How to Play Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is a big cooperative campaign game with lots of rules and things to learn. If you want a friendly walkthrough, start here and then visit Playmore for more beginner guides and tips.
Quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Gloomhaven |
| Type | Cooperative tactical campaign and card combat |
| Typical players | 1–4 |
| Components | Use the components included with the game (board tiles, monster stat cards, character mats, ability cards, tokens, and scenario book) |
| Complexity | Heavyweight; expects long campaign play |
What you are trying to do
In each scenario your party works together to reach the scenario goal. That can be defeating certain monsters, rescuing people, or reaching a map space. You control one character (or more when solo). As you win scenarios you earn loot, gold, and experience. You improve your character and unlock new scenarios in the campaign. The exact victory and retirement rules vary by scenario and edition, so check your in-box rules or official FAQ for details.
What you need and how to set up
You need the Gloomhaven box and everything inside. Open the scenario book and follow the scenario number you want to play. Lay out the map tiles, place monster tokens and their stat cards, and set any special tiles or traps the scenario lists. Each player chooses a character, takes that character’s mat, ability cards, health/experience trackers, and starting items.
Do not use this page as the official rulebook. The game has many specific setup steps and scenario exceptions. Check the in-box scenario setup and the official rules for the exact version you own.
How to play
- Choose two ability cards in secret. Each ability card has two different actions, which you’ll use partly during your turn. Choose wisely because cards shape your moves and attacks for the round.
- Reveal cards and note initiative. Cards show an initiative number. Lower numbers act earlier. Discuss strategy with your teammates after you see initiative order.
- Take turns in initiative order. On your turn do the actions shown by your selected card (usually one top action and one bottom action across your two chosen cards). Actions include moving, attacking, healing, and special effects.
- Resolve enemy actions. Enemies have an AI card or chart that tells them how to move and attack. Follow the enemy instructions after players act in initiative order.
- Manage your hand. Some cards force you to rest to recover used cards. If you must play but have no usable cards you may be exhausted and removed for the scenario. The exact card-recovery and exhaustion rules are in your rulebook.
- Repeat rounds. Play new rounds of card choice, reveal, and turns until the scenario ends or the party fails.
How a round or game ends
A round ends after every creature (players and enemies) has taken its turn. The scenario ends when its specific victory or loss conditions are met. Loss can be all characters exhausted, running out of time, or scenario-specific failure. Between scenarios you resolve rewards, spend gold, and update your campaign map. Those campaign details and retirement rules depend on the edition and house rules, so check the official or in-box rules for exact steps.
Beginner tips
- Pick an easier class to learn the system. Support or ranged classes often feel simpler at first.
- Read your ability cards before you pick them. Know how much you can move and what each attack does.
- Talk to your team. Coordination beats solo planning in a cooperative game.
- Manage your hand. Don’t burn all your best cards at once. Plan rests with your teammates.
- Focus targets. Kill dangerous enemies early or crowd-control them so they don’t wreck your plans.
- Use items and town actions between scenarios. They make your character stronger over the campaign.
FAQ
Do I need anything extra to play?
No. Everything you need is in the box. For clarifications, check the in-box rules and the official FAQ for your edition.
What if my character runs out of cards?
If a character can’t play required cards they become exhausted and aren’t usable in that scenario. Exact exhaustion effects are in the official rules, so follow those for your game.
Can I play solo?
Yes. The game supports 1–4 players. Solo players control multiple characters, which adds complexity but works well for learning and campaign progress.