Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
STREAMLINED STANDALONE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER (2020) by ISAAC CHILDRES, published by CEPHALOFAIR GAMES. Designed as a BEGINNER-FRIENDLY ENTRY POINT to Gloomhaven's system. HALF the price ($60 vs $160), one-third the content (25 scenarios vs 95, 4 characters vs 17), tutorial-based ramp-up, book-based scenario layout (no massive map storage). Same tactical card-driven combat as Gloomhaven + Frosthaven. HELD BGG TOP-10 since release; considered THE BEST INTRODUCTION to the Gloomhaven system + one of the best cooperative games EVER. 1-4 players; 60-90 min per scenario; ~30 hours for full 25-scenario campaign.
What is Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion?
GLOOMHAVEN: JAWS OF THE LION is a STREAMLINED STANDALONE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER designed by ISAAC CHILDRES, published by CEPHALOFAIR GAMES (2020, USA). Designed as a BEGINNER-FRIENDLY ENTRY POINT to Gloomhaven's system — HALF the price ($60 vs $160), one-third the content (25 scenarios vs 95, 4 characters vs 17), TUTORIAL-BASED first 5 scenarios that teach mechanics progressively. Uses INNOVATIVE BOOK-BASED SCENARIO LAYOUT — instead of a massive box of map tiles, scenarios are played DIRECTLY IN A GLOSSY SCENARIO BOOK (2-page spread per scenario). Massive space + storage savings. Same tactical CARD-DRIVEN COMBAT + campaign progression + character retirement as Gloomhaven + Frosthaven. HELD BGG TOP-10 since release; peaked in top-5; considered THE BEST INTRODUCTION to the Gloomhaven system + ONE OF THE BEST COOPERATIVE GAMES EVER MADE. GAMEPLAY: 1-4 players choose from 4 CHARACTERS (Demolitionist, Hatchet, Red Guard, Void Warden) — all NEW characters not present in Gloomhaven. Each character has UNIQUE ABILITY CARD DECK (15-25 cards per character depending on level). Combat = SIMULTANEOUS INITIATIVE-BASED card play + monster AI decks (SAME system as Gloomhaven/Frosthaven). 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 via PERSONAL QUEST → unlocks additional 4 characters bringing total to 8. STORY: Set BEFORE Gloomhaven's main story; 4 mercenaries (Jaws of the Lion mercenary group) investigating strange demon activity in Gloomhaven city. Story is SELF-CONTAINED but hints at Gloomhaven's broader lore. TUTORIAL FEATURES: (a) First 5 scenarios progressively introduce mechanics (movement, combat, elements, doors, monster AI); (b) Simplified rulebook; (c) Book-based scenario layout with visible turn examples; (d) Setup times cut dramatically. RECEPTION: Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021 WINNER (German Enthusiast Game of Year); Golden Geek Best Board Game 2020; BGG top-10 since release; considered THE PERFECT gateway to Gloomhaven system + a superb standalone in its own right. Digital version available via Steam (2024).
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–4
Duration
~75 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Scenario book (2-page spread per scenario)
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Designed 2019-2020 Isaac Childres; released July 2020 Cephalofair Games; Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021 WINNER
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Complete SCENARIOS to advance campaign story. Each scenario has combat + puzzle objectives (kill monsters, escape, protect NPC). Retire characters via Personal Quests to unlock additional 4 characters (8 total).
Rules
Basic rules
Choose character + build 15-25 card ability deck
Each character has unique cards + 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.
Play scenarios directly in book (no tile setup)
Revolutionary space + time saver.
Scoring
Each scenario = success/fail. Success = XP + gold + reward; unlock next scenarios. Track character XP, level-ups, personal quests. Complete 25-scenario campaign for story resolution.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Scenario completed | XP + gold + unlock next scenarios |
| Personal Quest achieved | Character retires + unlocks new class |
| Character level-up | Unlock new ability cards + perks |
| Complete 25-scenario campaign | Story resolution + demon investigation concluded |
Win condition · Complete full 25-scenario campaign story.
Playing area
Called
Scenario book (2-page spread per scenario)
Dimensions
Large-format hardcover book
REVOLUTIONARY: play scenarios DIRECTLY in glossy scenario book, no map tiles to set up. Character mats + ability cards + monster stat cards placed around book.
Equipment
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion box
$60 USD retail (often $50 sales); ~15 lbs
4 starter characters
Demolitionist, Hatchet, Red Guard, Void Warden — all new
Scenario book (25 scenarios)
Play directly in book; no map tile setup
Rulebook + tutorial book
First 5 scenarios teach system progressively
Character mats + ability card decks
15-25 cards per character
Monster standees + AI decks + stat cards
Reusable across scenarios
Damage + condition tokens
Included
Gloomhaven Helper app (free community tool)
Automate monster tracking
Steam version (Flaming Fowl Studios, 2024)
Digital port
Strategies
Follow tutorial scenarios exactly
First 5 scenarios teach essential mechanics; don't skip.
Card economy is life
Every burned card is permanent; balance efficiency vs conservation.
Team composition matters
Tank (Red Guard) + damage (Hatchet, Demolitionist) + support (Void Warden) = classic party.
Long rest vs short rest timing
Long rest = full recovery, 1 card lost; short = partial with random burn.
Personal Quest awareness
Achieve YOUR quest to retire + unlock new classes.
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.
- Scenario Book
- Innovative playbook format; scenarios played directly in book pages.
Major competitions
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021 WINNER
annual · Germany · since 2011
Golden Geek Best Board Game 2020
annual · worldwide · since 2020
BGG top-10 ranking since release
ongoing · worldwide · since 2020
Multiple Best Cooperative Game awards 2020-2021
annual · worldwide · since 2020
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, Frosthaven, Forge War
- Alexander Elichev + Josh McDowell + Alvaro Nebot — Artists
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Jaws of the Lion ($60)
Best FIRST Gloomhaven experience.
- 2
Play tutorial scenarios 1-5 in order
System reveals progressively.
intermediate
- 1
Complete full 25-scenario campaign
~30 hours over 3-6 weeks of weekly play.
- 2
Unlock 4 additional characters via retirements
8 characters total to try.
advanced
- 1
Bridge to Gloomhaven or Frosthaven
Jaws of the Lion characters can import into main campaigns.
Frequently asked
What is Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion?+
STREAMLINED STANDALONE COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN DUNGEON-CRAWLER (2020) by Isaac Childres. BEGINNER-FRIENDLY entry to Gloomhaven system. HALF the price ($60 vs $160), one-third content (25 scenarios vs 95, 4 characters vs 17), tutorial-based ramp-up, innovative BOOK-BASED SCENARIO LAYOUT (no map tile setup). WON KENNERSPIEL DES JAHRES 2021. Held BGG top-10. Considered THE BEST INTRODUCTION to Gloomhaven system + a superb standalone.
Jaws of the Lion vs Gloomhaven vs Frosthaven — which first?+
START WITH JAWS OF THE LION. It's DESIGNED as the beginner intro: half the price ($60), tutorial-based, faster setup (book-based), streamlined rules. If you love it, decide: (a) GLOOMHAVEN — original massive campaign 95 scenarios ($160); (b) FROSTHAVEN — newer, biggest, most refined 140+ scenarios ($220). All 3 use SAME core system + can be played independently. Jaws of the Lion characters CAN IMPORT into other campaigns if you continue.
How long does Jaws of the Lion take?+
60-90 MIN PER SCENARIO. Full 25-scenario campaign = ~30 HOURS total, typically 15-25 sessions over 3-6 weeks of weekly play. MUCH SHORTER than Gloomhaven (150+ hours) or Frosthaven (200+ hours). Considered THE RIGHT SIZE for most groups + PERFECT for first-time cooperative campaign players.
Sources & provenance
- Cephalofair Games — Jaws of the Lion— Cephalofair
- BoardGameGeek — Jaws of the Lion— BGG
- Wikipedia — Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion— Wikipedia
- Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021— Spiel des Jahres