While a single character cannot own duplicate items in Gloomhaven, it is possible for different characters within the same party to each possess a copy of the same item, provided multiple copies of that item are available in the game's supply.
Item Ownership Rules in Gloomhaven
The rules for item ownership in Gloomhaven are specific and designed to maintain game balance and encourage diverse character builds. A fundamental principle is that no individual character may own duplicates of the same item. This means a single character cannot, for instance, equip two "Minor Healing Potions" or two "Stamina Potions." Each item slot on a character's sheet must hold a unique item.
However, this rule applies per character, not across the entire party or the game's available item pool. Gloomhaven includes multiple copies of many common items, such as basic potions or armors, in its item deck.
- Individual Character Restriction: A character's inventory is limited to unique items. If a character acquires an item they already possess, they must sell the new item or the existing one.
- Party-Wide Possibility: It is entirely permissible for two different characters in the same adventuring party to each own an identical item. For example, the Brute could own a "Minor Healing Potion," and the Scoundrel could also own a "Minor Healing Potion," as long as two separate copies of that item are available and purchased from the item supply.
- City's Available Supply: Items not currently in use by active characters are considered part of the city's available supply. This means if a different party plays the game with different characters, items possessed by unused characters are considered to be in the city's available supply and can be purchased. This dynamic allows more copies of an item to circulate among different party members over time, provided multiple physical copies of the item exist in the game box.
Practical Implications
Understanding this distinction is crucial for party management and item acquisition strategies. It impacts how players decide which items to prioritize from the city's available stock.
| Scenario | Is it Permissible? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| One character owns two "Minor Healing Potions" | No | A single character cannot own duplicate copies of the same item in their inventory. |
| Character A owns a "Minor Healing Potion" and Character B owns a "Minor Healing Potion" | Yes | Different characters can each own one copy of the same item, assuming multiple copies are available in the game's supply. |
| Character A owns a "War Hammer" and Character B owns a "War Hammer" | Yes | Similar to potions, if multiple copies of a unique item (like the "War Hammer," assuming multiple copies exist in the game) are available, different characters can each own one. |
This rule prevents characters from becoming overly specialized or overpowered by stacking identical powerful effects, while still allowing the party as a whole to benefit from multiple instances of useful common items. It encourages players to make strategic choices about item distribution among their unique character builds.
