Gloomhaven's campaign is long enough that group dynamics change during its completion. People move, schedules conflict, interest wanes in some players. Managing a campaign across these real-world factors is the hardest part of the Gloomhaven experience.

Strategies that work: scheduling monthly rather than weekly reduces the burden on everyone's schedule. Allowing players to join late or leave early with substitute player rules keeps the campaign running when attendance is imperfect. Recording campaign state online (BGG's Gloomhaven helper app) makes returning to a campaign after breaks easier.

For groups considering starting Gloomhaven: discuss the commitment honestly before opening the box. A campaign started enthusiastically and abandoned halfway is unsatisfying for everyone. Jaws of the Lion is a better starting point precisely because its commitment is bounded.