Gloomhaven

Playing ability cards

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Playing ability cards is what allows a character to perform actions in a scenario.

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Each round players choose two ability cards and use the top action of one card and the bottom action of the other card, resulting in two actions for each player on his or her turn.

All ability cards are specific to a character class and are acquired when starting a new character or by leveling up.

At the beginning of a round, each player will secretly select two cards from his or her hand to play facedown in front of them.

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Of the two cards, one should be selected as the leading card, which will determine the player’s order in the initiative for the round.

Players should not show other players the cards in their hands nor give specific information about any numerical value or title on any of their cards.

They are allowed to make general statements about their actions for the round and discuss strategy. See Player Communication.

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During a player’s turn, the two played cards will be used to perform actions (top and bottom) and then are either discarded, lost, or activated, depending on the actions that were taken.

Played cards are normally placed in a player’s discard pile unless otherwise noted.

Discarded cards can be returned to a player’s hand through resting.

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If the performed action from a card contains this symbol in the lower right of the action field, the card is instead placed in a player’s lost pile.

Lost cards can only be returned to a player’s hand during a scenario by using a special recover action.

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Whether the corresponding card is lost or discarded, some actions may contain an active effect (denoted by the symbols at right).

Persistent or Round ability cards.

Instead of being placed in the discard or lost pile, the card is placed in the active area in front of the player to keep track of the effect.

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Once the effect wears off, the card is then transferred to the appropriate pile.