Hello everyone!

I just picked up this game and so far has had chance to play it 3 times and I love it!

But I do have a question. I noticed in the book it said that if you boost a skill using a card during a test (such as a weapon card) that skill cannot be boosted again. I understand that this makes sense, as it prevents an investigator from hoarding a silly number of weapons for ridiculous boost to his Strength in combat, but does this also mean that a spell such as Withering is useless in combat if the Investigator has a Tommy Gun?

If this is the case, how does one even try to defeat a really high toughness monster that requires many successes?

The restriction only applies to items, spells, etc... that specifically add dice to your rolls (noted as +X to "stat"). So if you have to sources that grant say +2 and +3 to strangth then you get the larger +3. In addition say you have an item that adds +1 to strength and grants a re-roll and an item that adds +4 to strength and a re-roll you would apply the +4, but you will get both re-rolls. Items that add to a specific die result can also stack (sorry I can't remember exact cards off the top of my head). Hope this helps and doesn't just confuse you more.

Also check out the boardgamegeek.com listing for the game as it is a valuable resource link below.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/146021/eldritch-horror

Just adding for clarity that the very specific "+X" notation is referred to as a "Bonus." Abilities that add extra dice (like Jim Culver's, Agnes Baker, and Zoey Samaras) still apply in addition to the highest bonus you can generate.

The thing about spells is that even though the base damage or bonus MAY be lower, they often can produce surprising results with enough successes. Shriveling for instance may only do 2 damage, BUT if you get enough success it may do two damage to ALL MONSTERS ON THE SPACE!

And in regards to your last question... the damage done to a monster stays on the monster between turns. You may have to fight it several times or with a few investigators on the same turn. If you cannot overcome the strength combat modifier when dealing with the combat check, you simply need to buff yourself via improvements or find some better equipment!

Remember, in Eldritch Horror, you will always receive at least 1 die for any skill check regardless of modifiers.