How to play Frosthaven: rules, adventurers and how to win explained (2024)

Frosthaven is not just a game; it’s a sprawling, epic journey into a world frozen in the icy grip of a relentless winter. It beckons adventurers from across the tabletop realm to join forces and brave the harshest of conditions in pursuit of glory, treasure, and the hope of thawing the land’s icy heart.

In Frosthaven, players will forge alliances, confront mythical beasts, uncover lost civilizations, and build a haven of their own in a land where survival is far from guaranteed. The game’s grandeur lies not only in its vast and immersive world but in the stories it weaves through intricate gameplay, strategic choices, and cooperative quests.

Frosthaven is an epic of unparalleled scale, a testament to the boundless imagination of its creators, and a thrilling saga that transports players into a realm where the line between reality and fantasy blurs, and where the greatest legends are yet to be written in the ice and snow.

What’s included in Frosthaven?

• Game Board: The board represents the land of Frosthaven, divided into hexagonal tiles.
• Character Sheets: Each player selects an adventurer and receives a character sheet, which details their abilities, inventory, and experience.
• Monster Standees: These represent the various creatures and enemies in the game.
• Event and Treasure Cards: Decks of cards that dictate events, quests, and rewards.
• Enemy Ability Cards: Cards that govern enemy behavior and abilities.
• Terrain Hexes: Tiles representing various types of terrain and obstacles.
• Tokens and Markers: Used for tracking health, experience, and other game elements.
• Village Sheets: Sheets that track the development of Frosthaven and its facilities.

How to play Frosthaven

Setup

1. Choose a Scenario: Select a scenario from the scenario book. Scenarios provide objectives, story elements, and a setup guide.
2. Character Creation: Players choose adventurer characters or create custom ones. They receive character sheets and follow character creation rules.
3. Create Frosthaven: Assemble the Frosthaven board by placing tiles according to the scenario’s setup instructions.
4. Monster Setup: Place monster standees on the board as indicated by the scenario.
5. Prepare Cards: Shuffle the event and treasure decks, and place them within reach. Create a separate deck for the scenario’s events.
6. Setup Village: Establish the village of Frosthaven with starting buildings and resources based on the scenario’s requirements.
7. Choose Starting Quest: If the scenario includes quests, choose the starting quest.

Rules for Frosthaven

Frosthaven is played in a series of rounds, each comprising several phases:

1. Round Overview: The round begins with a summary of round-specific rules, such as event resolution or enemy actions.
2. Initiative: Determine the order in which characters and monsters take their turns during this round. This is based on character and enemy abilities.
3. Character Turns: Players take turns in initiative order, performing actions like moving, attacking, using abilities, and collecting resources. They can also buy and sell items, level up, and interact with the village.
4. Monster Turns: Monsters act according to their abilities and AI cards. The Keeper (a player who controls monsters) determines their actions.
5. Event Phase: Resolve any event cards drawn during the round.
6. End of Round: Clean up by discarding used cards and tracking any persistent effects. Prepare for the next round.

Winning and Losing: Victory conditions are specific to each scenario. To win, players typically need to complete scenario objectives while managing resources, leveling up characters, and upgrading Frosthaven.

Character Advancement: Characters gain experience points (XP) from completing quests and defeating enemies. XP is used to level up and gain new abilities. Players can also improve Frosthaven, building new structures and unlocking benefits for future scenarios.

Adventurers you’ll meet from the base game

Frosthaven features a diverse roster of adventurers, each with their own unique abilities, strengths, and specialties. While the specific characters may vary depending on the scenario and campaign, here is a list of the adventurers you may encounter in the game:

1. Drifter: A versatile survivor with proficiency in exploration and resource gathering.
2. Blinkblade: A teleportation expert skilled in hit-and-run tactics.
3. Banner Spear: A supportive character who can inspire allies and provide battlefield control.
4. Geminate: A master of illusion and deception, capable of confusing and distracting foes.
5. Aesther Ashblade: A warrior with elemental abilities who can harness the power of fire and ice.
6. Valrath Red Guard: A heavily armored knight who specializes in protecting allies.
7. Deathwalker: A mysterious figure with the power to manipulate shadows and strike from afar.
8. Geminate Scout: A nimble rogue skilled in scouting and sneaking through dangerous terrain.
9. Lurker: A stealthy assassin who excels in ambushing enemies and dealing massive damage.
10. Quatryl Scoundrel: A quick and agile thief who relies on cunning and evasion.
11. Demiurge: A spellcaster who can control the battlefield and unleash powerful magical attacks.
12. Voidwarden: A support character who can heal and provide buffs to allies.
13. Blinkblade Harbinger: An advanced version of the Blinkblade with enhanced teleportation abilities.
14. Harmony and Ghost: A duo of adventurers, one of whom focuses on music-based support, while the other is a spectral companion.
15. Blinkblade Brotherhood: A trio of Blinkblades who work together to maximize their teleportation and combat prowess.

For a more comprehensive look at the rules, see the link below:

• Frosthaven Rulebook

How to win Frosthaven

1. Understand the Scenario Objectives: Each scenario in Frosthaven has specific objectives you need to achieve to win. It’s crucial to thoroughly read the scenario book and understand what you need to do. Objectives can include defeating specific enemies, reaching certain locations, or completing unique tasks.
2. Choose Complementary Characters: Frosthaven allows you to create a party of characters with different abilities and roles. Try to select characters that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, having a balance of ranged and melee attackers, support characters, and crowd control abilities can be advantageous.
3. Coordinate Actions: Communication and coordination among players are essential. Discuss your tactics, plan your moves, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Avoid working at cross-purposes, as it can lead to inefficiencies and wasted actions.
4. Manage Resources: Resources in Frosthaven include health, stamina, and cards in your hand. Be mindful of your resources and try not to exhaust your character too early in a scenario. Using your cards efficiently and strategically is key to long-term success.
5. Adapt to the Scenario: Be flexible and adapt your strategy to the specific scenario and the enemies you’re facing. Some scenarios may require a more defensive approach, while others may reward aggressive tactics. Pay attention to the scenario’s special rules and adapt accordingly.
6. Prioritize Objectives: Focus on completing the scenario objectives first and foremost. While defeating enemies is often necessary, it should serve the ultimate goal of achieving the scenario’s objectives. Don’t get too distracted by eliminating all foes unless the scenario explicitly requires it.
7. Use Terrain and Obstacles: The terrain and obstacles on the board can be both a hindrance and an advantage. Use them strategically to block enemy movement, create chokepoints, or gain cover from ranged attacks.
8. Enhance and Customize Characters: As you progress in the campaign, you’ll earn experience points and gold that can be used to enhance your characters’ abilities and purchase items. Make thoughtful decisions about how to improve your characters to better suit your party’s strategy and objectives.
9. Avoid Unnecessary Damage: Taking unnecessary damage can be detrimental in Frosthaven, as healing resources are limited. Try to minimize damage by avoiding traps, positioning yourself strategically, and using crowd control to keep enemies at bay.
10. Learn from Failures: Don’t be discouraged by failed scenarios. Use them as learning experiences to adapt your strategies, improve your coordination, and make better decisions in future attempts.
11. Work on Team Dynamics: Building strong teamwork and effective communication with your fellow players is crucial. Understanding each character’s strengths and weaknesses and how they can support one another is key to victory.

Winning Frosthaven often requires persistence, as some scenarios can be quite challenging. By working together, adapting to the situation, and using your characters’ abilities wisely, you can increase your chances of success in this immersive and strategic board game.