Quick answer
If you want a support-style mercenary who manipulates the battlefield with rifts and divination, choose the Cassandra: Forgotten Diviner pack. If you prefer a high-impact, unpredictable ally whose irritation fuels raw power, choose Hail: Irritable Enchanter. Both are standalone Mercenary Packs with new design, development, and artwork, and neither requires the out-of-print Forgotten Circles expansion.
What each Mercenary Pack actually contains
Both packs are physical mercenary expansions for Gloomhaven, sold as individual character packs. They are not full expansions and do not include new scenarios or campaign content. Each pack gives you a new playable mercenary class with its own ability cards, tokens, and character components. The exact component list beyond that is not detailed in the catalog, so treat the pack as a character-focused addition rather than a box of extras.
Gloomhaven
Cassandra: battlefield control through rifts and divination
Cassandra is inspired by Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles, the out-of-print expansion, and brings that spiritual legacy into a new Mercenary Pack. Her design centers on creating rifts across the planes to hamper your foes while using divination to predict the future of your party and its enemies. That makes her a tactical pick for players who enjoy setting up advantages a turn or two ahead rather than reacting. Because Forgotten Circles is out of print, this pack is the practical way to get a similar flavor of play without hunting down the original expansion.
Hail: raw power with a personality
Hail is Gloomhaven's perpetually annoyed and reclusive enchanter, and the pack leans into that character. She would just as soon roll her eyes at you as transform you into a mindless ooze, and her kit lets you turn that irritation into resolve, releasing a fraction of her immense power. If you like mercenaries with strong thematic flavor and straightforward impact, Hail is the more direct choice. She is presented as one of Gloomhaven's most powerful allies, so expect her to matter when she hits the table.
How to decide between them
The real trade-off is control versus punch. Cassandra asks you to think about positioning, timing, and prediction; her value comes from shaping what happens next. Hail asks you to commit to decisive actions and enjoy the ride; her value comes from the weight she throws around. Neither is strictly better, and the right pick depends on whether your group already has a planner or needs more raw output. If you are unsure, look at your current party: a group full of reactive damage dealers will appreciate Cassandra's foresight, while a group that already sets up combos may prefer Hail's direct pressure.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Cassandra: Forgotten Diviner: You gain rift-based battlefield control and divination that predicts party and enemy futures, but you trade away the immediate, straightforward damage that some players prefer. Choose Cassandra if you like planning ahead and shaping the board.
- Hail: Irritable Enchanter: You get a powerful, personality-forward ally whose irritation becomes resolve, but you trade away the predictive, control-oriented toolkit that defines Cassandra. Choose Hail if you want direct impact and strong theme.
- Availability and legacy: Cassandra carries the legacy of the out-of-print Forgotten Circles, while Hail is a standalone character pack. Both are available now without needing another expansion. If Forgotten Circles is why you are here, Cassandra is the closer match.
Product facts
- Cassandra: Forgotten Diviner - Mercenary Pack: Inspired by Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles (out of print), Cassandra creates rifts across the planes to hamper your foes, while using divination to predict the future of your party and its enemies. Gives you a way to play a Forgotten Circles-style character without needing the out-of-print expansion.
- Hail: Irritable Enchanter - Mercenary Pack: Hail would just as soon roll her eyes at you as she would transform you into a mindless ooze. Gloomhaven's perpetually annoyed and reclusive enchanter lets you turn her irritation into resolve, releasing just a fraction of her immense power. Delivers a character-driven, high-impact mercenary for players who want personality and power in one pick.
Which pack is right for you?
Best for
- Players who enjoy tactical, predictive characters and battlefield control.
- Groups that want a support-style mercenary to set up allies.
- Anyone who missed Forgotten Circles and wants that style of play.
Not for
- Players who prefer simple, direct damage without planning ahead.
- Groups that already have strong board control and need raw output instead.
