Frosthaven Board Game Review
Frosthaven, designed by Isaac Childres and published by Cephalofair Games in 2022, stands as the ambitious sequel to the critically acclaimed Gloomhaven. This cooperative dungeon-crawling campaign game accommodates 1-4 players, suits ages 14 and up, and runs 90-180 minutes per session. The game raised nearly thirteen million dollars on Kickstarter and delivers hundreds of hours of tactical combat wrapped around an evolving arctic outpost.
Frosthaven Overview
Frosthaven drops players into a struggling settlement on the frozen northern frontier. Your band of mercenaries must defend this outpost against harsh weather and hostile forces while exploring treacherous dungeons filled with monsters and mysteries.
The game builds upon Gloomhaven’s card-driven combat system while introducing substantial new mechanics centered around town management. Players face threats from the yeti-like Algox, aquatic Lurkers, and mysterious autonomous machines wandering the frozen wastes.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Isaac Childres |
| Publisher | Cephalofair Games |
| Year Released | 2022 |
| Players | 1-4 |
| Age Range | 14+ |
| Playing Time | 90-180 minutes per session |
| Game Type | Cooperative Campaign, Dungeon Crawler |
| Complexity Rating | 4.41 / 5 |
What’s in the Frosthaven Box
Opening Frosthaven requires genuine effort. The 10-inch-deep lid creates significant drag against the box sides, making unpacking feel like cracking open a treasure chest. Inside sits an overwhelming collection of components that rivals small furniture in weight.
The box includes a four-page manual dedicated solely to organizing components. The main rulebook requires softbound binding due to its thickness. Scenario and section books use spiral binding to handle constant reference during play.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Character Classes | 16 unique characters with miniatures and dedicated card decks |
| Scenarios | 100+ scenario campaign with branching narrative |
| Items | 100+ new items and equipment cards |
| Enemies | 20+ new monster types with AI decks |
| Map Tiles | Numerous dungeon tiles for grid-based exploration |
| Town Board | Dedicated board with building slots and character sheet |
| Sealed Content | Mystery envelopes unlocked through campaign progress |
| Storage Solutions | Trays, bags, and dividers for card organization |
Character boxes come in symbol-marked pairs containing miniatures, card decks, chits, and character details. Six classes unlock at campaign start, with remaining characters earned through play.
Frosthaven Pros and Cons
Pros
- Town-building mechanics create genuine investment in the campaign world
- Card-based combat eliminates dice randomness while maintaining tactical depth
- Sixteen unique character classes offer extensive replayability
- Communication limits prevent alpha player dominance in cooperative play
- Improved writing and narrative compared to original Gloomhaven
- Seasonal events add thematic variety to the campaign progression
Cons
- Massive setup time and component management overhead
- Requires consistent gaming group due to campaign length
- High complexity rating makes entry difficult for newcomers
- Physical storage demands significant shelf space
- Long gaps between sessions can cause players to forget rules and progress
How to Play Frosthaven
Each Frosthaven session follows a structured loop combining town management, travel events, and dungeon scenarios. Understanding this flow helps groups maximize their limited gaming time.
Campaign Structure
Between scenarios, players return to the town of Frosthaven. Here they spend gold on items, craft equipment from gathered resources, upgrade buildings, and prepare for upcoming threats. The town has its own character sheet tracking defenses and development.
Travel to scenarios triggers event cards divided by season. These narrative encounters present choices affecting resources, reputation, or party condition before reaching the dungeon.
Combat Rounds
Players select two cards from their character’s unique deck each round. One card provides its top action, the other its bottom action. A number printed between effects determines initiative order. Monsters draw from their own AI decks governing behavior and timing.
The card system forces difficult decisions every turn. Powerful combinations often result in poor initiative, while conservative plays sacrifice damage potential. Cards lost through use tighten the available options as scenarios progress.
Victory Conditions
Scenarios present specific objectives beyond simple monster elimination. Groups might need to reach certain map locations, protect NPCs, or complete tasks within turn limits. Failure sends players back to town to regroup and try again.
Where to Buy Frosthaven
| Retailer | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon | New copies available |
| BoardGameBliss | New copies available |
| Miniature Market | New copies available |
| Noble Knight Games | New and used copies |
| Local Game Stores | Check availability |
Frosthaven Game Mechanics
The core card-driven system distinguishes Frosthaven from traditional dungeon crawlers. Each character class operates with a proprietary deck reflecting their abilities, from devastating attacks to supportive spells.
Combat modifier decks replace dice rolls. Players and monsters draw cards adding or subtracting from base attack values. These decks can be customized through character progression, allowing players to improve their odds over time.
The town-building layer represents Frosthaven’s major mechanical addition. Resources gathered during scenarios fund construction projects unlocking new capabilities. Buildings enable crafting, provide defensive bonuses during attack events, and open strategic options unavailable in earlier titles. Similar to other legacy board games, your decisions permanently shape the campaign world.
Communication limits prevent players from sharing specific card numbers or initiative values. This restriction forces genuine cooperation rather than optimal calculation by a single dominant player. Personal secret objectives further individualize the experience within the cooperative framework.
Who Should Play Frosthaven
Frosthaven suits dedicated gaming groups willing to commit dozens of sessions to a single campaign. The complexity rating of 4.41 out of 5 indicates this game targets experienced hobbyists comfortable with intricate rule systems.
Players who enjoyed Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion may find Frosthaven’s expanded scope appealing. However, Jaws of the Lion remains the better entry point for those new to the franchise due to its streamlined tutorial approach.
Groups seeking lighter cooperative board games should look elsewhere. Frosthaven demands attention, table space, and consistent attendance that casual gaming nights cannot support.
Solo players can tackle the campaign controlling multiple characters. Digital companion apps reduce administrative burden, tracking monster AI and scenario elements automatically. This makes solo sessions more manageable despite the game’s cooperative design.
FAQ
Is Frosthaven good for beginners?
Frosthaven carries a complexity rating of 4.41 out of 5, making it unsuitable for board game newcomers. Players should experience Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion first, which teaches core mechanics through guided scenarios before tackling this larger campaign.
How long does a Frosthaven campaign take to complete?
The full campaign contains over 100 scenarios, requiring 200-300 hours to complete. Individual sessions run 90-180 minutes depending on scenario complexity and player count. Most groups spend one to two years finishing the entire story.
What is the best player count for Frosthaven?
Frosthaven plays well at all counts from one to four players. Three players offers balanced session length and tactical variety. Two players provides faster setup while four maximizes character interaction. Solo play works using companion apps.
Can I use Gloomhaven characters in Frosthaven?
Characters and items from Gloomhaven can transfer to Frosthaven through specific import mechanics. However, as Frosthaven represents a remote outpost, imported items require special procedures rather than appearing as standard equipment.
What games are similar to Frosthaven?
Frosthaven shares DNA with Gloomhaven and Jaws of the Lion from the same designer. Players enjoying tactical dungeon crawlers might also appreciate Descent: Legends of the Dark, Middara, or Oathsworn for similar campaign-driven cooperative experiences.
