Frosthaven
- 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
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Start for freeWhat 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 & Atmosphäre
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.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Allow extra time for the first scenario and discuss roles and communication; prior experience with campaign dungeon crawlers helps.
Häufige Fragen
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.
