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Monsters of Frosthaven – Meet the Algox

In Frosthaven, you’ll be testing your skills against an array of menacing enemies. It’s time to shine the spotlight on them, so you can learn more about them and increase your chances of survival out there in the cold!

[h3]Meet the Algox[/h3]
Frosthaven is the story of a small, struggling outpost far to the north of the capital city of White Oak. Completely isolated from the rest of the empire for half the year by towering, unbreachable snowdrifts, this settlement barely clings to survival against the relentless elements. Yet long before the first desperate Imperial settlers arrived, the Algox had already called the valley north of the Imperial Mountains their home. Perfectly adapted to the frigid conditions, these imposing beings possess thick white fur that shields them from the cold, as well as immense strength and intelligence that place them at the top of the food chain. With three spiraling horns atop their heads, they share a distant lineage with the Inox, but their way of life is uniquely their own.

For years, the villagers of Frosthaven and the Algox coexisted on a live-and-let-live basis. However, everything changed when the Merchant Guild took a sudden interest in the outpost. One of their expeditions, an Imperial garrison, unknowingly or not desecrated an ancient Algox burial ground. Outraged, the Algox launched an assault on Frosthaven, demanding retribution. The guild’s representatives quickly abandoned the settlement, leaving behind only a small force of soldiers to defend against the Algox onslaught.

Now, as you take command of a band of mercenaries hired to aid Frosthaven in its time of need, the Algox will be among the first enemies you encounter on the battlefield. Their forces are diverse, each member playing a crucial role in their ranks. For those of you who have had your fair share of adventures in Gloomhaven and the lands around the city, the tactics of the Algox Archers will be well familiar - though that doesn’t mean they won’t be a challenge.


[h3]Algox Archers[/h3]
If you spot Algox Archers on the battlefield, make them a priority target! These swift combatants strike with deadly efficiency, delivering the kind of blow you'd expect from a well-armed melee opponent - only from a safe distance. Very fast (initiative-wise), they act early in combat, making them hard to counter. Be wary of their signature tactic - firing an "arrow to the knee" to keep you immobilized while strategically placing traps around their positions to keep enemies at bay. If left unchecked, these sharpshooters can quickly turn the tide of battle against you.

The Algox Archers are just a fraction of the forces the Algox will throw at you. Stay tuned as we unveil more - both of their ways of living and the structure of their forces.


[h3]Algox Guards[/h3]
The Algox Guards serve as the backbone of their forces, standing as unshakable sentinels in battle. Unlike some frontline warriors, they may lack extra protection in the form of a shield or retaliate ability. Instead, they make up for it with sheer endurance, boasting an impressive health pool and considerable offensive power. Their preferred method of combat is brutal hand-to-hand fighting, wielding both swords and axes with lethal precision. Keeping your distance might seem like a sound strategy, but don’t get too comfortable - an axe or two will surely be sent flying your way sooner or later.


[h3]Algox Scouts[/h3]
Filling the tactical niche between the brute force of the Guards and the precision of the Archers, the Algox Scouts are among the most unpredictable opponents you'll face. On the battlefield, you can never quite tell whether they’ll strike from a distance with a crossbow or close the gap using the razor-sharp war-bracers mounted to their forearms. One thing is certain - if an Algox Scout sets their sights on you, you'd best be ready. Their agility and relentless pursuit make them some of the most mobile enemies encountered near Frosthaven.

Scouts also exhibit a curious - and somewhat unsettling - behavior: looting the bodies of their fallen kin. In a land where coin is scarce and opportunities for mercenaries are even scarcer, such scavenging is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it means fewer spoils for you. And as any seasoned fighter knows, a hungry mercenary is a bad mercenary. But on the other hand, these moments of distraction can leave the Scouts vulnerable - making them easy pickings for those willing to seize the opportunity.


[h3]Algox Priest[/h3]
The Algox have a deep bond with the frozen land they inhabit and the primordial forces that shape it. Algox Priests act as conduits for these powers, channeling them and positioning themselves as powerful support units within the Algox warbands. Unpredictable in initiative, you never quite know whether they’ll strike early to tilt the battle from the outset - or hang back, observing the chaos before stepping in with precise, disruptive intervention.

When they choose to act quickly, they rarely leave room for anyone to interrupt. Their ranged attacks may not hit particularly hard, but they’re laced with debilitating conditions. Icy blasts can immobilize, weaken your offensive potential with curse, or even stun a mercenary outright - removing them from the fight at a critical moment.

And just when you think you’re turning the tide, the Priest begins to undo your progress - healing wounded allies and restoring the Algox ranks as if your efforts had never happened. Combined with their natural vitality and frequent use of additional armor, they become a battlefield threat that’s both hard to bring down and dangerous to ignore.

Make no mistake: dealing with an Algox Priest swiftly may be the difference between victory - and a slow, exhausting, frozen defeat.


[h3]Algox Snowspeaker[/h3]
Much like their distant cousins, the Inox, the Algox gather in clans - though these are divided by two ideologies that differ radically, and at times violently, on how best to commune with their god. The Snowspeakers believe the divine voice descends with the falling snow, while the Icespeakers find sacred guidance in the ice that rises from the frozen ground. The most devoted and formidable warriors in each faction spend years mastering the essence of their chosen medium, and are held in the highest regard within their respective orders. On the battlefield, they are simply - but reverently - known as true Snowspeakers and Icespeakers. Facing one is among the greatest challenges a mercenary can endure.

The Snowspeakers are the most adept priests of their faction. Their movements echo the winds and falling snow, harnessing these raw forces and turning them into weapons that strip all warmth from their enemies. Once a Snowspeaker sets their sights on you, escape is no easy feat - not due to speed, but because they operate on a grand scale. These mystics can summon ice storms that batter entire battle parties and toss you around like a ragdoll. One of their most defining traits is their relentless retaliation. Normally, ranged attacks offer a safe answer to such behavior, but not here - out-ranging a Snowspeaker is a feat few can claim. The most reliable path to victory lies in getting uncomfortably close. But brute force alone won’t be enough. You’ll need cunning - use the environment to your advantage: traps, hazardous terrain, anything that tips the scales. And when you strike, make it count. You have no choice but to employ every dirty trick you’ve learned - poison, bleeding wounds, and whatever else your pack holds.

And if you're wise, you'll spend a few coins at the Great Oak Temple before setting out. You'll need every blessing the gods can spare when facing a Snowspeaker.


[h3]Algox Icespeaker[/h3]
While the Snowspeakers revere their most adept priests, among the Icespeakers, it is the fiercest warriors who earn the highest respect. Icespeakers are known for charging headfirst into battle - even when outnumbered - and having the sheer skill to make such bold tactics work. Their terrifying growls have made even the toughest mercenaries forget how to hold a weapon, and their crushing blows can leave you lucky if you’re only staggered - rather than left brittle and stunned by the impact. Heavily armored and unshakable, an Icespeaker in a defensive stance is nearly impossible to harm. Most strikes will simply glance off their icy plates without leaving a mark. And their swift, brutal counters ensure that any mercenary bold enough to close the gap will pay dearly for the attempt. Drawing upon the ice rooted deep within the earth, Icespeakers can cause massive shards to erupt from the ground. These jagged spires are dangerous not just when they rise - they also reshape the battlefield, blocking routes and limiting your tactical options.

Your best bet is to keep a safe distance from the Icespeakers. Use ranged attacks whenever possible - ideally the rare few that can pierce their armor. And whatever you do, don’t let them reach you. Immobilize them, stun them, disarm them - anything to keep them at bay. Because once they close the gap, your odds of walking away in one piece drop fast.

[h3]FOLLOW FROSTHAVEN’S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS[/h3]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayFrosthaven
X: https://x.com/PlayFrosthaven
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrosthavenGame
Discord: https://discord.gg/FUNmzWVfz2

Closed Beta Hotfix Notes 4/8

[h3]1. Features[/h3]
  • New assets added when building a wall
  • Items in the Starting menu, Merchant, Craftsman and Alchemist now appear in stacks and not separately
  • Removed Barracks from the Available Buildings filter
  • Outpost modifiers are now shown in the outpost general info

[h3]2. Major Fixes[/h3]
  • In Scenario “Rusted tunnels” the game no longer gets stuck after the tunnel supports are destroyed
  • In Scenario “Glowing Catacombs” the game no longer gets stuck when restarting a round, after a lever is pulled
  • Game no longer crashes if a player uses an item between two monster attacks
  • Game no longer crashes if bane is applied two times on a character
  • Stuck no longer occurs in the second tutorial, when right-clicking instead of confirming movement
  • Fixed a number of major issues with the Boneshaper card “Bone dagger”
  • Game no longer crashes when monsters draw attack modifiers
  • Fixed a soft lock during the resource allocation screen of Winter Road Event 5
  • When using the “Fluid Night” bottom action persistent bonus, game no longer freezes if no shadows are available for teleportation

[h3]3. Minor Fixes[/h3]
  • Fixed an issue where the Deathwalker had to remove an additional shadow after hitting the cap, even though it was not needed
  • Winter road event 24 will not let you select items that should not be obtainable through this event
  • When infusing element with “Circlet of elements”, “Element consumed” message will no longer appear
  • Algox Snowspeaker card “Blistering Assault” no longer shows as greyed out when air is infused
  • You are no longer given the choice to give “Regenerate” or “Ward” to enemies, while using the perk “Winters Breath”
  • Geminate can no longer switch forms while other characters are short resting
  • In Scenario “Work Freeze” Ice Pillars now have the right amount of shield
  • In Scenario “Work Freeze” you can no longer pick up detonation charges during your extra turn from “Death on the arrival”
  • Morale is no longer set to 0 after abandoning a scenario
  • Drifter bottom action of “Relentless” now works as intended
  • You can no longer loot random scenarios that are not included in the Closed Beta
  • Geminate and Snowdancer masteries no longer show as failed from the beginning of the scenario
  • Geminate card “Scarab Flight” top action now calculates its range correctly
  • Geminate card “Changelings Boon” no longer gives xp on every element consumption
  • Loot bags and traps don’t reappear anymore after the round has been restarted
  • Boneshaper perk “Animate” now correctly heals the Boneshaper even if drawn by a summon
  • Chests are now lootable by both players and hero summons
  • Boneshaper card “Eternal torment” top now correctly gives you the “Grant attack” effect, even if the target is immune to curses
  • Blinkblade damage values are now changed as intended when using items
  • Fixed an issue with the Snowdancer card “Enticing Breeze” that made the game crash

Closed Beta Hotfix Notes 4/1

Patch Notes 0.9.1

Note: Potential spoilers are hidden until you hover over the text with your mouse. Example: Have a great day!

[h3]Important:[/h3]
  • The "Reset Scenario to Start" button now correctly resets the entire scenario, preventing soft locks when errors occur.

[h3]Major Fixes:[/h3]
  • [MP only] Fixed issues where it could cause the game to get stuck when new clients were joining at specific moments.
  • [MP only] Fixed cases where the skip button was enabled for players not controlling the current character.
  • The game is no longer saving after the tutorial is completed, preventing players to load an empty save.
  • Fixed an issue where the game would get stuck after a character draws an attack modifier.
  • Fixed an issue causing the game to get stuck when Deathwalker shadows move to a new room.
  • Fixed a bug that caused the game to get stuck after restarting a round in the "Upper Spire" scenario.
  • Fixed an issue where the Deathwalker could enter hexes already occupied by friendly characters when using "Shadow Step".
  • Fixed an interaction with the Blinkblade card "Breakneck Speed", which caused everyone to skip their turn.

[h3]Minor Fixes:[/h3]
  • Adjusted enemy positioning in the third tutorial to ensure focus is now based on initiative order.
  • Fixed an issue where enemies in range of an attack but not in line of sight were incorrectly highlighted as valid targets.
  • Fixed the Geminate perk "Unstable Equilibrium" to work as intended when a lost card is played.
  • Fixed certain VFX issues that occurred when performing a Jump.
  • Fixed a bug that caused an incorrect "consume element" message to appear in the battle log.
  • Fixed a bug where all characters performed a heal animation when any character was healed by the "Regenerate" ability.
  • Added illustrations to the intro and outro narration in the "The Frozen Crypt" scenario.
  • Scaled up the cards, Initiative tracker, and party column for better visibility.
  • Rearranged the order of resources in the outpost to match the building donation screen.
  • Updated the layout of some monster cards.
  • Updated the "Damage" icon.

Closed Beta - Known Issues List

To all players that are already diving into the FROSTHAVEN Closed Beta Playtest, first of all: Thank you so much for your early interest, we're looking forward to hearing your feedback!

Secondly, we wanted to share a list of currently known issues with you. We'll be working hard to iron out these and any other issues you might be reporting as soon as possible!

[h3]General[/h3]
  • Deathwalker - having no hexes to summon a summon will softlock the game.
  • Some hero and monster ability cards may have broken strings.
  • Some item descriptions are missing in the Outpost.
  • Battle Log can have “Undefined” text for some perks and abilities.

[h3]Multiplayer[/h3]
  • If a game desync occurs, these are possible fixes for it:
    • Restarting the round can fix the issue;
    • Restarting the quest will also properly sync the game;
    • Restarting the game and loading the save file should also work.
  • Clients should join the multiplayer session only when the party is in the downtime phase at the Outpost or during a quest.
  • Wait for the clients to be fully loaded into the game session before assigning them slots.
    • If the player cannot control the character assigned, re-assigning the slot to the player should fix this.
  • It’s advisable for players to create their characters one by one when starting a new campaign. There is a potential creation stuck which may occur if the characters are created simultaneously.
    • If the character creation process gets stuck delete that character and begin the creation process for the specific character again.
  • Changing the ability cards/perks and creating a character in the Outpost will result in moving other players to the main Outpost screen.
    • To avoid this, players need to change their character’s ability cards/perks one at a time.
  • Non-modifiers perks can lead to issues when using them in multiplayer;
  • Restarting a round can add previously looted tokens back on the map.

Closed Beta Playtest Now Live!

We’re excited to have players get a first look at FROSTHAVEN in this Closed Beta Playtest on Steam, running from now until Thursday, April 24 at 9am Pacific Time Monday, April 28 at 9am Pacific Time (extended!)! Receiving player feedback before our Steam Early Access launch later this year is incredibly valuable to us. In case you still want to be part of this playtest but haven’t signed up yet, don’t fret – you can still click here to sign up and be on the waiting list for potential future invitation rounds.

This playtest, available for singleplayer and online co-op multiplayer for 2-4 players, will give players the chance to choose from six starting character classes, including Banner Spear, Boneshaper, Drifter, Geminate, Blinkblade, and Deathwalker. Learn the game via tutorial and introductory quest lines, play through 20 epic Quests, and acquire a slew of items. Further, experience the Outpost gameplay mechanics, such as constructing buildings to unlock new game features.


[h3]CLOSED BETA PLAYTEST FAQ[/h3]
I haven’t signed up yet, can I still get into the Closed Beta Playtest?
This playtest is planned for a limited number of players. You can still sign up right here. Further invites might be sent out as the playtest progresses.

How do I know if I got accepted into the Closed Beta?
We have sent out invitation emails on Thursday, March 27th at around 8:30am PT, shortly before the Closed Beta Playtest begins, so make sure to check your email that you used to sign up. Please also check your Spam/Junk folder in case our email ends up in there. We will keep you up-to-date on our social channels in case further invitations are sent as the playtest progresses!

When can I play exactly?
You’ll be able to play from Thursday, March 27 at 9am Pacific Time until Thursday, April 24 at 9am Pacific Time Monday, April 28 at 9am Pacific Time (extended!).

Can I stream/capture my gameplay?
No, as part of the sign-up process, you will be signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Publicly streaming, recording, sharing or discussing any content from the game is not allowed. Closed Beta test players can share their feedback in the #closed-beta-feedback channel in the game's official Discord server.

What content is available to play?
There's quite a bit of content for players to experience in the Closed Beta and it is a great slice of what players can expect when the game launches in Early Access later this year! The playtest will have six starting character classes, plenty of quests to playthrough -- including tutorial quests -- tons of items to acquire and equip, will allow players to build their Outpost and experience the Outpost mechanics from the board game like base management features, and so much more.

Does the Closed Beta have multiplayer?
Yes, it does! You can play the Closed Beta content in online co-op multiplayer for 2-4 players from the start.

What languages is the Playtest available in?
The playtest is available in English only as we're currently working on the localization process for additional languages.

How do I share my feedback?
Join our official FROSTHAVEN Discord and leave your feedback and bug reports in the dedicated channels.

What do I do if I encounter an issue during the Public Playtest?
As this is still a Beta build, you may occasionally encounter issues with your game. If you do, please report them in the ⁠#closed-beta-bug-reports ⁠channel on Discord so our teams can track them. If possible, please also report any bugs directly in-game by pressing F10 on your keyboard. Reporting bugs directly in-game is preferred as doing so sends all the bug information we need directly to our development team!

[h3]FOLLOW FROSTHAVEN’S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS[/h3]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayFrosthaven

X: https://x.com/PlayFrosthaven

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrosthavenGame

Discord: https://discord.gg/FUNmzWVfz2