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- Best overall: Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition)
- Best budget: Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Best premium: Cephalofair Games Frosthaven
- Best for tactical fantasy: Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is the strongest pick for a gripping, month-by-month cooperative story.
- Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is the accessible entry point for tactical combat and campaign progression.
- Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition suits groups ready for a long, deep fantasy campaign.
- Choose Pandemic Legacy for a focused 12-month campaign; choose Gloomhaven for tactical scenarios and persistent character growth.
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) and Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven deliver two very different cooperative board-game experiences for Black Friday 2026. Pandemic Legacy builds a shared story across 12 months of play, with lasting changes to the game. Gloomhaven turns a fantasy campaign into tactical battles, character upgrades and branching scenarios.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to help you find the right fit, whether you want an urgent disease-control story or a sprawling dungeon crawl. Here's the bottom line: pick Pandemic Legacy for a focused campaign with meaningful surprises, and pick Gloomhaven for a combat-first adventure with room to develop a character over many sessions.
How We Picked
- Compared player counts, ages and typical session lengths listed for each game.
- Looked at campaign structure, scenario counts and how progress carries between sessions.
- Considered the rules learning curve and the amount of table space and organization each game asks from players.
- Used published product details alongside review themes and owner feedback; no research claims.
- Prioritized games with distinct strengths for different group sizes, campaign preferences and experience levels.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Players | Typical playtime | Campaign size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) | A dramatic cooperative legacy story | 2–4 | 60 minutes | 12 months |
| Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) | A color variant of the Season 1 campaign | 2–4 | 60 minutes | 12 months |
| Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition) | A follow-up legacy campaign | 2–4 | 60 minutes | 12 months |
| Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition) | A spy-themed legacy campaign | 2–4 | 60 minutes | 12 months |
| Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition | A long tactical fantasy campaign | 1–4 | 30–120 minutes | 95 scenarios |
| Cephalofair Games Frosthaven | A sprawling fantasy campaign | 1–4 | 30–120 minutes | 138 scenarios |
| Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion | A manageable Gloomhaven introduction | 1–4 | 30–120 minutes | 25 scenarios |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition)
The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is the best legacy campaign for groups who want a tense story across 12 months of play. The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition)'s 2–4-player format keeps every session focused on shared decisions.
Best for: Cooperative groups who want a story that changes over time
- Players
- 2–4
- Typical playtime
- 60 minutes
- Campaign
- 12 months
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Strong narrative momentum between sessions
- Permanent decisions give the campaign a personal feel
- A familiar cooperative structure is quick to explain
- One campaign is designed for a single group’s unfolding story
Is Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is a strong buy for 2–4 players who want cooperative strategy tied to a changing story. The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition)'s 12-month campaign makes each session feel connected, and its focused playtime suits regular game nights.
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#2
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition)
The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) is the best color alternative for groups seeking the same 12-month cooperative campaign experience. The 2–4-player setup makes it easy to bring the game to a regular group.
Best for: Players who prefer the red box or want a second campaign copy
- Players
- 2–4
- Typical playtime
- 60 minutes
- Campaign
- 12 months
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Same acclaimed campaign structure as the Blue Edition
- Easy-to-follow cooperative objectives
- A strong choice for a group committed to a campaign
- The Red Edition is a color variant, not a separate season
Is Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) brings the same 12-month campaign and 2–4-player cooperative play as the Blue Edition. Choose the Red Edition for its box color or as a separate copy for a different group.
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#3
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition)
The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition) is the best follow-up for players who want another 12-month Pandemic Legacy campaign. The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition)'s 2–4-player format keeps the cooperative group size familiar.
Best for: Pandemic Legacy fans ready for a new campaign
- Players
- 2–4
- Campaign
- 12 months
- Recommended age
- 14+
- A fresh campaign for returning Pandemic Legacy players
- Built around cooperation and long-term choices
- Supports the same core group size as Season 1
- Best suited to players who already want a legacy-style game
Is Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition) is a good fit for players seeking another 12-month cooperative campaign after Season 1. The 2–4-player design keeps the group size familiar while providing a new story and a fresh set of lasting decisions.
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#4
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition)
The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition) is the best Pandemic Legacy pick for groups drawn to a spy-themed campaign. The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition)'s 12-month structure and 2–4-player count support a steady schedule of cooperative sessions.
Best for: Groups who want Pandemic Legacy with a spy-story theme
- Players
- 2–4
- Typical playtime
- 60 minutes
- Campaign
- 12 months
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Distinct spy-fiction setting
- Campaign choices create continuity between sessions
- Works for the same 2–4-player group size as other seasons
- The legacy format asks players to return to one campaign
Is Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition) is worth considering for 2–4 players who want a cooperative spy-themed campaign. The Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition)'s 12-month structure creates a clear reason to return to the table, while its setting gives the series a different flavor.
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#5
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition
The Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition is the best premium campaign for players who want expansive tactical fantasy. The Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition's 1–4-player format supports solo sessions or a full cooperative party.
Best for: Experienced groups seeking a long tactical campaign
- Players
- 1–4
- Typical playtime
- 30–120 minutes
- Scenarios
- 95
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Deep tactical combat and character progression
- Supports solo play and cooperative groups
- A substantial scenario campaign
- Requires more rules learning and table organization than Pandemic Legacy
Is Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition suits players who want a demanding fantasy campaign with tactical combat and 95 scenarios. The 1–4-player format supports solo play or a group, making it a flexible choice for a committed campaign table.
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#6
Cephalofair Games Frosthaven
The Cephalofair Games Frosthaven is the best premium pick for groups who want a broad fantasy campaign with 1–4-player support. The Cephalofair Games Frosthaven's 138 scenarios give dedicated players a large adventure to work through.
Best for: Veteran campaign groups who want a large fantasy adventure
- Players
- 1–4
- Typical playtime
- 30–120 minutes
- Scenarios
- 138
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Large scenario count for an extended campaign
- Supports solo and cooperative play
- Offers character growth and tactical encounters
- The Cephalofair Games Frosthaven's campaign size asks for substantial space and organization
Is Cephalofair Games Frosthaven worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Cephalofair Games Frosthaven is a compelling campaign game for players ready to manage a large fantasy adventure. The 138-scenario campaign and 1–4-player range suit a committed group or solo player who wants tactical decisions across many sessions.
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#7
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
The Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is the best entry point for players curious about tactical Gloomhaven combat. The Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion's 25 scenarios give new groups a defined campaign without the scale of the larger games.
Best for: New Gloomhaven players who want a manageable campaign
- Players
- 1–4
- Typical playtime
- 30–120 minutes
- Scenarios
- 25
- Recommended age
- 14+
- Introduces core tactical play through a structured campaign
- Smaller scenario count than Gloomhaven or Frosthaven
- Supports solo play and groups
- Combat-focused play feels different from Pandemic Legacy’s disease-control story
Is Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a strong choice for players who want tactical fantasy combat in a 25-scenario campaign. The Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion's 1–4-player range and guided introduction make it a practical first step into the Gloomhaven style.
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Pandemic Legacy vs Gloomhaven: which game should you choose?
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is the better pick for story-driven cooperation, while Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition is the better pick for tactical fantasy combat. Both support up to 4 players, but the moment-to-moment decisions feel very different.
Pandemic Legacy asks the group to manage shared threats and live with campaign decisions. The 12-month structure gives regular sessions a clear narrative thread. Gloomhaven focuses on choosing abilities, positioning characters and adapting to scenario challenges. Its campaign is built around fantasy missions and character development.
Worth it for most players. Start with Pandemic Legacy if your group wants a tighter story and straightforward cooperative goals. Choose Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion if tactical combat is the main draw and you want a smaller 25-scenario starting campaign.
How do Pandemic Legacy and Gloomhaven campaigns differ?
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) delivers a 12-month campaign, while Cephalofair Games Frosthaven contains 138 scenarios. Those figures point to different commitments: one unfolds as a focused sequence, and the other supports a large-scale fantasy adventure.
Pandemic Legacy uses persistent changes to connect sessions, so the shared group story matters as much as an individual game night. Gloomhaven campaigns build continuity through characters, upgrades and scenario outcomes. Players who enjoy tracking progress and developing a fantasy party get more of that structure from the Cephalofair Games titles.
Think about your group’s schedule before choosing. A consistent crew can make either format rewarding. Groups who want a defined arc should look at Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition); groups seeking a larger scenario library should consider Cephalofair Games Frosthaven.
Which games are best for beginners?
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is the most approachable Gloomhaven pick, with 25 scenarios and a 1–4-player format. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is also friendly for groups familiar with cooperative board games.
The bigger Gloomhaven campaigns ask players to learn tactical systems, manage character abilities and organize a large campaign. Jaws of the Lion offers a more contained route into that style. Pandemic Legacy has a different learning curve: the central goals are easier to grasp, while later sessions build on the group’s earlier decisions.
For new campaign players, decide whether the group prefers character tactics or shared crisis management. Choose Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion for tactical encounters. Choose Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) for a cooperative story that evolves over 12 months.
Can you play Pandemic Legacy or Gloomhaven with fewer than four players?
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition and Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) both support groups smaller than four, with published player counts of 1–4 and 2–4 respectively. Solo players have a Gloomhaven option, while Pandemic Legacy starts at two players.
A two-player group can play every Pandemic Legacy product in this guide, as well as the Gloomhaven titles. Solo players looking for a campaign should focus on Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition, Cephalofair Games Frosthaven or Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion.
For a full four-player game night, all seven listings support that group size. For a regular duo, Pandemic Legacy keeps everyone focused on shared decisions. For solo tactical play, the Gloomhaven line gives players a fantasy campaign built around character abilities.
What should you look for in a Black Friday 2026 board-game pick?
Black Friday 2026 shoppers should compare player count, campaign length and the kind of decisions each game puts on the table. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) stands out for its 12-month story; Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion stands out for its 25-scenario tactical campaign.
Check the full product name and edition before choosing. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) and Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) are color variants of the same season, not separate campaigns. Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Black Edition) and Season 2 are separate entries.
Also plan for storage and table space. The larger fantasy campaigns ask for more organization than a typical game-night box. Pick the game your group will return to, then match its campaign scope to your available time and play space.
Buying Guide
Choose your campaign style
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is the pick for a changing cooperative story; Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition is the pick for tactical fantasy. Decide which experience your group wants before comparing editions.
Match the game to your player count
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy supports 2–4 players, while the Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven titles support 1–4. Solo shoppers should focus on Gloomhaven; groups of two or more can choose either style.
Check campaign length
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion has 25 scenarios, Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition has 95, and Cephalofair Games Frosthaven has 138. Pick a campaign scale that fits your table’s schedule.
Confirm the exact edition and color
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) and Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Red Edition) share the same season. Check the listing name carefully when choosing a color or a different season.
Plan for storage and return visits
Pandemic Legacy and Gloomhaven both reward regular play, but large scenario campaigns need more organization. Make sure your group has room to store game components and a reliable time for follow-up sessions.
FAQ
Is Pandemic Legacy better than Gloomhaven?
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) is better for a changing cooperative story and a focused 12-month campaign. Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition is better for tactical combat, fantasy character growth and a large scenario campaign. The right choice depends on your group’s preferred play style.
Which Gloomhaven game is best for beginners?
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is the best beginner entry in this group. Its 25 scenarios provide a smaller campaign than Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition or Cephalofair Games Frosthaven, while retaining tactical fantasy play and support for 1–4 players.
How many players can play Pandemic Legacy Season 1?
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 (Blue Edition) supports 2–4 players. The Red Edition has the same player count. Both are cooperative campaigns, so the group works together through the game’s objectives and connected sessions.
How many scenarios are in Gloomhaven Second Edition?
Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition has 95 scenarios and supports 1–4 players. The scenario count makes it a substantial campaign choice for solo players or groups who want tactical fantasy sessions and ongoing character progression.
Is Pandemic Legacy Season 2 a standalone game?
Z-Man Games Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Yellow Edition) is a separate campaign entry with its own 12-month structure and 2–4-player support. Players who enjoyed the legacy format can choose it for a new story and new campaign decisions.
Which Gloomhaven game has the most scenarios?
Cephalofair Games Frosthaven has the largest scenario count among the Gloomhaven products in this guide, with 138 scenarios. Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Second Edition lists 95 scenarios, while Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion has 25.