Descent: Journeys in the Dark Second Edition Does the "Spawner ability" of the Kobold Masters trigger even while the group is inactive?

Using Rules as Written, I would say yes, since the ability specifically states "at the start of the OL turn", not "when activated, or at the start of this monsters activation". Since activation is not required to trigger the Spawner ability, it would still trigger if the monster group is inactive.

Note that the spawned minion monsters would still be considered inactive.

Aren't inactive groups not yet on the board

4 hours ago, Silidus said:

Using Rules as Written, I would say yes, since the ability specifically states "at the start of the OL turn", not "when activated, or at the start of this monsters activation". Since activation is not required to trigger the Spawner ability, it would still trigger if the monster group is inactive.

Note that the spawned minion monsters would still be considered inactive.

Aren't inactive groups not yet on the board? How would that work?

10 minutes ago, Proto Persona said:

Aren't inactive groups not yet on the board

Aren't inactive groups not yet on the board? How would that work?

Inactive groups can be on the board. It's a feature introduced with Lair of the Wyrm. Specifically, here's the relevant paragraph from that rulebook (p4)

Nothing in that paragraph suggests that "spawner" wouldn't work- however, all minions would ALSO be inactive.

I've liked looking at the Kobold, and have been trying to determian if it is worth the pack, especially since it seems a few of the heroes in the package seem to be from the conversion kit(which i don't own). do you think it's worth it?

35 minutes ago, ATM2100 said:

I've liked looking at the Kobold , and have been trying to determian if it is worth the pack, especially since it seems a few of the heroes in the package seem to be from the conversion kit(which i don't own). do you think it's worth it?

It depends how much you hate your heroes.

Kobolds are a pretty strong unit, if played correctly (and if the scenario allows for it), they have the ability to do some pretty brutal damage and to create a very effective blockade against the heroes. So yeah, worth it.

One thing to note, is that most of the H&M are re-releases of stuff from Descent 1 (ie the conversion kit) with some tweaks and new models.

2 hours ago, Zaltyre said:

Inactive groups can be on the board.

Ah ok, I was confusing inactive with monster groups in a normal quest that simply haven't appeared yet. Despite owning Lair I never actually got to let it's quests hit the table. Forgot all about that mechanic.

18 hours ago, ATM2100 said:

I've liked looking at the Kobold, and have been trying to determian if it is worth the pack, especially since it seems a few of the heroes in the package seem to be from the conversion kit(which i don't own). do you think it's worth it?

Kobolds are a really strong pick. As long as your heroes doesn't have too much AoE.

They are godlike meatshield, and can block a lot of hallways. If you manage to properly swarm someone down, they can also inflict serious damage.

As OL, it's one of my favorite group. Sadly, heroes who know me try to get some AoE fast, and it quickly gets harder to use them efficiently.

I can only imagine what rune master could do with a few AoE class cards, maybe a counter for AoE build? shadow dragons, vulcrix rever, warlord OL class? I like things that separate like knock back, move the target 3 spaces. right now, I am working on a yenfernal hulk strategy.

20 hours ago, Proto Persona said:

Ah ok, I was confusing inactive with monster groups in a normal quest that simply haven't appeared yet. Despite owning Lair I never actually got to let it's quests hit the table. Forgot all about that mechanic.

It's a mechanic that I'm really surprised doesn't show up anywhere else. It can be essentially covered with a section of special rules on per quest basis, but the tokens with their included rules are actually quite useful.

the first time i looked at the inactive monster groups section, my first thought was: this could be very, useful. in making stuff, i hope to use these tokens myself.