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Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven is a cooperative, tactical combat game with a branching narrative campaign, where players control unique characters and explore a dark and mysterious world filled with monsters, treasures, and secrets.

8.58 / 10
BGG Rating
14+
age
2017
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
60 - 120 mins
play time

How Complex is Gloomhaven?

3.91 / 5

Gloomhaven has a steep learning curve due to its intricate rules and mechanics, but offers a rewarding and immersive experience for dedicated players.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Gloomhaven?

1.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Gloomhaven as most actions are determined by player choices and card management, with only occasional random elements such as monster behavior and critical hits.

How much Player Interaction does Gloomhaven offer?

4 / 5

Gloomhaven offers a high level of player interaction through cooperative combat, character abilities that can complement each other, and decision-making that affects the entire party. However, players can also play solo scenarios.

How much Replayability does Gloomhaven offer?

4.5 / 5

Gloomhaven offers a high level of replayability due to its branching narrative campaign, multiple character classes, and randomized dungeon layouts, ensuring each playthrough feels unique and challenging.

Why you should play Gloomhaven

Immersive gameplay

Gloomhaven offers a deep and immersive gameplay experience that will keep you engaged for hours on end. With a vast world to explore, a variety of characters to choose from, and a complex storyline to follow, Gloomhaven offers a unique and challenging adventure.

Strategic gameplay

Gloomhaven is a game that requires careful planning and strategy. Each character has their own unique abilities and strengths, and players must work together to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The game also features a card-based combat system that adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.

Replayability

With over 95 scenarios and multiple branching storylines, Gloomhaven offers a high level of replayability. Each playthrough will be different, and players can choose to play as different characters or take different paths through the game.

Cooperative gameplay

Gloomhaven is a cooperative game, meaning that players must work together to achieve their goals. This makes it a great game to play with friends or family, as everyone can work together to overcome challenges and achieve victory.

High-quality components

Gloomhaven features high-quality components, including detailed miniatures, sturdy game boards, and thick cardboard tokens. The game also comes with a variety of cards and tokens that are easy to handle and shuffle.

Solo play

Gloomhaven can also be played solo, making it a great game for those who prefer to play alone. The game features a solo mode that allows players to control multiple characters and experience the full adventure on their own.

Expansion content

Gloomhaven has a variety of expansion content available, including new characters, scenarios, and enemies. This means that players can continue to enjoy the game long after they have completed the base game.

Why you should avoid Gloomhaven

Complexity

Gloomhaven is a complex game that can be overwhelming for new players. The game features a lot of rules and mechanics to learn, which can make it difficult to get started.

Lengthy gameplay

Gloomhaven is a game that can take a long time to play. Each scenario can take several hours to complete, and the game as a whole can take dozens of hours to finish. This can be a turn-off for players who prefer shorter, more casual games.

Price

Gloomhaven is a relatively expensive game, with a price point that may be out of reach for some players. The game also requires a significant time investment, which may not be worth the cost for some players.

Limited accessibility

Gloomhaven is a game that requires a lot of table space and can be difficult to transport. This can make it challenging for players who don't have a dedicated gaming space or who want to take the game on the go.

Theme

Gloomhaven has a dark and sometimes gruesome theme that may not be appealing to all players. The game features violence and death, which may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive players.

Where to find the Rules of Gloomhaven

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Gloomhaven files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Gloomhaven

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Gloomhaven.

Plan your moves carefully

Each turn, you'll have a limited number of actions, so it's important to use them wisely. Think about what you want to accomplish and how you can do it with the actions you have available.

Focus on teamwork

Gloomhaven is a cooperative game, so it's important to work together with your fellow players. Coordinate your actions to maximize your effectiveness and help each other out when needed.

Use your abilities strategically

Each character in Gloomhaven has a unique set of abilities, and it's important to use them strategically. Think about how you can use your abilities to support your team and achieve your objectives.

Manage your resources

Gloomhaven is a game of resource management, so it's important to use your resources wisely. Make sure you're using your cards and items efficiently, and don't waste them on actions that won't help you achieve your goals.

Be prepared for surprises

Gloomhaven is full of unexpected twists and turns, so be prepared for anything. Keep an open mind and be ready to adapt your strategy as the game unfolds.

By following these strategies, you'll be well on your way to success in Gloomhaven. Good luck!

Advanced Strategies for Gloomhaven

Experiment with different character classes

If you've only played one or two character classes, try branching out and playing a different one. Each class has its own unique playstyle and abilities, so experimenting with different classes can help you develop a better understanding of the game.

Focus on completing personal quests

Each character in Gloomhaven has a personal quest that they can complete to retire their character and unlock new content. Focusing on completing personal quests can help you progress through the game and unlock new challenges.

Use the environment to your advantage

The environment in Gloomhaven can have a big impact on the game, so it's important to use it to your advantage. For example, you can use obstacles to block enemy movement or create chokepoints to funnel enemies into a specific area.

Coordinate your actions with your team

As you become more experienced with the game, it's important to coordinate your actions with your team even more effectively. This can involve using abilities that complement each other, communicating more effectively, and anticipating each other's moves.

Don't be afraid to take risks

Gloomhaven is a game that rewards risk-taking, so don't be afraid to try new things and take chances. Sometimes the most unexpected strategies can be the most effective.

By following these advanced strategies, you'll be well on your way to mastering Gloomhaven and taking on even greater challenges. Good luck!

Mechanics

Modular Board
Variable Player Powers
Campaign / Battle Card Driven
Simultaneous Action Selection
Cooperative Game
Hexagon Grid
Storytelling
Role Playing
Hand Management
Grid Movement
Action Queue
Solo / Solitaire Game
Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game
Legacy Game
Action Retrieval
Once-Per-Game Abilities
Narrative Choice / Paragraph
Critical Hits and Failures
Card Play Conflict Resolution
Communication Limits
Line of Sight
Deck Construction
Multi-Use Cards
Tags

Categories

Fantasy
Exploration
Adventure
Fighting
Miniatures