Quick answer
Gloomhaven currently has the larger library of expansions and promo packs, including the out-of-print Forgotten Circles campaign and a steady stream of smaller scenario and mercenary releases. Frosthaven's official expansion and promo line is still growing, so if you want the widest variety of add-on content right now, Gloomhaven is the safer bet.
Frosthaven
If you're deciding where to invest your hobby budget, the number of expansions and promos matters. Gloomhaven and Frosthaven share a universe, but their add-on libraries look very different in 2026. Gloomhaven has had years to accumulate campaign expansions, promo scenarios, and cross-compatible mercenary packs, while Frosthaven is still building out its official support.
This comparison focuses on what you can actually buy today from Cephalofair, based on the current catalog. We'll look at expansion depth, promo variety, and how each game's add-ons fit into an existing collection, so you can choose the line that matches how you play.
Gloomhaven expansions: depth and legacy
Gloomhaven's expansion history is longer, and that shows in the current catalog. The most notable example is Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles, which is now out of print. Its spirit lives on through the Cassandra: Forgotten Diviner - Mercenary Pack, a new design that lets you play a diviner who creates rifts and predicts enemy actions. That pack is cross-compatible with popular Gloomhaven titles, so it slots into existing campaigns rather than replacing them.
Beyond that, Gloomhaven has a broader ecosystem of small-box add-ons. The Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs 2024 Promo Scenario Pack collects four promotional scenarios originally released at conventions like Gen Con, Origins, SPIEL, and PAX Unplugged. These require the base Buttons & Bugs game, but they show how Cephalofair has supported Gloomhaven with limited promo content over multiple years. For players who like collecting every scenario, Gloomhaven offers more to chase.
- Check whether a promo pack requires a specific base game before buying.
- Out-of-print expansions like Forgotten Circles may be replaced by new mercenary packs, so don't assume you've missed out entirely.
Frosthaven expansions: a growing but smaller line
Frosthaven's official expansion catalog is still in its early stages compared to Gloomhaven's. The current Frosthaven add-ons in the Cephalofair store are mostly accessories rather than campaign expansions. The Frosthaven Play Surface Books, for example, replace map tiles and most overlay tokens with four scenario books covering all 138 Frosthaven scenarios. That's a significant quality-of-life upgrade for setup and teardown, but it's not new story content.
Similarly, the Frosthaven: Folded Space Game Insert is an official foam core storage solution designed to keep the box light and speed up setup and clear-away. These accessories improve how you play Frosthaven, but they don't expand the campaign the way a Gloomhaven mercenary pack or promo scenario does. If you're looking for new characters, scenarios, or campaigns for Frosthaven, the official supply is thinner right now.
- Accessories like play surface books and inserts are not expansions; they change how you store and set up the game.
- Frosthaven's expansion line may grow, but today it has fewer official add-on releases than Gloomhaven.
Promos and cross-compatibility
Gloomhaven promo packs tend to be small, convention-style releases that add a handful of scenarios or a single new mercenary. The Buttons & Bugs 2024 Promo Scenario Pack is a good example: four cards, each tied to a specific event, and all requiring the base Buttons & Bugs game. These are collectible and often produced in limited runs, which makes them appealing to completionists but less useful if you don't already own the required game.
Frosthaven promos are less common in the current catalog. The main cross-compatible option is the Mercenary Pack Bundle - ESSEN PICKUP, which includes new mercenaries designed to be cross-compatible with popular Gloomhaven titles. Note that this bundle is an in-person pickup at Essen, so it's not a standard online order. For most Frosthaven owners, the practical promo choices are still limited compared to what Gloomhaven players can find.
- Read the fine print on promo packs: some require a base game you might not own.
- Cross-compatible mercenary packs can work across multiple titles, so they offer more value if you own several games in the series.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Expansion depth: Gloomhaven has a longer history of expansions, including out-of-print Forgotten Circles and multiple mercenary packs. Frosthaven's official expansion line is still small and mostly accessory-focused. Choose Gloomhaven if you want the widest variety of add-on content today.
- Promo availability: Gloomhaven promo packs are more plentiful, but some require specific base games. Frosthaven promos are rarer, and the Mercenary Pack Bundle is an Essen pickup only. Check requirements and availability before committing to a promo.
- Accessory vs. expansion: Frosthaven's current add-ons are primarily accessories like play surface books and inserts that improve setup and storage. Gloomhaven's add-ons include new characters and scenarios. If you want new gameplay, Gloomhaven is the better bet; if you want convenience, Frosthaven accessories deliver.
Relevant products from the current catalog
- Cassandra: Forgotten Diviner - Mercenary Pack: Inspired by Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles (out of print), this pack introduces a diviner who creates rifts across the planes and predicts the future of your party and its enemies. It features new design, development, and artwork. If you missed Forgotten Circles, this pack gives you a way to bring its spiritual successor into your Gloomhaven campaigns without hunting down an out-of-print expansion.
- Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs 2024 Promo Scenario Pack: Contains four promotional scenario cards released by Cephalofair in 2024: Narrow Escape (Gen Con), Arena Challenge (Origins), The Beast Tamer (SPIEL), and Another Tale (PAX Unplugged). Requires Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs to play. This is a compact, collectible promo pack that adds replayable scenarios, but only if you already own the Buttons & Bugs base game.
- Frosthaven Play Surface Books: A set of four scenario play surface books that eliminate the need for Frosthaven map tiles and most overlay tokens, covering all 138 scenarios with narrative text and special rules. This is an accessory that speeds up setup and reduces table space, but it does not add new campaign content.
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Players who want the largest selection of expansions and promo packs for a single game.
- Collectors who enjoy hunting down limited convention scenarios and cross-compatible mercenaries.
Not for
- Players who only own Frosthaven and want new campaign content; the official expansion line is still growing.
- Shoppers who need online-only promos; some bundles are in-person pickup only.
Gloomhaven wins on sheer volume of expansions and promos, while Frosthaven offers high-quality accessories that make the base game smoother to play. Decide whether you want more content or more convenience, and buy accordingly.
