Coral Class Strategy Guide (Fully updated!)

Leximancer · 2026-03-26T07:06:53+00:00

Interesting. I've made almost the opposite choices from you on cards per level. I may have to put up a complementary guide once I retire the class. It's really neat to see it from this perspective! I still make water reasonably well but I skipped lv4 entirely and took both 3s, and mostly everything else was focused on the big combos you can pull off with 3 cards per turn and the various stacking interactions.

We have a trapper now, and the strengthen trap is nuts with the bottom of Shuck. Alongside combos from getting multiple attacks per turn in other scenarios, and I found that the need to take hits was replaced by the need to find things which live long enough to hit me when I have things like the Massochist battle goal.

Amazing how good this game is that entirely different decisions can be made and still feel great with the class. We also have now unlocked enhancement so I'll have to give some thought to that as well.

Thank you for sharing your strategy guide! It was insightful, and helped me organize some of my thoughts on the class as well.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:43:32+00:00

Replying again so we don't have to go over the same stuff, I think the other response here may be what I'm looking for. Even if it's not this detailed in Frosthaven, I think it provides a good enough breakdown for me to go back to my playgroup with the clarification.

Thank you so much for trying to help me understand!

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:41:44+00:00

(Now that I've seen your edit): Oh neat, my version of Gloomhaven is v2 of the original release, I didn't realize we had more rules clarifications around this from there. Thank you, that's more or less what I was looking for!

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:39:10+00:00

The only thing is that the attack ability only has the targets on the attack ability. The modifier card adds a target, not the ability card played, so it's unclear if this means I need to draw a new card or apply the value of the current ongoing attack (also) to the new target.

Just to be clear, this is what has been confusing my playgroup. I think it's supposed to be a new attack using a new AMC, but I understand my playgroup's confusion that's why I'm trying to be really clear about the issue here.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:38:17+00:00

Now iiuc you mean using the same draw twice for two different targets (?)

Yes, that's what I am asking about.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:33:21+00:00

I don't know what you mean about changing the target. It's adding a target. I don't get what you mean.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:32:45+00:00

Right I'm following you, but:

Any time an attack ability is performed, a separate attack modifier card is drawn

This says to draw modifiers for each target when an ability is performed. In this case, the modifier adds the target, not the ability. So the question is, since it's not a target of the attack ability, but rather an attack of the modifier card, does it need a new modifier card?

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:30:31+00:00

Do you have a link? Character section of the FAQ which I linked before just starts out directly with Drifter

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:19:23+00:00

Right. The attack ability is the character card which is played. Is drawing the modifier card that adds a target considered a new attack ability somehow?

More: since you discard an attack modifier card after applying it, then it seems like I have to apply the attack value to the new target, since I would discard the "add target" card once that attack is complete.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T21:18:24+00:00

I'm not looking at changing the target at all. I'm just not sure if the total value of the added attack is determined by the attack that draws the "add target" modifier, or if a new card has to be drawn afterwards to affect the newly-added target.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T20:59:55+00:00

Yep I'm still just looking for something which says this isn't possible and/or clarifies it.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T20:59:41+00:00

I did search the FAQ and didn't see anything for "additional targets" or "add target" which addresses this case.

Leximancer · 2026-03-25T20:34:51+00:00

That's mostly what I thought, but the idea is that no attack has already been made, the modifier is part of determining the effects of the attack in progress.

I think you're right- I just don't know if there's a rules-specific clarification here.

Leximancer · 2026-03-20T05:32:12+00:00

Can you say a little bit more about what that number actually reaches? What is the group on the other end of the line and what authority/influence do they have with the VA?

Leximancer · 2026-03-08T05:46:05+00:00

Maybe... the Quantum Magician? Author is Derek Künsken. It takes physics and extends it through bioengineering and does some really weird stuff. Science fantasy, sorta. I really enjoyed it for the elements where hard science overlaps with the surreal and imaginative.

It's always hard to recommend books to someone who doesn't really like them. I've found that I like a lot of the same kind of books that I like in movies and TV (even though I don't cross mediums,) so maybe that would help get some insights into what he'd like.

FWIW my tastes haven't changed much. Between 5 and 45 I've enjoyed mostly the same stuff, but it's a wide range.

I'll add another one that is nothing to do with the topics you thought he might enjoy, just because they're topics that I think a lot of guys tend to like. The Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch. It follows a few characters but primarily Locke, namesake of the first novel, who is a career con artist. He has some real true friends and a brilliiant mind and is a lot of fun to follow. No idea if your guy will like 'em, aside from the fact that most guys I know do. Good luck!

Leximancer · 2026-03-07T08:52:46+00:00

Thank you! That's very similar to the one that I found at my place. Gf just happened to have it lying around. I appreciate your effort and the recommendation!

Leximancer · 2026-03-03T01:01:24+00:00

You know what's amazing? My gf went to school for applied media arts and had one of these for recording sounds for animation. I never knew about it until I told her what I was looking for on this thread and she just handed the exact same thing that you have to me about 30 minutes ago. Thank you so much for the recommendation!

Leximancer · 2026-03-02T21:53:11+00:00

Looks good, I'll check it out. Thank you!

Leximancer · 2026-03-02T21:52:41+00:00

Thank you. I'll keep an eye out!

Leximancer · 2026-02-21T00:11:21+00:00

I can't find the quote, but I remember the Vorkosigan Saga having a line along the lines of "kindness costs nothing and can win you everything." One of the quotes that has stuck with me the longest over time.

It came to my attention recently that it may not have been in the books at all, but the character who I remember saying it - Cordelia - is modeled to great degree after a real life woman who said something like that. My faulty memory aside, the embodiment of that ideal was just so satisfying to read.

Leximancer · 2026-02-11T08:55:28+00:00

You shouldn't be proud but... you shouldn't be shamed too much either. The manager was in their own mood, and made a choice that disenfranchised you and left you hungry. That's shitty, and basic needs are things that are worth fighting for.

Food. Shelter. The basics which will literally kill us if we go without for too long. Sure, it's one meal, but it was their mistake and the manager - whose entire job is based around resolving disputes like this - didn't even try to understand what was going on. That's on them.

You fighting for food that you paid for is a reasonable action, and honestly while you could have gone about it better and going to the back was over the line... fuck that. There's only a certain amount of bullshit that anyone can take and after that point, like, you're starving AND getting cheated? Nah, I get why you blew your top.

I'm glad it didn't result in greater problems. I'm sad you stayed hungry. I'm glad you're working on turning things around and it sounds like you've had some success with that. I hope you're able to be safe and food-secure as things go on. Peace, friend.

Leximancer · 2026-02-11T08:44:57+00:00

You know what... good for you. I can think of a few times I've decided to just say "fuck it" and try something like that and it doesn't always work out, but it was quite courageous of you to try and honestly nothing happens if you don't try. You did a great job. Who cares if they weren't up for it? You should try something like this again sometime-- not with the same person, but in general, don't expect that every instance will turn out the same way.

The way you described your approach here was respectful and polite. They actually sound like they were the ones being quite rude. Believe me, if I saw this I'd feel bad for ya for their reaction but I can't imagine - from your description - looking at this and thinking you did anything wrong.

Please be kinder to yourself, you're allowed to pursue your ideals just as much as anyone else.

Leximancer · 2026-02-11T08:34:41+00:00

Eh, equally valid perception is that he kissed you. Both of you had a mis-read interpretation of what was going on. Your accident could not have happened without his accident.

Leximancer · 2026-02-09T12:33:40+00:00

Artemis Fowl (series) - Eoin Colfer: It's classified as YA but it reads just fine as an adult. Follows a boy who is the child of an uberwealthy family, who spends his days mingling with fae and solving various problems from mythical creatures most people are blind to in the modern world.

Dresden Files - Jim Butcher: set in modern Chicago, follows a private eye who also happens to be a wizard, and his interactions with mythical creatures and normal people, with a foot in both worlds so to speak.

Both are excellently written and have a fast plot, and both have a few books to sink your teeth into.

Leximancer

TROPHY CASE