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The Ancient One Awakens
Wow! Something incredible is happening, and I just had to share it with you. Remember that ancient artifact I mentioned? Well, it’s finally coming to life right before our eyes, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. I mean, can you believe it? It’s like witnessing history unfold before us.
Imagine this – a mysterious relic, untouched for centuries, finally wakes from its slumber. Who would have thought something so old could still hold such power and beauty? It’s almost as if it has a story to tell. And guess what? We get to be a part of it, right here, right now.
As I stand here in awe, I can’t help but wonder what this awakening means. What knowledge does this ancient being hold? What secrets will it reveal? It’s like a doorway to another world, a portal to the past, present, and future all at once. Don’t you just feel the thrill of anticipation running through your veins?
But let’s not forget, my friend, that with great power comes great responsibility. We must approach this encounter with reverence and respect. The ancient one is not to be taken lightly. It has seen civilizations rise and fall, witnessed the ebb and flow of time. We must tread carefully, for its wisdom is boundless, and it demands our utmost attention.
So, my friend, are you ready for this adventure? Are you prepared to delve into the depths of history and uncover the secrets of the ages? The journey won’t be easy, but the rewards will be extraordinary. Get ready to unlock the mysteries of the ancient one and be forever changed by the knowledge it imparts.
No matter how hard we try, we’re up against some tough odds. The Ancient One could awaken and enter Arkham, despite our best efforts. If that happens, all we can do is fight back using the weapons and magic we’ve gathered throughout the game.
There are five situations in which the Ancient One might awaken.
1. When the Doom Track is Full:
If we can’t close enough gates, the doom track will fill up with doom tokens. Even if we use all the elder signs at our disposal, the Ancient One will wake up as soon as a doom token is placed on the last spot on the track.
2. When Too Many Gates Open:
If too many gates open, the Ancient One could wake up. We need to stay on top of closing gates to prevent this from happening.
If too many gates are left open, the Ancient One will wake up. How many gates need to be open depends on the number of players. Take a look at the table below to see how many gates will awaken the Ancient One based on the number of players:
| 1-2 | 8 |
| 3-4 | 7 |
| 5-6 | 6 |
| 7-8 | 5 |
If a new gate opens and there are no more gate markers left in the pile, the Ancient One will awaken immediately. To prevent this, players should use their gate trophies to replenish the supply when the markers run low. The Ancient One will also awaken if a monster is supposed to be drawn from the monster cup, but there are no monsters in the cup. If the terror level reaches 10 and there are too many monsters on the board, the Ancient One will awaken as well.
So here’s the deal: The Ancient One wakes up when things get really bad. If the terror level hits 10 and there are way too many monsters running around (that’s twice the normal limit, by the way), then it’s time to wake up the big guy.
But here’s the really important part: If the Ancient One wakes up and its doom track isn’t already filled up, you better believe it’s gonna get filled up real quick. Make sure to fill that doom track with doom tokens before you even think about going into the final battle.
The Epic Showdown
When the Ancient One wakes up, and if any investigators are lost in time and space, they get eaten up and are out of the game. It’s time for the remaining investigators to face the Ancient One in the ultimate battle!
Before the final battle starts, all active Environment or Rumor cards are discarded. And from the moment the final battle begins, you and your fellow investigators no longer collect money or roll for Retainers or Bank Loans.
Battling the Ancient One consists of multiple rounds. Each round, we first have a chance to prepare our investigators. Then, it’s our turn to attack the Ancient One. Finally, the Ancient One strikes back at us. Once these steps are done, a new round begins. Here’s what each round in a fight with an Ancient One looks like:
1. Refreshing Our Investigators
Alright, let’s get this party started! As we gear up for combat with an Ancient One, we’ve got a few steps to follow. First up, I can refresh my cards, use any special abilities I have, and adjust my skill sliders, just like I would during the Upkeep Phase. Easy peasy, right? Then, we’ll pass the first player marker to the left, so everyone gets a fair shot.
2. Time to Fight!
Now it’s time for the main event! We’ll go around the table, starting with the first player, and each person whose investigator is still in the battle can have a go at the Ancient One. We’ll roll some dice and add the Ancient One’s combat rating as a modifier. The goal is to land a solid hit and show that Ancient One who’s boss!
When facing the Ancient One, it is important to remember that it cannot be defeated in a single attack. This makes the battle quite different from a normal fight. Instead, you need to keep track of each success the investigators achieve against the Ancient One. These successes add up over time, with each player contributing to the count with their own attacks. Once the total number of successes reaches the number of players (including those who have been eliminated), you remove one doom token from the Ancient One’s doom track and reset the cumulative successes back to zero.
If all the doom tokens are removed from the Ancient One, it means the investigators have successfully defeated it!
3. Ancient One Attacks
Once all the players (except those who have been eliminated) have made their Combat check against the Ancient One, it’s time for the Ancient One to strike back. Brace yourself, because this attack is no joke. Each Ancient One has its own unique attack, but one thing is for sure – they are all incredibly deadly. Let me give you an example: Hastur will make all the investigators take a Will check that gets harder and harder. If they fail, they’ll lose Sanity.
Now, if any investigator’s Sanity or Stamina reaches 0 because of the Ancient One’s attack, they’re in big trouble. They get devoured. And if an investigator gets devoured during the final battle with the Ancient One, they’re out of the game for good. That means they don’t get to choose a new character. But that’s not all. If every single investigator gets devoured, then it’s game over. The Ancient One is unleashed upon the world and we all lose.