Gloomhaven vs Frosthaven
A side-by-side comparison of two of the most-asked-about board games — using only verified specs from our catalogue. No invented rules, no fluff.
Specs and BoardGameGeek rankings current as of June 2026. Gaps in our data show as a dash (—).
| Gloomhaven | Frosthaven | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2017 | 2022 |
| Players | 1–4 | 1–4 |
| Playtime | ~60 min | ~90 min |
| Recommended age | 14+ | 14+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #4 | #20 |
| Designers | Isaac Childres | Isaac Childres |
| Key mechanics | Action Queue, Action Retrieval, Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Card Play Conflict Resolution | Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Communication Limits, Cooperative Game, Deck Construction |
Both games share these mechanics: Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Communication Limits, Cooperative Game, Deck Construction, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Hexagon Grid, Legacy Game, Modular Board, Multi-Use Cards, Narrative Choice / Paragraph, Once-Per-Game Abilities, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Simultaneous Action Selection, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Player Powers.
Which should you get?
Based only on the specs above — not on opinion:
- Gloomhaven is the lighter, easier-to-teach game (3.9 vs 4.4 of 5), while Frosthaven offers more decision depth for experienced players.
- If table time matters, Gloomhaven is the shorter game (~60 min vs ~90 min).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Gloomhaven currently sits higher (#4 vs #20).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Gloomhaven and Frosthaven.
Where to buy
Gloomhaven
Find Gloomhaven on Amazon →Frosthaven
Find Frosthaven on Amazon →Amazon links are affiliate search links. As an Amazon Associate, EveryGameMade earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Is Gloomhaven or Frosthaven harder to learn?
Gloomhaven is the easier of the two to learn — 3.9 of 5 on BoardGameGeek versus 4.4 of 5 for Frosthaven.
Which is faster to play, Gloomhaven or Frosthaven?
Gloomhaven is the quicker game at about 60 minutes, versus roughly 90 minutes for Frosthaven.
How many players do Gloomhaven and Frosthaven support?
Gloomhaven plays with 1–4 players; Frosthaven plays with 1–4 players.