I realize that this has probably been answered already but for the wiki doesn't contain this information and searching the forums generates too many hits.

The text on the Elder Sign that says "Any Phase" is a misprint is it not?

The Elder Sign can only be used in the Arkham encounter phase?

Effectively yes. You can use it any phase, but only when you're closing a gate (which is only the AE phase)!

Tibs said:

fine print in tiny letters: "... usually.."

This is also specified in the "Official Answers from Kevin Wilson" thread:

" Elder Signs (12/12/06)
Those items are used when you are closing or sealing a gate, and you can only do that during the Arkham Encounter phase. The phase label on the items is just imprecise, that's all."

I thought as such. Thanks guys!

Julia said:

The rules from the base game (P18) are as follows:

SEALING GATES
If an investigator successfully closes a gate, he may
immediately spend five Clue tokens to permanently seal
it. The player takes a doom token from the pile of
unused doom tokens, turns it over to its elder sign side,
and places the token on the gate location. The player
still claims the gate marker as a trophy. The gate is now
sealed: No further gates can open and no monsters can
appear at the location of the sealed gate for the remainder
of the game.

Then further down the page it states:

To use an elder sign, the investigator must be at the location of the gate and must have acquired an explored marker.

There are Other World encounters that result in closing gate's (in expansions). So are we saying that we may have the opportunity to close a gate in multiple phases but we can only seal if the gate is closed during the Arkham Encounter phase?

So far as anybody knows, unless the effect states otherwise, you may only seal a gate that you closed while holding an explored token.

Tibs said:

The rules on closing a gate do state the need for an explored marker, however the rules for sealing a gate do not (I quoted them in my post above).

Expansions have allowed the opportunity to close gates without an explored token, through Other World encounters. There is also at least one OW encounter that allows a player to seal they gate they entered (for the small price of being devoured).

So as far as the rules go, if an investigator successfully closes a gate, he may immediately spend five Clue tokens to permanently seal it. Unless there is an official clarification then I would say that it is up to the interpretation of each individual player.

There is also an OW encounter that closes a gate but does not say anything about sealing. This has been clarified that you may not seal the gate. So there is at least one counter example to the idea that you can always seal a closed gate so long as you have the clues.

so In fact, I'll move out from OW an then in AH encounter phase I just use elder sign and gate will be automaticly closed AND sealed?

yes thats right, you move from OW space 2 to the gate in movement, then you close and seal with the sign in AE. Impressive, spectacular stuff, and you can even knock yourself out, get injured, go insane or be left with lingering madness as a result i.e. you can bust yourself down to 0 San or Sta. You could even be devoured in the process this way. It would be an awesome 6th seal

Um, are you sure about that, Tibs? (I would quote your most recent post, but I don't know how.) Look at the second-most-recent post on the Answers from Kevin Wilson thread.

Walk said:

I would say play it however you think best until the FAQ is released... And will say no more on this subject ;')

Walk said:

Instead of going to that thread, I will post it here. I was thinking the exact same thing when reading this thread.

Q. A blue Other World encounter from the base game that occurs in the "Other" location reads as follows: "You've completed your task, but now you must escape before the portal closes! Pass a Speed (-2) check to return to Arkham. If you fail, you are lost in time and space. In either event, you automatically close the gate you entered through." The card doesn't specify, but you can still take the gate as a trophy, correct? Also, in situations like this, can you still spend the 5 clue tokens or an Elder Sign to seal the gate?

A. Yes, you still get it as a trophy, and yes, you can still seal it if you have the means.

Perhaps that is why it says "Any Phase."