Why does this card have an exhaust clause written on it anywhere, let alone on the option that adds doom to the board? Is the risk of adding doom not enough of a cost to curtail the card's potential abuse? I get that it's an ostensibly limitless 2 damage weapon, but you're adding doom to it each time you want +1 damage--that's something you gotta strategize or you're toast. I'm so bummed and confused why this card is so woefully underpowered. Heck, this card would still be fair in my opinion if it's first option read: "Place one doom on it to get +3 skill value and deal +1 damage for this attack. You may exhaust this card to deal an additional +1 damage." Its damage output is still throttled and requires the player to pilot their deck thoughtfully or else they'll wind up in big trouble.

Instead, we have something whose cost has basically no business being anywhere near 4 XP. Mystic upgrades have a bit of a reputation of being poor value for your XP, but even among that crowd of cards, the doom asset suite stands out as particularly anemic. Hopefully they all make their way onto the taboo list at some point.

I feel that other reviewers are missing what this card is. This card is not about failing a test on purpose, it is about earning a consolation when you fail a test that you really wanted to succeed.

Imagine you are facing a vital test for the scenario, but you can't ensure success in all cases (damned auto-failed). Of course you will invest all ressources you have to pass the test. If you additionally commit this card, it allows you, if the test fails, to earn cards et resources which will help you to cope with the consequences of failure.

This card is an insurance, it brings consistency to the game. It is not a circumvoluted Emergency Cache.

Like Father Mateo, Marie needs an updated review now that Scarlet Keys have been released. Elle Rubash mitigates her biggest drawback—needing doom on a card to get her that extra action. Now she's fine in multiplayer as long as Elle is out since she no longer accelerates the doom clock. The only drawback is that she also needs to take Charisma to prevent Baron Samedi from bumping Elle when drawn.

At level zero, she can take Ceremonial Sickle or Dowsing Rod to get that doom. Note the Rod gives a +1 when investigating, so when put under Elle you're up to 6 before other buffs. For combat, she probably wants to upgrade to Abyssal Tome as she can just keep the doom on there while under Elle for a +2 attack (choosing whichever or is higher) and 2 damage once a turn. It exhausts so she needs a backup weapon, but she'll have her extra action for the rest of the scenario. When the doom clock resets, she can "reload" by either swinging the Tome at an enemy or use the Rod to move and investigate. With a good stat line and card pool access, plus an extra action that you can proc for the entire scenario once you're set up with no extra risk, I think Marie is finally a fun investigator to play!

This card is bonkers, arguably the most powerful card in the set. A free-action Working Two Seeking Answers, triggering off of doing what you want to do already... this is the set's Shed A Light. And as a bonus, you can recur it with Eldritch Tongue without having to deckcycle. Hot damn.

Father Mateo needs an updated review given his cardpool has vastly expanded with Innsmouth and Hemlock Vale. Use his starting XP on Ancient Covenant plus 2 Favor of the Suns that can immediately suck up from cards like Keep Faith, guaranteeing one nearly automatic success per turn for 6 turns. Pretty good for a starting deck!

From there, Mateo has access to many and cards that focus on blessings, allowing him to go multiple routes. Trigger your effect with Blessing of Isis (even if your "real" has been sealed by The Codex of Ages or Serpents of Yig), discount your assets with Rite of Sanctification, or skip the mythos phase with A Watchful Peace.

Father Mateo was dismissed as limited when he was first released due to a really limited cardpool, but that's no longer the case. Pair him with Sister Mary for the ultimate Holy Dynamic Duo!