Gloomhaven, a popular table-top game, has recently been released in a digital version. Similar to the style of Dungeons and Dragons, there are classes that players can choose from that all play differently.
Though Gloomhaven contains 17 mercenaries to choose from, there are a total of 6 starting classes. Which class a player chooses to use is important because it’s likely they’ll be sticking with that class and playstyle for a while. Some enjoy running in, taking hits, and slashing away while others enjoy a more tactical or magical approach. So, it is imperative to choose a class that the player will personally enjoy.
There are six total starting character classes players can choose from in Gloomhaven:
- Scoundrel
- Spellweaver
- Cragheart
- Mindthief
- Brute
- Tinkerer
How to Best Utilize Every Gloomhaven Character Class
Scoundrel: Much like a rogue or a ninja, the Scoundrel is best at sneaking and dealing surprise damage. The cards for this class encourage getting in close, doing chip damage, and then getting out by emphasizing dodging and speed as priority statistics. This is a good class for players who are more interested in looting than in fighting. This class isn’t good at tanking hits or doing a lot of damage but is great for Gloomhaven players who are quick on their feet and happy to avoid violence.
Spellweaver: The Spellweaver can be summed up in two words: glass cannon. While this class can provide a party with some necessary healing and also do quite a bit of damage in battle, it cannot tank hits at all. This is a class for players who like to stay out of the main fight while providing great assistance. The biggest downside to the spellweaver is that the player has to have an understanding of the game’s magic system, making it significantly less user-friendly for beginners. But if a player knows the magical mechanics, this class can be incredibly powerful when used tactically.
Cragheart: For players who find it difficult to focus on one class or fighting style at a time, the Cragheart could be a great fit. This class is essentially a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. This is a ranged fighter with decent defense for tanking hits, the ability to heal, deal average damage, and change the environment. This is a great class for players who like to adapt their playstyle to the situation and who focus on versatility above all.
Mindthief: The Mindthief is a complicated but strong melee attacker with few hit points. This is a class for players looking for a challenge and who are ready to be tactical to survive. However, the entertainment garnered from messing with and controlling enemy monsters as well as allies far outweighs the negatives. This is the chaos class, but that makes it one of the most fun to play.
Brute: For Dungeons and Dragons players trying out Gloomhaven and looking for the equivalent of a barbarian, here is the Brute. This is the tank class – the best class to take hits and deal massive damage – and it is essential to a balanced party. It carries the highest hit points of any class and can even heal a little. This is the class for players who like to run into a fight with fists raised and guns blazing.
Tinkerer: The Tinkerer is best used as a support/healer but it has so many options for how to be those things that it can be hard to get bored of. Tinkerers are constantly on high alert, watching their fellow players decide whether they should distract, attack, or heal. It can build interesting contraptions and even throw nets at enemies. The versatility of the class is quite appealing to players and makes the tinkerer one of the most interesting and effective classes in Gloomhaven.
For fans of tabletop RPGs, Gloomhaven is a fantastic digital recreation of a classic. And for beginners who might be interested in diving into the world of tabletop games, this is a great introduction that can be played with others online.
Gloomhaven is available on Steam.