Ok, so I'm just a tad confused. So a monster attacks you, and your stamina drops to 0, and you're whisked away to Saint Mary's. I know you lose half your items, and half your clue tokens. My question is this: what counts as an item?

Common and Unique items are, of course. The FAQ states that spells are too. But what about Allies? Are they considered items? Are Skills considered items? What about the Deputy Cards - the Patrol Wagon, the Revolver, and the Deputy of Arkham card itself? Twilight Lodge Memberships? Bank Loans? Money? Monster and Gate Trophies?

In short, what should I be discarding when I get eaten?

The manual covers it, but here's a general lay-out:

Common items, unique items, and spells are always considered items. Certain "special" cards are also items, namely, the Deputy's Revolver and the Patrol Car (but not the "Deputy of Arkham" card that gives you money). There are some other "special" examples in other expansions, but I won't mention them unless you want me to

What never count as items: Money (though if you go insane/unconscious, you lose retainers), Skills, Allies, Trophies, Bank Loans, Blessings, Silver Twilight Lodge Membership, and other certain "special cards" similar to the latter half from expansions.

I looked through the manuel, but must have missed that clarification. Thank you kindly!

Master Fwiffo said:

The rule book is just as alive as the game. The words will dissapear from the pages, only to re-appear when you have posted your message here..

Just read the rules over and over and over. I don't think I was playing to all of the rules for over a year.

The main "problem" with the Arkham Horror rules is that the game is not nicely split into phases like some games are. For example you can be knocked unconscious or driven insane in any of the phases of play, so the rule regarding what to do is squeezed into the book somewhere .

It simultaneously makes Arkham a fantastic rollercoaster and a lawyers delight.

It's a large book full of fiddly-bits, and unfortunately, they don't have an online searchable database. That would be neat I think you can download the rules on this site, and it's possible you can use the "Find" function on it. That's as close as I can think of! Either that or one of Avi's "collective rules" thingies.

EcnoTheNeato said:

An easy fix: start collecting Avis

Julia said:

I wouldn't try it, because Avis collect shotguns for deterring over avid collectors ;')

Avi_dreader said:

::laughter::