Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs 2026 Promo Scenario Pack – What to Know Before You Buy

Quick answer

Buy the Buttons & Bugs promo scenario pack if you already own Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs and want two new micro mercenaries plus a new cross-compatible campaign. Add Flames of Ashtar only if you want the lead-up story that connects the base small-box game to Pub Crawlers. Skip both if you do not own the base Buttons & Bugs game, because these are expansions, not standalone titles.

The Buttons & Bugs 2026 promo scenario pack is not a new core game. It is an expansion that adds two micro mercenaries, character cards, ten double-sided ability cards, and a new campaign that crosses over with the base Buttons & Bugs game. That distinction matters because the product page can look like a complete small-box experience when it is really an add-on for players who already own the base game.

This guide gives you concrete decision rules instead of hype. You will see what the promo pack actually contains, how the Flames of Ashtar mini-campaign fits in, and when your money is better spent on a different Gloomhaven product. The goal is simple: help you order the right box the first time.

What the Buttons & Bugs promo scenario pack actually adds

The Pub Crawlers expansion brings two all-new micro mercenaries, each with a micro miniature, character cards, and ten double-sided ability cards. It also introduces a new cross-compatible campaign. That means the content is designed to work alongside the base Buttons & Bugs game rather than replace it. If you already enjoy the small-box format, this is the most direct way to extend it with new characters and scenarios.

The most important buying detail is compatibility. The product description says the campaign is cross-compatible, which signals that the expansion expects the base game as a foundation. It does not list a full component inventory beyond the miniatures, cards, and campaign material, so treat any missing specification as a limitation rather than an assumption. If you need exact tile counts or storage dimensions, check the publisher page before ordering.

• Own the base Buttons & Bugs game first; this is an expansion, not a standalone product.
• The two new mercenaries come with miniatures and ability cards, so the box is playable content, not just cosmetic.

How Flames of Ashtar changes the decision

Flames of Ashtar is a lead-up mini-campaign that connects Buttons & Bugs to the Pub Crawlers expansion. It contains a bonus story and a new challenge, and it requires Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs to play. Think of it as the narrative bridge between the base small-box game and the new campaign. If you care about story continuity, this is the piece that makes the transition feel intentional rather than abrupt.

The trade-off is that Flames of Ashtar is not a full expansion on its own. It is a small, focused add-on. If you only want new mercenaries and do not care about the connecting story, you can skip it without losing the core Pub Crawlers content. If you want the complete narrative arc, add it. The store also notes that this mini-expansion can be free when you pre-order Pub Crawlers under the stated conditions, so check the current offer before you pay separately.

• Flames of Ashtar requires the base Buttons & Bugs game.
• It is a story bridge, not a standalone campaign, so buy it for narrative continuity rather than volume of content.

When to choose a different Gloomhaven product instead

If you do not own Buttons & Bugs, the promo pack is the wrong first purchase. A better entry point is Gloomhaven itself, the award-winning cooperative board game for one to four players with over ninety sessions built into the base box. It is a much larger commitment in time and shelf space, but it is a complete experience out of the box. The promo pack only makes sense after you have the small-box base game.

If you already own Gloomhaven and want to extend that campaign, Gloomhaven Forgotten Circles (3rd Printing) adds twenty new scenarios and the Aesther Diviner class. That is a different kind of expansion for a different audience. The decision rule is straightforward: buy the Buttons & Bugs promo content to expand the small-box game, and buy Forgotten Circles to expand the original Gloomhaven campaign. Do not buy either one hoping it will substitute for the other.

• No base Buttons & Bugs game? Start with Gloomhaven or the base small-box game instead.
• Expanding original Gloomhaven? Look at Forgotten Circles rather than the micro promo pack.

Practical checks before you order

Confirm which base game you own. The promo pack and Flames of Ashtar are built around Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs, while Gloomhaven ConQuests (2025) is designed for use with Gloomhaven and Frosthaven. Those are separate compatibility lanes. Mixing them up is the most common way to end up with a product you cannot play. Read the requirement line on each product page before checkout.

Check the shipping method options and any pre-order bundle language. The Pub Crawlers listing includes a shipping method option, and the Flames of Ashtar listing notes a free mini-expansion when you pre-order Pub Crawlers under the stated conditions. If you want the free item, order them together in the way the offer describes. Also decide whether you want the Gloomhaven: Metal Coin Upgrade, which is compatible with all titles in the Gloomhaven Universe, as a small upgrade for your table.

• Match the expansion to the base game you actually own.
• Read the pre-order conditions carefully if you want Flames of Ashtar for free.

Decision rules for the Buttons & Bugs promo scenario pack

• You own Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs and want more characters: Buy Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers. It adds two new micro mercenaries, character cards, ten double-sided ability cards, and a new cross-compatible campaign. Best value if you already play the small-box game regularly.
• You want the full story bridge into Pub Crawlers: Add Buttons & Bugs: Flames of Ashtar. It contains the bonus story and challenge that connects the base game to the Pub Crawlers expansion, and it requires the base game to play. Buy it for narrative continuity, not for a large content increase.
• You do not own any Buttons & Bugs game: Skip the promo pack and Flames of Ashtar for now. Start with Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs or the full Gloomhaven base game instead. Expansions without the base game are unplayable.
• You want to expand original Gloomhaven, not the small-box game: Look at Gloomhaven Forgotten Circles (3rd Printing) instead. It adds twenty scenarios and the Aesther Diviner class for Gloomhaven 1st Edition. Match the expansion to the base game you actually own.
• You want a small, compatible upgrade for any Gloomhaven title: Consider the Gloomhaven: Metal Coin Upgrade. It is compatible with all titles in the Gloomhaven Universe and includes a drawstring pouch. A low-risk add-on if you already have a Gloomhaven game on the table.

Product facts that affect your decision

• Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers: Includes 2 all-new mercenaries with a micro miniature, character cards, 10 double-sided ability cards, and more. This is the main promo scenario pack content. It expands the base small-box game with new playable characters and cards rather than replacing it.
• Buttons & Bugs: Flames of Ashtar: Contains the bonus story between Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs and Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers. Requires Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs to play. Buy this only if you own the base game and want the narrative bridge into Pub Crawlers. It is a mini-campaign, not a standalone game.
• Gloomhaven: Gloomhaven is an award-winning, sprawling cooperative board game that includes everything 1 to 4 players need for a GM-less playing experience. Over 90 sessions are built into this base game. If you do not own any Gloomhaven game yet, this is the complete starting point. The Buttons & Bugs promo content assumes you already have the small-box base game.
• Gloomhaven ConQuests (2025): Embark on four new Personal Quests released at GenCon 2025 designed for use with Gloomhaven & Frosthaven. Requires Gloomhaven or Frosthaven to play. This is a different compatibility lane from the Buttons & Bugs promo pack. Do not buy it expecting it to work with the small-box game.

Who should buy the Buttons & Bugs promo scenario pack

Best for

• Players who already own Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs and want two new micro mercenaries plus a new campaign.
• Fans who want the Flames of Ashtar story bridge between the base game and Pub Crawlers.
• Collectors who want to keep the small-box Gloomhaven line complete.

Not for

• New players who do not own Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs yet; buy the base game first.
• Groups looking for a full Gloomhaven campaign experience; choose the Gloomhaven base game instead.
• Players who only own Gloomhaven or Frosthaven and want compatible content; look at Gloomhaven ConQuests (2025) or Forgotten Circles instead.

The Buttons & Bugs promo scenario pack is a focused expansion for a specific shelf: the small-box Gloomhaven game. If that is what you own, Pub Crawlers adds new mercenaries and a cross-compatible campaign, and Flames of Ashtar adds the story bridge. If it is not what you own, put your budget toward the base game or the expansion that matches your collection. Check compatibility and pre-order conditions before you order, and you will get the right box the first time.