Hey guys,

a couple scenarios poped up last game taht no one had an answer to.

1) While an investigator is in an Other World, a monster surge occurs and a monster is placed on the gate in which the investigator is in.

Durring the movement phase, that investogator moves out of the Other World and into the location where the waiting monsters are.

When would the investigator need to deal with the monsters?

2)If an investigator whom has already explored the Other World elects not to attempt to close the portal, does he then draw a card from the Arkham Encounter deck instead?

Thanks!

-J

1) Investigators returning to Arkham receive a free pass against monsters lurking ont he gate they are returning to. This means that during the Movement Phase of the round you're returning to Arkham you may choose not to fight any of the monsters squatting on the gate (id est, if there are two monsters on the gate and you return to Arkham from the OW during the movement phase, you are not forced to face any of them, but you can choose to fight one of them and not the other one, or to fight both of them. It's up to you). Be care that this free-pass works only during the movement phase of the round you return to Arkham. This means that if you return to Arkham as a result of an OW encounter, you'll be able to try to close / seal the gate only during the following round, when the pass will be gone.

2) Closing / sealing gates is your Arkham Encounter during the Arkham Encoutner phase. You can choose not to perform any of these actions, but nonetheless, as long as a gate stays on a location, you are not allowed to draw encounters nor use the location's special ability. So, you can close / seal or just stay there waiting for the next round, but you cannot draw encounters

Julia said:

I would disagree that you can choose to fight them. When does Arkham ever let you have your cake and eat it? I'd say you simply don't encounter the monsters at all when you come out of a gate.

Or have I missed something in the rules & clarifications?

Krawhitham said:

Are you referring to the fact you can choose to fight a particular monster of the bunch or that you are allowed to fight monsters in the round you're returning to Arkham? Being allowed to combat all monsters in the very same round you return to Arkham was clarified a *long* time ago. Unfortunately I cannot remember whether it was in the FAQ, in Kevin Wilson's official answer or somewhere else. But believe me, it was clarified. As far as being able to pick up only one or two monsters from the bunch and fight them, ignoring the others (obviously, this is ok only in the round you have the free-pass, in the other rounds you're there all rules do apply as normal): this was clarified by Tibs not too a long time ago. It's something I don't feel completely at ease with, but at least it can be a strategiclly winning option

I'm with Julia on this one. I'm not against people choosing the "all monsters or none," but the rules can be interpreted both ways. The official rule was that "During the turn he returns to Arkham from an Other
World, an investigator does not have to evade or fight
any monsters in the gate’s location. This rule only
applies during the turn he returns to Arkham; in subsequent
turns, if the investigator remains in the location,
he must evade or fight any monsters there as normal."

Which can both be interpreted as "I have to fight either all of the monsters, or none of them" or as "I can choose, because it says 'any monsters' instead of just 'monsters'!" As long as one is consistent, and if there's no official thing in the FAQ, any way to play is fine with me! BOth ways are plausible to me, but I just choose the "any monster" one. Though, many others like to choose the "more harmful to the investigators" choice when given the chance. Which is also a-okay :-)

Julia said:

I don't think it's in the FAQ. I just looked there for the official ruling but couldn't find it. Albeit I just skimmed it. I found what I quoted in the first rulebook so that, of course, may be in overruled in print somewhere else :-D But! I couldn't find it, myself.

EcnoTheNeato said:

jhaelen said:

Firstly, I just wanted to quote a quote within a quote!

Secondly, I don't want to criticise anyones particular interpretation of the rules but.. As has been layed out in this thread there is a 'free pass' on the movement out of an Other World with the option to take on monsters.

What I would strongly disagree with is the option to 'cherry pick' monsters when there are more than 1. This does not seem to be in the spirit of Arkham.

On a general note, I find it very cool that the creators encourage 'house rules' rather than lay down the law on every grey area.

IIRC according to the leaks from the fabled proto-FAQ, once (if ever) it is released, cherry-picking is allowed on the movement phase you return to a gate with more than one monster. You can attack those you like and freely avoid any interaction with those you don't like (like Avi_dreader for me ).

Dam said:

Speaking my name has awakened me from my elder slumber (that was just asking for interaction, and you know it)... But... I am laid low with plague (some sort of nasty cold, probably caused by Dam, after all, where he's from is where cold is from), so back to slumber for me. Can neither confirm nor deny. Yarble garble...

I wouldn't describe it as cherry picking though ;') more like selective assassinations.

The "free pass" can be though of as though you've just re-emerged from the gate and the monsters haven't had time to see you yet. The "cherry pick" can be thought of as you waiting in hiding and as one approaches, you leap out and tackle it.

Remember that these locations are larger than just a couple rooms, and that the other monsters might not be close enough to hear you battle one of them.

Tibs said:

Surely the free pass is a mechanism to give each player 1 clear shot of closing a gate without the risk of dealing with a monster?

I think of the free pass as the opportunity to attempt to close a gate as soon as you step out of the gate. I know I'd want to slam the door shut on a portal into R'lyeh the moment I stepped out. I would not be thinking "Oh hang on a moment, I will go and kill some easy monsters and come back".

I'm in serious danger of becoming a broken record here, but I simply don't believe that Arkham is a place for picking cherries. Especially while standing next to a gate.

I now have a vision of a public service announcement reminding the citizens on Arkham to keep gates shut while the Ancient One is stirring in his slumber...

Until there's an official word on it, just play it how you like.

With regards to what you said Kraw, you can only attempt to close or seal the game the turn AFTER you return to Arkham. That means, once you exit the second area of the Other World, you appear in Arkham, take an explored token, and may fight any monsters you wish. After this, your turn ends. Next Arkham Encounters Phase, if you have an explored token, then you have to fight or evade any monsters AS NORMAL (that means any monsters you don't fight you must evade) before you may try to close or seal the gate. You see, the free pass only works on the turn you come out, NOT during the turn where you attempt to close or seal the gate. Your attempts to close this dimensional gate can still be foiled by monsters.

mi-go hunter said:

Wait, what? Are you talking about getting returned via an OW Encounter here? If so, then okay. But if you return normally, that is, in the Movement Phase (#2), you take your Arkham Encounters Phase (#3) normally, meaning you can try to close/seal the gate same turn.

Dam said:

Huh?! Wait a minute. So the same turn you come out of a gate, you gain an explored token, avoid or fight any monsters you wish, then you can immediately attempt to close or seal the gate? This all happens in one turn?

It doesn't happen immediately (follow the phases), but yes, it happens in the same turn.

Holey moley! I have been playing this game wrong for two years (smashes face on desk)! I shall never forgive myself.

Ah well. The damage has been done. I'll keep that in mind next time I play.