The H.I.V.E. is a machine piloted by a swarm of bugs, and its gameplay reflects this through two primary modes of operation:

: The Hive can inhabit different summons, essentially "becoming" that unit. This grants the Hive the stats and abilities of the specific machine.

You absorb any remaining damage and status conditions that the target summon possessed.

Most of your best abilities are that stay active. These might grant your summons Retaliate, give you free movement when insects die, or convert your self-damage into healing. Managing your hand size (typically 10-11 cards) around these losses is the class’s primary strategy challenge.

Unlike Gloomhaven, Frosthaven unlocks most characters through completing certain missions or events rather than solely through personal quests, so keep an eye on scenario rewards and building upgrades that might lead to the Hive.

Ultimate Frosthaven Hive Guide: Rules, Mechanics, and Strategies

: You must recover your best movement and multi-target attack cards early.

Monsters cannot spawn on a hex occupied by a mercenary. If a character is standing next to a Pillar on the exact hex where a monster is scheduled to appear, the spawn is completely canceled for that round. Use your body as a shield. 2. Abuse Obstacles and Chokepoints

The Hive is a high-pressure scenario where you face a relentless onslaught of Vermling and insectoid enemies. Your primary objective is not just survival, but the systemic destruction of specific structural targets while managing a rapidly crowding map.

Protecting your fragile summons is paramount. You must "weave" your initiative—going late when enemies are far away to let them move first, then going very early the next turn to attack and reposition before they can strike back.

At the start of a scenario, you play one summon card from your hand to establish your starting .