Angry Face class guide and strategy for Gloomhaven

[@d.t.5670]

This one is thorough on a new level, I feel. You've managed to cover at least three different builds while ostensibly presenting one. It's sort of the guide equivalent of having both a move and attack in the same action. Thanks for the resource!

[@MandatoryQuest]

Haha love that analogy! thanks for comment glad you found it useful.

[@JarredJuett]

My wife has been really enjoying this class- I'm so excited you put out this guide! You are hands down my favorite Gloomhaven content creator.

[@MandatoryQuest]

Awww thanks your too kind, hope I don't let your wife down with the guide! ;)

[@nikopteros1659]

This might be my favorite class ive played just doing crazy damage to a single guy, never missing (beacuse of the advantage thing) big hand size and very consistent overall just love it

[@LadyDath]

Having retired 3 level 9 Doomstalkers in the tabletop version, my take is that he really is a one hit wonder, and I mean that quite literally. Rarely does my target last longer than a turn. The reliance on dooms means that my biggest issue is that I need to keep casting them, which interferes with movement. As such +1 range on Swift Trickery and Press the Attach really just makes sense to keep your damage output at maximum. I keep Detonate in my arsenal, the 3 point splash damage can really help turn the tide at the right moment, since it bypasses shield it is good at taking out high shield low hit point enemies, or just weakening a crowd so other characters can finish them off. That being said, later in the scenario it is also one of my first cards I can do without. Felling swoop I find still useful, mainly because it can give me a doom and movement at an important moment. The pet is garbage, the doom is the most valuable part, plus it is another card you can lose in a pinch without being missed. +1 Damage on Swift Trickery means you are doing the same thing with a level 1 card as your level 3 Press the Attack. So that is another enhancement high on my list.

[@MandatoryQuest]

You might find the new solo item change for him interesting. His cloak has changed to give you a free move 1 action whenever you perform a doom action. That could really help open up some other card choices and make felling swoop less important. Check out my video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/baDTgWmCiKaed5o

[@anthonyc4951]

Thanks for another good guide. I've had the chance to play this character before in a TTS campaign and built the character the same way but you offer some good options as well.

[@genericusername546]

This guide underrates Frightening Curse somewhat. First of all, it doesn't use a charge if an enemy is outside of the required range - the guide is incorrect about that, probably due to a bug in digital at the time. Secondly, it's quite efficient for using your good dooms and provides good XP. And thirdly it allows for some very fun combos with Detonation's doom, because you can trigger chain reactions. It's not amazing, but it's a very solid burn.

[@MandatoryQuest]

I don't know if it was every fixed in digital as some bugs were just left be. If the bug still exists then its bad value for sure. It's much more useful in the bouncing double doom build which is a fun but IMO less impactful build for the Doomstalker. It also works much better at 4p and has diminishing returns down to 3p and 2p. If you are playing Guildmaster on digital (or house ruling physical) and allow yourself free rerolls on cards its a fun one to try out, but it wouldn't be my recommendation if you want consistency or are inexperienced. It's usually better strategy to nuke down 1 enemy quickly while controlling others instead of doing chip damage to lots to then setup a turn where many die. You don't want to keep taking enemy attacks usually, but of course though you might have some synergy with another class which enables that a bit more.

[@dkyzar]

Woot! Been looking forward to this one.

[@danhayes2456]

May want to update or make a note in certain guides like this one and the Quartermaster one letting viewers know about rolling modifiers being perfectly fine due to Frosthaven adv rules being in Gloomhaven digital- they are even the recommended default ones.

[@Linnir]

Awesome timing, I’m changing to this character next week! So glad to have this guide, your insights are valued and timely for me.

[@MandatoryQuest]

Nice well good luck and I hope the guide is useful :)

[@RjAtheist]

Great guide. I'd have to disagree with the take on Sap Life, many times with flyer demons especially, that have the multiple targets attack, having the ability to self-heal saves the other players who might be loading a heal next round, I say " don't worry about me" and recover. Avoid taking damage above all but self sustaining abilities can be clutch on many characters when you're out of healing potions.

[@wahaw2]

Haven't gone all the way through yet, but this class was one of my first unlocks and I loved comboing detonate and frightful curse, shame it missed a shout out! 😆

[@MandatoryQuest]

I always thought Race to the Grave was the best use of that one. Stick it on whichever enemy is the lowest numbered standee and profit. That is a fun use there too though! Its a shame its only 3 charges. I don't think it would of been too strong to make it 4 or 5 charges to be honest, and it would be way more playable.

[@quickc4626]

Currently playing Doomstalker in a party of 3 (with Beserker and Tinkerer). Just got to level 5. I've taken Expose, Press the Attack, Flight of Flame and about to decide on Inescapable Fate, planning to take Rising Momentum at level 8. Race to the Grave is great vs mid and low hp high shield enemies, Inescapable fate bottom is an option vs high hp shielded enemies. Options is where I think this class excels! The three starter summons are enough to execute a solid strategy in any scenario it suits. The bouncing detonate trick is takes only a couple of cards and can be excellent in many situations, even if only bounces three times. My attack modifier deck is good, which makes summons better and advantage from Expose often less valuable than the pierce doom. I can see situations where even just Rising Momentum on its own dooming an enemy is useful, dooming stops you moving, keeping a doom in play has value. I've added Curse to Swift Trickery and Curse and +1 move to Fresh Kill, having two large jumps is awesome for making up for not moving when dooming. I use stamina potion to get them back and use them often. Very versatile bunch of options in the class, a fun toolkit of doom!

[@MandatoryQuest]

Yeah Doom has a lot of fun options and places to customise. Interesting you went for the curse on those attacks. Usually it's best to just go straight damage with wound or poison, but I like doing things a bit differently to mix things up.

[@bepohal]

exactely that's how you should play race to the grave and inescapable fate. and you should definetely pick inescapable fate!!

[@icescorpion6189]

I was under the impression that the top action of 'Frightening Curse' only triggers if the condition of another enemy being within range 2 is true... is that not the case ? - so it procs the card when the doomed target dies regardless?

[@MandatoryQuest]

It might of been a bug in Digital at the time, but the card verbatim should work as you describe actually. I still think the cards underwhelming apart from some race from the grave shenanigans.

[@icescorpion6189]

@@MandatoryQuest I agree with your assessment, thanks for the clarification!

[@ltmarcos]

I had the perfect storm with this class. I played expose and rain of arrows tuen one on an elite stone golem. Turn 2 I played press the attack and the bottom of Impending end. I pulled either a bless or my x2 and killed it in one shot. Best part I had the BG for kill undamaged enemy. Unfortunately we ended up failing scenario but that opening shot was glorious. I assumed I would get that combo ome shot kill on a living spirit not one of those big boys.

[@ltmarcos]

Forgot ro mention we were on scenario level 4 so it had 17 hp 3 shield. I did exactly 20 attack the exact amount I needed

[@xethnyrrow]

Nice guide! Long is to be expected with 12 card starting hand size. I like the other level 9 card better personally, mostly because it's not a summon but that is a fantastic summon. The biggest change I would do is take the other level 2 card instead of the level 5 card so that you can have multiple high damage dooms in a card cycle instead of a move + weak (for the Doomstalker) attack. I also prefer Detonate over A Moment's Peace for a repeatable AOE attack and I don't like enhancing Strengthen on anything. The bottom of Multi-Pronged Assault I feel is better than the bottom of Race to the Grave in some situations like bosses or other high health, low shield enemies but the top is much worse.

[@MandatoryQuest]

I do really like that this character has some nice side board options and a few minor tweaks at certain levels you can make. I know your an anti strengthen/bless zealot so makes sense not running A Moments Peace.

[@MalkavDraconic]

“You become the perfect door opening character” From the back? I played this guy and loved him, I found drifting around the tank was the ideal place using as much multi targetting attack quantity boosting dooms. Ended with 6+ attacks in one turn at one point.

[@MandatoryQuest]

Once your on to the last 1 or 2 enemies you will be advancing towards the door, or at least you should be. Also if your still running felling swoop you just teleport over there right. You don’t have to sit in one place at the back at all times especially once you get some levels and some better movement abilities.

[@MalkavDraconic]

@@MandatoryQuest I had a 4 person team, damage output was really good, meat wall presence was solid. So I abused the Doom that gave me more shots and had it drifting around as stuff charged at our tank.

[@MandatoryQuest]

@@MalkavDraconic nice sounds like a Doomstalkers dream setup :)

[@GymLeaderJustin]

Just started this character last scenario!

[@MandatoryQuest]

Some good timing right there then ;)

[@Yannock86]

Hi ! and thank you for this guide ! I'm Beginning my second class with the Angry Face (after a long way from level 1 to 8 with my rock-face buddy) and, beeing at prosperity 4, I start from level 4. I'm building it with one idea : to not miss a hit, and to hit hard as often as possible. in a few words : advantage and x2 card on a lot of hits is my goal. Expose build is a good way fot that, but i have a question : I want to put as much Bless card as i can in my deck. So, the Bless enhancement on Moment's peace is my first one for my first 50 golds...ant it seems to be a very good choice. But what about doing the same thing on "Press the attack" bottom ? It's 100 golds so it's a bit more expensive, but 2 bless between each rest (and more if using stamina potion) may make a "ouch !" effet on ennemies... I'm juste asking myself (and anyone who wants to help ^^) if using the bottom effect of press the attack is a good idea, because retaliate is not very good for angry face.... I'll be happy to know how useless or usefull you think this idea is.... thanks !

[@MandatoryQuest]

Hi you're welcome :) The problem with that is you don't have many top attacks so its important to use press the attack as a top action. The best way to get even more blesses is through either donating to the temple or an ally like Sun or Music Note

[@Yannock86]

@@MandatoryQuest that's what i thought, i just needed another advice. thanks for your answer !

[@haerdalis84]

2 burns puts us at 10 cards which is a little bit low...me a mindthief main: sounds like a you problem

[@parkhurst1028]

Will you be doing a saw class guide?

[@MandatoryQuest]

Yes! the last two I need to do are Cthulhu and Saw then that’s all base characters done

[@jfseguin4005]

@@MandatoryQuest My favorite 2 classes ( along with lightning bolt!)

[@matthewdolman]

I've just unlocked doomstalker on our physical game and it's a lot of fun. I noticed for "frightening curse" you say that if there aren't any enemies within 2 spaces that the effect still triggers but you only get the xp. This seems opposite to what the wording on the card says, where you only trigger the card if there is an enemy within 2 spaces. Is this a digital quirk?

[@MandatoryQuest]

Yes I do think re-reading now it must be a Digital bug as it should only trigger "if" it could jump to another target meaning you would never lose a charge. I still don't really rate the card though unfortunately but its slightly less worse! :)

[@jimofthenorth8090]

@@MandatoryQuest having combo'd the top of Frightening Curse with bottom of Detonation on a pack of Hounds was a highlight of a recent game :)

[@dtnuh]

Expose is also the perfect answer for those pesky Night Demons, MVP pick!

[@MandatoryQuest]

Poopy night night demons

[@MandatoryQuest]

What's your favourite Angry Face build, are you a Double Doom'er or a Bless Expose player? Become a Patron for early access to videos - www.patreon.com/mandatoryquest Grab some sweet merch - www.mandatoryquest.com

[@JohnWard-te8pk]

I love the flexibility of the Expose build. I did not put a lot of bless into it (although I was partnered with a SUN), but didn't feel like I suffered from it. Doom 'em once, kill them, move on.

[@MandatoryQuest]

@@JohnWard-te8pk Yeah I think the Expose build is just so reliable and has a great flow of play. The double doom can be great but could also just fall apart on you mid round.

[@MuLangeMu]

I also did the expose build but took darkend skies lvl 5 skipped wild command and at lvl 8 feral instinct, really help economy alot and can get a doom for killing next rounds target

[@jorisgarcia6927]

3 spears quiver of arrows with this dude and cthulhu is outrageous. Plenty of dps and curses.

[@d.t.5670]

Playing the summon build right now to complement some other summoners in the party. Army of critters notwithstanding, Expose is still a turn 1 play every scenario. It just adds so much, even without the Bless enhancement on Moment's Peace (I've saved up instead to give the Toad +1 move). I honestly struggle to think of any configuration where you'd want to prioritize EIGHT other cards higher than Expose.

[@RomkeTerHell]

If you add bless to the heal action of a moment's peace, does the bless trigger even when you are full health or do you need to actually execute the heal action?

[@juanjesustorressalcedo780]

no you first move and then try top heal do it or not you get the bless

[@UCLASeraph]

Searched far and wide to see if anyone abuses what I believe to be a bug... Flight of flames top "wound trap" deals trap level true damage to all adjacent enemies... despite it being a 2 damage wound target and wound surrounding. Combinations with camo, hooks, rings of haste / brutality, Stam pot, pendant of dark and running over your own trap to deal 3 to 4 times 7+ true damage multiple times is insane. Lol I don't think it's right. But it really helps on Brutal. Is this a bit of a mistake/overlooked bug from the devs?

[@MandatoryQuest]

Definitely a bug! there are a few long time lingering bugs on a few abilities that will likely never get patched now unless they break the game, so I guess enjoy your OP ability :)

[@UCLASeraph]

@@MandatoryQuest doom kamikaze build 🤣

[@bepohal]

inescapable fate is counterintuitive? you play this once per rest cirle... sometimes you miss some easy strategies tho

[@MandatoryQuest]

Its counterintuitive to your attacks that give a bonus when attacking a doomed character. Why would you attack an enemy that will just die in three rounds. It also locks off a huge part of your character flexibility of changing up Dooms, so Its just generally awkward to this characters flow I've found.

[@bepohal]

@@MandatoryQuest i get your point, but it isn't counterintuitive at all. doomstalker is part of a group and your main goal is to finish the scenario. a high hp monster would take 3-4 turns (which at a 4 player party would be 24-32 cards you have to play) do take down by all of your allies. playing that card and leave it slowly die you can easily save massive time and hp. just get the tank in between or stun/immobilize that monster. also enemies like cannons or far away ones that won't make it in time before they die are huge turn/hp savers. it really couldn't be more easy and you are not really limited in those 3 turns. everybody else can focus on all the other enemies + doom can also make some serious damage meanwhile.

[@pontusvongeijer1240]

I like to skip both lv3 cards and just pick up both lv2 cards.

[@february_29]

There are "Wild Command" and "Predator and Prey" combination , but I'm not sure if it should work this way (how it works in digital). "Wild Command" bottom, if the attack goes against an enemy with a "Predator and Prey" doom, have as much "+ Attack" how far you are from the enemy. Not broken, but really strong.

[@MandatoryQuest]

That sounds like a bug to me. If you aren’t already in the official digital discord it might be worth joining end reporting it in the bug channel.

[@septimustavi9352]

At about 18:50 you say 'too often an enemy dies and they are not within range 2 of another enemy so you get the xp'...this is not correct, the ability is conditional on there being an enemy within range 2 and thus if there is no enemy within range 2 NOTHING happens, therefore you can't waste charges. I do agree that it is fairly rare that there is another enemy within range 2 of the now dead enemy. Bottom Hunt Begins is amazing with Concentric Circles...assuming they are doing what their name suggests.

[@MandatoryQuest]

Re-reading the card I tend to agree now actually. Has that been addressed somewhere in a rules FAQ because in Digital you do lose the charge regardless, so that may need to be reported as a bug, but yeah bad card is still bad.

[@septimustavi9352]

@@MandatoryQuest The closest it gets in the FAQ is "Item cards with circles to track multiple uses act exactly like persistent ability cards, in that if the situation applies, you must use the item in reaction and lose a charge." AND "When an ability has a conditional bonus (like Move 4, Add +2 move if X is true) when is the condition evaluated? The condition is evaluated before you perform the ability. So if during the move something negates X, you still get the +2 move bonus." So you would evaluate the condition when the enemy dies, discover there is no enemy within range and therefore nothing happens. OR you discover there is an enemy within range and then you have to move the token to the new enemy, move your token on your card and gain an xp. It should behave in a similar manner to the Brute's Warding Strength bottom (next 6 sources of damage from attacks gain shield 1), or Sun's Purifying Aura (on the next 5 attacks targeting you gain retaliate 2). There are several other cards I can think of that have similar conditions applied to using charges.

[@septimustavi9352]

@@MandatoryQuest Totally agree that bad card is still bad, but just very slightly less so this way.

[@charlylee7795]

Quick question, is a character unlock permenant or do i have to unlock them for every single campaign ?

[@MandatoryQuest]

Every single campaign. Each campaign is considered its own save with its own progress.

[@vohbovohborian28]

Note that in Gloomhaven on the PC this class still has several game breaking bugs.

[@MandatoryQuest]

Yep sadge

[@tbone9474]

I always thought the doomstalker to be very situational since he tends to focus on 1 enemy at a time, or am I wrong? Can he be used in any party ? I know you say he isn't but if you know how to play him can he still fit? My brother is getting into gloomhaven and adores rangers, so I was hoping to guide him a bit

[@MandatoryQuest]

He can work in most parties I would say but might struggle a little more at 2P if the other character cant pick up tanking and control responsibilities. You could always work in an extra summon to help with that though, or bring the difficulty level down a touch. Its not downright unplayable just an uphill struggle.

[@tbone9474]

@@MandatoryQuest thanks for the tips, well we're going to run with a group of 4 so won't be an issue :)

[@MandatoryQuest]

@@tbone9474 Nice that's good!

[@natzekai5108]

im lvl 4, so far im struggling with attack cards... like after 2 turns i only have doom cards in my hand, none of them offer attack possibilities. Any solution?

[@MandatoryQuest]

Its really rough with this character early as you have a disproportionate amount of dooms to attacks. At level 4 you should have at least Fresh Kill, Solid Bow, Swift Trickery, and Press the Attack (lvl 3) maybe Relentless Offensive (lvl2) if you skip Expose. This should give you 4 turns of attacking hopefully, but its still not ideal. You can consider using the default attack 2 tops to finish off targets in a pinch as you still get doom benefits. You also have a few big burn attacks you can use at the right time. Apart from that its hold out until level 6 when you get camouflage too.

[@jedrzejszymanski542]

great :)

[@nthnthms1212]

Has better summons than the summoner.

[@MandatoryQuest]

At level 9 for sure

[@adastra3147]

Why expose?

[@MandatoryQuest]

So you should never miss. It maximises your damage output by taking away any bad RnG. It's also not bad for the occasional scenario where the pierce doom bottom is useful.

[@timblighton6216]

Imp-ending End