Gloomhaven

Players choose from a roster of distinct character classes, each with its own deck of ability cards that determine both the actions available in combat and the initiative order for each round. Battles take place on grid-based maps against groups of enemies, with damage, movement, and status effects resolved through card play rather than dice rolls.

Between missions, players spend earned gold and experience to buy new equipment, learn new ability cards, and unlock further scenarios, with earlier choices and completed quests permanently affecting which storylines and areas become available later. The campaign structure means retired characters are replaced by new classes, and the world itself changes based on decisions made along the way.

• Card-Based Combat Each character selects two ability cards per round, determining actions and turn order simultaneously.
• Character Classes A roster of classes offers different roles such as melee tank, ranged attacker, or support caster.
• Persistent Campaign Completed scenarios and story choices permanently alter the map and available future quests.
• Character Retirement Reaching a class's personal goal retires that character and unlocks a new class to play.
• Cooperative Play Players work together across scenarios, combining classes to handle different enemy groups.