Worth it only for groups that finished the campaign and want a harder, rules-heavy follow-up. Some find scenarios tedious; the designer says it is only loosely compatible with 2nd Edition.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: 20 post-campaign scenarios, the Aesther Diviner class, 7 monster types (3 bosses) and 14 items.
A 40-point r/Gloomhaven thread says the designers nailed the theme and calls her a strong support, with one of the strongest level 1 heals. Some skipped the packs over price.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: One new mercenary, Hail the enchanter.
Skip unless you want updated 2nd Edition classes in an existing 1st Edition game. It is largely a reprint of the 18 class boxes and cannot run the 2nd Edition campaign on its own.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: 18 Class Envelopes with updated ability cards, advance modifier decks, mats, tokens, punchboards and sheet pads; usable in Gloomhaven 1E, Jaws of the Lion and Frosthaven.
Fixes: Replaces 1st Edition class components with 2nd Edition rebalanced/reworded versions.
The top r/Gloomhaven answer says 'Satha is universally great' with flexible move, attack and grant cards. A Frosthaven character that works with Gloomhaven 2nd Edition.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: One new mercenary, Satha, a leader/support character.
r/Gloomhaven calls her the Forgotten Circles Diviner concept but better balanced, rebuilt for 2nd Edition and Frosthaven with new perks and masteries; one commenter says she is worth the upgrade.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: One new mercenary, Cassandra, inspired by the Forgotten Circles Aesther Diviner with new design and art.
Fixes: Offers a Diviner-style class without the out-of-print Forgotten Circles box.
r/Gloomhaven says the 2nd Edition solos are redesigned with new items and worth it if you have time. 1st Edition solos do not transfer cleanly.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: 24-page book of 18 solo scenarios plus 18 item cards (one reward item per class).
Thin evidence: a melee-damage guide, a report of a missing miniature, and a note the included Jaws of the Lion scenario confused a new player. Sold out at Cephalofair on 2026-10-07.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: One new mercenary, Anaphi the vermling, a former Jaws of the Lion character with augments and summons.
No community reviews found; a $5 production-quality upgrade of the Envelope X reward for 1st Edition. Buy it only if you opened Envelope X and want the printed version.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Production-quality printing of the Envelope X reward content.
Forgotten Circles. Worth it only for a group that finished the campaign and wants a harder, rules-heavy follow-up. A BGG thread and a Reddit thread (r/Gloomhaven) both report scenarios feeling tedious with many special rules, while another BGG poster's group enjoyed it. The designer says it runs above the curve and is only loosely compatible with 2nd Edition.
Our verdict: depends on your group. It adds: 20 post-campaign scenarios, the Aesther Diviner class, 7 monster types (3 bosses) and 14 items.
We’d buy Forgotten Circles first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.
Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-10-08.