Frosthaven
Frosthaven at your next game night?
Add Frosthaven to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Isaac Childres
- Publisher Cephalofair Games , Albi , Albi Polska , CMON Global Limited , Delta Vision Publishing
- Illustration Francesca Baerald , David Demaret , Alexandr Elichev , Josh T. McDowell
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You lead a band of mercenaries defending and expanding a remote northern outpost against harsh weather and new threats like the Algox. The game is a campaign-driven experience combining tactical grid combat, battle-card-driven actions, and deck construction. Seasonal events, mysteries, and village development influence long-term progression across many linked scenarios.
Who Is This Game For?
Frosthaven targets experienced and campaign-oriented players who enjoy long, complex sessions; the listed duration of about 180 minutes makes it an evening-length commitment. Solo play is supported. Familiarity with campaign dungeon crawlers is beneficial for new players.
How It Works
At its core Frosthaven is a cooperative campaign with Grid Movement and Battle Card Driven combat, where players use Deck Construction to shape their characters' options. Each scenario advances an ongoing campaign; player choices affect village expansion and available mechanics. Communication limits and individual card management make tactical coordination and resource-focused crafting important parts of play.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Isaac Childres, Frosthaven is a standalone follow-up in spirit to Gloomhaven that adds village-building, seasonal events and a large scenario campaign. It blends Cooperative Game, Deck Construction and Grid Movement and was recommended by American Tabletop in 2023 for Complex Games.
Awards
- 2023 American Tabletop Complex Games — Recommended
Pro
- Extensive campaign structure with numerous connected scenarios (publisher description)
- Mix of Battle-Card-Driven combat and Deck Construction
- Village development and seasonal events add long-term goals
- Solo-capable (supports 1 player)
Contra
- Long playtime (~180 minutes) — evening-length
- High complexity and learning curve
- Crafting and resource management demand planning
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set in a frozen northern outpost with survival and exploration themes; hostile new races and harsh weather shape the narrative and scenarios.
Tips for beginners
Allow extra time for the first scenario and discuss roles and communication; prior experience with campaign dungeon crawlers helps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. Frosthaven supports solo play; players.min is 1.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 180 minutes; expect additional time for setup and campaign decisions.
What prior experience do I need?
Best suited to experienced or campaign-focused players; familiarity with games like Gloomhaven is useful.
How does this compare to similar games?
Compared to simpler dungeon crawlers, Frosthaven combines campaign/battle-card-driven mechanics with village development and seasonal events.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 14 and notable complexity, it suits families with older, experienced players rather than young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Campaign / Battle Card Driven actions with Deck Construction and Grid Movement defines the experience.
Fazit
Frosthaven is recommended for groups who want an extensive cooperative campaign and deep deck-based tactical play. Its length and complexity make it less suitable for casual, short sessions.
Frosthaven at your next game night?
Add Frosthaven to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Frosthaven to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
