A challenge indeed

I've always had the attitude that I'd rather play a game that is hard, than a game that's easy. That means I have to play it to improve and I have to deepen my understanding of it as well. It also means there will be plenty of plays and enjoyment moving forward.

Today was attempt number two at Gloomhaven's opening scenario. Here are some thoughts from my second (failed) attempt. I still made it into the second room, but didn't have much left in me by that point...

- This game is a tough challenge! And I like it! 😁 Holy crap!

- Setup was definitely quicker this time, knowing the basics of what's needed and how to lay things out on the table. My space seemed more functional this time around, as you can see above, which was nice.

- My setup next play (which I wanted to do immediately but I'll have to wait until tomorrow), will be even quicker. I put things in my organizer that I'm using in my campaign right now; items, character chards, battle goal cards, character goal cards etc.. to access them quickly and easily. So there's no searching for them again amongst the others. So smart I know! 😊

- I chose to try Level 1 difficulty for my campaign when I began the other day. The book says you can adjust scenario to scenario (which is nice), but you can't (obviously) adjust mid-scenario. Level 1 is the second easiest difficulty. However, after today I'm debating at stepping back just a bit more. However, I'm still somewhat reluctant. I'll explain why soon.

- I love the decisions in this game. Right from the time you unbox it to play you have a decision; Return to Gloomhaven to purchase items etc..., or travel to a linked scenario location to begin your next scenario, or travel to a non-linked scenario where you'll have to do a "Road Event card" along the way. Mine today was pretty simple since I failed my first attempt - I either return to Gloomhaven or stay put and try again. I didn't have much gold collected, so there wasn't much point in returning to Gloomhaven to purchase any additional items just yet. Besides, when you do, in order to travel back to my scenario I would have to pick a "Road Event card" which often aren't wonderful (unless you choose your option wisely, I learned my first time playing).

Decisions in the game itself are daunting at times. It's incredible how one bad choice can really screw you over. And wouldn't you know it, I have a wonderful example for you from today's scenario;

My Quatryl Tinkerer, "Beeker" has a card that allows any adjacent ally to recover all discarded cards. My Inox Brute, "Magnus" could have us that help, despite trying to not get him in that situation again. However, that card was in "Beeker's" discard pile. Meaning I'd have to take a short rest OR long rest to recover it. BUT the situation in the room and based on the monster positions, my characters' health etc, I didn't have time for her to take a long rest (essentially missing a turn / unable to move and attack). So I chose the short rest, meaning I'd have to randomly choose a card from my discard pile to lose. As I'm shuffling I was thinking "just don't pick THAT card... ". Well, I picked THAT card. 😟 I know this may seem confusing to those who haven't played Gloomhaven. I'll sum it up for you:

That one bad decision, essentially screwed me over for getting through the scenario (as I wasn't even out of the first of three rooms yet!). I knew it right away. I was kicking myself and thought it was so cool at the same time! 🤣

- Here's a really cool element to the game in my opinion though: Even when I knew I was not going to make it past the monsters and get out of this scenario alive, my focus now shifted to being all about gaining as much loot and experience as I could. From play to play, and scenario to scenario, building your loot and XP (experience) allow you to upgrade your character in different ways, which hopefully will allow me to progress someday. 🤣 That's a really cool feature.

That is also why I'm reluctant to reduce the difficulty to the very easiest level, despite this one being such a challenge still. As I build my loot and XP, maybe I can do better? Also I look at it from the perspective that, if it takes me 5 attempts say, to get out of the first scenario, I'm only learning how to play more efficiently each time anyway... so no loss. AND I'm enjoying it.

- Rules wise I did better today, and had more flow for sure. However, I still was consulting the book a fair bit. For me, I don't mind that at all. But it does cause time to go by, which in today's case only allowed me to play the one time. 😟 Damn responsiblity...