Board Games 🇺🇸United States21st century

Frosthaven

MASSIVE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER (2022) by ISAAC CHILDRES, published by CEPHALOFAIR GAMES. SUCCESSOR to GLOOMHAVEN (2017) — the game that dominated BoardGameGeek's #1 spot for years. Frosthaven is LARGER (140+ scenarios, 16+ characters, 1000+ cards, 40+ pounds of content). Set in a frozen northern outpost. Uses same card-driven combat + campaign progression + character retirement system. Kickstarted for $12.9M (2020) — one of the largest board game Kickstarters ever. Held BGG #1 briefly on release; now #2-4 (below Gloomhaven). Considered an even more refined ULTIMATE COOP CAMPAIGN GAME. 1-4 players; 60-120 min per scenario; hundreds of hours of campaign play.

📐Modular scenario map on tabletop⏱~90 min🌤indoor

Photo · Wikipedia

What is Frosthaven?

FROSTHAVEN is a MASSIVE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER designed by ISAAC CHILDRES, published by CEPHALOFAIR GAMES (2022, USA). It is the STANDALONE SUCCESSOR to GLOOMHAVEN (2017) — the game that DOMINATED BoardGameGeek's #1 SPOT for YEARS + revolutionized cooperative campaign board gaming. Frosthaven is EVEN LARGER + more refined: 140+ SCENARIOS (vs Gloomhaven's 95), 16+ NEW CHARACTERS, 1000+ CARDS, 40+ POUNDS of content per box. Set in the FROZEN NORTHERN OUTPOST of Frosthaven (past the Cinder Grasp mountains, northeast of Gloomhaven). KICKSTARTED FOR $12.9 MILLION USD IN 2020 — one of the LARGEST BOARD GAME KICKSTARTERS EVER (topped 83,000 backers). Delivered to backers 2022-2023. Held BGG #1 BRIEFLY on release; currently #2-4 (below Gloomhaven, which retains sentimental + accessibility crown). Considered an EVEN MORE REFINED ULTIMATE COOP CAMPAIGN GAME. GAMEPLAY: 1-4 players choose CHARACTERS from starting box (Banner Spear, Blink Blade, Bone Shaper, Deathwalker, Drifter, Geminate — 6 starters; plus 10+ unlockable via campaign). Each character has UNIQUE ABILITY CARDS (12-15 per character). Combat = SIMULTANEOUS INITIATIVE-BASED card play + monster AI decks. Each round: (1) All players play 2 cards from hand, using top action of one + bottom action of other; (2) Initiative sorted; (3) Actions resolve in initiative order. CHARACTERS RETIRE (permanent) when they achieve their PERSONAL QUEST — retirement UNLOCKS new character classes for the campaign. FROSTHAVEN NEW FEATURES beyond Gloomhaven: (a) OUTPOST PHASE — build up Frosthaven town between scenarios (economy simulator); (b) SEASONAL EVENTS — summer/winter change scenarios; (c) BUILDING CRAFTING — improve outposts; (d) CHARACTER SPECIALIZATIONS — each character has multi-path development; (e) MORE PUZZLE + EVENT SCENARIOS beyond combat; (f) VOICE + SOUND EFFECT integration via app. RECEPTION: BGG top-3 since release; Golden Geek Best Board Game 2022; Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 nominee; considered the DEFINITIVE COOP CAMPAIGN GAME of the 2020s. Digital version by Flaming Fowl Studios (Steam) released 2024 in early access.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Complete SCENARIO objectives (kill monsters, protect NPCs, escape) to advance CAMPAIGN. Build up Frosthaven outpost between scenarios. Retire characters via Personal Quests to unlock new classes.

Rules

Basic rules

Choose character class + build 12-15 card ability deck
Each character has unique card pool + level-up choices.
Card play: 2 cards/round, use top of one + bottom of other
Card management = core resource; discarded cards return via long rest.
Initiative order sorted from played cards
Simultaneous card play; resolve by initiative number.
Monster AI via ability decks
Monsters draw AI card each round determining actions.
EXHAUSTION = character down
Run out of cards or die = out of scenario.
Frosthaven Outpost Phase
Between scenarios, build up town + craft items + progress economy.

Scoring

Each scenario = success/fail. Success = XP + gold + reward loot; failure = retry or continue narrative. Track character XP, level-ups, personal quests, outpost buildings. Complete campaign = ~140 scenarios.

Action	Points
Scenario completed	XP + gold + battle goals + progress
Personal Quest achieved	Character retires + unlocks new class
Character level-up	Unlock new ability cards + perks
Outpost building constructed	Frosthaven town progression

Win condition · Personal: retire your character via Personal Quest. Campaign: complete full 140-scenario storyline.

Playing area

Called

Modular scenario map on tabletop

Dimensions

60×90cm typical playspace

Modular hex-tile scenario map (varies per scenario). Character mats + ability cards + monster stat cards + Frosthaven outpost map + event decks.

Equipment

Frosthaven Base Box
$220 USD retail; 40+ lbs content; 6 starter characters + 10+ unlockables + 140+ scenarios
16+ character classes
6 starters (Banner Spear, Blink Blade, Bone Shaper, Deathwalker, Drifter, Geminate) + 10 unlockable
1000+ cards
Ability cards, event cards, monster cards, item cards
Modular map tiles
Frosthaven town + wilderness + scenario dungeons
Damage + condition tokens + monster standees
Included in box
Personal Quest cards
One per character; retirement unlocks new class
Gloomhaven Helper app (free community tool)
Track monster stats + initiative digitally
Storage solutions ($30-60 aftermarket)
Community sells inserts for content

Strategies

Card economy is life
Every card you burn is permanent; balance efficiency vs conservation.
Team composition matters
Tank + damage + support = classic party. Frosthaven characters more specialized.
Long rest vs short rest timing
Long rest = full recovery, 1 card lost. Short rest = partial + random card burn.
Personal Quest awareness
Achieve YOUR quest to retire + unlock new classes.
Outpost investments compound
Build key buildings early for repeated benefits.
Scenario prep
Read scenario setup + monster stats before starting; adjust ability card selection.

Terminology

Ability card: Character's action card with top + bottom action + initiative number.
Initiative: Number on played card; determines turn order.
Exhaustion: Character out of scenario (0 cards or 0 HP).
Long rest / Short rest: Recovery actions; long = full but lose card, short = partial with random burn.
Personal Quest: Character's secret retirement condition.
Retirement: Character retires + unlocks new class for campaign.
Outpost phase: Between-scenario Frosthaven town-building + event resolution.
Battle Goal: Secret per-scenario objective for bonus XP + perks.

Major competitions

Golden Geek Best Board Game 2022
annual · worldwide · since 2022
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 nominee
annual · Germany · since 2011
BGG top-3 ranking since release
ongoing · worldwide · since 2022
Origins Awards 2023 nominations
annual · USA · since 1974

Where it is played

Governing bodies

Cephalofair Games (publisher)
Founded 2014 · Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Isaac Childres (designer + founder)
Founded 2014 · USA

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Isaac Childres (USA) — Designer + Cephalofair Games founder; also Gloomhaven, Forge War
Cephalofair development team
Alexander Elichev + Josh McDowell + Alvaro Nebot + Klemen Marolt + Slawomir Maniak — Artists

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Start with Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion instead
Simpler intro to system before jumping to Frosthaven's complexity.
2
If jumping to Frosthaven, play tutorial scenario 0 fully
Learn card play + initiative + monster AI.

intermediate

1
Buy Frosthaven ($220)
Full experience + 150-300 hours of campaign.
2
Use Gloomhaven Helper app
Automate monster tracking.

advanced

1
Solo 2-handed campaign
Maximum tactical control.
2
Complete personal quests + all class unlocks
150+ hour dedication.

Frequently asked

What is Frosthaven?+

MASSIVE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER (2022) by Isaac Childres / Cephalofair Games. SUCCESSOR to GLOOMHAVEN (BoardGameGeek #1 for years). Larger + more refined: 140+ scenarios, 16+ characters, 1000+ cards, 40+ lbs of content. Set in frozen northern outpost. Kickstarted $12.9M (one of the largest board game Kickstarters ever). BGG #2-4 currently. Considered the ULTIMATE cooperative campaign game. 1-4 players; 60-120 min per scenario; 150-300 hours per full campaign.

Frosthaven vs Gloomhaven vs Jaws of the Lion — which should I buy?+

DEPENDS ON EXPERIENCE + BUDGET. JAWS OF THE LION ($60) — best BEGINNER intro; 25 scenarios; teaches system; can bridge to bigger games. GLOOMHAVEN ($160) — massive 95-scenario campaign; the ORIGINAL; still holds BGG #1; deep classic. FROSTHAVEN ($220) — biggest + most refined; 140+ scenarios; outpost building + seasons; the pinnacle. NEW PLAYERS: Jaws of the Lion first. VETERANS: Frosthaven for ultimate experience. NOSTALGIA: Gloomhaven remains the classic.

How long does Frosthaven's campaign take?+

150-300+ HOURS TOTAL for full campaign. Individual scenarios 60-120 min. Playing weekly, expect 12-24+ MONTHS for full completion. Most groups don't finish; it's designed as an OPEN-ENDED CAMPAIGN with 140+ scenarios. Character retirements unlock new classes throughout, so there's always fresh content.

Sources & provenance

Cephalofair Games — Frosthaven— Cephalofair
BoardGameGeek — Frosthaven— BGG
Wikipedia — Frosthaven— Wikipedia

Last verified 2026-08-27.verified