Frequently Asked Questions
When this FAQ refers to a section, find the heading in the rulebook, and then look for that specific section.
Overview
Taking a Turn
When can you play Items? Encounters? Non-React Actions?
You can play them, one at a time, during your turn, AFTER you have survived the encounter and attempted to investigate the location (see Section 2).
Do you have to evade the encounter to investigate the location? What about beating the encounter?
No, as long as you are alive, you may investigate the location.
What happens if I don't move to a new location on my turn?
You're safe...temporarily. You don't encounter any Monsters, but you can't investigate the location either.
Wait, this isn't how I learned how to play!?
True. If you strictly follow the rules, you cannot investigate (but you don't have to face the encounter again) if you do not move. However, with all players agreeing, you can use our house rule of allowing to encounter the monster & investigating the location again if you do not move.
Is going first a disadvantage as the other players can play cards on you first?
If you look at this way, sure. However, you get to draw cards first, and have the first chance of winning the game!
Is there a difference between discard and random discard?
Yes. You can always choose your discarded cards, however random discards you may not choose which cards are discarded (have an opponent pick face down cards).
When do you draw a card for Timothy? What about Winston Holcroft?
Timothy just increases your max. hand size by 1; you would draw the card during (section 1). With Winston Holcroft, you draw the card immediately.
Special Rules for the Cards
Characters
What cards can you play when you're dead? What can you do when you're dead? What about your items?
When you die, your last purpose in the game is to keep others from winning! You are limited to playing Reacts, however; you cannot take turns, use Items, draw cards or move to new locations. All cards that you had while you were alive stay with you (and effectively out of the game); however, they can be targeted by other Action cards.
What is the maximum for Life & Mind? Are there limits?
The maximum for either stat is 6. Cards that do not say, "maximum character max." allow you to exceed your starting stat.
If a Monster reduces your Life to 0, can I play an Action card to bring it back to 1?
No; you die immediately. You would need to play a React to prevent the damage dealt to your character.
Glossary
What's the difference between Combat, Combat Flips and Total Combat Flips?
Combat is the number of cards you (or a Monster) are going to be flipping
during an encounter (example: all characters have 2 Combat).
Combat Flips means the actual flipping of the card from the terror deck and using its
Horror Value.
Total Combat Flips is the final total (sum of the Horror Values plus any modifiers)
during an encounter.
Card Specific Questions
Can you play The Summoning when you're dead even though you have no Mind to lose?
If The Summoning was a React, you could. However, as it's an Action card, and you cannot take turns while you are dead, you cannot play it.
How does the Biocyte Facility's ability work?
It's an extra flip anytime during the turn. You can use it in the encounter, for investigating, or even a Clue played later on during the turn. You can also use it for evading, however, remember you must match one of the evade numbers exactly.
Storyline Questions
Can the Flavor Text tell the complete story?
Unfortunately, no. However, we are working on comprehensive fiction for the town of Castle Bay. We'll put it on our website once it's completed.
?
We are planning a small expansion to the game; one of the new cards will allow players to be the survivor: Jacob Hollow. We don't have a release date for this set yet.