Call of the Unknown

A delightfully flavorful signature Weakness. Looking at the two elements, the effect and the discard condition, we get:

The effect: This only punishes Ursula if she doesn't do what she loves to do. Good counter-cards to this are Pathfinder, Fieldwork, and, in a pinch, Shortcut. Either of the Esoteric Atlases or The Truth Beckons can also help, along with the usual suite of tools for boosting investigate tests. Seeking Answers can let you target a low-Shroud (or empty) location and still grab clues. As the difficulty level goes up, failure becomes more likely, so Ursula may pack some horror-soak allies, maybe an Art Student or, if you are using an Atlas, the Eldritch Sophist, or invest in some Logical Reasoning.

The discard condition: You don't. You either keep moving and succeeding at investigations (note testless clue-getting won't help; you have to investigate (although you can do it at a location with no clues)), or you take 2 horror and shuffle it back into your deck to strike again. Ursula doesn't really favor a high-draw strategy.

Taken together, this is a below average signature weakness, maybe average in a scenario with a cramped map and a lot of enemies or at high difficulties.

I definitely think this one is above average because of the reshuffle element — StyxTBeuford · 13049
I find that this really doesn't disrupt anything in the game for me. I still add Pathfinder (with Taboo) early and have Fieldwork so I can almost always trigger an investigate even if the location doesn't have clues. Or I take two horror and shuffle it in near the end of the scenario. — The Lynx · 993
I’ll say at least it’s harsher on lower counts where you may not be able to target a worthwhile location as often. Sure you dont always need to investigate for a clue, but wasting actions makes this thing even worse, so you want to be targeting clues as much as possible, and in solo clues may already be cleared from any valid location. — StyxTBeuford · 13049
Dead draw in seeker is ROUGH tho. — MrGoldbee · 1491
Exactly. If the conclusion behind this weakness is that Ursula just shouldn’t do a draw heavy deck, then she’s already several steps behind her fellow Seekers. They live off their draw, and losing draws because of a reshuffle weakness (which will appear more and more as the deck gets thinner) is brutal. — StyxTBeuford · 13049
If every location is cleared of clues then Ursula still has her free action when moving so there isn't a wasted action. The big issue is if she gets tied up with an enemy (or enemies) and can't move. She could get hit with an attack in the enemy phase and the horror from her weakness. That is a big swing in health and sanity in one round. — The Lynx · 993
No I understand that, you can still use it, it’s just not optimal. You ideally want to use the extra investigate somewhere that has clues. — StyxTBeuford · 13049
I always draw like mad when I'm a seeker. You can imagine my pain with this card in her deck. Versatile is a must. — LaRoix · 1646
Bought in Blood

Another "pick your poison" signature Weakness. Looking at the two elements, the effect and the discard condition, we get:

The effect: Leo loves allies, and he loves using them up. The worst case is if you get caught with a pricey or critical ally out (say Leo De Luca or Agency Backup) out and nothing in your hand, but Leo loves to cart around a lot of allies, so this is less likely for him than other investigators. He ought to have one of his meat shields ready to sacrifice. Charisma and a few lower-cost allies is a buffer. Guard Dog, Hired Muscle, or Treasure Hunter are cheap to play, have useful abilities, and synergize with Mitch Brown should you find him, and a "big money Leo" can easily pay the "drip insurance" cost for the "pay as you go" allies. Probably the saddest thing is that this card won't feed Leo's beloved Decorated Skull.

The discard condition: You draw it and either pay its cost or shuffle it back in. Pretty simple.

All in all, this is a way below average signature weakness, unlikely to cause even a significant tempo hit, much less tank a scenario.

Is that suposed to be Leo in the art? — Lodge_Infiltrator · 1
Need for Knowledge

This card is included in the "Return to: The House Always Wins" scenario. And it proofed to be very useful to us on a recent playthrough. Sure, there are certain tricks to retrieve the last VP from locations in some factions, like "I'm outta here!" or Dr. William T. Maleson, but we neither had nor needed them, thanks to a fail by 2 on this test.

Susumu · 381
Agent of the King

A very easy Victory 1. 2 Evade means it doesn't often pin you, and its rules text is mostly negligible as most people don't plan on getting hit by an enemy, and then immediately spending clues. I'm happy to see this enemy and sad when it's not drawn in a scenario.

KasaiAisu · 41
Custom Ammunition

Every Tom, Dick*, and Quarry agrees: if you've got a Custom Gun, she deserves only the finest Custom Ammunition!

Leviticus Hollowpoints(tm) use patented scriptures to deliver stern religious disapproval to the monsters* you encounter while walking the beat!

So next time your patrol takes you to Dim Carcosa*, give Rebecca what she deserves. Give her Leviticus Hollowpoints(tm).

~"Monsters got you in a jammo?"~ ~"Time to get some Custom Ammo!"~


LEGAL DISCLAIMERS:

  • Due to the strenuous firearms experience required for safe operation, these are not actually approved for use by private investigators- only police, feds, military, mercenaries, various clergy, psychiatrists, boxers, cooks, and actors.
  • Stern religious disapproval only felt by literal monsters, not figurative ones like cannibals, or people who eat lobster. They'll still feel the normal kind of disapproval caused by getting shot, though.
  • Not responsible for withheld wages/bullets if you kill a bystander but somebody proves it was your fault. We're wizards, not lawyers.
  • Does not come in arrow caliber; mankind does not yet possess the technology to write things on arrowheads.
  • Untested on yellow kings. Results not guaranteed in the event that somebody hastur fight one.
HanoverFist · 748
Lot of mustard on the hotdog with this review. — MrGoldbee · 1491
I figure, have fun with it, ya know? — HanoverFist · 748
Favorite arkhamdb review I've read period. — Mordenlordgrandison · 464