gloomhaven is narrative?

Sort of. It's not particularly story driven, there is one, but it's in the background. If you read all of the town records, character cards, and such, it does have a world it's building. I guess it's more atmospheric than narrative.

I was making a joke about the half-assed attempt at a story in GH.

Quick question for anyone finished the campaign or done a significant chunk of it. Are there any chapters where you use multiple maps/mystery envelopes or open extra mystery boxes part way through the Story? Asking as I tend to bring only what I need storywise to play to a mates house as per the initial opening instructions e.g. Mystery Envelope A for example.

Surely, the Encounter Book will tell you exactly what you need for each chapter.

Yes, this does happen but it isn't frequent. The times when it is most likely to happen is with the journal being pulled out during a chapter due to interactions you've chosen. There are other situations involving other components, but those instances are less frequent.

Ah cheers. Suppose it's not too much of a burden to carry the journal and extra lettered envelopes in case.

I dont think you open multiple big envelopes per Session. There are times that you'll open the big envelope mid-session though so you would need to know in advance which to have with you. It is mostly the small envelopes and box that will surprise appear

Aye got ya, cheers for the info 👍

Does the Witch start with all of her elemental-tagged cards? I notice she only has 3 abilities with the starter symbol

so are the ones that have the flame or wind tab also start in her hand?

I haven't played the witch but my recollection is that she has to pick either flame or wind for the first scenario

for later scenarios she can mix and match between the two

I don't believe she has to, but it was recommended.

On E7 in the Starting Ability Cards section, it says she uses the 3 starting ability cards with the star and then chooses either the 4 fire or 4 water ability cards, but from Chapter 2 onwards they can be mixed. Obviously play how you want though, that rule is probably just a recommendation to keep people from getting confused before playing the first scenario anyways.

You're right about this. It is setup this way to help simplify the Chapter 1 experience until people understand battleflow a little better. Most characters in Chapter 1 don't make any ability card choices, but the Witch and Huntress are exceptions to that rule.

If an enemy can't get adjacent to its target, does it move as close as possible but just not perform an attack?

or does it just not move

or like just not execute that part of its action

Meaning the enemy has no valid targets at all? If this is the case, it would move to the closest Oathsworn and not perform the attack. You're in a lucky situation if there are no valid Oathsworn targets for the boss to go after haha

well its move 5 so we are talking about all moving to be 6 away from it

My group also tried to 'kite' a few bosses 🤕

That's everyone's entire Oathsworn phase almost! Haha. Are you playing with a pure leather/cloth party?

no but the person playing the bear wont listen to me

they are insistent

Sometimes the boss moves away at end of their stage card and the next card is nasty so we'd have take a step back to avoid and just spend cards battle flowing or utility stuff

Like a mini setup / reset

It seemed like the best play at the time

Interesting. I think I mostly do the opposite of this. I tend to position a character to soak up the attack and send the rest of the Oathsworn in the direction of the final movement on the stage card so that next round we can maximize our animus.

Lots of ways to play the game. Glad it worked for your team