Gloomhaven Class Upgrade Pack to 2nd Edition: Install & Organize

Start by Confirming What the Pack Replaces

The Gloomhaven (1st Edition): Class Upgrade Pack to 2nd Edition is designed to replace your 1st Edition characters in Gloomhaven 1E or bring the newest version of these mercenaries to Jaws of the Lion and Frosthaven. Before you open any envelope, check that you are working with the correct edition of your base game and that you intend to swap the class components rather than mix old and new versions.

The pack contains 18 Class Envelopes, each with updated Ability Cards, an Advance Modifier Deck, a Character Mat, Character Tokens, a Character Punchboard, and a Character Sheet Pad. All contents feature new artwork and graphic design. Lay out one envelope at a time so you can match each component to the class it belongs to.

How to Swap Your 1st Edition Class Cards

Work through the following steps for each class you want to upgrade. The process is the same whether you are updating a Gloomhaven 1E campaign or adding the classes to Jaws of the Lion or Frosthaven.

1. Open one Class Envelope at a time: Keep the envelope contents together. Each envelope holds the full set of updated components for a single class, so mixing envelopes will make it harder to match cards to mats.
2. Remove the old class components: Take out the 1st Edition Ability Cards, Advance Modifier Deck, Character Mat, Character Tokens, and Character Sheet Pad for that class. Set them aside in a separate pile rather than discarding them immediately.
3. Insert the 2nd Edition components: Place the updated Ability Cards, Advance Modifier Deck, Character Mat, Character Tokens, Character Punchboard, and Character Sheet Pad into the same slots or tuck boxes your old components used.
4. Repeat for each class: Continue envelope by envelope until you have swapped every class you plan to use. The pack includes 18 Class Envelopes, so you can upgrade the full roster over time or all at once.

What Each Envelope Contains

• Gloomhaven (1st Edition): Class Upgrade Pack to 2nd Edition: Contains 18 Class Envelopes, each includes updated: Ability Cards, Advance Modifier Deck, Character Mats, Character Tokens, Character Punchboard, Character Sheet Pad. Knowing the exact component list helps you verify that every envelope is complete before you swap anything into your game box.

  

• Gloomhaven (1st Edition): Class Upgrade Pack to 2nd Edition: This Class Upgrade Pack contains all Gloomhaven (2nd Edition) Class Envelopes and their contents complete with new artwork and graphic design. The new artwork and graphic design are the main reason to upgrade, so check that the visual style matches what you want at your table.

Organizing the Upgrade Cards After the Swap

Once the swap is done, you need a storage plan that keeps the 18 classes separate and easy to find. The pack does not include a dedicated storage solution, so use the envelopes themselves or the class tuck boxes from your base game. Label each envelope or box with the class name so you can pull a single class without sorting through the whole stack.

Keep the Character Mats flat and separate from the cards to avoid bending them. Store the Character Tokens and Punchboard pieces in small bags or compartments within each class section. If you play Gloomhaven 1E and Jaws of the Lion or Frosthaven side by side, decide whether the upgraded classes live in one box or are split between games, and store them accordingly.

Storage Choices and Their Trade-Offs

There is no single correct way to store the upgrade pack. The best choice depends on how many classes you use at once and how much space you have.

• Keep the original envelopes: Simplest option: return each class to its envelope after play. This keeps all components for one class together and makes the 18-class set easy to shelve, but envelopes wear out with repeated opening.
• Move to class tuck boxes: If your base game already has tuck boxes, transferring the upgraded components into them keeps your storage consistent. Check that the new Character Mats and Punchboard fit the box dimensions before committing.
• Use a separate class binder: A binder with card pages can hold Ability Cards and Advance Modifier Decks for several classes. This speeds up finding cards during play but requires careful labeling and does not protect mats or tokens.

When the Swap Is Worth It

The upgrade pack makes the most sense if you play Gloomhaven 1E regularly and want the 2nd Edition class components without buying a whole new edition. It also helps if you want to bring the updated mercenaries into Jaws of the Lion or Frosthaven and prefer the new artwork and graphic design. If you only play one or two classes and are happy with your 1st Edition components, the pack may be more than you need.

Because the pack includes all 18 Class Envelopes, it is a complete class refresh rather than a partial upgrade. Plan your storage before you open every envelope so the components stay organized from the first swap.