Gloomhaven is a big game; I mean literally; a 25-pound box of fantasy gaming. And with that, a price tag of about $100-$120 dollars. For some, that may take some serious thought before buying, and for some, it is just a must-have. How do you know if it’s right for you and your gaming group? I may have some insight for you. So let’s dive in and look at the world of Gloomhaven.
Gloomhaven at its core is a fantasy game set in its own unique world. This is not Dungeons and Dragons; in fact, no dice are used at all. All actions and combats are done with cards. This is a hybrid RPG mixed with a deck builder. Each character has a set of customized cards. Cards are used for taking actions and there is a deck of combat cards that are used to add some random elements in combat. As your character gains experience through adventuring and completing quests, you earn more powerful cards to improve your deck. Customizing your deck and combat deck as well makes your character more powerful. Every action in Gloomhaven requires the use of a card. So if you are looking for a new RPG, and you want dice, Descent or one of the Dungeons and Dragons board games may suit you better.
But say, this new mechanic really sounds cool and you want to try it, but the cost is really too much to take the risk of buying it. There is another option before investing in the big box, and that is Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion. This is a stand-alone adventure that is a prequel to the events in Gloomhaven. It uses all the same mechanics, but it is smaller and has a great learn as you play a system. Jaws of the Lion is half the price of the actual game, so it is a great introduction. In addition, the characters can be incorporated into the Gloomhaven game as well. I recommend that anyone not familiar with Gloomhaven, get this first, and see if it is right for you. Say you don’t really like it, you prefer dice and charts, a quick look at eBay can show you that the game is hugely popular and you can probably at least break even if not earn a small profit selling it. I think only making a $50 investment is much better than paying twice as much for a huge box that you won’t ever play again.
So now you have played Jaws of the Lion, you love the game and are ready to get the big box, but you wonder what is in that big box and do you really need it? The answer is more, A LOT more. The adventure book is a spiral-bound notebook, and like Jaws of the Lion, everything you need to play is in the box. All the tiles for every scenario, the monsters, and a vast selection of characters to earn as you complete challenges and quests. There are cards for building random side quests if you like as well. More items, more town and road challenges; and just a few new rules about retiring characters and earning new ones, a mechanic not used in Jaws of the Lion.
Gloomhaven is an investment and will give you hours and hours of adventuring and gaming enjoyment. If you like the game, then investing in the big box will be rewarding. I consider Gloomhaven to be the last fantasy game I will ever need. It has all the elements of a fantasy game, but it is streamlined and the box includes everything needed to play; no additional manuals required. Every adventure is laid out in the scenario book, all the cards needed for the characters are included. I really am pleased that to have the entire game is a one time expense. Cephalofair, may make some expansions, but the base set is full and complete.
If you have any questions about Gloomhaven or want help in seeing if it’s right for you, feel free to message me and I will be glad to help.
Written by Ed Carter
Lynn Makes
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson