1. If Tsothoggua is the AO, are you unable to use the Falcon Point ability and therefore unable to get to Devil's Reef save returning from a gate of the same type, or being Silas Marsh?

2. If Ursula Downs begins on an unstable location, can she take the clue that was there? (like Kate Winthop?). Can Downs start at Yha'Netheli since she isn't actually moving there?

3. Can Silas sail to Yha'Netheli?

1. I'd say you can still use it since it's an important game requirement as it allows you to move between boards like the depots. And let's face it, if someone gets sent there the only way they'll get out otherwise is a gate if they're lucky, being devoured otherwise.

3. The only way to get to Y'hanethlay is via Devil's Reef or gate so no. Marsh can sail not suba so he has to walk down like everyone else.

awp832 said:

Question three is obviously no. Question one and two need to be answered (although I'd assume Tsoth doesn't shut down Falcon Point). I'll copy them into the F.A.Q.

Tsathoggua's ability deals with the "instead of having an encounter" type of location abilities.

I'm pretty sure it was clarified that Tsathoggua doesn't cancel your ability to get an Inner Sanctum encounter if you're a member of the STL, nor does he cancel the preventative text at Kingsport Head. Likewise he should not cancel the special printed texts at Innsmouth Jail, Sawbone Alley, Devil Reef, Y'ha-Nthlei, or Falcon Point.

The ability at First National Grocery should be canceled; though I am not sure about the Gilman House Memorial (probably).

Tibs said:

"Malaise - While Tsathoggua stirs in his slumber, investigators cannot use the special ability of any locations other than the Arkham Asylum, Curiositie Shoppe, General Store, Ye Olde Magick Shoppe, and St. Mary's Hospital. This does not prevent investigators from having encounters or traveling between cities. In addition, all Urban cards are discarded without their special effects taking place."

It doesn't say anything about "instead of having an encounter."

Tsathoggua wouldn't cancel Inner Sanctum (your STL membership card says the same thing, anyway). It wouldn't make sense to make it suddenly easier to climb the Kingsport Head, either. And yeah, those were clarified. The especially aggressive abilities on Devil's Reef and Yiggilmajig would probably remain, in this context. As for Innsmouth Jail, the only way to get out of that place is to follow the text (right?), so... yeah. Sawbone Alley is clear because it's a street, not a location. This just leaves Falcon Point. You have to assume you can use it, though... otherwise, you have to pray that nothing happens over there, or have the foresight to have Silas Marsh in the game.

One more question:

Patrice gets 5 clue tokens when the Doom reaches 9. If the Doom is lowered in some fashion (Elder Sign, Marie's ability, etc), and then reaches 9 again, does she gain 5 more clue tokens?

awp832 said:

Why did you bring that up? Now Avi will be all over this, exploiting it like there's no tomorrow .

And if the singer passes her personal story....

Another question!

Min Thi Phan's personal story states to put a clue token on it whenever she "reads" a tome. If she fails to read a tome (i.e. spends the movement, but fails her Lore/whatever check), does this count as reading?

It seems it should, given that "Reading Tomes does not count towards..." Cthugha's Sweltering Heat threshold, (it would be weird if failing to read a book would trigger Cthugha's ability), but on the other side of the coin, it seems like it shouldn't because it would be very easy, and could be cheesed by setting her Lore such that she would necessarily fail to read the King in Yellow that she starts with for the first two tokens. I realise some other personal story victory conditions are very easy, but was hers intended to be that easily completed?

Cheers,

-Sinis

I would assume that "read" a tome for Min's ability means "succeed at reading." But I have not seen her story yet.

I don't see why Patrice wouldn't get 5 clue tokens again if the doom track hit 9 again. But that also would appear to make the most overpowered investigator I can think of to be even more overpowered.

And if Avi chooses to exploit it and it's legit, then that's a keen strategy. Blame the character or her wording, not the person who makes good use of her—right? I'll not soon forget his excellently conceived strategy to lure monsters away from a rumor using Wendy. That was an ingenious use of resources.

I'm coming down on the side of not allowing Patrice to gain five clue tokens from doom token nine multiple times. Essentially, her ability just says "the first time". She's already absurd, so I hear, and there's no reason to increase the problem.

awp832 said:

Also, can she start on the Kingsport Head?

awp832 said:

As it is worded, yes. As it should be, no. She's already overpowered. Put this in the FAQ and it might get errattaed.

Dam said:

Because I needed it a few games ago when I used her to seal Zhar with only five doom tokens on his track ::laughter::

awp832 said:

In case anyone missed it, Kevin reared his head on BGG to blast this one down:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/3582315#3582315

"She [Patrice] only gets 5 clue tokens the FIRST time the 9th space on the Doom track is filled."

Thanks, Kevin.