So, Claustrophobia proved being one of the most debated cards across different boards. I asked FFG about how to rule this card, and today I received an answer from Kara Centell-Dunk.


Question:Hello, Julia here, with a rules query for Mansions 2nd edition. It regards the Claustrophobia card. The card reads: ""Whenever you end your turn within range of 2 or fewer spaces, suffer 1 facedown Horror" From which space is range counted? Some players are under the impression that you end your turn in a space, and then you count range from your space in the four directions, until you find something breaking range (wall, door, etc); some other players read this as if "range 2" meant a series of spaces where range is not broken, regardless of the position of the investigator.
Allow me to make an example (S means Space, I is the position of the investigator): S-I-S so, three consecutive spaces with the investigator in the middle. Is Claustrophobia triggered, or not? Some players say yes (it's a range 1 from where the investigator stands), some other players say no (the area is made of three spaces so it's a total range 3)
Thanks in advance for help,
Julia



Answer: Hey Julia,
Range is up to three spaces away, but is not measured by a drawn line. Rather it is a true or false state. Every space on the board is either within range of the investigator or not within range of the investigator. So an investigator with Claustrophobia could point to every space on the board and say “yes, this space is within range” or “no, this space is not within range.” If that investigator can point at 3 or more spaces and say “Yes, this space is within range” than the effects of Claustrophobia are not resolved.
In your example of S-I-S the investigator points at S(left) and it is within range, then points at space I and it is within range, then finally points to space S(right) and it is within range, so at least 3 spaces are within range of the investigator and Claustrophobia does not trigger.
Thanks for playing,

Kara Centell-Dunk
Game Developer
Fantasy Flight Games

In your example of S-I-S the investigator points at S(left) and it is within range, then points at space I and it is within range, then finally points to space S(right) and it is within range, so at least 3 spaces are within range of the investigator and Claustrophobia does not trigger.

This is somewhat surprising. I was definitely in the class of people who measured from the investigator' space, but in your S-I-S example, I guess I would have thought that only 2 spaces were "in range 2" ... that is to say both of the S-es. I never thought, but should have, to consider the Investigator's own space.

It seems to me then that any of the 1x3 tiles will always have 3 spaces within range if the Investigator is on one of those tiles (assuming there is no door way or other obstacle preventing range from being measured).

In your example of S-I-S the investigator points at S(left) and it is within range, then points at space I and it is within range, then finally points to space S(right) and it is within range, so at least 3 spaces are within range of the investigator and Claustrophobia does not trigger.

This is somewhat surprising. I was definitely in the class of people who measured from the investigator' space, but in your S-I-S example, I guess I would have thought that only 2 spaces were "in range 2" ... that is to say both of the S-es. I never thought, but should have, to consider the Investigator's own space.

It seems to me then that any of the 1x3 tiles will always have 3 spaces within range if the Investigator is on one of those tiles (assuming there is no door way or other obstacle preventing range from being measured).

That's the point, though... Claustrophobia will only trigger if you are in a very small space, like one of the bathrooms. You're right... any "open" 1x3 tile is fine, but you run into problems in smaller rooms on those tiles.

I'm frankly not surprised by the ruling at all... I was in the camp where the definition always seemed obvious to myself and my group. So much so, we never even questioned it.

Don't the 1x3 tiles only have two spaces on them in general? Meaning you can only be in range of two spaces at any one time on that tile.

Now if another tile is adjacent without a wall or a door thats a different story.

Also some 1x3s tiles and rooms from the core only have two spaces within range (regardless of whats next to them):

Bedroom 1 (the whole tile)

Bedroom 2 (the whole tile)

Bathroom (just the bathroom)

Library, whole tile

Office, whole tile

Study, whole tile

Bell Tower, wt

Its mostly the hallways and outside that you are clear on. Unless a door closes one off. Sight tokens not explored can affect this as well.

A fair amount of the squares also have smaller rooms within them as well.

And if the investigator is outside (like court 2), claustrophobia triggering, or not ? Thank you

And if the investigator is outside (like court 2), claustrophobia triggering, or not ? Thank you

Does Court 2 have 3 outside spaces? (I don't own the game.) Usually not. You can figure it out by counting the number of spaces within range. If there are 3 or more spaces, it does not trigger.

And if the investigator is outside (like court 2), claustrophobia triggering, or not ? Thank you

Does Court 2 have 3 outside spaces? (I don't own the game.) Usually not. You can figure it out by counting the number of spaces within range. If there are 3 or more spaces, it does not trigger.

...just don't forget to count the space you're in.

OK thank you

This is exactly how we have been playing. Range is up to three spaces away without obstructions (doors, walls, etc) and so long as you could count 3 or more spaces (including the space you were in) within the current "room" your investigator occupied you were safe. A lot of rooms, however, only contain a total of two spaces, so you still have to be careful and this condition can really hurt when you are indoors.

This is exactly how we have been playing. Range is up to three spaces away without obstructions (doors, walls, etc) and so long as you could count 3 or more spaces (including the space you were in) within the current "room" your investigator occupied you were safe. A lot of rooms, however, only contain a total of two spaces, so you still have to be careful and this condition can really hurt when you are indoors.

Same here. I never understood the logic behind the other "interpretation"...

Where could I send a question to Kara Centell-Dunk?

Where could I send a question to Kara Centell-Dunk?

Being a playtester is a good start.

Where could I send a question to Kara Centell-Dunk?

Being a playtester is a good start.

I've never used shortcuts to get answers to rules questions. It'd be unprofessional both for me and the company: we are all equals, and we all have the same rights to receive answers allowing us to enjoy the games we like.

Anyone having rules questions can follow the instructions provided here . The developer responsible of the line (in this case, Kara) will return to you as soon as their agenda allows for this (could be two days, could be a few weeks). Please beware that this rules queries option is for those rules not covered in the rulebooks, FAQs or errata, so, it's better posting here or on BGG to see if the question is answerable / has already been answered before going for the official link

That's a lot more detrimental than I thought. Virtually every 1x2 tile is going to tigger Claustrophobia unless it is open ended and connects to another open ended tile. Even stepping into walled areas of larger maps will be dangerous.

That's a lot more detrimental than I thought. Virtually every 1x2 tile is going to tigger Claustrophobia unless it is open ended and connects to another open ended tile. Even stepping into walled areas of larger maps will be dangerous.

I'm on a similar lvl. Thinking about the kitchen in the 'beginner' scenario when I got this card for 1 of my investigators.