Gutter Cats vs the Jets

By H.P. Lovecraft2, in Arkham Horror Second Edition

My investigator is in a street location that a monster has moved onto, it is the encounters phase, he is in a street location so there is no encounter, and its not the movement phase so he can't move, does he just stay there and wait for the movement phase to fight it, or can you fight monsters in the encounter phase?

This is the result of me forgeting to fight or evade the monster in the last movement phase, but just in case the situation actually did occur, assuming that such an event could transpire I thought Id ask.

H.P. Lovecraft said:

My investigator is in a street location that a monster has moved onto, it is the encounters phase, he is in a street location so there is no encounter, and its not the movement phase so he can't move, does he just stay there and wait for the movement phase to fight it, or can you fight monsters in the encounter phase?

Is this in the Mythos Phase (which has caused the monster movement) or has the monster just appeared?

My understanding is that if the monster has moved during the Mythos phase it affects your movement in the next movement phase (coming up after Upkeep) and will have to be dealt with then (evaded or fought). If it has just appeared it represents the encounter for that turn and the rules say that monstera that appear as encounters must be evaded or fought. I have assumed in my gameplay that this means immediately which is why these particular 'encounter monsters' do not remain on the board beyond the encounter and are either taken as trophies if you beat them, or are returned to the cup. (This also explains why such 'encounter monsters' do not count against monster limits).

Hope this is clear...

Officially, so far as I know, monsters on the board are only dealt with during the Movement phase (unless another effect specifically says so).

The only notable general exceptions are:

  1. The turn you come back from an OW, you can opt not to deal with the monsters at your returning location. You may fight one or more of them if you wish.
  2. If an encounter moves you to a new location (or street), a common house rule is that you must deal with all the monsters there, and may pick up the clues there. The final official word on what exactly happens during such an encounter isn't out yet, so for now this remains a house rule.

Aside from that, yeah, movement phase only.

Oh OK

My investigator was in the street and in the mythos phase a gate appeared and becuase the monsters symbol matched he moved onto the street loaction that my investigator was on, he should have fought the monster in the movement phase but I forgot to do so, then it came time for the investigator to have an encounter, which he could not becuse there are no encounters in street locations (in terms of picking a card).

So I would just remain there and not fight or receive horror or other damages, untill the movement phase comes around again?


Movement phase is the only time you can voluntarily leave that spot. If you missed that, then you have to wait until the next movement phase.

If you simply forgot to deal with the monster, then you've tread into "penalty/reward" territory and will just have to think up a fair ad hoc scenario.

The upcoming Mythos phase could solve the problem!

Id just like to say that this is a great forum, everyone is willing to promptley (is that how you spell it:) solve your most stupid question, of which I have many, you guys rule.