Are we misreading the App during the Mythos Phase when Thralls move? It seems that if they don't reach their target, they move a second time (up to 4 spaces per round). The text is unlike the "move to be in range/can't move to be in range/then move towards" text of other critters so is a source of some debate at my table.

Appreciate any opinions you may have

"move to be in range" and "can't move to be in range" are boolean: you either can move within range or you cannot. If the first, then move the monster and click this option; if the latter, you don't move the monster and click the second button, following the coming instructions (which usually is a new type of movement)

Yes, but in this case the text doesn't have the same qualifier as the usual "move to be in range" text. It's just move and attack (like all others) and if there are no investigators, it appears to instruct us to move the monster a second time as opposed to just shifting to the next monster's action. We've currently been playing it as if it functions similar to the "move to be in range" type instruction, but the question comes up every time if we're doing it right.

Sorry, you said "unlike" in the first post, and I read "like".

Ok then. Just follow the app; if there's no apparent bifurcation in the first choice, then it moves twice. If by chance you can post the precise dialogue box, I'd help better

It took a few click-throughs on the app to get one to spawn. This is the text:

Quote

The Thrall moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space that suffered the most Damage.

>> The monster attacks.

>> No investigators in its space.

If you click "No investigators in its space"

Quote

The Thrall moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator.

And then its action is done.

As you can see, it definitely moves in the first dialog box. It's not a move and attack at range > can't be in range > ok, then just move sequence like other monsters. And then it appears to move again (4 total spaces) and ends its action (doesn't attack if it gets in an investigator's space). It has the same movement action every turn (only changing the target conditions from most damage to whatever else gives it a giggle).

We've been playing it's like the ranged thing (only moving once), but we question it every time. It seems to clearly be asking for 2 move actions, but that feels too fast and doesn't seem to fit in with the other monster types (I know the critter in What Lies Within moves 1 space, checks condition, and possibly moves another as an exception).

All opinions appreciated

Thanks for finding the text and posting. Indeed, I agree with your reading: the monster moves twice. The first part is not conditional; thus, you have to move. After movement is resolved, you check if someone's in your space. If so, resolve the attack; otherwise, click no investigator, and then resolve the movement again as per further instructions

There are actually a few monsters that move this way during the scenarios. I know that we have seen the Cultists and Goat Spawns with similar text. It's kinda the games way of getting them closer to the action so that they start impacting some outcomes on the next Mythos event.

16 hours ago, Julia said:

Thanks for finding the text and posting. Indeed, I agree with your reading: the monster moves twice. The first part is not conditional; thus, you have to move. After movement is resolved, you check if someone's in your space. If so, resolve the attack; otherwise, click no investigator, and then resolve the movement again as per further instructions

Moving 4 spaces for the Thralls makes them twice as fast as anything else we've run in to in 30-ish plays. This makes them far more frightening. Interesting!

15 hours ago, LordPyrex said:

There are actually a few monsters that move this way during the scenarios. I know that we have seen the Cultists and Goat Spawns with similar text. It's kinda the games way of getting them closer to the action so that they start impacting some outcomes on the next Mythos event.

I can't say I've seen that behavior from either of those. I know the Cultists (among others) have the "move 2 to be within range > can't get in range > ok, then just move 2" dialog. The main baddies in What Lies Within have a move 1/move 1 behavior but this keeps them to the same 2 spaces everything else is able to move (aside from, apparently, Thralls!).

MONSTER_BYAKHEE_MOVE_01,The {0} moves 3 spaces toward the investigator within range with the most Items. Then it attacks that investigator.

MONSTER_BYAKHEE_MOVE_02,The {0} moves 3 spaces toward the investigator within range with the lowest . Then it attacks that investigator.

MONSTER_BYAKHEE_MOVE_03,The {0} moves 3 spaces toward the investigator within range who has suffered the least Damage. Then it attacks that investigator.

etc.

MONSTER_CHILD_OF_DAGON_MOVE_01,{0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space with the lowest

MONSTER_CHILD_OF_DAGON_MOVE_02,{0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space who has suffered the least Horror.

etc.

MONSTER_CHILD_OF_THE_GOAT_MOVE_01,The {0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space with the lowest .

MONSTER_CRAWLING_ONE_MOVE_01,The {0} moves 1 space toward the nearest investigator within range. Then it attacks the investigator in its space who has suffered the least Damage.

MONSTER_CTHONIAN_MOVE_01,The {0} moves 1 space toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space or an adjacent space with the lowest 

....

MONSTER_CULTIST_MOVE_01,The {0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space with the lowest .,

MONSTER_CULTIST_MOVE_02,The {0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space who has suffered the most Damage.

MONSTER_CULTIST_MOVE_03,The {0} moves 2 spaces toward the nearest investigator. Then it attacks the investigator in its space with the lowest .

I've stopped going through them all here, what monsters *don't* work like this?

@BruceLGL

The Thrall, apparently (which moves a second time if it doesn't attack). Also the major bad guys (I've seen two kinds) in What Lies Within (they move 1 space and if can't meet the conditions, move a second space). I haven't seen any others.

What you're missing, Bruce, is the responses for the Byakhee (and other ranged options for monsters). For example, that means you click either on "the monster attacks" or "the monster can not move to be within range." If you select the latter you are instructed to, instead, simply move X spaces towards the nearest investigator. The monsters only ever move once. The Thrall dialog doesn't work like that, it instructs movement twice.

I don't agree with your ruling in:

> moves 3 spaces toward the investigator within range with the most Items. Then it attacks that investigator.

> Cannot move to be within range.

Does not mean the monster does not move. The instruction is clearly towards.

6 minutes ago, BruceLGL said:

The instruction is clearly towards.

"Within range."

We'll have to agree to disagree, I suppose.

My opinion is: The text "move 3 spaces toward the nearest investigator within range" is very specific in that it moves to the nearest investigator within range. The additional conditions (most health, most items, lowest Strength, etc) are for situations where multiple investigators are within range. If no investigator is within range, it does not move. Which is why the second dialog option instructs you to simply move the monster towards the nearest investigator after you select the response "there are no investigators within range." It does not move twice.

Ah sorry, you are correct, I misread it.

Discussion is good!

Do you agree about the Thralls? They are supposed to move twice? I have players that insist it has to be an error in the text (and use the "within range" dialogs as their basis for what it "should" be).

I think only ffg can answer that. As written they move twice, but you can always house rule.

this is purely from memory, but we've played it as twice.