Gloomhaven vs Frosthaven Map Tile Archive: Which Do You Need?
By Cephalofair - Epic Strategy Awaits | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
The two Folded Space map tile archives look alike but fit different games. Here is how to pick the right one for your shelf and your setup routine.
Quick answer
Buy the archive that matches the game you actually play. The Gloomhaven Map Tile Archive is built for Gloomhaven tiles and slides onto an IKEA Kallax shelf, while the Frosthaven Map Tile Archive is sized for Frosthaven tiles and fits both Kallax cubbies and the Official Frosthaven Premium Carrying Bag. If you own both games, start with the one you play most often, because each archive is organized around its own tile set.
What actually differs between the two archives
Both archives come from Folded Space and Cephalofair Games and both are designed to speed up map tile storage, but they are not interchangeable. The Gloomhaven archive is built around Gloomhaven's tile set and its Kallax shelf footprint, and the listing notes that no assembly is needed. The Frosthaven archive is built around Frosthaven's tiles and is designed to fit IKEA Kallax shelf cubbies and the Official Frosthaven Premium Carrying Bag. That carrying-bag detail is the clearest practical difference: if you transport Frosthaven, the Frosthaven archive is the one that drops into the bag you already own.
Shelf fit and setup speed
Both archives are designed around IKEA Kallax cubbies, so if your game shelf is Kallax-based, either one slots into the space you already have. The difference shows up during setup: a dedicated archive keeps tiles sorted by the game they belong to, so you spend less time digging through a mixed pile. That matters more as your collection grows, because a Gloomhaven tile mixed into a Frosthaven stack is the kind of small error that slows down a scenario start.
One handling note for the Gloomhaven archive
The Gloomhaven Map Tile Archive listing includes a specific care note: the velcro used to close the folder is quite strong out of the box, and Folded Space suggests being careful opening the folder the first few times to loosen it and avoid separating the velcro from the flap. That is not a defect, but it is worth knowing before your first open, especially if you are handing the folder to a younger player. The Frosthaven listing does not carry the same note, so treat this as a Gloomhaven-specific handling tip rather than a general rule for both.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Frosthaven archive: bag-ready: Fits Kallax cubbies and the Official Frosthaven Premium Carrying Bag, so it travels with the game. Choose this if Frosthaven is your active campaign or you move the game between locations.
- Gloomhaven archive: shelf-ready, no assembly: Designed for Gloomhaven on a Kallax shelf with no assembly required. Choose this if your Gloomhaven tiles live on a shelf and you want the simplest install.
- Gloomhaven archive: stiff velcro at first: The closure velcro is strong out of the box; open it carefully the first few times to avoid pulling it from the flap. A minor handling adjustment, not a reason to skip the archive.
Product facts
- Frosthaven: Map Tile Archive: Designed to fit IKEA Kallax shelf cubbies and the Official Frosthaven Premium Carrying Bag. If you already own the Frosthaven carrying bag or plan to transport the game, this archive is the one that matches your existing storage.
- Gloomhaven: Map Tile Archive: Designed to fit on an IKEA Kallax shelf with Gloomhaven. No assembly needed. The velcro used to close the folder is quite strong out of the box, and Folded Space suggests being careful opening the folder the first few times. It is a no-assembly shelf solution for Gloomhaven, but plan for a stiff velcro flap on the first few opens.
Which archive should you buy?
Best for
- Frosthaven owners who want a Kallax-friendly organizer that also fits the Official Frosthaven Premium Carrying Bag
- Gloomhaven owners who want a no-assembly shelf solution for their map tiles
Not for
- Players who want one archive to hold both Gloomhaven and Frosthaven tiles together
- Buyers who expect a generic tile organizer that ignores which game the tiles belong to
