Discover the World of Mansions of Madness

Welcome to the fascinating world of Mansions of Madness, a tabletop game that will take you on a thrilling adventure filled with suspense and mystery. In this game, you will find yourself immersed in a Lovecraftian universe where ancient horrors and supernatural entities lurk around every corner.

As you navigate through the game, you’ll encounter various challenges and puzzles that you’ll need to solve in order to uncover the secrets of the mansion and survive the night. The game is played cooperatively, meaning that you and your fellow players will work together as a team to overcome the obstacles standing in your way.

Each player takes on the role of an investigator, armed with unique skills and abilities that will aid you in your quest for the truth. You’ll explore different rooms and areas of the mansion, searching for clues and artifacts that will help you in your investigation.

But beware, for the mansion is a treacherous place, filled with hidden traps, locked doors, and unspeakable horrors. As you progress through the game, the tension will rise, and the stakes will get higher. You’ll need to stay alert and work together to outsmart the game’s challenges.

The rules of Mansions of Madness are easy to learn and understand, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. The game is designed to be immersive and engaging, with rich storytelling and detailed artwork. Each playthrough is unique, thanks to the game’s modular board and randomized events.

So, gather your friends, set up the game board, and prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure like no other. Dive into the world of Mansions of Madness, and let the mysteries of the mansion unfold before your eyes. Are you ready to face the unknown?

Hey there, let me tell you about Mansions of Madness! It’s a game that’s all about spooky mysteries and detective work, inspired by the chilling tales of H. P. Lovecraft.

When I play Mansions of Madness, I join forces with one to five other players, and together we explore a creepy location. Our mission? To uncover the secrets and solve the mystery that’s lurking within.

Now, here’s the exciting part: we’re all on the same team! That means we all win or lose together. To succeed, we have to work hand in hand, combining our wits and skills.

So, what do we do? Well, our main objective is to explore the game’s map and gather important clues and evidence. These puzzle pieces will bring us closer to solving the big mystery that’s haunting the mansion.

But that’s not all. We’ll also come face-to-face with all kinds of challenges along the way. From battling bizarre creatures to befriending non-player characters, there’s no shortage of things to keep us on our toes!

Now, let’s talk about the components you’ll find in Mansions of Madness:

I want to tell you about the game I got. It’s called “Arkham Horror: Third Edition.” It’s a really fun game that combines strategy and mystery. The game comes with a lot of cool components like map tiles, investigator cards, item cards, and tokens for searching and exploring. There are even tokens for barricades, secret passages, fire, and darkness. And of course, there are monster tokens too.

The game also includes spell cards, condition cards, and damage and horror cards. You’ll need dice to play, and there’s even a first edition conversion kit available.

To make the game even more immersive, you can download an app. It adds an extra level of excitement and helps enhance the gameplay experience. So if you’re looking for a challenging and thrilling game that will keep you entertained for hours, you’ll love “Arkham Horror: Third Edition.”

If you want to get your hands on the Mansions of Madness app, all you have to do is look for it on the Apple iOS AppStore, Google Play store, or Amazon Appstore. Or, if you prefer, you can download the app for Mac or Windows directly from our website at FantasyFlightGames.com.

Getting Started

Before we start playing each game, there are a few things we need to do. The diagram on page 5 shows an example of these steps.

Prepare the Cards

Set Up the Map

Create Tokens

Choose a Scenario

Pick Your Investigators

Get Your Starting Items

Read the Prologue and Reveal the Entrance

1. I’ll read the prologue out loud, which is a short introduction to the story. It might give us some clues about what we can expect.
2. Next, I’ll place the starting map tile and the figures of our investigators where the app tells us to.
3. Then, I’ll put down the Search tokens, Explore tokens, and any other tokens that the app tells us to use.
4. Finally, I’ll follow any additional instructions given by the app.

Once we finish setting up, the app will automatically take us to the first round where we can start playing as the investigators.

Let’s Begin!

When you first start playing, I recommend trying out the “Cycle of Eternity” scenario. It’s a great way to learn the game because it’s shorter and less complicated than the others.

If you already have the first edition of Mansions of Madness and any of its expansions, you can mix in their components using the rules insert from the Conversion Kit. This lets you play as investigators from those products and adds more monsters and map tiles for the app to use during the game.

Let’s take a closer look at the different map tiles available:

1 Space: A space on a map that is separated from other spaces by borders, walls, or doors. These borders can either be solid white or yellow lines.

2 Border: Borders are lines that divide large areas into multiple spaces. They can be solid white or yellow lines. Investigators and monsters are able to move through borders.

3 Impassable Border: Impassable borders are represented by white or yellow dashed lines. Investigators and monsters are unable to move through impassable borders unless a specific effect allows them to.

4 Wall: Walls are represented by brown borders. Investigators and monsters cannot move through walls unless a specific effect grants them permission.

5 Door: Doors are rectangular gaps in walls. Investigators and monsters are able to move through doors.

In the world of Mansions of Madness, a room is more than just a space enclosed by walls. It’s a place brimming with mystery and danger, waiting to be explored. Each room has its own name, serving as a collective label for all the spaces within it. These spaces can be defined by walls, doors, impassable borders, or the edges of map tiles.

Welcome to the Game

When you step into the realm of Mansions of Madness, you embark on an adventure that unfolds over a series of game rounds. Each round consists of two distinct phases, each with its own purpose:

1. Investigator Phase: It’s time for you to take action! In this phase, you can move around the game board, explore your surroundings, and even confront any lurking monsters that may cross your path. The power is in your hands as the investigator.
2. Mythos Phase: Brace yourself for the unknown. In this phase, the app unveils the actions of the monsters and triggers mythos effects. Be prepared for unexpected challenges, such as the spawning of new monsters or the emergence of obstacles that will test your resolve.

Once the mythos phase is over, I start a new round, known as the investigator phase. In this phase, I and my fellow investigators take turns performing actions, up to two each. These actions are essential for moving around the game board and interacting with the environment.

We continue playing rounds until we either win or lose the game. If you want more details about each phase, you can find them on the following pages or check the summary on the last page of the Rule Reference.

Investigator Phase

Now, during the investigator phase, it’s our time to shine. Each of us gets to perform up to two actions. These actions allow us to explore, investigate, and interact with the game’s world.

We take turns based on the order we choose. So I can decide when I want to take my turn. After I finish my actions, it’s the next investigator’s turn, and we keep going like this until everyone had their turn.

When I’m in the investigator phase, I have a few actions I can take. Let me walk you through them.

The Move Action

Here’s how the move action works: I can move my investigator figure up to two spaces. I have to move one space at a time, going from one space to an adjacent one. But there’s a catch – I can’t go through walls or impassable borders, unless there’s a special effect that lets me. It’s like I’m physically blocked from entering those places.

If I try to move out of a space that has a monster in it, I have to do something called an evade check before I can actually move. It’s like I have to dodge the monster somehow, or it might get a hold of me!

The Explore Action

When I’m investigating, I use the app to check out the rooms nearby. I just tap on the Explore token that matches the area I want to check out. After that, I confirm my choice by choosing the “Explore” option.

When I play this game, I follow the app’s instructions to resolve the effects. The app tells me which map tile or tiles to place, as well as any Search, Interact, Person, or other tokens.

Once all the tiles and tokens are in place, I can move into the explored area according to the app’s instructions.

Time to Search

When I come across something interesting in my space, I can search for it using the app. All I have to do is tap on a Search token in my space and then select the “^ Search” option to confirm my action.

So here’s what happens: I do what the app tells me to do to see the effect. This could include taking a skill test, which is shown as a skill icon in parentheses after a little story.

Let me show you an example. The app might say, “You search through the messy piles of papers on the desk, trying to find something interesting ( )” – that means I have to test my observation skill ( ).

Trading Stuff

If I want to, I can give any number of Common Items, Unique Items, or Spells to the other people in my space. They can also give me their stuff if they want. I can also pick up or put down as many Common Items, Unique Items, or Spells as I want, as long as they’re in my space.

Using the App for Actions

When I want to explore, search, interact, or perform some other actions, I need to use the app. If I want to inspect a token, all I have to do is tap on it in the app. I don’t even need to spend an action to do this, and it doesn’t matter if the token is in my space or not.

However, there is a catch. I can only select options that have the action icon () if I spend an action to do so. So, if I want to perform the explore, search, or interact action, I can then select these types of options.

Interact Action

When I’m investigating, I use this app to connect with people or objects around me. To get started, I simply tap on a Person or Interact token in my space. After that, I confirm what I want to do by selecting an option that has the action icon ().

When I’m investigating, I follow the app’s instructions to determine what happens next. This could mean making more choices or taking a skill test.

Actions of the Component

There are certain parts or things that give investigators the ability to do certain actions. These actions are described by the part or thing that allows the investigator to do them.

Actions that can be done with cards are labeled with the word “Action” in bold and can be done by the investigator who has that card.

Some items let investigators do a specific action by using the app. To do this, the investigator opens the inventory by pressing the inventory button in the bottom-left corner of the screen and chooses the Item.

You start by confirming your action. Simply select an option preceded by the action icon (). The app will guide you through the resolution process.

Attacking

When you want to attack a monster, use the app. Begin by selecting the monster you wish to attack from the monster drawer 1. After that, hit the “Attack” button 2.

When it’s time for me to make my move, I have to decide how I want to attack. I can choose from a few options: I can attack with a Heavy Weapon, a Bladed Weapon, a Firearm, a Spell, or I can try to attack without any weapon at all.

Once I’ve made my choice, I have to see what happens next. The app will give me instructions on what to do, which might include taking a skill test to see if my attack is successful. I can use the “+” and “-” buttons in the monster menu to keep track of how much damage I’ve done to the monster.

Selecting A Monster

When you want to choose a monster for your team, it can feel overwhelming. With so many options to consider, where do you even start? Well, let me break it down for you.

First, think about what type of monster you need. Are you looking for a strong attacker or a resilient tank? Different monsters have different abilities and strengths, so it’s important to know what role you want your monster to play.

Next, consider the monster’s element. Each monster belongs to a specific element, like fire, water, or earth. Some elements are strong against others, so it’s crucial to have a balanced team with a variety of elements.

Another factor to take into account is the monster’s skills. Do you want a monster that deals damage with powerful attacks or one that supports your team with healing or buffs? Think about your play style and what skills would complement it.

When it comes to selecting a monster, don’t forget to consider its rarity. Some monsters are rarer than others, which means they might have stronger stats or unique abilities. However, rarer monsters can also be harder to find or obtain.

Understanding the monster’s stats is also crucial. Look at its health, attack, defense, and speed. These stats will determine how your monster performs in battle. A monster with high attack and speed might be a great damage dealer, while one with high defense and health could tank hits for your team.

Lastly, trust your instincts. If a monster appeals to you and fits your play style, go for it! Remember, selecting a monster is a personal choice, and what works for someone else might not work for you.

By considering these factors and following your gut, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the perfect monster for your team. Good luck on your monster-hunting journey!

When I’m looking to select a monster, all I have to do is open the monster drawer by pressing the monster drawer button. From there, I simply choose the monster I want by clicking on its icon in the drawer.

Once I’ve made my selection, the monster menu pops up, giving me a variety of options. I can choose to attack or evade the monster, or I can even adjust the amount of damage the monster has taken. It’s like having complete control over the situation!

/dddx

Range

Now, let’s talk about range. Range is important for certain actions, like ranged attacks, horror checks, and monster effects. These actions can only reach up to three spaces away. It’s worth noting that range doesn’t include walls or doors unless a specific effect says otherwise. So if you can’t reach through a wall, don’t worry – it’s not just you!

If I’m using a weapon or spell with the melee icon, I can only attack a monster in my own space. However, if I have a weapon or spell with the ranged icon, I can attack any monster within range. It’s all about choosing the right tool for the job!

End Of Investigator Phase

When it’s my turn to investigate, I can press the end phase button at the bottom-right corner of the screen to finish my turn and move on to the next phase of the game.

Example of an Attack Action

Let me show you an example of how an attack action works. Imagine you’re playing a video game and you want to defeat a monster. In this game, you have different skills and abilities you can use to attack. One of them is a fireball spell.

To perform the attack action, you first select the fireball spell from your skill menu. Then, you aim at the monster by moving your character’s crosshair. Once you have your target in sight, you press the attack button.

When you press the attack button, your character casts the fireball spell. The fireball shoots out from your character’s hand towards the monster. It travels through the air, getting closer and closer to its target. Finally, it hits the monster, causing damage to its health points.

Now, let’s break down the attack action into its key components:

1. Skill selection: You choose the fireball spell from your skill menu.

2. Targeting: You aim at the monster by moving your character’s crosshair.

3. Attack initiation: You press the attack button to cast the fireball spell.

4. Projectile movement: The fireball travels through the air towards the monster.

5. Impact: The fireball hits the monster, causing damage.

As you can see, the attack action involves multiple steps and requires precision and timing. It’s important to choose the right skill, aim accurately, and time your attacks strategically to defeat your enemies.

Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you play and experience different attack actions, the better you’ll become at mastering them. So keep exploring and honing your skills, and soon enough, you’ll be a formidable force in the game!

So, here’s what I did. I needed to attack this creepy Deep One that was lurking in my space. To do that, I went ahead and opened up the monster drawer. You know, that drawer with all the scary monsters? I found the Deep One in there and selected it.

Next, I pressed the “Attack” button. It’s like this little red button that just calls out to you, begging to be pressed. And of course, I couldn’t resist.

Now, I had to decide how to attack. I figured my trusty Crowbar would do the trick. After all, it’s a heavy weapon, and those Deep Ones are pretty tough. So, I selected the “Attack with a Heavy Weapon” option. It felt good to have a plan.

Then, the app told me to test my strength. I had to roll some dice, just like in those old board games. The number of dice I rolled was equal to the value printed on my card, which happened to be 8. So, I took the dice, shook ’em up, and let ’em roll. It was like a little game within a game.

Now, let’s see what happens next…

So, here’s what happened: I rolled these two success thingies () and this one empty thingy. The game told me that this test has a difficulty level of two, which means I need two success thingies to pass.

After passing the test, I cause the Deep One to take damage. The damage is equal to my weapon’s damage (2) plus my test result (2). The app tells me to do this.

Mythos Phase

During the mythos phase, the app gives us a few things to deal with. We have to resolve these effects. There are three types of effects the app can give us- mythos events, monster activations, and horror checks. Let me explain what each of these means.

Mythos Events

Mythos events are things that the app does during the mythos phase. These events might be related to the scenario we chose or the things we did in the round. We have to do what the app tells us to do when these events happen.

We have to do what the app says to resolve these effects.

Once all the mythos events for the given round have been taken care of, I will provide you with instructions on how to activate the monsters. If there are no monsters currently on the game board, the mythos phase will come to an end on its own.

Activating Monsters

I will give you step-by-step instructions for activating each monster, one by one. These instructions will include details on how each monster moves and attacks. As instructed by me, you, as an investigator, must resolve the effects.

After all the monsters have been activated for the current round, I will then prompt you to carry out horror checks.

Example of Monster Activation

When I reach the mythos phase, the app takes me to the monster menu and shows me what happens when each monster takes its turn. It’s really interesting to see how the monsters in the game come to life and how their actions affect the game.

It’s cool because the app generates the effects of each monster’s activation. It’s like the monsters are alive and interacting with the game world. I never know what to expect when I reach this phase, and it keeps me on my toes.

Alrighty, let me break it down for you:

1. The app tells me how to move the Deep One and who it attacks.
2. Then, I follow the app’s instructions and move the Deep One towards the closest investigator.

Now, here’s what happens next:

1. The Deep One goes on the attack and targets the investigator that’s taken the most damage. Agatha selects the “The monster attacks” option, and the app shows me what happens when the Deep One strikes.
2. The app tells Agatha to test her strength by rolling dice. She rolls the same number of dice as the value printed on her card.

I’m in a spooky mansion, and I just rolled the dice. I got one success result and one blank result. Unfortunately, I can’t reroll the dice or turn any other results into a success. So, I have to keep going and see what happens next.

Oh no, the app tells me that Agatha, my character, has to take two facedown Damage because of the effect. Luckily, my single success result cancels out one of the damages, but I still have to face the other one. I resolve the effect and click the “Continue” button. Now, the Deep One’s activation is complete.

In this game, there are also Horror Checks to deal with.

When you use the app, it will tell you to do a horror check against a monster that is close to you.

If you are close to more than one monster, you will do the horror check against the monster that has the highest horror rating.

If you are not close to any monsters, you don’t need to do a horror check.

To do a horror check, you will choose a monster from the monster drawer and do what the app tells you to do.

When all of us investigators finish resolving those horror checks, one of us will hit the end phase button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. That’s when the mythos phase comes to an end, and a new round begins with the investigator phase.

Game Over

At the start, we choose a scenario that tells us what we need to do to win the game. The tricky part is, this objective is kept secret from us investigators.

Throughout the game, it’s our job to figure out the mystery and find our ultimate goal. We can achieve this by paying close attention to the scenario’s prologue and carefully examining every clue we stumble upon during our investigation.

Once the investigation has progressed, you’ll discover the ultimate goal. It’ll be your final mission as an investigator to finish the investigation. This is how investigators win the game, by completing the investigation.

If the investigation takes too much time, the objective of the scenario might change or become more challenging to achieve. And if you take even longer, you’ll lose the game.