How to Play Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

1. Game Objective

The Grave Consequences expansion for Elder Sign increases the difficulty and excitement of the game, both during normal gameplay and during the final battle. Players are trying to survive the horrors and, ultimately, defeat the Ancient One. The expansion introduces three modular decks that can be used with any other Elder Sign expansion to intensify the experience.

The overall victory condition of the base game Elder Sign (defeating the Ancient One) remains the same, but the new cards add challenges and permanent consequences for the investigators.

2. Setup

At the start of the game, players can agree to use one or more of the three expansion decks:

• Phobia Cards (15 cards)
• Epitaph Cards (15 cards)
• Epic Battle Cards (20 cards)

If players decide to use the Epic Battle Cards, the following rules modify the "Battling the Ancient One" section of the base game Elder Sign rules:

• When the Ancient One awakens, shuffle the Epic Battle deck and place it next to the Ancient One card.

Refer to the manual for details on this section.

3. Gameplay Flow

The general flow of the game follows the base Elder Sign rules, with modifications introduced by the expansion decks:

Phobia Phase

When an investigator's Sanity would be reduced to zero or less, they are not devoured. Instead, they draw a Phobia Card, and their Sanity is restored to maximum. Then, they add a Doom token to the Doom track and place the Phobia Card next to their investigator sheet; the phobia's effect remains in play as long as the investigator is alive. Phobia effects cannot be removed. When an investigator would draw their fourth Phobia Card, they are devoured instead. When the Ancient One awakens, no additional Phobia Cards are drawn; all current phobia effects remain in play. When an investigator's Sanity reaches zero or less while battling the Ancient One, they are devoured.

Epitaph Phase

After an investigator is devoured, they draw an Epitaph Card and resolve its effects. Then, they flip the Epitaph Card face down, place it near the play area, and place their investigator token on the back of the card.

Epic Battle Phase (When the Ancient One Awakens)

When the Ancient One awakens, shuffle the Epic Battle deck and place it next to the Ancient One card. Draw the top card of the Epic Battle deck and resolve the attack order from top to bottom, as listed on the card.

If the Ancient One awakens at midnight, do not immediately resolve its attack; instead, draw the top card of the Epic Battle deck and resolve the attack order from top to bottom, as listed on the card.

Investigators Attack First

Investigators resolve their attacks, applying any effects indicated by the Epic Battle Card. After an investigator attacks, advance the clock. Continue resolving investigator attacks until midnight. When the clock strikes midnight, the Ancient One resolves its attack, applying any effects indicated by the Epic Battle Card; no other investigator can attack this round. Draw the next card in the Epic Battle deck and resolve it.

Ancient One Attacks First

The Ancient One resolves its attack, applying any effects indicated by the Epic Battle Card. Then, investigators attack, applying any effects indicated by the Epic Battle Card. After an investigator attacks, advance the clock. When midnight strikes, no other investigator can attack this round. Draw the next card in the Epic Battle deck and resolve it.

Battle Events

Battle Events provide breaks in combat, granting bonuses or penalties. Resolve the card from top to bottom.

4. Actions and How to Play

Refer to the manual for details on this section.

5. End Game and Scoring

The game ends when the Ancient One is defeated or when the investigators are devoured. The Grave Consequences expansion does not fundamentally alter the victory or defeat conditions of the base game, but it makes them more challenging.

• Additional Defeat Condition: An investigator is devoured if they would draw their fourth Phobia Card.
• Defeat Condition During the Final Battle: When an investigator's Sanity reaches zero or less while battling the Ancient One, they are devoured.

Refer to the manual for details on this section.

6. Tips for Winning

• Be aware of the effects of Phobia Cards, as they remain in play and can have a lasting impact on your investigator's ability to contribute.
• Carefully manage your investigator's Sanity to avoid drawing Phobia Cards, as the fourth card results in being devoured.
• During the final battle against the Ancient One, pay attention to the attack order determined by the Epic Battle Cards and plan your attacks accordingly to maximize effectiveness and minimize losses.