As stated in the Kingsport and Innsmouth rulebooks, the modified number of players are to make things easier for us. Based on Kevin Wilson's answers, I understand that:

Ancient One: Number of successes required are still based on real number of players.

However, I'm still uncertain about many other cases which number of players matter. Please consider X as real number of investigators, while (X-2) the modified number with Dunwich, Kingsport and Innsmouth towns.

Closing Gate Victory: Number of gate trophies = X or (X-2)?

Rumors: e.g. $4 per player on card = $4X or $4(X-2)?

Monster surge (where number of open gates less than (X-2): X monsters or (X-2) monsters?

Please inform me if I missed out any other cases.

An additional question: The first mythos card cannot be a rumor, as stated in the rulebook. However, upon combining expansions, the first mythos card should also not be those without a gate opening, would I be correct in assuming? That is, I should also skip mythos cards such as 'The Next Act Begins', 'No gate open, but a monster surge occurs!' and 'No gate open, but add 2 doom tokens to the doom track."?

Last question: When no gates are open (though investigators have not won due to insufficient gate trophies) and 'No gate open, but a monster surge occurs!' is drawn as a mythos card, do I add all monsters to the outskirts?

Thanks for addressing my questions.

Jumesyn said:

Until we get a clarification, only exception ruled on is the final battle portion, so all those would be X-2.

Jumesyn said:

I don't re-draw for anything other than a Rumor on the first Mythos cards. While NAB and Strange Sightings are bit of a blessing (NAB dependant on whether GOO or Herald has an Terror effect), double-doomer as the first card doesn't give much reason to celebrate, since it leaves all locations still available for gates, so doomers guaranteed.

Jumesyn said:

You get a freebie Mythos phase, no different than if the gate would bounce on a seal (which IH was nice enough to fix). I would still activate Shudde M'ell, Abhoth and BGotW Herald, but I'm sadistic .