Few questions about some HeroQuest Rules

[chaoticprime]

Hell, I played for years that monsters could pass through Heroes (though I rarely actually did it) because the manual I had was printed off the internet. The 2000's internet.

[drathe]

Thanks, Andy P. I missed that one, once again betraying my casual knowlege of of the EU booklet. I should have checked it out earlier in my search, before I started to tire. Now we know: EU rules--monsters can't be moved onto the stairway tile. Kudos to Chaotic Prime and knightkrawler as well for helping to get the facts straight.

Yet, nothing states that they cannot pass through an Iron or Wooden door...

[Teldurn]

Thanks, Andy P. I missed that one, once again betraying my casual knowlege of of the EU booklet. I should have checked it out earlier in my search, before I started to tire. Now we know: EU rules--monsters can't be moved onto the stairway tile. Kudos to Chaotic Prime and knightkrawler as well for helping to get the facts straight.

Yet, nothing states that they cannot pass through an Iron or Wooden door...

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that monsters can't open doors, period. It would be an absolutely huge strategy-changer if I am misremembering.

[chaoticprime]

They can open doors, because in some Quests it is described that they do. Under normal circumstances they can't open doors, because of the idea that the Heroes are sneaking around (and their IQ is like 60-something).

[knightkrawler]

Thanks, Andy P. I missed that one, once again betraying my casual knowlege of of the EU booklet. I should have checked it out earlier in my search, before I started to tire. Now we know: EU rules--monsters can't be moved onto the stairway tile. Kudos to Chaotic Prime and knightkrawler as well for helping to get the facts straight.

Yet, nothing states that they cannot pass through an Iron or Wooden door...

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that monsters can't open doors, period. It would be an absolutely huge strategy-changer if I am misremembering.

True. A door is a door, more closely described or generally "door" matters not rulewise.

They can open doors, because in some Quests it is described that they do. Under normal circumstances they can't open doors, because of the idea that the Heroes are sneaking around (and their IQ is like 60-something).

Also true, because specific text in quest notes or cards overrules original rulebook.
Chaoticprime, give your "can or cannot" speech or do I have to do it?

[chaoticprime]

Once a rule has been established, typically by the actual instructions, you can always assume that it applies in all possible circumstances, unless there is an exceptional clause stating that it "cannot." Interpreting rules is actually very simple, everything comes down to "can vs. cannot." You have to identify a trend where "cannot" or in this game's style "may not" prevails--a good example would be for equipment. If equipment does not feature a "cannot" assume that it functions like the other instances of its type.

Heroquest is really passive in terms of language, so expect to look for "may" or "may not" pretty regularly.

[chaoticprime]

Borin's Armor is exceptional, however, because though its text was changed between editions of the game, it was not styled quite correctly. The language on the card basically adheres still to the original version of the game, which instructs you to REPLACE your starting 2 Defense Dice with 4 Defense Dice. Body armor REPLACES defense dice, extremity armor ADDS TO defense dice. In the case of Borin's Armor, the image shows a helmet, and by the rules-as-written, it lacks some limitations that should be specified by the equipment descriptions. Logically, then, you are allowed to equip the Helmet and Shield with Borin's Armor, but the way its described in the game simply isn't consistent with the overall style. If you want hard-core rules adaptation--no helm. If you want to be practical, however, do else-wise. Also, shields were always considered defensive weapons, historically, and not armor. Dungeons & Dragons is responsible for a lot of stuff like that, such as there never actually being chainmail or longswords.

[Daedalus]

Thanks, Andy P. I missed that one, once again betraying my casual knowlege of of the EU booklet. I should have checked it out earlier in my search, before I started to tire. Now we know: EU rules--monsters can't be moved onto the stairway tile. Kudos to Chaotic Prime and knightkrawler as well for helping to get the facts straight.

Yet, nothing states that they cannot pass through an Iron or Wooden door...

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that monsters can't open doors, period. It would be an absolutely huge strategy-changer if I am misremembering.

EU Rules Book, p.8, under Moving around the board, Opening doors:

Characters and monsters can only enter and leave rooms through open doors.
Monsters cannot open doors.

NA Instruction Booklet, p.21, under Zargon, The Evil Sorcerer's Turn, Monsters May Not:

• Search for treasure
• Search for secret doors
• Move or attack diagonally
• Pass over Heroes
• Move through walls
• Open or close doors
• Share a square on the gameboard

Quest Notes have allowed certain monsters to open doors. The Wizards of Morcar come to mind from the final battle. These are cases of can--can't made in reverse. Basically the same.