We have a LOT of production samples to show off in today’s update, and a pledge manager that will be reopening THIS FRIDAY, so let’s jump right in!
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-FINAL PLEDGE MANAGER OPENING
With Gloomhaven RPG and Miniatures of Gloomhaven projects entering mass production, we will be reopening this FINAL WAVE pledge manager on Friday, July 10th, and these will remain open for approximately one month (closing date to be announced in a following update).
Some important notes on this final wave of pledge manager:
Address: If your shipping address has changed please make sure your address is current and up to date now. To avoid any re-shipping fees or lost pledges, don’t wait until fulfillment is about to start!
Add-ons: This is your last chance to add any additional add-ons to your pledge
Pricing: The pricing for add-ons will be updated to reflect final production costs and retail pricing. This does NOT impact prior pledge discounts.
Deadline: We will be leaving the pledge manager open for at least the next 30 days and will give at least 2 weeks prior notice to closure in an upcoming backerkit update.
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GLOOMHAVEN RPG
The pre-production copy (PPC) is in!
The Gloomhaven RPG pre-production copy has arrived!
This is our final sample that includes full color printing and assembly to our specifications before we set the factory in motion for mass production and assembly.
We’re really glad to report that any findings we had in the white sample review have been addressed here and this is one of the most dialed in pre-production samples we’ve received to-date! Quality is on point, and assembly is accurate down to the last deck of cards.
Our internal production team will be taking this final opportunity to collaborate with the factory and fine-tune the color saturation and contrast of the components.
Gloomhaven RPG Deluxe Box Set
Here you can take a look at part of our component review process, which involves inspecting every deck of cards and their accompanying tuckbox:
GLOOMHAVEN PLAYING CARDS GIFT
As a special “Thank You” gift, we will be including a FREE deck of Gloomhaven: Playing cards in all orders containing the Gloomhaven: RPG Deluxe Box Set! (A $12.99 value!)
Gloomhaven: Playing Cards - compatible with Gloomhaven RPG, or on their own!
You will receive this free gift if:
You pledged at the “RPG Deluxe Box Set” level
You pledged at the “Ultimate Gloomhaven Set” level
You pledged at the "The Big One" level
You add(ed) Gloomhaven: RPG Deluxe Box Set to your existing pledge.
This will include any NEW backers of the Gloomhaven: RPG Deluxe Box set so please take that into consideration when the pledge manager re-opens later this week. No action will be required on your part other than making sure you have a copy of the Deluxe Box Set secured.
Any additional decks of Gloomhaven: Playing Cards added to your cart will be charged accordingly. The FREE copy will be added automatically at fulfillment and will not reflect in your cart.
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MINIATURES OF GLOOMHAVEN
This last week we received our white box sample for the Miniatures of Gloomhaven: Core Set and our first round of mass production samples as well!
Jekserah and her guard.
The Gloomhaven: Core Set is the largest in the line as you can see in the photo below. It includes all the enemy miniatures you’ll need for Gloomhaven (both first and second editions). It also serves as a starting point for the Forgotten Circles, Jaws of the Lion, and Frosthaven miniatures sets, providing all of the returning monsters for those titles as well.
Miniatures Sets Left to Right: Gloomhaven Core Set, Forgotten Circles, Jaws of the Lion, Gloomhaven Summons, Frosthaven, Frosthaven Summons
This shipment also contained our first mass production samples of the miniature BASE RINGS and FLIGHT STANDS.
Here is a preview of the models we received this week:
Our review and testing at this stage (mass production samples) includes the following:
Quality Assurance: Review and call out any unintentional errors with the models such as warpage, deformation, and/or faulty assembly.
Adjustments: Advocate for any adjustments in plastics used or plastic injection process including temperature, pressure, assembly, etc. In more extreme cases pursue fine adjustments to the mold tooling.
Base Rings: Test fit all base rings to all model bases
Flight Stands: Test fit all flight stands to all models
Ice, Flame, Sun, Wind, and Night Demons in their full six-count enemy groups.
Miniature Mass Production Findings:
The Yay:
The models look really great!
They feel solid and firm, without being brittle.
Quantities were correct.
Base rings fit 100% of models; also fit flight stand bases
Flight stands (that fit) fit securely and do not fall out even when shaken.
A smattering of demons.
The Meh:
Thus far, 2 models have had issues with flight stands falling out unintentionally when picked up. These have been reported and are being adjusted on their molds.
A number of “flying” models (4 thus far) don’t yet fit their flight stand. The hole on their underside will be increased slightly on their mold to allow the flight stand to fit securely.
Still awaiting more Gloomhaven: Core Set models
The Nay
It was our intent for the identification numbers on the base rings to be both embossed and painted. Unfortunately, the factory was not able to produce these with the numbers raised high enough to be read on their own. Furthermore, they were not able to line the painted numbers up with the raised numbers, resulting in legibility issues. For this reason, we will be removing the raised numbers on the base rings and using a paint-only approach. This will allow us to keep the base ring material soft and flexible for ease of use while also ensuring that their numbering is helpful and legible.
What’s Next?
We have more mass production samples on their way to us for the Miniatures of Gloomhaven Core Set as well as the Frosthaven expansion set, as well as trays for test fit & review. We’re also locking in our final mass production run quantities. .
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INTRODUCING BUTTONS & BUGS: PUB CRAWLERS!
Grand Festival backers of Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs may be excited to know that we recently announced a NEW EXPANSION coming this fall… BUTTONS & BUGS: PUB CRAWLERS!
This tiny little expansion includes two new playable micro mercenaries (micro, NOT shrunken!): the Shaper Whistlecry and the Psyllium Fungal Monk, as well as a brand new mutli-path campaign.
Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW on cephalofair.com(including advanced Gen Con pickup options). Order now and receive “The Flames of Ashtar” prequel micro-campaign FREE with your purchase when you add it to your cart!
Flames of Ashtar Micro-Campaign - FREE w/ pre-order of Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers
We’ll be sharing more game insights and information as we inch closer to Gen Con, you can catch the latest tidbits in advance by subscribing to our new Insider Newsletter HERE, which gets the scoop at least one week before our main newsletter.
Pub Crawlers comes with two new playable classes, new enemies, new dice, new status tokens, and a brand new optional Challenge Deck!
GEN CON 2026
Find Cephalofair at Gen Con Booth #351
As a reminder, our team will be attending Gen Con 2026 (Booth 351) at the end of this month so come say hello!
We’ll have the above mentioned Gloomhaven RPG set on full display, a limited amount of advance copies of Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers for sale, and restocks of last year’s Mercenary Packs.
Keen observers may also spot an “early preview” of a new type of Gloomhaven game in the Cephalofair Booth #351....
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END OF UPDATE
That’s it for this week. It’s incredibly exciting having so much physically in hand to share with you and hope you enjoyed diving in alongside us. We’ll be back on July 21st with even more!
