Gloomhaven Class Tier List - Ranking all 22 Characters - CrispyGamer (2024)

Gloomhaven has become one of the most popular tactical RPG board games in recent years, with a huge array of unlockable character classes to choose from. With the digital video game adaptation bringing this experience to an even wider audience, players new and old may be wondering what the best and worst classes are in Gloomhaven’s roster.

In this comprehensive Gloomhaven class tier list guide, we’ve ranked all 22 playable characters based on their overall power, flexibility and ease of use. Whether you’re looking for the strongest damage dealer, best support hero or most beginner friendly option, this overview will help you evaluate the pros and cons of every class to build your ideal party.

How We Ranked the Gloomhaven Classes

When making this extensive Gloomhaven tier list, we considered four key factors that impact a class’ overall effectiveness:

• Damage Output – Higher and more reliable damage allows classes to quickly defeat enemies. We favored both single target and AOE damage potential.
• Utility – Crowd control, healing, buffs/debuffs, summons, etc. All the tools that help a class support their team.
• Flexibility – How well a class can adapt to different party compositions, scenarios and roles. Versatility is valuable.
• Ease of Use – Classes that are simple or forgiving to play effectively score better here. High skill caps were considered too.

We also looked at how each class performs at different levels, their power progression and key ability unlocks. And we examined how they fare in parties of 2, 3 and 4 players, since party size can significantly impact a class’ power.

With those exhaustive criteria in mind, let’s dive into the rankings!

Gloomhaven Class Tier List

S Tier Gloomhaven Classes

The S tier classes in Gloomhaven are the undisputed cream of the crop. They offer fantastic damage, utility and flexibility that makes them universally powerful picks in any party composition or scenario.

Nightshroud

The Nightshroud is considered by many Gloomhaven experts to be the most overpowered class in the game. With stealth, extremely high single target damage potential and self-sustaining mechanics, a skilled Nightshroud can practically solo even the hardest scenarios. This class has almost no weaknesses and their power only grows throughout an encounter.

The Nightshroud truly comes into their own at level 5+ when cards like Spirit of the Night provide insane damage bursts. Having items to replay powerful loss cards accelerates their dominance. Scoundrel and Spellweaver work well alongside them.

Quartermaster

Despite being primarily a support class, the Quartermaster has incredible versatility to fill nearly any role. With potent healing, buffs/debuffs, tanking, crowd control and even solid AOE damage potential, the Quartermaster is one of the most well-rounded and flexible options. They make any party significantly more durable.

The Quartermaster scales wonderfully throughout levels thanks to their ability to adapt. Their items allow them to double down on support or damage as needed. Pairing them with the Berserker or Music Note enables them to unlock their full potential.

Music Note

While not dealing damage themselves, the Music Note has some of the best ally buffs and enemy debuffs in Gloomhaven. Their ability to consistently inflict Disadvantage and Curses cripples enemies, while party-wide bonuses like Strengthen and Shield turns the group into an offensive powerhouse.

The Music Note comes into their own once they gain their core song abilities at level 1 and 4. Boosting these abilities with items allows them to maintain permanent uptime on multiple songs simultaneously. They support any damage dealer incredibly well.

A Tier Gloomhaven Classes

A tier classes may not be as universally powerful as S tier picks, but they are still great selections that excel in their intended roles.

Spellweaver

The quintessential glass cannon mage, the Spellweaver lacks durability but can unleash devastating AOE and elemental damage. Capable of clearing entire rooms when played well, they are a top pick for raw damage output.

The Spellweaver unlocks their true damage potential at level 5 when Fire Orbs comes online. Their excellent mix of high and low initiative cards let them combo abilities powerfully. Pair them with tanks like the Brute or crowd control allies.

Plagueherald

With poison and strong AOE attacks, the Plagueherald excels at damaging groups of enemies. They also inflict a variety of debuffs to weaken foes while boosting their own sustainability through self-healing.

Once the Plagueherald gains Spread the Plague and their summon abilities, their consistent AOE pressure shines. Their only weakness is single target damage, so bringing a Scoundrel or Cragheart covers that nicely.

Berserker

Few can match the Berserker’s single target damage output. Their mechanics allow them to enter a frenzied state and dish out insane DPS against bosses and elites. They do take finesse to use properly, but can hard carry teams in the right hands.

The Berserker peaks at 7+ when abilities like Blood Pact unlock their damage potential. Having a Quartermaster or Sunkeeper heal/buff them enables their risky aggressive play. They counter shield enemies well.

Beast Tyrant

Backed up by a loyal bear companion, the Beast Tyrant offers excellent close range damage. Their pet also soaks up a lot of damage and disruption for the team. The class does require clever coordination of your abilities though.

Once Maul is unlocked at level 3, the Beast Tyrant’s damage goes to the next level. Their pet augments their consistency, while invisibility and movement cards give them flexibility. Pair with a Tinkerer for healing.

B Tier Gloomhaven Classes

The middle of the pack – B tier classes are solid picks that function well in most scenarios, but may get outshined by more specialized options. They make reliable additions to fill any party.

Brute

A straightforward but balanced starting class. The Brute deals excellent close range damage while also being fairly sturdy. They make a nice introductory character that is easy to grasp yet scales decently.

The Brute unlocks their core kit at level 1 and plays consistently throughout. Trample is their only top damage card so enhancing it helps significantly. They pair well with damage dealers that need a meat shield like Scoundrels.

Mindthief

The Mindthief takes finesse to pilot well, but their damage, crowd control and versatility offers a remarkably high skill ceiling. Once you master them, they can take over a game, but expect a challenge to reach that potential.

The Mindthief reveals their true power at level 5 when The Mind’s Weakness unlocks to augment all attacks. Invisibility and obstacles enable them to avoid damage while picking ideal engagements. Pair them with tanks and healers.

Doomstalker

Thanks to their excellent range, the Doomstalker can snipe enemies extremely well, contributing reliable damage from the backline. Their single target damage at distance is impressive, but they lack other utility. Positioning is key.

The high initiative Shadow Yawp at level 3 defines the Doomstalker, enabling powerful openers. Enhancing their default top action to pull back lost cards like Impaling Eruption accelerates their damage further. Pair them with melee classes that benefit from softened targets.

Red Guard

A reliable tank who can absorb tons of damage for their team. The Red Guard also disrupts enemies and provides respectable melee damage of their own. Their performance is quite consistent albeit a bit one dimensional.

With a simple but effective kit, the Red Guard plays similarly throughout levels. Boots of Striding superbly patch up their mediocre movement though. They frontline for squishier allies like Spellweavers and Mindthiefs well.

C Tier Gloomhaven Classes

C tier classes can perform fine in the right situations, but often have limitations, drawbacks or reliability issues that hold them back from being top tier picks.

Scoundrel

Capable of phenomenal single target damage when built properly, the Scoundrel relies heavily on having allies nearby to enable ideal positioning. Lone wolf players will really struggle to use this class effectively.

The Scoundrel peaks from level 5-8 when key modifiers and base attacks come online. They want a melee partner to combo with. Cragheart and Mindthief work well to control enemy positioning for them.

Tinkerer

Certainly capable of supporting a team with versatile healing, buffs and solid ranged damage, the Tinkerer lacks flexibility and is slow to scale in power over time compared to top support classes. But they can still contribute.

The Tinkerer reveals their support or damage build direction at level 5. Their pets help overload single targets well. Pair them with durable front liners or summoners to maximize their supportive tools.

Elementalist

Wielding volatile elemental magic, the Elementalist can spike hard with the right card combo but is extremely fragile. Managing your elements, hand size and losses properly is mandatory to success. One misplay can completely cripple an Elementalist.

The Elementalist comes online at level 7 when Impaling Eruption unlocks huge damage. They rely heavily on items due to their limited hand size and loss cards. Pair them with allies who generate elements.

D Tier Gloomhaven Classes

The weakest classes in Gloomhaven that will pose extra challenge compared to others. Choose them only if you want hardcore mode!

Diviner

Severely limited in small parties, the Diviner needs lots of allies and enemies around to fuel their rift and portal abilities. Even in 4 player parties their payoff doesn’t match top tier support classes, making them very niche.

The Diviner reveals their portal focused powers at level 5, but never fully outgrows their dependency on specific party sizes and enemy counts. They fare best in Forgotten Circle’s scenarios tailored to them.

Demolitionist

Largely dependent on obstacles and environmental hazards to excel, the Demolitionist struggles to be relevant in many default Gloomhaven scenarios not catered to them. Their setup potential is too narrow.

The Demolitionist unlocks their only great persistent damage ability in Toxic Bolt at level 7. Until then they are severely outclassed. Even at their best, more versatile classes overshadow them.

Voidwarden

A tricky support class to master that for many simply won’t be worth the effort when alternatives exist. The Voidwarden has unique mechanics but poor damage output potential. They are heavily outperformed by other supports.

The Voidwarden reveals their toolbox at level 3, but core weaknesses around damage and limited range persist throughout their levels. Play them only if you value their theme and design over power and ease of use.

Putting Together the Best Gloomhaven Party

When assembling your ideal party, try to get a mixture of damage dealers and support classes from the S and A tiers – they provide the best power and synergy. Also consider your party size, as some classes shine more in smaller 2-3 player parties, while others thrive with the full 4 players.

Here are some recommended party compositions to try:

• Brute, Spellweaver, Music Note, Quartermaster (Balanced 4 Player)
• Scoundrel, Berserker, Quartermaster (Offense Focused 3 Player)
• Doomstalker, Beast Tyrant, Sunkeeper (2 Player Ranged Damage)
• Plagueherald, Nightshroud, Sawbones (Debuff Support Core)

And remember – every class is viable! The beauty of Gloomhaven is experimenting with creative ability combinations and unconventional lineups. Don’t be afraid to try an appealing class even if they rank lower in power level. You can find success with any party by playing smart.

Matchups and Counter Picks

Here are some key class matchups and counter picks to consider:

• Nightshrouds counter enemies reliant on buffs due to Nullification abilities
• High shield enemies counter Spellweavers heavily
• Single target bosses are handled well by Scoundrels and Berserkers
• Summoners like the Beast Tyrant pair effectively with the Tinkerer’s healing
• The Music Note shuts down enemies dependent on critical strikes via Dirge of Doom
• The Brute can tank hits from hard hitting bosses to protect squishier damage dealers

Knowing these dynamics allows you to tailor your party’s composition to counter the enemies you expect to face.

Conclusion

We hope this exhaustive Gloomhaven class tier list gives you a detailed sense of the strengths, weaknesses and progression of all 22 character options. Choosing a class that matches your preferred playstyle and synergizes well with your party is crucial to ensuring you have the most fun and success with Gloomhaven!

Let us know if you have any other questions about building an ideal group composition. We’re happy to provide additional tips and strategies to help you complete every scenario in Gloomhaven.