How to Play Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a cooperative tactical campaign game for 1–4 players. The first five scenarios teach the system gradually, so new players should play them in order rather than trying to learn every rule before Scenario 1.
The core round
Once the tutorial has introduced the full combat system, a normal round follows this structure:
- Each character secretly chooses two ability cards from hand.
- Choose one of those cards for initiative.
- Reveal player cards and monster ability cards.
- Resolve figures from lowest initiative number to highest.
- On your turn, use the top action of one chosen card and the bottom action of the other, in either order.
- Resolve end-of-round effects and begin the next round if the scenario continues.
Top and bottom actions
Each ability card has a top half and a bottom half. You cannot normally use both halves of the same card in one turn: one played card supplies the top action and the other supplies the bottom action.
If a printed action is not useful, the card can generally be used for its basic default action instead, subject to the rules introduced by the tutorial.
Initiative
Your initiative is the number on the card you selected for initiative. Lower numbers act earlier. Choosing fast initiative can let you eliminate or disable an enemy before it acts; choosing slow initiative can let enemies approach before you move into position.
Movement and attacks
Movement spends movement points to enter legal hexes. Attacks specify range and attack value. Draw an attack modifier card for each attack to determine the final result, then apply shields, conditions and other effects as required.
Monster turns
Monsters do not simply move toward the nearest figure using intuition. Their ability card determines what they do that round, and focus/movement rules determine their target and route. If a monster ability card does not list a Move or Attack, the monster does not automatically perform one.
Cards are also your stamina
Cards cycle through your hand, discard pile and lost pile. Most played cards go to discard, while powerful abilities may cause a card to be lost. Resting recovers discarded cards but normally costs one card to the lost pile.
This means playing too many lost-card abilities early can shorten the number of rounds your character can remain active.
Damage and losing cards
When you take damage, reduce hit points unless you prevent that damage by losing cards according to the rules. Losing a card can save a character from a devastating hit, but it also accelerates exhaustion.
What is exhaustion?
A character becomes exhausted if their hit points fall to zero or if they cannot select/play the required cards for a round. An exhausted character is removed from active play for the remainder of that scenario.
For more detail, see Jaws of the Lion Exhaustion, Scenarios & Monster Rules.
Winning a scenario
Each scenario has its own objective. Defeating all enemies is common, but not universal. Follow the scenario book’s goal and special rules. A successful scenario advances the branching campaign and may unlock rewards, locations or other content.
Campaign progression
Jaws of the Lion contains a 25-scenario branching campaign. Characters earn experience, loot, items and perks as the campaign progresses. Choices and scenario outcomes affect which scenarios become available.
Common beginner mistakes
- Using the top and bottom of the same card in one turn.
- Assuming a monster always moves and attacks.
- Playing lost-card abilities too aggressively in the opening rounds.
- Forgetting that initiative is both timing and positioning control.
- Trying to memorize the full rules before completing the five-scenario tutorial.
Related Jaws of the Lion guides
See the Jaws of the Lion game guide for the overview. Continue with Jaws of the Lion Strategy for hand stamina, initiative and party roles.