RedJak's Automated Overlord Variant v4.0.

Introduction
RedJak's Automated Overlord Variant (RAOV) will fully automate
the Overlord actions in a Descent 2E campaign. This eliminates
the need for an Overlord player, and turns Descent into a fully co-
op or solo game. RAOV works with all existing campaigns and
expansions. It is also compatible with other variants, such as
Percepter's Legendary Play Variant, and RedJak's DelvenDeep
Expansion.
This V4 variant is the final evolution of RAOV. This version should
give players the experience of playing against a tougher Overlord
than in V3.
Unless otherwise stated, normal Descent Second Edition rules
apply.
Necessary components to play this variant are this rulebook, and
a printed copy of the 34 cards. The cards, rules, and additional
resources can be found on my Google Drive at:
Percepter has a variant that brings First Edition style dungeon
delving to the Second Edition game. Percepter's Legendary Play
Variant rules incorporate RedJak's Automated Overlord Variant for
solo and co-op play. You can find Percepter's variant at:
http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/101698/legendary-play-
variant-rules-first-edition-style-d
The DelvenDeep Dungeon is an expansion for RedJak's
Automated Overlord Variant. It offers a dungeon-crawling, hack-
and-slash experience through a randomized dungeon campaign.
You can find DelvenDeep on BGG at the link below, and on my
Google Drive.
http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/110386/redjaks-automated-
overlord-variant-delvendeep-expa
When professionally printing the hi-res cards, use the bridge-
sized card option.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzpR1- Automated Overlord Card Anatomy

5sN2wAdC1HbEViUGVSRFE&authuser=0

Look under Automated Overlord → RAOV V4 for the cards. Priority

In this document 'Overlord card' refers to the standard Overlord
cards. 'Automated Overlord card' refers to the special Overlord
cards in this variant, and will be abbreviated as 'AO card'. Sub-Priority

I'd like to thank Percepter for playtesting the V4 rules. Xris did a
wonderful job giving the card backgrounds proper bleed borders.
And a thank you to the rest of the BGG community for your Actions
constant feedback and contributions.

Recommended Additional Components

In order to make full use of this variant, the following additional
components are recommended:
Random
• Numbered monster figures Number
• RedJak's Damage Tracker (in the Descent Second Edition
Files section on BGG)
• RedJak's Open Group Randomizer (in the Descent
Second Edition Files section on BGG)
• Two 10-sided dice
• Professionally printed cards

You will find the files for these optional components in the
Descent Second Edition Files section on BGG. They are also on Priority: The main target for the activated figure's actions. See
my Google Drive. the Target Priority section for more details.

The numbered monster figures will aid in handling some of the Sub-Priority: The secondary targets for the activated figure's
random choices during play. actions. See the Target Priority section for more details.

If you have numbered figures, the Damage Tracker is useful for Actions: The order of actions for the activated figure. See the
keeping track of monster damage. Automated Overlord Card Actions section for more details.

The Open Group Randomizer can be used for determining open Random Number: A number used to make random decisions.
groups, Overlord decks, and Plot decks.

The 10-sided dice are used for rolling percentages on the Open
Group Randomizer.
BilboAtBagEnd has created an on-line version of the Open Group
Randomizer. This link also contains a randomizer for the V2
cards, which is ignored for V4. You can find it at:
Campaign Setup
AO Deck
Before starting the campaign, you will need to build the AO deck.
The AO deck consists of all hero token cards, plus a number of
Blitz cards. As the campaign progresses, more Blitz cards will be
added to the AO deck.

http://cgi.lairoflith.com/redjak-descent/

1
At the start of the campaign, add three Blitz cards to the AO
deck. During the campaign, whenever the Overlord loses a quest,
add one Blitz card to the AO deck. The Overlord does not gain a
Blitz card when losing the introductory quest.
Overlord Basic Deck
Choose one Basic Overlord deck by drawing an AO card. If the
Random Number on the card is odd, choose the Basic I deck. If
the Random Number is even, choose the Basic II deck.
Overlord Class Deck
There are two options for choosing Overlord class decks. Pick one
option or draw an AO card and use the Random Number to
determine which to use.
1. Single-Class (odd Random Number): Choose one Overlord
Class deck by rolling a percentage on the Open Group
Randomizer chart. This Class deck, and the Universal deck, will
be used when spending Overlord XP.
2. Dual-Class (even Random Number): Choose two Overlord
class decks by rolling percentages on the Open Group
Randomizer chart. These two Class decks will be used when
spending Overlord XP.
Plot Deck (optional)
If you have purchased Lieutenant Packs, then choose one Plot
deck by rolling a percentage on the Open Group Randomizer
chart. Remove the base Plot card from the Plot deck and place it
face up in the Overlord's play area.
If you do not have any Plot decks, ignore all rules concerning Plot
cards, threat tokens, and fortune tokens. This variant can still be
played without using a Plot deck.
Choosing Basic, Class, and Plot decks using the Open Group
Randomizer is optional. Players can also choose whichever decks
they wish to play against.
Rumors (optional)
If you have purchased an expansion that contains Rumor quests,
then draw three cards from the Rumor deck and place them face
up in the Overlord play area.
If you also have the DelvenDeep expansion for RAOV, you may
shuffle the Mystery In The Mountains Act I Rumor quest card into
the Rumor deck before drawing Rumor cards.
Overlord Controller
If playing co-op, designate one player to run the Overlord. If you
can't decide on one player, then the last player to activate their
hero during the hero turn will run the Overlord for the following
Overlord turn.
Hero Tokens
If playing a two-hero game without allies, each player chooses
two hero token colors for their character.
Choosing Quests
If the Overlord wins a quest, use the following rules to choose
the next quest.
The Shadow Rune
For Act I, count the number of available Act I quests, starting
from the top of the list. Draw an AO card. The Random Number
on the AO card will be the number of the Act I quest to play next.
2
For Act II, count the number of available Act II quests, starting
from the top of the list. Draw an AO card. The Random Number
on the AO card will be the number of the Act II quest to play
next.
Labyrinth of Ruin
For Act I, draw an AO card. If the Random Number is a 1 or a 2,
then the left-hand quest in the list is chosen. If the Random
Number is a 3 or a 4, then the right-hand quest in the list is
chosen.
For Act II, count the quests available from left to right in the top
row, then left to right in the bottom row. When the Overlord
chooses which quest to play next, draw an AO card. The Random
Number on the card will be the next Act II quest to play.
Shadow of Nerekhall
For Act I, draw an AO card. If the Random Number is a 1 or a 2,
then the next quest will be chosen from the top row. If the
Random Number is a 3 or a 4, then the next quest will be chosen
from the bottom row. Count the number of available quests in the
chosen row and draw another AO card. The Random Number on
the card will be the next Act I quest to play.
For Act II, draw an AO card. If the Random Number is a 1 or a 2,
then the left-hand quest in the list is chosen. If the Random
Number is a 3 or a 4, then the right-hand quest in the list is
chosen.
Encounter Setup
Before playing an encounter, look it over to determine what the
Overlord's encounter objectives will be. Check Appendix C for
suggestions.
Choosing Open Groups
When choosing an open group for an encounter, count the
number of monster traits indicated for the encounter and draw an
AO card. The Random Number on the card will be the trait for
choosing the open group. Roll a percentage for that trait on
RedJak's Open Group Randomizer to pick the open group to be
used. Repeat these steps for each open group.
Alternatively, you can shuffle the monster deck and draw cards
until a monster with a matching trait comes up.
Placing Monster Groups
Follow any encounter-specific rules for placing monster figures
first.
Figures are placed in the corners of their designated map tile.
The first figure in a group is placed on the numbered corner, with
additional figures placed in the other corners clockwise from the
first. If there is already a figure or token in the corner, then place
the monster in the nearest empty space.
In the case where there is no numbered corner on the tile, then
choose the nearest corner to the heroes and continue as above.
Drawing Automated Overlord Cards
An AO card is drawn whenever the Overlord activates a figure.
That figure then uses the card to determine its actions.
An AO card can also be drawn whenever the Overlord needs to
make a decision outside of figure activation. The card's Priority
can be used to decide the outcome.
For example: The Shadow of Doubt card is activated at the end of
the Overlord turn and requires choosing one hero to play it on. To
determine which hero to give the card to, draw an AO card and
use the card's Priority as the target.
Once an AO card is resolved, it is placed in the discard pile.
Reshuffle the discard pile when the AO deck runs out of cards.
Overlord Cards
Overlord Turn
At the start of a quest, the Overlord draws Overlord cards from
the Overlord deck equal to the number of heroes. These cards
are placed face-up in the Overlord play area, arranged in a row in
the order drawn. This is the Overlord hand. Any new cards drawn
are placed face up to the right of any existing cards in the
Overlord Hand.
The Overlord will only play one card in the Overlord hand per
trigger event or monster activation. Cards in the Overlord hand
are played from left to right in the row. Played Overlord cards are
discarded once resolved.
At the start of the Overlord turn, play the first card in the
Overlord hand that would trigger at the start of the Overlord
turn.
At any time during the Overlord turn, an Overlord card will be
played if a trigger occurs. Again, cards from the Overlord hand
will be played from left to right, and only one card per trigger or
monster activation.
At the end of the Overlord turn, play the first card in the Overlord
hand that would trigger at the end of the Overlord turn.
The Overlord hand will remain in play at the end of the first
encounter of a quest. When the quest ends, cards in the Overlord
hand and discard pile are shuffled back into the deck.
Hero Turn
During the hero turn, Overlord cards will be played that trigger
on hero actions, or in response to hero actions against Overlord
controlled figures. The leftmost valid card in the Overlord hand
will be played, and only one card will be played per trigger
(except in the case of Trap cards).
Trap cards are not automatically played. This is to prevent the
players from being able to predict when a Trap is triggered. When
the trigger for a Trap card occurs, draw an AO card. If the Priority
or first sub-Priority matches the hero triggering the card, or a
Blitz card is drawn, then the Trap card is played. Otherwise, the
card is not played and remains in the Overlord hand. If there is
more than one valid Trap in the Overlord hand, then each Trap is
checked to see if it is played. Trap cards are only checked for
activation once per trigger action.
If the Trap triggers on movement, then the AO card is drawn
when the hero moves into the first empty space during each
uninterrupted movement phase.
For example: A hero declares a move action and gains 6
movement points. The hero then begins to move in order to
position himself next to a monster figure. When the hero moves
into the first empty space, a check is made to see if the first trap
card triggers. If the Trap doesn't trigger, then a check is made for
the next valid Trap card. If no Traps trigger, then the hero
continues his movement phase.
3
The hero moves 4 spaces and stops adjacent to the monster
figure. The hero then interrupts his movement to attack the
monster figure. After attacking, the hero continues moving. Since
this second movement is a new movement phase, another check
is made when the hero moves into the first empty space to see if
any Trap cards trigger.
Target Priority
When determining the target for an Overlord card, monster
action, or other effect, the Overlord will check for targets in a
particular order, as follows:
1. Encounter Objective: The objective, as defined by the
encounter, will always be checked as a possible target first. Read
the encounter win condition for the Overlord to determine what
the Overlord will need to focus on to win the quest. Keep in mind
that the encounter objective may change as the game
progresses. See Appendix C for suggestions.
Heroes carrying an Encounter Objective will themselves be
considered an Encounter Objective.
2. AO Card Priority: If there is no Encounter Objective target
available, then a check will be made for the target indicated by
the Priority hero token on the AO card.
3. AO Card Sub-Priority: If there is no AO card Priority target
available, then a check will be made for targets indicated by the
Sub-Priority hero tokens on the AO card. Sub-Priority targets will
be checked from left to right.
4. Closest With The Most Damage: If there are no previous
targets available, then the Overlord will target the closest figure
with the most damage.
The Blitz card is a special card that defines the hero figure with
the most damage as the Priority target. See the Blitz section for
more detail.
Hero-Controlled Figures
Familiars, Conjurer Images, and other attack-able hero “pets” are
targeted as if they are assigned their master's hero token.
Otherwise, familiars are ignored unless they are the only closest
available target.
In a 4-hero game, the allies Raythen and Serena are only
considered a target if they are the only closest available target.
In a 2- or 3-hero game, Raythen and Serena are assigned hero
tokens and are treated just like player heroes for purposes of
targeting.
Guards and other encounter-specific tokens or figures controlled
by the heroes are not considered targets unless specified as
encounter objectives in the encounter description or Appendix C.
They are treated as possible closest available targets if no other
targets are available.
Monster Group Activation
During encounter setup, Place Lieutenant and monster cards in
the Overlord's play area, arranged in the order of activation.
Lieutenants will always activate first, unless the encounter rules
state otherwise. Agents are activated after Lieutenants, followed
by the other monster groups. Monster groups are activated in the
order listed in the Monsters section of the encounter text. Open
groups are activated in the order they were placed during setup.
Within a monster group, master monsters will always activate
before minions. Multiple minions will activate in the order they
are numbered. If your minions are not numbered, then activate
the closest figure to the heroes, followed by the next closest, and
so on.
When activating a figure, draw an AO card to determine its target
and action order.
Automated Overlord Card Actions
A figure will follow the actions listed on the drawn AO card, in
order, during its activation. Figures follow standard rules for
number of actions allowed. If an action cannot be completed or
doesn't currently apply, then it is skipped. If the end of the action
list is reached, and there are still actions remaining for that
figure, then start again at the top of the list.
Attack
The figure will attack a target in range, following target priority
as follows:
1. Encounter Objective: If the Encounter Objective is in range,
then it will be attacked.
If the Encounter Objective is not an attack-able object, then
whatever action is necessary to interact with the objective will be
completed. For example: If the Encounter Objective is a token
that needs to be picked up, then the figure will use the Attack
action to pick up the token.
2. AO Card Priority: If the AO card Priority target is in range,
then it will be attacked.
3. AO Card Sub-Priority: If any AO card Sub-Priority targets
are in range, then they will be attacked in the order indicated on
the card.
4. Closest With Most Damage: If any of the previous targets
are not in range, then the closest target with the most damage
will be attacked.
If no targets are in range, then this action is skipped.
Max attack range is determined by the activated figure's attack
type as follows:
Melee: Adjacent space
Reach: Two spaces
Ranged: Four spaces
If a figure with Ravage has two actions remaining when resolving
an Attack action, then it will use both of its actions to attack.
For the purposes of opening doors and interacting with objects,
the Attack action will become an Interact action when
appropriate.
Engage
The figure will use a move action to gain movement points equal
to its speed. The figure will then attempt to move within max
attack range of the target, following the shortest route, as
follows:
4
1. Encounter Objective: If a figure has an Encounter Objective
target, then it will only engage the closest Encounter Objective
target. If the figure has two actions remaining when resolving an
Engage action on an Encounter Objective target, then it will use
both of its actions to move towards the Encounter Objective
target.
If the Encounter Objective target is not attack-able, then the
engage range for the target will be whatever range is necessary
to Interact with the target.
For example: If the Encounter Objective for the figure is to exit
off the map, then the engage range will be whatever movement
is necessary to move off the map through the exit.
2. AO Card Priority: If the figure can move within max attack
range of the AO card Priority target using its current movement
points, then it will do so.
3. AO Card Sub-Priority: Starting with the first listed AO card
Sub-Priority target, check to see if the figure can move within
max attack range of each possible target using its current
movement points. Move the figure to engage the target.
4. Closest With Most Damage: If no other targets can be
engaged using the figure's current movement points, then it will
move towards the closest figure with the most damage.
A figure already at engage range with its target will skip the
engage action listed on the AO card.
However, a figure that has an action left at the end of its turn,
will use an Engage to Reposition.
For example: A monster has used one action to attack, and has
no valid abilities to play. The monster was already at engage
range with its target at the start of its turn, so did not need to
use an Engage action to move. At the end of its turn, the
monster will use its Engage action to Reposition (see below).
Ability
The figure will activate an ability, provided it makes sense to do
so. Choose targets using the Target Priority rules.
If the figure has only one valid ability, then that ability is
activated. If the figure has more than one ability, then use the
Random Number on the AO card drawn for that figure to
determine which ability gets activated. On the back of the
monster card, count the abilities marked with M from the top.
Activate whichever ability matches the Random Number on the
AO card. If there is no match, or the ability is invalid, then
activate the first valid ability instead.
If a figure's abilities cannot be logically activated, then the figure
will skip this action.
For the purposes of opening doors and interacting with objects,
the Ability action will become an Interact action when
appropriate.
Repositioning
If a figure has movement points remaining after completing all
actions, then it may attempt to move out of range of hero
attacks. Check for repositioning in the following order:
1. Encounter Objective: If a figure is within max attack range
(or Interact range) of an Encounter Objective, and has line of
sight to that objective, then it will remain where it is. That
figure's turn immediately ends.
2. Melee Heroes: If a figure is adjacent to a hero with a melee
weapon, then it will attempt to move two spaces away from that
hero.
3. Reach Heroes: If a figure is two spaces away from a hero
with a reach weapon, then it will attempt to move three spaces
from that hero.
While repositioning, a figure will attempt to move so as to break
line of sight from heroes with ranged weapons.
If there are multiple directions a figure can move when it is
repositioning, then it will move towards a hero Encounter
Objective.
If there are other monster figures nearby while repositioning,
then a figure will attempt to move in such a way as to impede
hero progress (e.g. to block the heroes from moving through a
corridor).
Blitz
The Blitz card is used to simulate a focused attack on the
weakest target. When a Blitz card is drawn, resolve the
activations of all remaining figures (including the current figure)
in the monster group using the single Blitz card.
The action symbols on the Blitz card are followed from left to
right. J = Engage, B = Attack, and M = Ability.
Target Priority is followed as normal, with the AO Card Priority
being the hero (or hero-controlled) figure with the most damage.
The Overlord gains one threat token, draws one Overlord card,
and draws one Plot card whenever a Blitz card is drawn during
monster activation.
If a Blitz card is drawn outside of figure activation (e.g., when
drawing for a Random Number), then the Blitz card is not
discarded. After resolving the outcome for which the Blitz card
was drawn, shuffle the card back into the AO deck.
Surges
Surges are spent logically, determined in the order listed below.
Skip any options that do not offer a benefit to the figure. Surge
special abilities that require damage to be dealt in order to take
effect will be skipped if enough damage would not be dealt at
that point.
For example: If a figure has a surge to give +1 range, it makes
no sense to use it if the figure has already rolled enough range.
1. Hero Skills: The figure spends G when certain hero skills
or abilities require the figure to spend G in order to
attack.
2. Range: The figure spends G on additional range if the
figure did not roll enough range to hit with the attack.
3. Special: The figure spends G on special abilities that will
have an effect on the target.
4. Pierce: The figure spends G on a Pierce when one or
more I have been rolled by the target.
5. Damage: When a figure spends G on H, apply the G
with the highest H bonus first.
Rumors (optional)
At any time, if the trigger for a non-quest Rumor card occurs,
then it is played. The heroes can choose any available Rumor
quests per the standard rules.
Reinforcements
When placing reinforcements, unless otherwise stated in the
encounter rules, the Overlord will place available master
monsters first. Figures will spawn on the tile number, or the
closest adjacent space. If the tile does not have a number, then
the figure will be placed on a space closest to the heroes.
If given a choice between multiple locations to place a figure
when reinforcing, the Overlord will choose whichever location is
closest to an Encounter Objective. Otherwise, choose whichever
location is closest to the heroes.
Secret Rooms (optional)
At the start of the Overlord turn, if there is a hero in the secret
room, remove the first challenge token clockwise from the
entrance. If there are no challenge tokens, then remove a
monster figure. If there are multiple monster figures, then use
the Random Number on a drawn AO card to determine which to
remove.
Monsters in a secret room will only have the option of engaging
and attacking heroes within that secret room. Multiple monsters
in a secret room are considered to be one monster group for
purposes of activation.
Plot Decks (optional)
If you are uncertain about how a card should work, do what
seems logical. See Appendix B for guidelines concerning specific
cards.
At the start of a quest, place the base Plot card in the Overlord
play area. This is the Plot hand. Shuffle the Plot deck and place it
face-down next to the base Plot card.
Whenever a Blitz card is drawn during monster activation, draw
the top card from the Plot deck and place it to the right of any
existing cards in the Plot hand.
All Plot cards exhaust when played, and refresh at the start of the
next Overlord turn unless otherwise specified on the card. When
a card refreshes, it is discarded. When the base Plot card
refreshes, it remains in the Plot hand.
At any time during the encounter, if the trigger for the highest
cost, un-exhausted card in the Plot hand occurs, and the
Overlord has enough threat tokens available, then the activation
cost is paid and the card is played.
The base Plot card will always be played when appropriate,
regardless of any higher cost cards in the hand.
Cards that trigger after setup or at the start of an encounter can
be played at any time during the encounter. Discard the card as
soon as it is resolved.
The Plot hand will remain in play at the end of the first encounter
of a quest. When the quest ends, cards in the Plot hand and
discard pile are shuffled back into the deck. The base card is then
put back into play for the start of the next quest.
5
Summon Agent
A Summon Agent card can be played at any time during the
encounter. The Summon Agent card does not refresh. Instead, it
is discarded once the Agent is placed on the map.
To place an Agent, first choose an open monster group to
replace. If there is more than one open monster group, choose
the first open monster group.
Remove figures from the chosen open monster group per the
Summon Agent card text. Monster figures are first removed from
those not in play, then from those in play. Players decide which
figures to remove. Set removed figures aside, they will not be
available as reinforcements.
The Agent will spawn on the numbered space of the tile that the
open group was originally placed during the encounter setup.
When the Agent is defeated, monster figures that were removed
in order to place the Agent will again be available to reinforce the
monster group.
Threat Tokens (optional)
The Overlord gains one threat token each time a Blitz card is
drawn for monster activation. The Overlord also gains a threat
token whenever a hero is knocked out, once per hero per
encounter.
The Overlord keeps all threat tokens from the previous quest
when starting a new quest.
Fortune Tokens (optional)
When the Overlord spends threat tokens to activate a Plot card,
the players receive half the amount of spent tokens (rounded up)
as fortune tokens.
Fortune tokens are distributed, one at a time, to the hero that
currently has the least amount of fortune tokens. If there is a tie,
draw an AO card and use the Priority to determine who gets the
token.
Heroes discard all fortune tokens during the shopping step of the
campaign phase.
Spending Overlord XP
At the end of each quest, the Overlord will spend all available XP
to purchase new cards for the Overlord hand.
Single-Class: Spend 1 XP to purchase one card from either the
Class or Universal deck. Determine which deck to draw from by
drawing an AO card. If the Random Number is a 1, 2, or 3, then
the Class deck is drawn from. If the Random Number is a 4, then
the Universal deck is drawn from. When choosing a card, shuffle
the chosen deck and draw the top card. If there are no more
Class cards available to purchase, then default to purchasing
cards from the Universal deck.
Dual-Class: Spend 1 XP to purchase one card from either of the
two Class decks. Determine which deck to draw from by drawing
an AO card. If the Random Number is odd, then the
alphabetically first Class deck is drawn from. If the Random
Number is even, then the alphabetically second Class deck is
drawn from. When choosing a card, shuffle the chosen deck and
draw the top card.
6
For each new card added to the Overlord deck, draw an AO card.
If the Random Number on the card is a 3 or a 4, then remove a
Basic card from the deck and return it to the box. Shuffle the
Overlord deck and draw cards until a Basic card appears to
determine which to remove.
Other Bits
Unless otherwise specified, if a card or effect would heal a
monster figure, choose the figure with the most damage tokens.
If there is a tie, choose the figure from whichever monster group
would activate first. If still a tie, draw an AO card and use the
Random Number to determine the target.
In encounters where the Lieutenant is treated as a hero when
knocked out, the lieutenant will use its first action to stand up.
Once the lieutenant stands up, follow the actions on the drawn
AO card for its second action.
If a figure's ability would result in the Overlord moving a hero
(such as Knockback or Whisper), then the hero is moved in as
straight a line as possible away from the figure. If it is possible to
move the hero into a hazard space, then do so.
If an Overlord card or other effect results in the Overlord gaining
control of a hero, draw an AO card when the Overlord activates
the hero. The actions on the card are followed as if the hero were
a monster figure.
If an Overlord card would allow the Overlord to choose a card
from the Overlord deck or discard pile, draw the top card from
the deck or discard pile instead.
If the Overlord is given the choice to remove or deny the heroes
a Search Item or Shop Item card, then the Overlord will choose
the highest gold value card. The Treasure Chest and Secret Room
cards will always be chosen over other cards.
In the rare case that the Overlord has to make a choice between
5 or 6 options, roll the blue attack die. The X represents the
number 1.
If the Overlord is given the option to reroll a die (such as with a
Dark Fortune card), then the Overlord will do so if the following
occurs:
1. An X is rolled on the blue attack die
2. No hearts are rolled on a power die
3. No shields are rolled on a defense die
For cards or effects that require choosing a monster or monster
group, draw an AO card and use the Random Number to
determine the monster group. Draw another AO card to choose a
monster within that group, if necessary.
When a figure is stunned, remove the stunned condition from the
figure at the start of its activation. This uses one of the figure's
actions. The figure will continue to activate as normal, but with
only one action remaining to use.
Appendix A: Rules Examples
Figure Activation And Encounter Objectives
Encounter 1 of A Fat Goblin will be used for this example.
The open group has no specific Encounter Objective, so will use
the Priorities on the AO cards.
At the start of the encounter, the goblin archers will have an
initial Encounter Objective to engage a bundle of crops.
The goblin archers activate first, since they are listed first in the
Monsters section of the encounter and there are no lieutenants.
The master in the group activates, and an AO card is drawn.
The first action on the card is Attack. Currently the goblin is not
within attack range (4 spaces for a ranged unit) of any targets,
so this action is ignored.
The second action on the card is Engage. Since the goblin has an
Encounter Objective, its target is the closest bundle of crops on
the map. The goblin will need to get adjacent to this bundle of
crops in order to interact with it. So, the goblin moves up to its
speed towards the closest bundle of crops. This uses one of the
goblins actions.
Because the goblin has an Encounter Objective, it will use its
second action to resolve another Engage action. The goblin again
moves towards the closest bundle of crops. This ends the goblin's
turn.
Fast forward a bit, and now our master goblin has engaged its
Encounter Objective (a bundle of crops) and is adjacent to it. A
hero Knight is also adjacent to the goblin. The master goblin
activates and an AO card is drawn.
The first action on the card is Engage. The goblin is already
within interaction range of its Encounter Objective target, so this
action is skipped. The second action on the card is Attack. Since
the goblin has an Encounter Objective within interaction range,
other possible targets are ignored. The goblin uses its Attack
action to interact with its Encounter Objective and pick up the
bundle of crops.
Now that the goblin is carrying a bundle of crops, its Encounter
Objective changes. The goblin now has an Encounter Objective to
move off the map through the exit with the crops. The third
action on the card is Ability. The goblin does not have an ability
to activate, so this step is ignored. Since all action steps on the
card have been used, we start again at the top of the list. The
first action on the card is Engage, so the goblin will move up to
its speed towards the exit and end its turn.
Surges
A goblin archer is facing two heroes, a Necromancer and a
Treasure Hunter, the Necromancer's familiar is also in play.
The goblin starts his turn and an AO card is drawn. The card's
Priority indicates the hero token of the Necromancer. The goblin
has no encounter objective, so the Necromancer (and her
familiar) becomes the goblin's Priority target. The familiar is the
closer target, at 4 spaces away.
The first action on the card is Ability. The goblin has no abilities,
so this step is skipped.
The next action is Attack. The Necromancer's familiar is in max
attack range for a ranged unit at 4 spaces, so the goblin attacks.
The goblin rolls, getting 3 range and 1 surge. The range is not
enough to hit the target, but there is a surge to spend. Going
down the surge activation list, spending a surge for range is the
first valid option. The goblin has a valid surge option for +3
range, so the surge is spent on it. The goblin now has enough
range to complete the attack, and kills the familiar.
7
The next action on the card is Engage. Now that the familiar is
dead, the Necromancer is the goblin's Priority target. The
Necromancer is 6 spaces away, outside of a ranged unit's engage
range. The goblin uses two movement points to move within 4
spaces of the Necromancer. This uses up both the goblin's
actions, and leaves the goblin with 3 movement points
remaining.
The goblin archer now checks for repositioning. The goblin is
within 4 spaces of a hero with a ranged attack, so he will want to
move out of range. The goblin spends one movement point to
move one space further away from the Necromancer, ending his
turn at 5 spaces from the Necromancer.
Overlord Cards
For this example, there is a Champion and Conjurer facing a
group of zombies.
At the start of the encounter, four Overlord cards are drawn and
placed face up in a row to form the Overlord hand. The cards are
a Tripwire, Dark Might, Word of Pain, and Poison Dart.
The heroes start their turn. For his first action, the Champion
declares a move action. He starts his movement by entering an
empty space. Since the Tripwire triggers on hero movement, a
check is made to see if it activates. An AO card is drawn. The
Priority and first sub-Priority hero tokens on the card do not
match the Champion's hero token. Since there is no Priority
match, then the Tripwire is not played and remains in the
Overlord hand. The Champion completes his move action without
triggering the Tripwire again.
The Champion then declares another move action. He again
starts his movement by entering an empty space. This is a new
move action that can trigger the Tripwire. An AO card is drawn
again. This time, the Priority hero token on the AO card matches
the Champion's hero token. The Tripwire is played on the
Champion. The Champion tests against his awareness and fails,
ending his move action. The Tripwire is then discarded.
The Conjurer completes his actions, does nothing to trigger any
Overlord cards in the hand, and the hero turn ends.
The Overlord starts his turn and draws an Overlord card from the
deck, placing it face up to the right of the other Overlord cards in
the hand. It is another Dark Might.
The master zombie activates first, and an AO card is drawn. The
AO card has a Priority that matches the Conjurer's hero token.
The first action on the card is Engage, so the zombie moves
adjacent to the Conjurer.
The next action on the AO card is Attack. The zombie attacks the
Conjurer and dice are rolled for the attack. This triggers the first
Dark Might card in the Overlord hand and it is played, giving the
zombie an additional surge on his attack roll. The Dark Might is
then discarded. The rest of the zombies complete their activation
without attacking, so the second Dark Might does not trigger.
At the end of the Overlord turn, the Word of Pain triggers and is
played. It is then discarded.
Appendix B: Plot Decks Valyndra
Guardians Of The Hoard: Draw an AO card. The Overlord will
put a number of threat tokens from the supply onto this card
These are guidelines for resolving specific Plot cards that may be
equal to the Random Number.
difficult to determine how to activate.
Mine All Mine: This card will only be played at the end of the
first encounter of a quest.
Baron Zachareth
Scrying And Plotting: This card can be played at any time
Verminous
during the encounter. The Overlord discards his Overlord hand
Always Watching: This card is not used. Remove it from the
and draws a new hand equal to the number of heroes. The
Plot deck.
Overlord deck and discard pile are re-shuffled together.
Into The Shadows: Exhaust this card when used (it can only be
Sole Purpose: This card is not used. Remove it from the Plot
used to add one monster). After a hero rests, and the second
deck.
part of this card is triggered, the card refreshes.
Trouble On The Road: Play this card during an encounter and
set it aside to be used at the next Travel step.
Two-Pronged Gambit: Draw an AO card. If the Random
Number is a 1 or 2, then the threat side of the token is face up. If
the Random Number is a 3 or 4, then the fortune side of the
token is face up. The second part of this card will only trigger at
the end of the first encounter.

Bol'Goreth
Mass Mutation: Only play this card if at least two heroes have
conditions on them.

Eliza Farrow
Bad Dreams: Play this card during an encounter and set it aside
to be used at the next Travel step.

Gargan Mirklace
Demon's Bargain: Draw an AO card and use the Random
Number to determine the amount of damage and fatigue.
Shifting Earth: The Overlord will choose a space that will affect
the most heroes.

Queen Ariad
Embrace Darkness: This card will only trigger if at least two
heroes are knocked out.

Raythen
Concealment: Place the highest gold value card on the bottom
of the Search deck. If the OL has a threat token available at the
start of the OL turn, then spend it to refresh this card.
Cursed Treasure: The second part of this card triggers only at
the end of the first encounter in a quest.
Guarded Treasure: The second part of this card triggers only at
the end of the first encounter in a quest.

Rylan Olliven
Deceitful Scribe: Play this card during an encounter and set it
aside to be used at the end of the quest.
False Informant: Play this card during an encounter and set it
aside to be used at the next Travel step.
Merchants' Guild: Play this card during an encounter and set it
aside to be used at the next Shopping step. Place one threat
token on the card. Choose the highest cost item.
Thieves' Guild: Place the highest gold cost item on the bottom
of the search deck. A Treasure Chest or Secret Passage is
considered highest cost.

Skarn
Possessive Nature: Use this card if the Skarn agent is in play.
Unkown Origin: Use this card if the Skarn agent is in play.

Splig
Scavenge: The Overlord immediately gains the threat token
instead of placing it on the card.