Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion · Board game rules
When a Monster is adjacent to two characters, which character does it attack?
Quick answer
The monster attacks the character with the lower initiative value. If tied, the one earlier in initiative order is chosen.
Details
When a monster is adjacent to multiple characters, it selects a focus target based on two criteria:
- Proximity via movement: The monster focuses on the character it can reach with the least movement. If already adjacent, this step is skipped.
- Initiative order tiebreaker: If multiple characters are equally close (e.g., both adjacent), the monster targets the character with the lowest initiative value. If initiative values are equal, the character listed first in the initiative order is chosen [p.11 — Monster Focus].
Monsters act on initiative 50 in Scenario 1, but this logic applies universally. Focus is determined at the start of the monster’s turn, and once set, the monster will attack that target if adjacent after movement.
Watch out: If no valid path exists to reach any character (even if adjacent), the monster does nothing. This can occur if all adjacent hexes are blocked by obstacles, walls, or other figures.