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Gloomhaven (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Gloomhaven is a cooperative board game designed by Isaac Childres and published by Cephalofair Games in 2017. It quickly gained popularity for its innovative gameplay mechanics and deep, immersive storytelling. The game is set in a dark fantasy world where players take on the roles of mercenaries seeking fortune and glory in the city of Gloomhaven.

Game Components of Gloomhaven

  • Rulebook
  • Scenario Book
  • 17 Character Miniatures
  • 47 Monster Miniatures
  • 504 Character Ability Cards
  • 150 Attack Modifier Cards
  • 54 Monster Ability Cards
  • 253 Item Cards
  • 144 Event Cards
  • 1300+ Tokens and Tiles

How To Setup Gloomhaven

  • Choose a scenario from the scenario book.
  • Set up the game board according to the scenario instructions.
  • Place the monster standees and tokens on the board.
  • Choose characters and set up their ability decks.
  • Start the scenario and follow the rules to progress through the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Gloomhaven, players work together to complete scenarios, battle monsters, and explore the world of Gloomhaven. Each character has unique abilities and skills that they can use to overcome challenges and defeat enemies. The ultimate goal is to complete the main storyline and unlock new content as you progress through the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

  • Deep and engaging storytelling
  • Strategic gameplay with a variety of character abilities
  • High replay value with branching storylines and unlockable content

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Setup and teardown can be time-consuming
  • High price point for the base game

Personal Thoughts on Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven is a masterpiece of board game design, offering a rich and immersive experience for players who are willing to invest the time and effort into learning its intricate mechanics. The build quality of the components is top-notch, with detailed miniatures and high-quality cards and tokens. The game falls into the adventure, exploration, and fantasy categories, making it a perfect choice for fans of these genres.

In terms of pricing and availability, Gloomhaven can be on the pricier side, but the amount of content and replay value it offers make it worth the investment for serious board gamers. If you enjoy cooperative games with deep strategy and storytelling, Gloomhaven is definitely worth your time. However, beginners or casual gamers may find the learning curve and complexity of the game to be overwhelming. Overall, Gloomhaven is a must-have for enthusiasts of the genre, but may not be suitable for everyone.

You can read my review on Gloomhaven in this link.

Game Components of Gloomhaven

  • 17 playable character miniatures** and over 1500 cards.
  • 34 new monster types** and **13 Boss monsters** with close to 240 high-quality monster standees.
  • Modular board tiles** for creating custom dungeon layouts.
  • City Event Deck** and **Road Event Deck** for adding storyline depth and player choice.
  • Modifier decks** for characters and dungeon mobs to adjust attack outcomes.

    How To Setup Gloomhaven

    Setting up Gloomhaven involves several steps, given its complexity and the sheer amount of components. Each scenario requires specific modular board tiles, which are detailed in the scenario book. Players must arrange these tiles according to the instructions, place monsters and environmental effects, and prepare their character decks. The setup process can take around 45 minutes, especially for new players, but becomes more efficient with experience.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative Play: Players work together to defeat foes and uncover mysteries surrounding Gloomhaven.
  • Card Management: Characters use a deck of cards to manage stamina, abilities, and movement. Each card has a top and bottom ability, and players choose one from each card to play.
  • Modifier Decks: Attacks are modified by drawing cards from a deck, adding strategy and reducing randomness.
  • Legacy System: Characters level up, retire, and new characters are unlocked as the campaign progresses. The game world changes based on player decisions and scenario outcomes.
  • Reputation and Prosperity: Player decisions affect the group’s reputation and the prosperity of Gloomhaven, influencing available opportunities and items.

    Player Experience

    Playing Gloomhaven is an immersive experience that combines tactical combat, role-playing elements, and strategic decision-making. Players enjoy a campaign that spans over 100 hours, with each scenario offering unique challenges and story-driven encounters. The game encourages players to make decisions that align with their characters’ goals, which can sometimes conflict with the group’s objectives, adding a layer of role-playing depth.

    Pros

  • Deep and Engaging Campaign: With over 100 hours of content, Gloomhaven offers a rich and varied gaming experience.
  • High Replayability: The game includes random dungeon scenarios and the ability to create custom scenarios using the modular tiles.
  • Strategic Depth: The card management and modifier deck systems provide a high level of strategy and tactical combat.
  • Immersive Storytelling: The game features a compelling narrative with branching paths and player-driven decisions.

    Cons

  • High Complexity: Gloomhaven has a steep learning curve and requires significant setup time.
  • Time Commitment: Each scenario can take around 2 hours to complete, and the entire campaign requires a substantial time investment.
  • Cost: The game has a hefty price tag due to the extensive components and content.

    Personal Thoughts on Gloomhaven

    Gloomhaven is definitely for hardcore board game enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy cooperative games, tactical combat, and role-playing elements. It is ideal for players who can devote significant time to completing the campaign and appreciate the depth and complexity it offers. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer shorter play sessions.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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