variety prevents repetitive gameplay across 95 missions
- Character retirement system maintains engagement across lengthy campaigns
Cons:
- Setup and teardown requires 15-20 minutes each session
- Rule complexity creates barriers for new players during first scenarios
- Box organization needs aftermarket solutions for efficient storage
- Campaign length demands consistent group commitment over months
- Monster AI occasionally produces illogical movement patterns
How to Play Gloomhaven
Players select characters from six starting classes. Each character has a hand of ability cards that define available actions. Combat occurs on modular map tiles assembled according to scenario instructions.
Setup Phase
Read the scenario entry from the scenario book. Assemble map tiles in the specified configuration. Place monster standees in designated positions. Each player prepares their character mat, modifier deck, and ability cards.
Round Structure
Players simultaneously select two cards from their hand. Card initiative numbers determine turn order for the round. Lower numbers act first.
During your turn, perform the top action from one selected card and the bottom action from your other card. Top actions typically involve attacks or ranged abilities. Bottom actions usually provide movement or support effects.
Monsters activate according to ability cards drawn each round. These cards dictate movement distance, attack targets, and special actions. No player controls enemies, allowing all participants to engage in cooperative strategy.
Attack Resolution
Draw from your attack modifier deck when attacking. These cards modify base damage values. The deck contains standard modifiers, critical hits, and critical misses. Throughout the campaign, players add improved modifiers through perks.
Winning Scenarios
Complete the scenario objective before all characters become exhausted. Exhaustion occurs when you cannot play two cards or when health reaches zero for the second time in a scenario.
Successful scenarios reward gold and experience. Failed attempts can be retried without penalties. Some scenarios unlock new locations or advance story branches.
Gloomhaven Game Mechanics
Hand management drives all tactical decisions. Characters typically hold 8-12 cards at scenario start. Playing two cards per round forces difficult choices about resource conservation.
Resting recovers discarded cards but costs a round of actions. Long rests return all but one discarded card and restore two health. Short rests recover cards immediately but force a random discard.
The element system adds depth to ability interactions. Six elements appear on various cards. Using an element consumes it but triggers powerful effects. Coordinating elemental use between party members creates satisfying combos, similar to the teamwork required in Pandemic.
Experience points accumulate through specific card actions. Leveling up grants access to stronger ability cards. Players choose which new cards to add when leveling, allowing customization within each class.
The reputation system tracks party morality. Road and city events present choices with reputation consequences. High reputation reduces shop prices while low reputation increases costs but opens different story paths.
Who Should Play Gloomhaven
Groups seeking campaign depth over many sessions find exceptional value here. The 95-scenario campaign requires approximately 150-200 hours to complete. Consistent attendance from all players proves essential.
Solo players benefit from smooth single-character gameplay. Managing one mercenary simplifies rules and reduces setup time. The difficulty scales appropriately for solo attempts.
Fans of tactical puzzle solving appreciate the card-driven combat. Each round presents optimization challenges without random elements disrupting plans. Players who enjoy Spirit Island or other strategy-focused titles typically connect with this combat system.
Avoid Gloomhaven if your group prefers lighter games or struggles with rule complexity. The initial learning curve spans several scenarios. Groups that meet infrequently may lose campaign momentum between sessions.
Campaign commitment separates this from shorter cooperative experiences. Players wanting contained adventures should explore scenario-based games without persistent progression.
Where to Buy Gloomhaven
| Retailer | Format |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Physical box |
| Target | Physical box |
| GameNerdz | Physical box |
| Miniature Market | Physical box |
| CoolStuffInc | Physical box |
| Steam | Digital adaptation |
FAQ
Is Gloomhaven good for beginners?
Gloomhaven requires significant rules learning before gameplay flows smoothly. New board gamers should start with simpler cooperative titles. Experienced gamers can handle the complexity but should expect 2-3 scenarios before mastering core mechanics. The rulebook spans 52 pages with numerous edge cases.
How long does Gloomhaven take to play?
Individual scenarios last 60-120 minutes depending on complexity and player count. Setup requires 15-20 minutes. Teardown takes 10-15 minutes. The full campaign contains 95 scenarios requiring approximately 150-200 total hours. Most groups complete the campaign over 6-12 months of regular play.
What’s the best player count for Gloomhaven?
Three players provides optimal balance between tactical variety and downtime. Two players simplifies coordination but reduces party capability. Four players maximizes tactical options but extends scenario length significantly. Solo play works excellently for players comfortable managing all systems independently without group discussion.
Is Gloomhaven worth buying?
Groups committed to lengthy campaigns find extraordinary value in the 95-scenario content. The price per hour of entertainment rates favorably compared to shorter games. However, incomplete campaigns represent wasted potential. Only purchase if your group demonstrates consistent attendance over months.
What games are similar to Gloomhaven?
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion offers streamlined rules as an entry point. Frosthaven expands the formula with new mechanics and a 138-scenario campaign. Descent: Legends of the Dark provides app-integrated dungeon crawling. Mage Knight delivers solo tactical combat with less campaign structure.
