How to Play Frosthaven: Scenarios, Ability Cards & Outpost Phase
Frosthaven alternates between tactical scenarios and a persistent outpost phase. Scenario play uses the familiar Gloomhaven two-card system: each character selects two ability cards, chooses initiative, then uses the top half of one and the bottom half of the other while monsters follow automated focus and ability rules.
Scope. This guide covers the physical Frosthaven base campaign. Scenario-specific text, sealed content and current Cephalofair errata always override general rules.
Start a scenario with the required map, monsters and character setup
Use the scenario book and section book to build only the revealed areas. Each character prepares their current ability-card hand, items, attack modifier deck and any class-specific components. Scenario level determines monster statistics, trap damage, gold conversion and other scaling values.
Choose two cards and one initiative value each round
Characters secretly choose two ability cards. One card’s initiative becomes the character’s initiative for the round. After all players are ready, reveal character cards and one monster ability card for every active monster type.
Resolve turns from low initiative to high initiative
On a character turn, use the top action of one selected card and the bottom action of the other, in either order. Basic fallback Move and Attack actions remain available when the printed abilities no longer fit the board state.
Actions can move, attack, heal, summon, create or consume elements, place overlays, manipulate conditions or interact with scenario objectives. Lost-card actions are powerful but permanently reduce how many future rounds that character can survive.
Monsters follow focus and pathing rules
Monsters use the statistics on their standee card plus the current ability card. They focus according to the rulebook, then move only as needed to perform their listed attack when possible. Obstacles, difficult terrain, hazardous terrain, traps and other figures affect legal movement.
Loot matters beyond the current scenario
Loot tokens can award materials, herbs, coins and other campaign resources. These resources are important because Frosthaven’s outpost system uses them for crafting, construction and upgrades rather than treating loot only as personal wealth.
Resting returns discarded cards but loses one
Short and long rests recover discarded ability cards while permanently losing one card from the cycle. This makes the hand a scenario timer. A character also exhausts if health reaches zero or if they cannot continue because too few cards remain.
Finish the scenario objective, then resolve campaign consequences
Each scenario specifies its own success condition. On success, resolve the listed rewards, campaign stickers/sections and any calendar or unlock instructions. Failure normally allows the campaign to continue, but the scenario state resets according to the rules.
Successful scenarios usually lead into the Outpost Phase
The Outpost Phase handles the settlement between adventures: passage of time, events, attacks, building operations, construction and other campaign administration. Its exact sequence matters because an attack can affect buildings before you spend resources on new construction.
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Sources and scope
Checked September 20, 2026. This article avoids campaign spoilers and sealed-content specifics.