Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Mansions of Madness is a cooperative, story-driven board game set in the Lovecraftian universe, where players investigate eerie mysteries and confront terrifying horrors. Players explore detailed rooms, solve puzzles, and battle monsters while trying to uncover the dark secrets of a haunted mansion. With immersive storytelling and intense encounters, Mansions of Madness offers a thrilling, suspenseful experience.

buy now!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.

How to Play Mansions of Madness (Complete In-Depth Guide)

Table of Contents

Part 1: Game Overview & Core Concepts
Part 2: Complete Setup Guide
Part 3: Game Flow & Turn Structure
Part 4: Investigator Actions (Detailed Rules & Clarifications)
Part 5: Cards & Card Types
Part 6: Attributes, Tests & Status Effects
Part 7: Monsters & Combat
Part 8: Map Features & Special Spaces
Part 9: Puzzles (Locks, Runes, Wiring & Resolution Rules)
Part 10: Endgame, Objectives & Special Victory Conditions

Game Overview

Mansions of Madness is a narrative-driven horror board game for 2–5 players. One player assumes the role of the Keeper, while all other players take on the roles of Investigators. The game is set in the Lovecraftian universe, where investigators explore dangerous locations, uncover clues, solve puzzles, battle monsters, and attempt to stop a hidden evil plan before it is too late.

The game is fully asymmetrical. The Keeper controls the story’s antagonistic forces, including monsters, supernatural events, and hidden objectives. The investigators work together as a team, sharing information and resources, while attempting to discover the truth behind the mystery unfolding around them.

Each game tells a branching story that unfolds based on player decisions. Even when replaying the same story, the objectives, clue locations, and outcomes can change, creating a different experience every time.

Player Roles

The Keeper

The Keeper is the game master and antagonist. Their responsibilities include:

Setting up hidden elements of the story
Managing monsters and supernatural events
Controlling the pacing of the game through threat and events
Secretly working toward a story-specific objective

The Keeper does not play openly. Many of their cards, objectives, and choices are hidden from the investigators. The Keeper wins by successfully completing the objective listed on their Objective card, or by eliminating all investigators.

This role requires organization, rules familiarity, and careful timing. For this reason, it is recommended that the most experienced player take on the role of Keeper.

Investigators

All other players are investigators. Investigators always win or lose as a team.

Each investigator represents a unique character with their own:

Attributes (mental and physical abilities)
Special abilities
Starting equipment
Role within the group

Investigators explore the map, search rooms, collect items, solve puzzles, fight monsters, and piece together clues. They must cooperate to survive and uncover how to stop the Keeper’s plan before time runs out.

Investigators do not know the Keeper’s objective at the start of the game. Their primary goal early on is to discover clues, which gradually reveal the nature of the threat they are facing.

The Objective of the Game

Every game of Mansions of Madness revolves around a hidden objective.

Keeper Objective

Before the game begins, the Keeper receives one Objective card, chosen based on story setup choices. This card defines:

How the Keeper wins the game
How the investigators can stop the Keeper

The Keeper keeps this card secret until the game instructs them to reveal it.

Keeper objectives vary widely and may involve:

Performing a ritual
Collecting samples or artifacts
Summoning a powerful creature
Driving investigators insane
Killing or capturing investigators

In addition to completing the listed objective, the Keeper automatically wins if all investigators are eliminated.

Investigator Objective

At the start of the game, investigators do not know how they can win.

Their early objective is always the same:

Find and resolve all Clue cards.

Clues are hidden among the Exploration cards on the game board. Each clue provides story information and hints about where the next clue may be located.

Once investigators discover the final clue (always labeled “Clue 1”), the Keeper reveals their Objective card. At that point, investigators learn the specific final task they must complete to win the game.

This task may include:

Preventing a ritual
Killing or disabling a specific monster
Escaping the map from a specific location
Protecting or rescuing certain characters

Shared Loss Condition

If neither side completes their objective before the final Event card is resolved, all players lose the game.

This represents the story spiraling out of control—evil is unleashed, sanity collapses, or the truth is lost forever.

Stories and Replayability

Mansions of Madness includes five different stories, each with:

Unique map layouts
Distinct narrative themes
Three possible Objective cards
Variable clue placement
Story-specific events and monsters

Even when replaying the same story:

The Keeper may receive a different objective
Clues may be hidden in different locations
Events may resolve differently
The outcome of the story can change dramatically

This structure makes the game highly replayable, despite using the same physical components.

Core Game Concepts

Before learning setup or turn structure, it’s important to understand several concepts that define how the game works.

Hidden Information

Mansions of Madness relies heavily on hidden information:

The Keeper’s Objective card is secret
Many Keeper cards are kept hidden in hand
Some story choices are recorded face-down
Investigators do not know what lies ahead in unexplored rooms

This hidden information is essential to the tension and mystery of the game.

Exploration and Discovery

Investigators spend most of the game exploring rooms.

Each room may contain:

Items
Weapons
Spells
Clues
Obstacles
Nothing at all

Exploration is risky. Searching rooms can attract monsters, trigger events, or reveal obstacles that must be dealt with before progress can continue.

Time Pressure

The game is driven forward by the Event deck.

Time tokens are added regularly
When enough time passes, a story event occurs
Events often escalate danger or advance the Keeper’s plans

If the game goes on too long, everyone loses, so investigators must balance caution with urgency.

Threat

Threat represents the growing power of the Keeper.

The Keeper gains threat every round
Threat is spent to play cards, move monsters, and trigger effects
Unused threat carries over between rounds

Managing threat is central to the Keeper’s strategy and determines how aggressively they can act.

Cooperative Play (Investigators)

Investigators:

Share information freely
Can trade items when in the same space
Must coordinate movement, exploration, and combat

Poor communication or splitting up at the wrong time often leads to disaster.

Components Overview (High-Level)

A full component breakdown appears later, but at a high level the game includes:

Map tiles that form the location
Investigator figures and character cards
Monster figures and tokens
Multiple decks of cards (Exploration, Combat, Mythos, Trauma, etc.)
Tokens for damage, horror, threat, time, status effects, and puzzles

Each component has a specific role, and nearly all are used during play.

Part 2: Complete Setup Guide

Setting up Mansions of Madness (First Edition) is more involved than most board games. This is because the Keeper and Investigators prepare different information, some of which must remain hidden. For this reason, setup is divided into three parts:

General Setup (all players)
Investigator Setup (investigators only)
Keeper Setup (keeper only)

The Investigator and Keeper setup steps are performed simultaneously, and neither side may base decisions on what the other is doing.

Before You Begin

Before starting setup:

Place the game box, cards, and components on a large table
Ensure the Keeper can sit where cards and tokens can be managed privately
Keep the Investigator Guide and Keeper Guide separate
- Investigators may never read the Keeper Guide
- The Keeper should not read the Investigator Guide aloud beyond story text

General Setup (All Players)

These steps are completed together, before Investigator and Keeper setup begins.

1. Choose a Story

Mansions of Madness includes five distinct stories. Each story features:

A unique narrative
A specific map layout
Story-specific Event cards
Three possible Objective cards
Variable endings

Players may choose a story by agreement. If no agreement can be reached, select a story randomly.

Once chosen:

Investigators will use the story’s section in the Investigator Guide
The Keeper will use the matching section in the Keeper Guide

2. Choose Player Roles

One player becomes the Keeper. All other players become Investigators.

Recommended: the most experienced player should be the Keeper
If roles are disputed, determine the Keeper randomly

The number of investigators equals the number of players minus one.

3. Prepare Monster Figures

Before gameplay:

Ensure every monster figure has its matching monster token inserted into its base
The token must be visible from the base window (do not remove during play)

Monster base sizes:

Large bases: Shoggoths
Medium bases: Cthonians
Small bases: All other monsters

Place all monster figures within easy reach of the Keeper.

4. Sort Tokens and Markers

Separate all punchboard components into piles by type, including:

Damage tokens
Horror tokens
Threat tokens
Time tokens
Skill point tokens
Status effect tokens (stun, fire, darkness)
Room feature markers
Sealed door markers
Sample tokens

Place all piles where players can easily reach them during play.

5. Prepare Puzzle Pieces

Puzzle components must be prepared carefully:

Separate puzzle pieces by back design
Create five facedown piles, one for each puzzle type
Puzzle setup tiles remain faceup and sorted

Puzzle pieces are never placed on the game board during play.

6. Investigator Claims Investigator Cards

The investigator players take:

All Investigator Character cards
All Trait cards
All Starting Item cards

These will be used during Investigator Setup.

7. Keeper Claims Keeper Cards

The Keeper takes:

All Exploration cards
All Mythos cards
All Lock cards
All Obstacle cards
All Objective cards
All Keeper Action cards
All Trauma cards

Investigators may not examine these cards at any time.

8. Build the Event Deck

Each story includes five Event cards, labeled by stage (I–V).

To build the Event deck:

Place Event V face-down on the bottom
Place Event IV on top of it
Continue stacking until Event I is on top
Do not look at the faces of these cards

Set the Event deck near the Keeper.

9. Prepare Draw Decks

Separate all remaining cards by card back:

Place the three Combat decks near the Keeper
Place the Trauma deck near the Keeper
Place the four Spell decks faceup near the Investigators

Once complete, General Setup is finished.

Investigator Setup (Investigators Only)

Investigators now follow the steps for the chosen story found in the Investigator Guide.

The Keeper performs their setup at the same time but must not observe Investigator decisions.

1. Build the Map

Using the map layout diagram in the Investigator Guide:

Place the specified map tiles together to form the game board
Align rooms and doors carefully
Ensure room names are visible

Map tiles define:

Rooms
Spaces
Doors
Walls

2. Place Room Features and Sealed Doors

If instructed by the story:

Place room feature markers (altars, barriers, ladders, etc.) in specific spaces
Place sealed door markers over indicated doors

Sealed doors:

Can never be opened
Block all movement
Cannot be removed by any effect

3. Choose Investigators

Each investigator player:

Chooses one investigator character
Takes the matching:
- Character card
- Investigator figure
- Four unique Trait cards
Takes the listed number of skill point tokens

4. Select Traits

Each investigator chooses two of their four Trait cards.

These define:
- Attributes
- Special abilities
- Starting equipment or spells
Return the unused Trait cards to the box

5. Gain Starting Items or Spells

From the selected Trait cards:

Take the listed Starting Item cards and/or Spell cards
Place them faceup near the Character card

6. Place Investigators

Place each investigator figure on the Start space specified in the story’s map setup.

All investigators usually begin together, but this depends on the story.

7. Read the Introduction

One investigator reads the story’s introductory narrative aloud.

This introduction:

Sets the tone
Provides hints about early clue locations
May foreshadow future events

Investigators should listen carefully.

Keeper Setup (Keeper Only)

The Keeper now follows the story’s instructions in the Keeper Guide, in secret.

1. Record Story Choices

During setup, the Keeper answers several story questions.

For each question:

Choose one of the provided answers
Take the matching Story Choice marker
Place it facedown in front of you

These choices affect:

Objectives
Event outcomes
Monster placement
Story branching

2. Select the Objective

Based on the story choices:

Randomly determine or select one Objective card
Read it carefully
Keep it face-down and secret

Do not reveal this card until instructed.

3. Prepare Keeper Action Cards

The Keeper Guide lists which Keeper Action cards are available for the story.

Take only the listed cards
Return all others to the box
Place them faceup in front of you

4. Build the Mythos Deck

Using the icons listed in the Keeper Guide:

Take all Mythos cards with matching icons
Shuffle them together to form the Mythos deck
Return unused Mythos cards to the box

If instructed, draw starting Mythos cards into hand.

5. Seed the Map with Cards

Following the Keeper Guide:

Place facedown Exploration cards in each room
Place Lock cards on top of certain rooms
Place Obstacle cards where instructed

Important rules:

Do not reveal any cards
Card order in rooms matters
Investigators may not see which cards go where

6. Prepare Monsters

Some stories begin with monsters in play.

Place specified monster figures in the indicated rooms or spaces
If random placement is required, draw blindly

Setup Restrictions and Fair Play

Investigators may not observe Keeper setup
The Keeper may not adjust setup based on investigator choices
If necessary, investigators may step away while the Keeper finishes setup

Once both sides are complete, the game is ready to begin.

Ready to Play

At this point:

The board is built
Investigators are chosen and equipped
The Keeper has objectives, actions, and hidden plans
Time pressure is ready to begin

Part 3: Game Flow & Turn Structure

Mansions of Madness is played over a series of rounds. Each round represents a short passage of time in the unfolding story. During a round, investigators act first, followed by the Keeper. As time passes, tension builds, events occur, and the story progresses toward an inevitable conclusion.

Round Overview

Each round is played in the following order:

Investigator Phase
Keeper Phase
End of Round Check

This order never changes unless a card effect specifically states otherwise.

Investigator Phase

During the Investigator Phase, each investigator takes one complete turn, one at a time, in any order the investigators choose.

Investigators may freely discuss and plan during this phase.

Investigator Turn Structure

Each investigator’s turn consists of:

Movement
One Action

Movement and action may be taken in either order.

Once both are completed (or skipped), the investigator’s turn ends.

Movement

An investigator may move up to two spaces during their turn.

Movement rules:

Movement is optional
An investigator may move:
- 0 spaces
- 1 space
- 2 spaces
Spaces must be orthogonally adjacent
Diagonal movement is not allowed
Movement may be split before or after the action

Doors and Walls

Movement through doors is allowed unless:
- The door is sealed
- A card or effect prevents movement
Walls may never be crossed

Occupied Spaces

Investigators may move through spaces occupied by:
- Other investigators
- Monsters
Multiple figures may occupy the same space

Hazardous Movement

Some spaces contain hazards such as:

Fire
Darkness
Certain room features

Movement into or through these spaces may cause effects immediately upon entering, as described by the relevant rule or card.

Investigator Action

Each investigator may perform one action during their turn.

Actions are optional, but skipping an action rarely benefits the investigators.

Available Actions

An investigator may choose one of the following actions:

Explore
Attack
Trade
Rest
Use a card ability
Use a puzzle action
Other story-specific actions

Each action is described below.

Explore Action

The Explore action is how investigators interact with rooms and discover new information.

When You May Explore

An investigator may perform an Explore action if:

They are in a space containing facedown cards
The cards belong to the room they occupy

How to Explore

Choose one facedown card in the room
Reveal the card
Resolve its effect fully
Discard or place the card as instructed

Exploration Card Types

Exploration cards may be:

Items
Spells
Clues
Lock cards
Obstacle cards
Events
Keeper-triggered effects

All revealed cards are resolved immediately unless otherwise stated.

Clues

If the revealed card is a Clue:

Read it aloud
Place it faceup near the board
Follow any instructions on the card

Clues often:

Provide story information
Indicate where another clue is located
Unlock new objectives

Attack Action

The Attack action allows investigators to fight monsters.

When You May Attack

An investigator may attack if:

They share a space with at least one monster
They have a weapon or unarmed attack available

How to Attack

Choose one monster in your space
Choose one attack option (weapon or unarmed)
Resolve the attack using the Combat deck

Combat resolution is covered in detail in Part 7.

Trade Action

The Trade action allows investigators to exchange items.

Trade Rules

Both investigators must:
- Share the same space
- Be able to act
Either investigator may initiate the trade
Any number of item cards may be exchanged
Each investigator must still take only one action per turn

Rest Action

The Rest action allows investigators to recover.

Rest Effects

When an investigator rests:

Remove one damage token or
Remove one horror token

Resting may not remove both in a single action unless a card allows it.

Using Card Abilities

Some cards allow actions such as:

Casting spells
Activating equipment
Using artifacts
Triggering special abilities

Using such an ability counts as the investigator’s one action, unless the card states otherwise.

Puzzle Actions

Some spaces or features allow investigators to:

Attempt lock puzzles
Attempt rune puzzles
Attempt wiring puzzles

Attempting a puzzle always consumes the investigator’s action.

Puzzle resolution is covered in detail in Part 9.

Keeper Phase

After all investigators have completed their turns, the Keeper takes their turn.

The Keeper Phase is divided into five steps, which must be resolved in order.

Step 1: Add Threat

At the start of the Keeper Phase:

The Keeper gains threat tokens equal to the number of investigators

Threat is placed in the Keeper’s threat pool.

Unused threat carries over between rounds.

Step 2: Spend Threat

The Keeper may spend threat to:

Play Keeper Action cards
Trigger card effects
Move monsters
Attack with monsters
Activate special abilities

Threat costs are listed on cards or in the Keeper Guide.

The Keeper may spend threat at any time during the Keeper Phase unless restricted.

Step 3: Move Monsters

The Keeper may move monsters by spending threat.

Monster movement rules:

Monsters move one space per threat spent
Monsters may move through:
- Doors
- Spaces occupied by investigators
Monsters may not move through sealed doors or walls

Monster movement may be split across different monsters.

Step 4: Monster Attacks

The Keeper may attack with monsters by spending threat.

Monster attack rules:

A monster may attack any investigator in its space
Each attack costs threat
Resolve attacks using the Combat deck

Monster combat is detailed in Part 7.

Step 5: End Keeper Phase

Once the Keeper finishes all actions:

Discard used cards as instructed
Resolve lingering effects
Proceed to the End of Round check

End of Round Check

At the end of each round:

Advance Time

Place one time token on the current Event card
If the Event card has enough time tokens:
- Immediately resolve the Event
- Discard the resolved Event card
- Reveal the next Event card (if any)

Event Resolution

Events may:

Spawn monsters
Change objectives
Add obstacles
Advance the story
Trigger story loss conditions

All event text is resolved exactly as written.

Final Event

If Event V resolves and no side has won:

The game immediately ends
All players lose

Interruptions and Timing Rules

Investigators may never interrupt the Keeper Phase unless a card allows it
The Keeper may not interrupt Investigator turns unless a card allows it
Effects that say “immediately” override normal timing rules

Summary of Flow

Each round follows this structure:

Investigators move and act
Keeper gains threat
Keeper spends threat to control monsters and events
Time advances
Story events may trigger

Understanding this flow is essential for mastering the game.

Part 4: Investigator Actions

(Detailed Rules, Restrictions, and Edge Cases)

During the Investigator Phase, each investigator may move and perform one action. While the basic action list is simple, many rules interact with room features, monsters, cards, and story effects. This section explains exactly how investigator actions work, including all restrictions and special cases.

Investigator Turn Recap

On an investigator’s turn, they may:

Move up to two spaces
Perform one action

Movement and action may be taken in any order.

An investigator may:

Move → act
Act → move
Move → act → move
Skip movement and/or action

Once both options are resolved or skipped, the turn ends.

Movement (Expanded Rules)

Movement is the most common investigator activity and is subject to several important rules.

Basic Movement Rules

Investigators may move up to two spaces
Spaces must be orthogonally adjacent
Diagonal movement is never allowed
Movement is optional

Each space entered counts as one movement point.

Doors and Walls

Doors may be crossed freely unless sealed
Walls may never be crossed
Sealed doors:
- Block all movement
- Cannot be opened
- Cannot be destroyed
- Cannot be bypassed by any effect

If a door becomes sealed during the game, it immediately blocks movement.

Occupied Spaces

Investigators may:

Move into spaces occupied by monsters
Move into spaces occupied by other investigators
End movement in occupied spaces

There is no limit to the number of figures in a single space.

Leaving a Space with Monsters

Investigators may freely move out of a space containing monsters.

There are no opportunity attacks unless a card specifically says otherwise.

Forced Movement

Some effects move investigators involuntarily.

Forced movement:

Does not count toward the investigator’s movement limit
May move an investigator into hazardous spaces
Cannot move through walls or sealed doors

If forced movement would move an investigator illegally, it stops early.

Hazardous Spaces & Effects

Some spaces contain ongoing hazards.

Fire

When an investigator enters a space with fire:
- They immediately take 1 damage
Fire tokens remain until removed by a card or effect

Darkness

Darkness limits visibility
Investigators in darkness:
- Cannot explore
- May still move and fight
Darkness tokens remain until removed

Other Hazards

Some story-specific hazards apply additional rules. Always resolve the effect immediately upon entering the space.

Explore Action (Full Breakdown)

Exploration is how investigators uncover the story.

When You Can Explore

An investigator may explore if:

They are in a room with at least one facedown card
The card belongs to that room

Investigators may not explore cards in adjacent rooms.

How to Explore (Step-by-Step)

Choose one facedown card in your room
Reveal the card
Read the card aloud (unless instructed otherwise)
Resolve its effect fully
Discard or place the card as directed

Once resolved, the card is no longer part of the room.

Exploration Card Order

If a room contains multiple cards:

Investigators choose which card to reveal
Some rooms may contain:
- Locks
- Obstacles
- Clues
- Items
- Traps

Card order matters and is part of the Keeper’s setup strategy.

Locks and Obstacles

Some cards prevent further exploration.

Lock Cards

Lock cards block all other cards in the room
A lock must be successfully solved before exploring anything else
Locks use puzzle pieces or skill tests

Lock rules are explained in Part 9.

Obstacle Cards

Obstacles represent physical barriers or dangers
An obstacle must be resolved before other cards
Obstacles may:
- Cause damage or horror
- Require tests
- Require specific items

Exploration Events

Some cards trigger immediate events:

Monster spawns
Keeper effects
Forced movement
Additional card placement

All effects resolve immediately and completely.

Clues (Expanded Rules)

Clues are central to the investigators’ objective.

Discovering a Clue

When a Clue card is revealed:

Read it aloud
Place it faceup near the board
Follow any placement or instruction text

Clues are never discarded unless explicitly stated.

Clue Numbering

Clues are numbered:

Higher numbers are found first
Clue 1 is always the final clue

Investigators may not access the Keeper’s Objective until Clue 1 is resolved.

Clue Effects

Clues may:

Reveal new rooms to search
Add or remove cards
Change monster behavior
Modify event outcomes

Clue effects remain active unless stated otherwise.

Attack Action (Expanded Combat Rules)

Attacking is risky but often necessary.

When You Can Attack

An investigator may attack if:

They share a space with a monster
They are not restricted by an effect
They choose to use their action

Choosing a Weapon

An investigator may attack with:

A weapon card
An unarmed attack (if allowed)

Weapons list:

Range
Damage
Special effects

Attack Resolution Overview

Combat uses the Combat decks.

Basic sequence:

Choose target
Draw Combat cards
Apply successes and failures
Assign damage and effects

Combat is explained fully in Part 7.

Evade (Special Combat Option)

Some weapons or effects allow evasion.

Evading:

Ends combat
Prevents damage
Does not remove the monster

Evading still counts as an attack action.

Trade Action (Expanded)

Trading allows resource management.

Trade Requirements

Both investigators must be in the same space
Both must be able to act
Either may initiate the trade

What Can Be Traded

Item cards
Weapons
Artifacts
Spells

Traits and character cards may never be traded.

Trading Limits

There is no limit to the number of cards traded
Trading consumes one action for the active investigator only

Rest Action (Expanded)

Resting is the main recovery method.

Rest Effects

Choose one:

Remove 1 damage
Remove 1 horror

Rest Restrictions

You may not rest if:
- A monster is in your space
- A card effect prevents resting
Some effects increase or modify rest benefits

Using Cards and Abilities

Many cards grant special actions.

Action vs Free Effects

If a card says “Action:” it consumes your action
If it does not specify, it may be used freely

Always resolve card text exactly as written.

Spellcasting

Spells:

Often require horror tests
May have unpredictable effects
Are usually discarded after use

Spell rules are detailed later.

Puzzle Actions (Overview)

Puzzles represent locks, rituals, or devices.

Attempting a puzzle:

Always uses your action
May require skill points
May cause penalties for failure

Puzzles are explained fully in Part 9.

Story-Specific Actions

Some stories introduce unique actions, such as:

Performing rituals
Escorting NPCs
Activating machinery

Follow the story text exactly.

Action Restrictions Summary

Investigators may not:

Perform more than one action per turn
Explore locked or obstructed rooms
Ignore hazards unless allowed
Interrupt the Keeper Phase

Strategic Notes (Optional for Play)

Splitting up speeds exploration but increases danger
Trading efficiently prevents wasted actions
Resting too often accelerates events

Part 5: Cards & Card Types

(Complete Rules for Every Deck)

Cards are the primary way Mansions of Madness delivers story, danger, and progression. Nearly every meaningful event in the game—combat, exploration, objectives, madness, and story twists—is controlled by cards.

Each card deck has a specific purpose, strict rules for handling, and timing restrictions that must be followed precisely.

Exploration Cards

Exploration cards form the core of investigator discovery.

Purpose of Exploration Cards

Exploration cards represent everything investigators may encounter in a room, including:

Items and weapons
Spells and tomes
Clues
Traps and obstacles
Locks
Story events

These cards are placed facedown during Keeper setup and revealed only through the Explore action.

Exploration Card Rules

Only investigators may reveal Exploration cards
Only one card may be explored per action
Cards are resolved immediately upon reveal
Once resolved, cards are:
- Discarded, or
- Placed in play, as instructed

Exploration cards may never be rearranged or previewed.

Exploration Card Priority

If a room contains multiple cards:

Lock cards must be resolved first
Obstacle cards must be resolved next
Other cards may be explored freely

Investigators may choose among valid cards once restrictions are cleared.

Clue Cards

Clues drive the investigation and story progression.

Purpose of Clues

Clue cards:

Reveal story information
Unlock new objectives
Direct investigators to new locations
Modify future events

Without clues, investigators cannot win.

Clue Resolution Rules

When a Clue is revealed:

Read it aloud
Place it faceup near the board
Follow all instructions immediately

Clues remain in play unless stated otherwise.

Clue Numbering System

Clues are numbered from highest to lowest
Higher numbers appear earlier
Clue 1 is always the final clue

The Keeper’s Objective is revealed only after Clue 1 resolves.

Item Cards

Item cards represent tools, weapons, and objects.

Item Card Rules

Items are gained through exploration or traits
Items are kept faceup by investigators
Items may be traded freely using the Trade action
Items may grant:
- Passive bonuses
- Activated abilities
- Combat advantages

Using Items

If an item says “Action,” using it consumes your action
If not, it may be used freely
Some items are discarded after use
Others remain until lost, traded, or destroyed

Carrying Limits

There is no hand limit for items unless a card specifies otherwise.

Weapon Cards

Weapons are a subtype of item cards.

Weapon Properties

Weapons list:

Damage value
Range (melee or ranged)
Special combat effects

Some weapons require ammunition or have limited uses.

Unarmed Attacks

If an investigator has no weapon:

They may still attack if allowed
Unarmed attacks are weaker and riskier

Spell Cards

Spells provide powerful but dangerous abilities.

Spell Decks

Spells are divided into four decks, each representing different arcane traditions.

Spell decks are faceup
When instructed to gain a spell:
- Draw from the specified deck

Casting Spells

Spellcasting often requires:

A horror test
Spending skill points
Accepting unpredictable effects

Spell effects resolve immediately.

Spell Discarding

Most spells are discarded after use
Some spells persist until a condition is met
Discarded spells are returned to their deck

Mythos Cards

Mythos cards represent the larger cosmic forces at work.

Purpose of Mythos Cards

Mythos cards allow the Keeper to:

Alter the game state
Trigger supernatural effects
Modify monsters
Increase pressure on investigators

Mythos Deck Rules

Built during Keeper setup
Only the Keeper may draw or play Mythos cards
Some Mythos cards:
- Are played immediately
- Remain in play
- Trigger when conditions are met

Unused Mythos cards are returned to the box after the game.

Keeper Action Cards

Keeper Action cards define the Keeper’s tactical options.

Purpose of Keeper Action Cards

These cards allow the Keeper to:

Trigger traps
Move or enhance monsters
Manipulate the board
Surprise investigators

Playing Keeper Action Cards

Cards list a threat cost
Threat must be paid to play the card
Some cards are discarded after use
Others remain active

The Keeper may play these cards only during the Keeper Phase, unless stated otherwise.

Objective Cards

Objective cards define how the game ends.

Keeper Objective Cards

Each story has three possible objectives
One is selected during setup
The Objective card:
- Is kept face-down
- Is revealed only when instructed

Objective Resolution

Once revealed:

Investigators learn how to win
The Keeper learns how investigators can stop them
New rules may immediately apply

Objective text overrides all other rules.

Trauma Cards

Trauma cards represent long-term mental damage.

Gaining Trauma

Investigators gain Trauma when:

Horror exceeds their limit
A card effect instructs it

Trauma Effects

Trauma cards:

Permanently modify investigator behavior
Impose restrictions or compulsions
May cause investigators to harm themselves or others

Trauma remains until the game ends unless removed by a rare effect.

Lock Cards

Lock cards prevent access to rooms or cards.

Lock Rules

Lock cards are placed on top of other room cards
No other cards may be explored until the lock is removed
Locks are resolved using:
- Puzzle pieces
- Skill tests
- Specific items

Obstacle Cards

Obstacles represent environmental dangers.

Obstacle Rules

Obstacles must be resolved before exploration continues.

They may require:

Tests
Damage or horror
Specific actions

Combat Cards

Combat cards are used to resolve all attacks.

Combat Decks

There are three Combat decks, each representing different outcomes.

Combat is explained in full detail in Part 7.

Event Cards

Event cards control story pacing.

Event Resolution

Time tokens are placed each round
When an Event triggers:
- Resolve its text fully
- Discard the card
- Reveal the next Event

Events often escalate danger or force dramatic changes.

Card Visibility Rules

Investigators may only see:
- Revealed cards
- Their own cards
The Keeper may not reveal hidden cards early
Reading card text aloud is required unless stated otherwise

Card Conflicts and Priority

If a card contradicts a rule:

The card always takes precedence.

If two cards conflict:

Resolve the most recent effect first

Card Summary

Cards in Mansions of Madness:

Control story progression
Define victory conditions
Create unpredictability
Enforce tension and urgency

Mastery of the game requires understanding when and how cards are revealed and resolved.

Part 6: Attributes, Tests & Status Effects

Investigators in Mansions of Madness are constantly tested—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Nearly every dangerous or uncertain situation requires an attribute test, and failure often results in damage, horror, or lasting conditions.

This section explains exactly how attributes work, how tests are resolved, and how status effects are applied and removed.

Investigator Attributes

Each investigator has four attributes, printed on their selected Trait cards.

Attributes represent a character’s strengths and weaknesses and determine how likely they are to succeed at tests.

The Four Attributes

Each investigator has the following attributes:

Strength – Physical power, endurance, and close combat
Agility – Speed, balance, and reflexes
Observation – Awareness, perception, and investigation
Will – Mental resilience, sanity, and resistance to fear

Each attribute has a numeric value, usually between 3 and 6.

Attribute Values

Higher values mean better chances of success
Attribute values rarely change during the game
Some effects temporarily modify attributes

If multiple Trait cards modify the same attribute, all modifiers apply unless stated otherwise.

Skill Points

Skill points represent effort, luck, and focused determination.

Gaining Skill Points

Investigators gain skill points:

During setup (starting amount)
Through card effects
Through certain story rewards

Skill points are tracked using tokens.

Using Skill Points

Skill points may be spent to:

Reroll dice during a test
Modify puzzle attempts
Trigger certain card abilities

Each skill point spent allows one reroll of a single die.

Skill points may be spent after rolling, but before the final result is resolved.

Skill Point Limits

There is no hard limit to skill points unless stated
Unspent skill points carry over between rounds

Attribute Tests

Attribute tests determine success or failure when attempting risky actions.

When Tests Occur

Attribute tests are required when:

Exploring dangerous rooms
Attacking or evading monsters
Casting spells
Solving puzzles
Triggering traps or obstacles
Resisting horror or mental trauma

The card or rule that triggers the test specifies which attribute to use.

How to Perform an Attribute Test

Follow these steps exactly:

Identify the required attribute
Take a number of dice equal to the attribute value
Roll all dice
Count the number of successes
Spend skill points to reroll dice if desired
Resolve the result

Successes and Failures

Each die showing a success symbol counts as one success
Blank or failure symbols do not count
Some effects modify dice results

The card or rule specifies how many successes are required.

Partial Success

Some tests list multiple outcomes:

Full success
Partial success
Failure

Always resolve the highest applicable result based on the number of successes rolled.

Horror and Damage

Investigators are threatened in two ways: physically and mentally.

Damage (Physical Harm)

Damage represents injuries.

Gaining Damage

Investigators gain damage from:

Monster attacks
Fire
Traps
Failed physical tests
Card effects

Each point of damage is tracked with a damage token.

Damage Limits

Each investigator has a maximum damage threshold
The threshold is printed on the character card
If damage equals or exceeds the threshold:
- The investigator is eliminated

Horror (Mental Harm)

Horror represents fear, stress, and mental breakdown.

Gaining Horror

Investigators gain horror from:

Seeing monsters
Failing Will tests
Casting spells
Traumatic events
Story effects

Each point of horror is tracked with a horror token.

Horror Limits

Horror threshold is printed on the character card
If horror equals or exceeds the threshold:
- The investigator gains a Trauma card
- Horror is reduced to one below the threshold

Trauma cards are explained later in this section.

Trauma Cards

Trauma represents permanent mental scars.

Gaining Trauma

An investigator gains Trauma when:

Horror reaches or exceeds their horror limit
A card or effect instructs it

Draw the top Trauma card and resolve it immediately.

Trauma Effects

Trauma cards may:

Restrict actions
Force movement
Alter behavior
Create new loss conditions

Trauma effects are always active unless the card states otherwise.

Multiple Trauma Cards

Investigators may gain multiple Trauma cards.

All Trauma effects apply
Effects stack unless they contradict

Trauma is rarely removed.

Status Effects

Status effects represent temporary or ongoing conditions.

Common Status Effects

Stunned

A stunned investigator:
- May not take actions
- May still move
Stun is removed at the end of the investigator’s next turn

Fire

Fire tokens remain in a space
Entering a fire space causes 1 damage
Fire may spread or be extinguished by effects

Darkness

Darkness restricts exploration
Investigators in darkness:
- Cannot explore
- May still move and fight

Other Status Effects

Some stories introduce additional conditions. Always follow the text exactly.

Removing Damage, Horror, and Effects

Removing Damage

Damage may be removed by:

Resting
Item effects
Story rewards

Damage may never be removed above the maximum threshold.

Removing Horror

Horror may be removed by:

Resting
Card effects
Rare story events

Horror reduction does not remove Trauma.

Removing Status Effects

Status effects are removed only when:

A card effect allows it
A condition is met
The effect specifies an end time

Death and Elimination

Investigator Elimination

An investigator is eliminated when:

Damage meets or exceeds the damage limit
A card effect eliminates them

Effects of Elimination

When an investigator is eliminated:

Their figure is removed from the board
Their items are dropped in their space
They take no further turns

If all investigators are eliminated, the Keeper immediately wins.

Test Timing and Priority

Tests are resolved immediately when triggered
Tests interrupt normal turn flow
Card text overrides standard test rules

If multiple tests are triggered:

Resolve them in the order they occur

Summary

Attributes and tests define the risk-reward structure of the game:

Strong attributes reduce danger
Skill points provide flexibility
Damage and horror create long-term consequences
Trauma permanently alters play

Understanding these systems is essential to surviving the investigation.

Part 7: Monsters & Combat

(Complete Rules for Monster Behavior and Fighting)

Monsters are the primary physical threat in Mansions of Madness. They are controlled entirely by the Keeper and act as obstacles, hunters, and tools to advance the Keeper’s objective. Combat is intentionally dangerous, unpredictable, and often costly for investigators.

Monster Overview

Monsters are represented by plastic figures placed on the board. Each monster has:

A monster figure
A matching monster token in its base
One or more special abilities
Unique combat behavior

Monsters do not take turns of their own. Instead, the Keeper controls them during the Keeper Phase by spending threat.

Monster Types and Bases

Monster figures use different base sizes:

Small bases – Most monsters
Medium bases – Cthonians
Large bases – Shoggoths

Base size has no effect on gameplay beyond fitting the monster token.

Monster Placement

Monsters enter play when:

Placed during setup
Spawned by Events
Revealed by Exploration cards
Created by Keeper effects

Placement Rules

Monsters are placed in the specified room or space
If a room is named, place the monster in any space in that room
If placement is random, the Keeper draws blindly
Monsters may be placed in spaces with investigators

If placement is impossible, place the monster in the nearest legal space.

Monster Movement

Monsters move only when the Keeper spends threat.

Moving Monsters

Each space moved costs 1 threat
Monsters move orthogonally only
Monsters may move through:
- Doors
- Spaces occupied by investigators
- Spaces occupied by other monsters

Movement Restrictions

Monsters may not move through:

Walls
Sealed doors

Splitting Movement

The Keeper may:

Move multiple monsters
Split movement among monsters
Move the same monster multiple spaces

All movement must occur during the Keeper Phase unless a card states otherwise.

Monster Attacks

Monsters attack investigators by spending threat.

Making a Monster Attack

To attack:

Choose a monster
Choose an investigator in the same space
Spend the listed threat cost
Resolve combat using the Combat deck

Monsters may attack multiple times per round if threat allows.

Attack Restrictions

Monsters may only attack investigators in their space
Monsters cannot attack through walls or doors
A stunned investigator may still be attacked

Combat Overview

All combat—investigator attacks and monster attacks—is resolved using the Combat decks.

Combat Decks

There are three Combat decks:

Investigator Attack deck
Monster Attack deck
Evasion deck

Each deck contains a mix of:

Successes
Failures
Special effects

Investigator Attacks (Detailed)

Step-by-Step Investigator Attack

Declare the attack and target monster
Choose a weapon or unarmed attack
Draw the required number of Combat cards
Resolve symbols and effects
Assign damage or effects to the monster

Drawing Combat Cards

The weapon determines:
- Which deck to draw from
- How many cards to draw
Some weapons allow rerolls or extra draws

Resolving Results

Combat cards may show:

Hits (damage)
Misses
Special effects
Horror effects

Apply all effects immediately.

Dealing Damage to Monsters

Each monster has a damage threshold
Damage is tracked using tokens
When damage equals or exceeds the threshold:
- The monster is defeated

Remove the monster figure from the board.

Monster Attacks (Detailed)

Step-by-Step Monster Attack

Declare the monster and target
Draw Combat cards from the Monster Attack deck
Apply damage and horror
Resolve any special effects

Monster attacks often deal both damage and horror.

Evasion

Evasion allows investigators to avoid damage.

When Evasion Is Used

Evasion may be used when:

A weapon or effect allows it
A card instructs an evasion attempt

Evasion Resolution

Draw from the Evasion deck
If successful:
- The attack is avoided
If failed:
- Resolve the attack normally

Evasion does not remove the monster.

Monster Special Abilities

Many monsters have unique abilities listed on their token.

Examples of Monster Abilities

Automatically inflict horror
Restrict movement
Ignore evasion
Become stronger over time
React to clues or events

Monster abilities are always active unless stated otherwise.

Multiple Monsters in a Space

If multiple monsters share a space:

Each monster is treated independently
Attacks must target one monster at a time
Damage does not carry over between monsters

Combat Priority and Timing

Combat interrupts normal turn flow
Resolve all combat fully before continuing
Card effects override combat rules

If multiple effects trigger:

Resolve them in the order they occurred

Monster Defeat and Aftermath

When a monster is defeated:

Remove its figure from the board
Discard any effects tied to that monster
Resolve any “when defeated” abilities

Some monsters drop items or trigger events when defeated.

Strategic Notes

Fighting is dangerous and costly
Avoid unnecessary combat early
Use evasion and positioning to survive
Monsters can be delayed without being defeated

Summary

Monsters in Mansions of Madness:

Are controlled entirely by the Keeper
Consume threat to act
Are lethal if ignored
Serve both narrative and tactical roles

Understanding combat mechanics is essential to surviving the investigation.

Part 8: Map Features & Special Spaces

(Environmental Rules and Interactions)

Map tiles in Mansions of Madness contain more than just rooms and corridors. Many spaces include special features that alter movement, combat, exploration, and story progression. These features are represented by tokens, markers, or printed icons and must be resolved exactly as described.

General Rules for Map Features

A feature affects only the space it occupies unless stated otherwise
Features apply to:
- Investigators
- Monsters
Features remain in play until removed by an effect
If multiple features exist in one space, resolve all applicable effects

Altars

Altars represent ritual sites or forbidden shrines.

Altar Effects

Altars may:
- Trigger story effects
- Enable Keeper rituals
- Allow investigators to disrupt objectives
Altars are often tied to the Keeper’s Objective card

Interacting with Altars

Investigators may interact with altars only if instructed by a card or clue
Interaction usually requires:
- A test
- Spending an action
- Solving a puzzle

Altar effects vary by story.

Barriers

Barriers block movement and line of sight.

Barrier Rules

Barriers:
- Block movement
- Block attacks
- Block exploration beyond them
Barriers may not be crossed or attacked through

Removing Barriers

Barriers may be removed only if:

A card effect allows it
A story objective requires it

Otherwise, barriers are permanent.

Ladders

Ladders connect multiple map levels.

Ladder Movement

Investigators may move between connected ladder spaces
Moving via a ladder:
- Costs 1 movement
Monsters may also use ladders unless restricted

Ladder Restrictions

Ladder movement ignores normal adjacency
Ladder spaces must be explicitly connected

Vents

Vents represent crawlspaces or air ducts.

Vent Rules

Vents connect two or more vent spaces
Moving through vents:
- Costs 1 movement
Only figures may move through vents
Items and tokens remain in the original space

Vent Restrictions

Some monsters may not use vents
Vents do not block line of sight

Hiding Spaces

Hiding spaces allow investigators to conceal themselves.

Using a Hiding Space

An investigator may hide by:

Entering a hiding space
Spending an action (if required by the story)

Effects of Hiding

While hidden:

Monsters may not target the investigator
Some effects cannot affect the investigator
The investigator may still be discovered

Hiding does not prevent all harm.

Campfires

Campfires provide limited recovery.

Campfire Effects

When resting in a campfire space:

Investigators may remove:
- 1 damage and
- 1 horror

This benefit replaces the normal rest effect.

Campfire Limits

Campfires may be used multiple times
Some stories extinguish campfires

Corpses

Corpses represent fallen characters or creatures.

Corpse Effects

Corpses may:
- Trigger events
- Provide items
- Cause horror
Some cards reference corpses directly

Corpses remain until removed by an effect.

Locked Doors

Locked doors restrict access.

Locked Door Rules

Locked doors:
- Prevent movement
- Prevent exploration beyond them
Locked doors are associated with Lock cards

Unlocking Doors

To unlock a door:

Solve the associated lock puzzle
Or follow a card effect

Once unlocked, remove the lock marker.

Sealed Doors

Sealed doors are permanent barriers.

Sealed Door Rules

Sealed doors:
- May never be opened
- Block all movement
- Block line of sight
Sealed doors cannot be removed or bypassed

Darkness

Darkness limits exploration.

Darkness Effects

Investigators in darkness:
- Cannot explore
- May still move and fight
Monsters are unaffected by darkness

Darkness may be removed by card effects.

Fire

Fire represents ongoing danger.

Fire Effects

Entering a fire space causes 1 damage
Fire remains until extinguished
Fire may spread if instructed

Room Features (General)

Some rooms include printed icons or markers.

Common Room Features

Ritual circles
Machinery
Bookshelves
Control panels

These features may:

Trigger tests
Allow special actions
Modify exploration

Always follow card and story instructions.

Multiple Features in One Space

If a space contains multiple features:

Resolve all effects
Apply penalties cumulatively
If effects conflict, resolve the most recent one first

Monster Interaction with Features

Monsters ignore most hazards unless stated
Monsters may trigger certain story effects
Monster abilities override feature restrictions

Feature Removal

Features are removed only when:

A card instructs it
A puzzle is solved
A story condition is met

Do not remove features early.

Summary

Map features:

Shape player movement
Control pacing and danger
Create story-driven challenges
Enforce tactical decisions

Ignoring environmental rules often leads to mistakes or unintended difficulty changes.

Part 9: Puzzles

(Locks, Runes, Wiring & Resolution Rules)

Puzzles in Mansions of Madness represent physical locks, arcane seals, ritual circles, and malfunctioning devices. They are a core investigative mechanic and often block critical progress. Puzzles introduce time pressure, risk, and uncertainty, forcing investigators to decide when to commit resources and when to walk away.

General Puzzle Rules

All puzzles follow the same core principles.

When Puzzles Occur

Puzzles are triggered when:

A Lock card is revealed
A story or objective instructs a puzzle attempt
An Obstacle card requires puzzle resolution

Puzzle Attempts

Attempting a puzzle:
- Always costs one action
- Is performed by one investigator
Other investigators may not assist unless a card allows it

Puzzle Setup

When a puzzle is triggered:

Take the required puzzle setup tile
Draw the required number of puzzle pieces face-down
Place the setup tile faceup
Keep puzzle pieces hidden until used

Puzzle pieces are never returned to the box during play.

Puzzle Timing

Puzzle resolution happens immediately
Puzzle attempts interrupt normal turn flow
The Keeper may not interfere unless instructed

Skill Points and Puzzles

Skill points may be used during puzzles to:

Reroll puzzle results
Modify outcomes
Reduce penalties

Each skill point affects one element of the puzzle.

Lock Puzzles

Lock puzzles represent mechanical or physical locks.

When Lock Puzzles Are Used

Lock puzzles appear when:

A Lock card blocks a room
A locked door must be opened

Lock Puzzle Setup

Place the lock setup tile
Draw the required lock puzzle pieces
Place pieces facedown near the investigator

Solving a Lock Puzzle

To attempt the lock:

Reveal puzzle pieces as instructed
Arrange or rotate pieces to match the setup tile
Roll any required tests
Apply successes or failures

Lock Puzzle Success

On success:

Remove the Lock card
The room becomes fully accessible
Exploration may continue normally

Lock Puzzle Failure

On failure:

The lock remains in place
Apply the listed penalty
The investigator’s action is spent

Penalties often include damage, horror, or time advancement.

Rune Puzzles

Rune puzzles represent magical seals and arcane symbols.

When Rune Puzzles Are Used

Rune puzzles are triggered by:

Magical locks
Ritual circles
Story-specific seals

Rune Puzzle Setup

Place the rune setup tile
Draw rune puzzle pieces
Place pieces faceup or facedown as instructed

Solving Rune Puzzles

Rune puzzles typically require:

Matching symbols
Aligning patterns
Performing Will or Observation tests

Rune Puzzle Success

On success:

The magical seal is broken
Remove the blocking card or feature
Resolve any follow-up effects

Rune Puzzle Failure

On failure:

Gain horror
Trigger supernatural effects
Possibly spawn monsters

Rune failures are often more dangerous than lock failures.

Wiring Puzzles

Wiring puzzles represent mechanical or electrical systems.

When Wiring Puzzles Are Used

Wiring puzzles appear when:

Activating machinery
Disarming traps
Restoring power

Wiring Puzzle Setup

Place the wiring setup tile
Draw wiring puzzle pieces
Arrange pieces randomly

Solving Wiring Puzzles

Wiring puzzles require:

Correctly connecting paths
Avoiding short circuits
Passing Agility or Observation tests

Wiring Puzzle Success

On success:

The device activates
A door opens or effect triggers
Story progression continues

Wiring Puzzle Failure

On failure:

Take damage or horror
Trigger alarms or events
Possibly lock the system temporarily

Puzzle Difficulty

Puzzle difficulty varies by:

Story
Puzzle type
Keeper choices

Some puzzles become harder after failed attempts.

Multiple Attempts

Investigators may attempt the same puzzle multiple times
Each attempt costs an action
Penalties apply each time

Some puzzles limit the number of attempts.

Puzzle Interaction with Monsters

Monsters may attack during puzzle attempts
Being attacked does not cancel a puzzle unless stated
Some puzzles restrict monster movement

Puzzle Removal and Cleanup

After a puzzle is resolved:

Remove puzzle pieces from play
Return setup tiles to storage
Remove blocking cards or features

Puzzle components are not reused.

Common Puzzle Mistakes

Attempting puzzles without sufficient skill points
Ignoring horror consequences
Wasting time on non-essential puzzles
Attempting puzzles while under threat

Summary

Puzzles in Mansions of Madness:

Gate critical progress
Drain time and resources
Create narrative tension
Reward preparation and teamwork

Mastering puzzles is essential to winning the game.

Part 10: Endgame, Objectives & Special Victory Conditions

Every game of Mansions of Madness builds toward a final confrontation between the investigators and the hidden truth controlled by the Keeper. The endgame is triggered by the discovery of the final clue, the resolution of objectives, or the passage of time.

This section explains exactly when the endgame begins, how objectives function once revealed, and all possible ways the game can end.

The Endgame Trigger

The endgame begins when Clue 1 is revealed and resolved.

Resolving Clue 1

When Clue 1 is discovered:

Read the Clue card aloud
Resolve all immediate effects
Follow any instructions on the card
The Keeper immediately reveals their Objective card

Once the Objective card is revealed, the game enters its final phase.

Objective Cards (Revealed)

The Objective card defines:

The Keeper’s win condition
The investigators’ win condition
Any new rules or restrictions
Special endgame mechanics

Objective text overrides all other rules.

Types of Objectives

Objectives may require the Keeper to:

Complete a ritual
Keep a specific monster alive
Collect samples or items
Eliminate investigators
Allow an Event to resolve

Investigators typically must:

Stop the ritual
Destroy a specific object
Defeat a named monster
Escape from the board
Survive until a condition is met

Playing After Objective Reveal

Once the Objective is revealed:

All players may freely reference it
New effects may apply immediately
Certain cards or features may activate

The game continues normally unless the Objective states otherwise.

Investigator Victory

Investigators win when:

They complete the victory condition listed on the Objective card
The Keeper is prevented from completing their objective permanently

When investigators win:

The game ends immediately
No further actions or events are resolved

Keeper Victory

The Keeper wins when:

The Keeper’s Objective is completed
All investigators are eliminated
A card or event states an immediate Keeper victory

When the Keeper wins, the game ends immediately.

Total Loss Condition (Everyone Loses)

If Event V resolves and:

The Keeper has not won, and
The investigators have not won

Then all players lose the game.

This represents the story collapsing into chaos or annihilation.

Timing Conflicts and Priority

Endgame timing is strict.

Immediate Effects

If an objective or card says:

“Immediately”
“At once”
“The game ends”

Then resolve it instantly, interrupting all other actions.

Simultaneous Victory Conditions

If both sides complete their objectives at the same time:

The Keeper’s victory takes priority
Unless the Objective card states otherwise

Objective vs Event Resolution

If an Objective is completed:

The game ends immediately
Ignore unresolved Event effects

Investigator Elimination During Endgame

Investigators may still be eliminated during the endgame
Eliminated investigators:
- Drop their items
- Take no further turns
Remaining investigators continue if possible

Special Endgame Rules

Some objectives introduce:

Turn limits
Restricted movement
Modified combat rules
New puzzle mechanics

Always follow Objective text exactly.

Common Endgame Mistakes

Forgetting Event V loss condition
Ignoring new rules on Objective reveal
Continuing play after a win condition
Misapplying simultaneous effects

Final Rule Authority

In all cases:

Objective card text overrides all rules
Card text overrides rule text
Rule text overrides assumptions

Campaign & Replay Notes (Optional)

Different objectives radically change difficulty
Some objectives favor speed, others caution
Keeper bluffing remains important until the end

Complete Game Summary

To win Mansions of Madness:

Investigators must:
- Explore
- Discover clues
- Survive long enough to stop the Keeper
The Keeper must:
- Control time and threat
- Exploit investigator mistakes
- Complete their hidden objective

The game rewards planning, cooperation, and narrative immersion.