Overview

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is an app-driven cooperative Lovecraftian horror game. The companion app serves as the Keeper, managing scenarios, monsters, puzzles, and story events. Players take the roles of Investigators exploring modular mansion maps, solving mysteries, fighting monsters, and trying to maintain their sanity. The app handles all hidden information and scenario logic.

Components

• Modular map tiles
• Investigator figures and cards
• Monster figures and tokens
• Common item, unique item, and spell cards
• Damage and horror cards
• Dice (custom d8s)
• Various tokens (clue, exploration, barricade, darkness, etc.)
• Companion app (required, free download)

Setup

1. Launch the companion app and select a scenario.
2. Follow the app’s instructions to place map tiles, tokens, and starting items.
3. Each player selects an investigator and takes their card, figure, and starting possessions.
4. Place investigators at the starting location.

Turn Structure

Each round consists of two phases:

1. Investigator Phase

Each investigator takes a turn consisting of up to 2 actions (may perform the same action twice):

• Move: Move up to 2 spaces.
• Explore: Interact with an exploration token (the app reveals what you find).
• Search: Search your space for hidden items (the app determines results).
• Interact: Use a person token or point of interest.
• Attack: Attack a monster in your space.
• Component Action: Use an item or ability that provides a special action.

After all investigators act, one player presses “End Investigator Phase” in the app.

2. Mythos Phase

The app controls this phase entirely:

• Mythos events: Story events trigger, potentially spawning monsters, changing the map, or advancing the scenario clock.
• Monster activation: Each monster moves and attacks as directed by the app.
• Horror checks: Investigators near horrifying entities may need to roll horror checks.

Actions

Combat

1. Select a weapon and target monster.
2. The app shows the test (skill + dice).
3. Roll dice. Each 6+ is a success (5+ with bonuses). Blanks are failures.
4. Apply damage to the monster (tracked in the app).
5. Monsters attack during the Mythos phase – the app tells you the test and consequences.

Skill Tests

The app frequently calls for skill tests (Strength, Agility, Observation, Lore, Influence, Will):

• Roll dice equal to the relevant skill value.
• Count successes (typically 5+).
• The app resolves the outcome.

Puzzles

The app presents interactive puzzles (slide puzzles, code-breaking, lock-picking). Players solve them within the app interface, with each attempt counting as an action.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Each scenario has unique win/lose conditions managed by the app.
• Investigators win by completing the scenario’s objective (varies: perform a ritual, escape, defeat a boss, solve the mystery).
• Investigators lose if all are eliminated, driven insane, or the scenario’s doom conditions are met.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Damage and Horror: Each dealt as face-down cards. Some cards have special effects (e.g., broken arm reduces Strength, paranoia causes hallucinations). If damage or horror equals health/sanity, the investigator is eliminated/goes insane.
• Insane investigators receive a secret condition from the app; they may work against the team.
• Barricades: Can block doors against monsters.
• Darkness: Dark rooms impose penalties on tests.
• First Edition conversion: First Edition figures and tiles can be used with Second Edition via the app’s conversion kit scenarios.

Player Reference

Investigator Actions (2 per turn)	Effect
Move	Move up to 2 spaces
Explore	Reveal exploration token via app
Search	Find items via app
Attack	Fight a monster (dice roll)
Interact	Use a person/object via app
Component Action	Use item/ability

Skill test: Roll dice = skill value; 5+ = success (usually)