This question is directed to those that have experience playing the co-ops. The questions are general in nature, and do not have a specific co-op and/or tile in mind.

Monsters have new movement categories in co-ops. I would like to discuss some of these, as during play, we have run into multiple situations where we were unsure what was intended, or what should have been done.

Toward : When a figure moves toward a target, the figure moves into the target’s space if possible. Otherwise, the figure must end its movement in the closest possible space to the target following normal movement rules. The figure always takes the route that requires the fewest movement points.

Most often, we assume that this means the monster moves adjacent to the hero, as a monster cannot occupy the same space as a hero (although there are some familiars that it could). Further, even if it could somehow occupy the same space as a hero, it can't attack from that space while doing so. We further assume that to move "toward" a target is to do so whether or not you will even be able to attack at all. For instance:

MEEEEHHEE M=Monster, E=Empty Space, H=Hero

EEEEEHEEE

If there is a corridor 2 squares wide, and heroes block both spaces (next to each other), and the target is behind the heroes (the farthest one), the monster moves towards that target even if it ultimately can't do anything.

Is this how you play it?

Now assume the following:

EEEEEEEEEE

MEEEEEHEEE M=Monster, E=Empty Space, H=Hero

EEEEEEHHEE

The monster is instructed to "Spot" the farthest hero. The monster has a movement of 3. Does the monster move towards the farthest hero, using the upper empty path to attempt to get LOS on the farthest hero, even though its speed will never actually allow him to achieve this goal?

In this case, does he actually do this fruitless effort, or does he instead, once again, just spot one of the nearest heroes, to which he already has LOS, and thus does not move?

How do you play it?

I have other questions, but they all basically fall under this same kind of category. If the monster has the ability to execute one of the special movement categories, but can't actually achieve the full value of the statement, does he do it?

We play toward how you are playing toward. The monster moves as close to a target as it can get, limit adjacent (it does not move into the same space.) Even if it cannot move adjacent, it moves as close as possible. Remember, toward = decreasing number of spaces between the monster and the hero- closing the range (to one if possible).

For spot, you need to work backwards. Because the rule clarifies "if it cannot get LOS it does not do this," you must consider what is possible for the monster. Cannot get LOS means in one action from its current location. It obviously does not mean from anywhere on the map.

1.The target is unable to be spotted because a blockade of heroes or otherwise prevents monster movement:

Pick a different target, as it can't spot the chosen one.

1a. Same as above, but that monster has Fly or Scamper and can get through said blockade:

Well, then he can spot. Spot that target.

1b. The monster has fly or scamper, but doesn't have enough MP to get all the way through the blockade to stop in a valid space:

In that case, the monster cannot legally spot. Pick a different target.

TOWARD:

Usually monster actions that say attack a target (for some reason) will also include actions that say attack the closest hero.

So, the monster will move as close as he can get, and then just attack the closest hero

If the action is something that does not have a target , like move to farthest hero, it will again move as close as it can get and attack the closest hero.

SPOT:

This is the same as above if there is a specific target , it is usually accompanied by attack the closest or spot the closest.

In you example above the monster can already see both heroes.

Now assuming there is another hero behind them, the monster would probably end up moving twice if there is a specific target.

If there is no space on the map from which the monster could have line of sight to the target, the monster targets a different hero, following the instructions of that same action while ignoring the hero it cannot target

That is more for your Toward example, if 2 heroes are blocking LOS to the farthest here. The monster would just change targets.

Just roll through the monsters actions and remember that all the regular descent rules still apply, so a monster can move twice.

Do you have the action list for the specific monster in question? Then I could tell you exactly what would happen in your examples.

TOWARD:

Usually monster actions that say attack a target (for some reason) will also include actions that say attack the closest hero.

So, the monster will move as close as he can get, and then just attack the closest hero

If the action is something that does not have a target , like move to farthest hero, it will again move as close as it can get and attack the closest hero.

SPOT:

This is the same as above if there is a specific target , it is usually accompanied by attack the closest or spot the closest.

In you example above the monster can already see both heroes.

Now assuming there is another hero behind them, the monster would probably end up moving twice if there is a specific target.

If there is no space on the map from which the monster could have line of sight to the target, the monster targets a different hero, following the instructions of that same action while ignoring the hero it cannot target

That is more for your Toward example, if 2 heroes are blocking LOS to the farthest here. The monster would just change targets.

Just roll through the monsters actions and remember that all the regular descent rules still apply, so a monster can move twice.

Do you have the action list for the specific monster in question? Then I could tell you exactly what would happen in your examples.

In each case, the card says move Toward or Spot the farthest hero.

We play toward how you are playing toward. The monster moves as close to a target as it can get, limit adjacent (it does not move into the same space.) Even if it cannot move adjacent, it moves as close as possible. Remember, toward = decreasing number of spaces between the monster and the hero- closing the range (to one if possible).

For spot, you need to work backwards. Because the rule clarifies "if it cannot get LOS it does not do this," you must consider what is possible for the monster. Cannot get LOS means in one action from its current location. It obviously does not mean from anywhere on the map.

1.The target is unable to be spotted because a blockade of heroes or otherwise prevents monster movement:

Pick a different target, as it can't spot the chosen one.

1a. Same as above, but that monster has Fly or Scamper and can get through said blockade:

Well, then he can spot. Spot that target.

1b. The monster has fly or scamper, but doesn't have enough MP to get all the way through the blockade to stop in a valid space:

In that case, the monster cannot legally spot. Pick a different target.

Zaltyre ... this is how I thought we should be playing both. If you can legally get to a point (in one turn) to get LOS, then you Spot that hero. Otherwise, you move on to another hero. Some in my group argued that while you may not be able to get to that hero THIS turn, you can still ultimately legally Spot the hero.

To me, this made absolutely no sense. I insisted that we play the way you and I interpreted things, but stated that I would solicit other opinions.

You need to know the whole list. And it will depend on what type of attacks the monster has as well. (granted most monsters that spot are ranged)

Spot Farthest Hero

Attack Farthest Hero

As in your 2nd example the monster has a movement of 3 and a Ranged attack.

The monster would end up moving twice because there are spots on the map he can get to that he can see the farthest hero.

• move 3 spaces, can he see the farthest Hero? No, check next action
• Can he attack the farthest hero? no, check next action
• move 3 spaces, can he see the farthest hero? Does not matter his 2 actions are done.

The monster would only change targets if it is impossible for that monster to get to a space that can spot the farthest hero. Even if that Hero is 50 spaces away. A monster will "Try" to get there.

With your first example (still using the spot example) the monster would not move at all and just end up shooting one of the heroes blocking the hall. Because there is no legal way for the monster to get behind the heroes and spot that farthest hero. So the monster will switch targets and go after the next farthest hero.

Moving Towards is usually done by Melee monsters. You can still move closer to the farthest target, even if those heroes are blocking the hall. And usually the next action is attack the closest hero anyway.

In your 1st example a move towards with 3 movement the monster would end up moving twice. With 4 movement he would move and then attack one of the heroes in front.

You need to know the whole list. And it will depend on what type of attacks the monster has as well. (granted most monsters that spot are ranged)

I disagree with this statement. You are suppose to process each of the steps in order, if possible. To me, this means that any given step is independent of the next. I do not decide to do step 1, just because something may happen in step 2.

In other words, each of the actions listed on a monster activation card are independent of the following actions. While they may actually ultimately work in tandem to result in something like a move, and then an attack, they are still done independently.

So if I have a list like:

1) Spot the farthest hero

2) Attack the farthest hero

3) Spot the farthest hero

4) Attack the farthest hero

I don't decide to do step 1, just because step 3 exists and allows me to ultimately get LOS on the farthest hero.

A decision is first made on step 1 in its entirety. Can you do it? Yes or no. Then, and only then, do you move on to Step 2. And you only move on to step 2 so long as you have actions remaining for the monster in question. You continue going through all of the steps, and then start back at the top until 1 of 2 things happens:

1) You have done two actions for the monster

2) No matter how many times you continue through the list, you can't do anything.

Correct. You process actions individually, one at a time, until one of those two cases you listed.

I think we are saying the same thing?

You are not going to change targets just because you cannot spot the farthest hero with your first move. If the monster can "eventually" spot the farthest hero he will keep moving using both actions as moves.

But if there is no way he can ever get there, as in your 1st example, he is not going to just blindly move with his first action. He will change targets and end up shooting instead because he already has line of site to the next farthest target.

I think we are saying the same thing?

You are not going to change targets just because you cannot spot the farthest hero with your first move. If the monster can "eventually" spot the farthest hero he will keep moving using both actions as moves.

But if there is no way he can ever get there, as in your 1st example, he is not going to just blindly move with his first action. He will change targets and end up shooting instead because he already has line of site to the next farthest target.

We are saying different things. If the monster cannot spot the farthest hero in a single action, it will spot a different hero with that action. If it cannot spot any heroes with a single move action, it will skip the spot action and move to the next choice on the card.

"Spot" says: When an effect instructs a monster to spot a target, that monster performs a move action and moves toward the closest space from which it would have line of sight to the specified target. If a monster already has line of sight to the target, that monster does not perform this action. If there is no space on the map from which the monster could have line of sight to the target, a different target is selected.

That last bolded sentence has to mean "that the monster can reach now" otherwise it's a nonsensical sentence- the only targets that would not have spaces that could have line of sight to them would have to be completely surrounded by obstacle terrain as something, as a space adjacent to another space always has LOS (excepting overgrowth, which is not even in the coop adventures.)

Similarly, just like "attack an adjacent hero" is skipped if the monster can't attack an adjacent hero this action (even if it could after another action,) spot, in the same way, is skipped if there is no hero it can spot this action. If it can't spot the farthest hero, it spots the second farthest hero instead, etc.

EDIT: I was wrong about "toward"- it actually says the monster moves into the target's space IF POSSIBLE, but otherwise ends its movement in an adjacent space. I think that's to cover things like familiars that can occupy the same space as other figures, though it really wouldn't make sense with a monster like a goblin archer, since it can't end its movement in the target space.

^--- This. I agree with what Zaltyre is saying. Kage13, you and I are saying two different things.

To give an extreme example:

1) Spot the farthest hero

2) Attack the farthest hero

3) Spot the farthest hero

4) Attack the farthest hero

Given: Speed of monster is 3. M=Monster, E=Empty Space, H=Hero

EEEEEEE

EEEEEHE

MEEEEHH

The way you play, you look and see that if you execute steps 1 and 3, they get you to a point where you can legally spot the farthest hero, so you choose to execute Step 1, ignore Step 2, execute Step 3.

The way Zaltyre and I play, we attempt to execute step 1, and realize that after doing so, we would not be able to spot the farthest hero. We stop, and instead spot the next farthest hero, which is one of the 2 closest to the monster, which results in no movement as we currently have LOS. All in Step 1. Then we execute Step 2 which is to attack that "farthest hero" just spotted in Step 1.

If the monster had a speed of 6 instead, I would execute Step 1, as it would allow me to gain LOS to the actual farthest hero.

It does not say the space in which the monster can reach. It says any space on the map.

There is nothing about the monster actually being able to make it there in one move.

and it also says

performs a move action and moves toward the closest space from which it would have line of sight

It does not say he has to actually reach the space. Just move towards it.

it also says

If a monster already has line of sight to the target, that monster does not perform this action.

It does not say that if it cannot get line of sight it does not do this action.

Here are the examples.

In this example there is no space ON THE MAP the Goblin can get to, so he will change targets. He will not move he will just shoot.

In this example. There is a space on the map the gobin can get to

• Move towards the farthest target. there is NOTHING in the rules that says he has to actually get there
• Can he attack the farthest target? No so...
• He will move a 2nd time and will then have LOS to the farthest target.

The moves toward the closest spot which it WOULD have LOS is interesting and makes a point. I read that still as "if there are no spots it can move to where it would have line of sight, it can't spot that hero."

My point about the "on the map" phrase is that there are plenty of spots on the map in either case that goblin can have LOS- just none can be moved to (i am pretending it is another monster since goblins have scamper andcould move in either example)

Actually ya my first example is bad because I forgot goblins have scamper and in fact I think he could get LOS to the farthest guy in one move action.

But if it were any other monster it would change targets.