A Complete Gloomhaven Campaign in a Smaller Package
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a fully stand-alone cooperative campaign game of tactical combat set in the same fantasy world as its predecessor, Gloomhaven. You and up to three friends each control one of four new hardened mercenaries, working together through a prequel campaign full of choices, challenges, and twists. Because it is stand-alone, you do not need the original Gloomhaven big box to play or enjoy this campaign.
What makes Jaws of the Lion especially approachable for newcomers is its built-in tutorial. The game includes a learn-to-play guide and play-surface scenario books that let you jump into the action more quickly and easily than ever before. Instead of reading a massive rulebook before your first game, you learn the rules step by step as you play through the opening scenarios.
What You Need Before Your First Session
To play Jaws of the Lion, you only need the components that come in the box. The game is self-contained, so you do not need to own Gloomhaven or any other expansion. The play-surface scenario books serve as both the map and the scenario setup, which means you will not need to assemble map tiles for each session. This streamlined setup is one of the reasons the game works well for players who want to avoid the table footprint and preparation time of a large dungeon-crawler.
The four mercenaries in the box are designed to work together as a team. Each has a distinct role and playstyle, and the tutorial scenarios introduce their abilities gradually. You can start playing with any number of players from one to four, though the campaign is balanced for a full party. The learn-to-play guide walks you through the first few scenarios, so you can begin playing within minutes of opening the box.
How to Start the Jaws of the Lion Tutorial Campaign
The game is built to teach you as you play. Follow these steps to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
- Open the learn-to-play guide first: The guide is designed to be read before and during your first scenario. It introduces the core rules in the order you will need them, so you do not have to absorb everything at once.
- Set up the first tutorial scenario: Use the play-surface scenario book to set up the first scenario. The book shows the map and the starting positions for enemies and characters, so you can place your figures directly on the page.
- Choose your mercenary: Each player picks one of the four new hardened mercenaries. The tutorial scenarios are designed to teach each character's strengths, so you can learn your role as you play.
- Play through the tutorial scenarios in order: The campaign begins with a series of tutorial scenarios that introduce new rules and abilities gradually. Play them in sequence to build your understanding of the game.
- Continue into the full campaign: Once you complete the tutorial, the full campaign opens up with choices, challenges, and twists. You can continue with the same characters and apply what you have learned.
How the Tutorial Scenarios Teach You the Rules
The tutorial scenarios in Jaws of the Lion are not just a practice mode—they are the first few scenarios of the campaign. Each one introduces a new concept, such as movement, attacking, or using items, and then gives you a chance to use that concept in play. This approach lets you learn the rules of the game incrementally, without needing to memorize the entire rulebook upfront.
Because the scenario book doubles as the play surface, you do not need to set up map tiles or consult a separate scenario book for enemy placement. This reduces setup time and keeps the focus on learning the game. The built-in tutorials and learn-to-play guide are specifically designed to make the game more accessible than its predecessor, so even players new to Gloomhaven-style games can start playing quickly.
Building Your Character During the Campaign
As you play through the campaign, your mercenary will gain experience and new abilities. The game includes character sheets and ability cards that let you customize your character's build. While the supplied information does not detail specific build options, the tutorial scenarios are designed to introduce each character's core mechanics, giving you a foundation to make informed choices as you level up.
The campaign is full of choices and twists, and your decisions will shape the story. Because the game is a cooperative campaign, your group will need to discuss tactics and plan together. The four mercenaries are designed to complement each other, so experimenting with different team compositions can be part of the fun.
What Comes in the Box
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion: A fully stand-alone cooperative campaign game of tactical combat set in the same fantasy world as Gloomhaven. You do not need the original Gloomhaven to play this game.
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion - Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion: Players assume the roles of 4 new hardened mercenaries and work together through a new prequel campaign full of choices, challenges, and twists. The game supports a full cooperative experience with a complete campaign story.
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion: New built-in tutorials, learn-to-play guide, and play-surface scenario books allow players to jump into the action more quickly and easily than ever before. These components are designed to reduce setup time and make learning the game approachable for beginners.
Tips for a Smooth First Play
Keep the learn-to-play guide nearby during your first few scenarios. It is structured to answer questions as they come up, so you can check it without disrupting the flow of the game. Since the scenario book serves as the play surface, you can set up and start playing in minutes, which makes it easy to fit a session into an evening.
If you are playing with a group, consider playing the first tutorial scenario solo or with one other person to learn the basics before adding more players. This can help you teach the game to others more effectively. The game is designed to be learned gradually, so there is no need to rush through the tutorial.
