The Deep Ones Rising track rules state that a Deep Ones Rising marker is added every time a gate is prevented from opening (by an Elder Sign or player ability).

Do I add a Deep Ones Rising marker when a gate "opens" in a location already containing a gate (leading to a monster surge)? Was the gate prevented from opening or is the monster surge a "successful" gate opening considering that the gate actually caused some destruction in Arkham?

This being the most common occurrence of gates being prevented from opening, it's odd that it's not mentioned in the rules. That's why I'm asking here.

Monster surges don't add to DOR (well, not directly, but if said surge is at Devil's Reef... ).

That and more pointers on IH:

www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/409354

As to monster surges being common, I don't know about that. Since adding IH, there are now 20 unstable locations (not all created equal of course), but I've seen a lot less monster surge after adding IH. Doom tokens have gained a definate edge. 13 doom in 13 Mythos being on example (0 surges, 0 bounces on seals). My current "best" with IH is a 17 Mythos card game without a monster surge.

Thanks, that was quick!
We usually play using only one expansion (Inssmouth) and random characters, so monster surges are a rather common occurrence - at least much more common than having the Scientist character with her gate gizmo.

How would Kingsport affect the dynamics of the game if we had both Innsmouth and Kingsport alongside Arkham? One might surmise there'd be more aquatic movement between boards, which is an intriguing possibility.

Whitmire said:

Don't have KH, so can't speak from experience. More gates in Arkham, or at least gate cards, the occasional gate burst in Arkham to worry about (which can't happen with just AH + IH). As for aquatic movement, not sure how much it would add. Which of the KH locations are aquatic. If you're investigating Rifts there, you're not looking to stop in the streets. And of course, any gate in Arkham other than Unvisited Isle makes Aquatics just move as normal.

Dam said:

Of course you don't, Dam. You use every Mythos card you have. Statistically, your deck can't help but be less able to provide monster surges. Those of us that keep our Mythos decks trimmed to one or two expansions at a time--like OP Whitmire--find monster surges a regular painful occurence.

Whitmire, I tend to stick to two boards at a time (currently Arkham and Innsmouth), but I've dabbled some in 3 or 4 boards. I don't like 4 boards except as a novelty, but 3 boards strikes a certain balance that seems fairly workable (although still a bit easier to beat). Unfortunately, even with IH and KH in play, a monster moving Aquatically is still pretty rare without some kind of extra House Rules, such as some mechanic to put monsters in Kingsport on a more regular basis, trimming your Monster Cup to allow for more Aquatic monster draws, or using the two extra "Aquatic Location" tokens (since IH and KH each provide 2) to increase the amount of "wet spaces" (such as the Rivertown and Merchant District Streets).

Welcome to the Carnival, Whitmire!

I'd like to see more rifts with the other dimension symbols.

Some blights cards with effects that can be mitigated by carrying out actions at specific locations in Kingsport.

Rubble tokens for the other boards, particularly Kingsport where there are more stable locations than elsewhere.

heralds providing boosts and plots for interesting and thematic monsters such as shan, moonbeasts, the werewolf and the tch-tcho priest

Lots of other world flavour cards, particularly for Kadath and the Underworld

New gates that serve only as EXITS to add difficulty (you need the Gate Box to come back and close them).

Monsters that can only be defeated by handcuffs or Yithian Rifles.

... sure in themselves none of these might be all that much fun, but just think how upset Dam would be.

jgt7771 said:

Yeah, unlike you suckas , my Mythos phases aren't all, "awww man, just a monster surge", instead they are "yikes, another doomer" .

jgt7771 said:

I have used the Aquatic location tokens for Rivertown and Merchant streets my last ten games or so. Nothing at all more has happened, though I was only playing Innsmouth in about half those games so there weren't very many aquatics.

I may go back to my original understanding of aquatics in that they move toward the nearest water location if an investigator is there when they move, no matter where they begin. I realize now it was an error but at least there was some water action, though still not much. It also seems more intuitive to me in that the Orange border triggers a looksee like the blue border triggers a flyer's looksee.

Also I do trim my monster cup to the expansions I'm playing plus any monsters that are worshippers. I have the monster chits marked and just draw again if its an inappropriate monster. It's all for theme.

rats, I thought I was posting in the "what would you like in the enxt expansion thread" above

- Mariana the ex-nun cultist

Mariana the Ex-Nun Cultist said:

I just figured you had lost your last sanity chit and were babbling random thoughts on the way to the asylum for some much needed therapy.

Dam said:

I love monster surges. Monsters are just wandering little bundles of cash with which I can buy allies.

thecorinthian said:

Only time monster surges aren't "pointless" is with the BGotW Herald (pointless as in promoting the GOOs waking)! Or if the IH Mythos Environment that does the same thing is in play. If both are ...

Nghtflame7 said:

You mean you didn't notice anything different about that particular post

- Mariana the ex-nun cultist