HEXplore It - V4 Play Styles
HEXplore It - V4 Play Styles
HEXplore It - V4 Play Styles
Credits
Game Design
Jonathan Mariucci
Nathan Loos
Aikaterini Kimoundri
Art
Alaina Katerina
Alvaro Nebot
Chan Shen Fei
Creation Studio
Konrad Langa
Yanis Cardin
Editing
Frank Calcagno
James Spaid
www.hexploreit.com
© 2022 Mariucci J. Designs, LLC • HEXplore It is a trademark of Mariucci J. Designs, LLC • All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Play Styles & Options.............4 Dual: DoMN + VotDK......... 22 Dual: DoMN + SoS...............39
Double Up......................................... 5 Game Setup.................................. 22 Game Setup..................................40
Quick Play......................................... 5 Starting Location, Equipment, Starting Location, Equipment,
Multiple Heroes............................... 5 and Gold................................. 24 and Gold................................. 42
One Player........................................6 Altered Rules.................................. 22 Altered Rules.................................. 42
Marathon..........................................6 Villain Game Events..................... 28 Villain Game Events..................... 48
Splitting Groups............................... 7 One Boss to Rule Them All......... 29 One Boss to Rule Them All......... 49
Bounty Hunter..................................8 Example Map Layouts............... 30
Blighted Lairs....................................9
Castle Noctis...................................13 Dual: DoMN + FoA................31
Želja Awakens.................................14 Game Setup...................................32
Valor...................................................16 Starting Location, Equipment,
The Dungeon in Other Volumes....18 and Gold..................................34
Blood Magic in Other Volumes....19 Altered Rules...................... 34
Familiars in Other Volumes........20 Villain Game Events......... 37
Roles & the New One Boss
Encounter Deck.............................20 to Rule
Them All.... 38
Play Styles & Options
The following rules may be adopted to configure your game in a unique way.
Each of the HEXplore It Volumes are like an adventuring toolbox, so feel free to
experiment with the system to find other fun and unique ways to play.
4
Play Styles & Options
Double Up - This version of play presents Quick Play - This version of play is for
adaptations to power up your heroes more quickly. beginners. It offers reduced play time and is great for
families as well.
Here are the changes you’ll adopt
for the Double Up game: Refer to Double Up changes (shown at left)
and add the following:
1. Each time you gain a Rune, gain
another Rune of a random type. 1. Begin the game on Starter Difficulty instead of
2. Each time you gain Gold (including at the Easy.
beginning of the game), gain twice the 2. The group begins play with 12 Gear Upgrades
amount. instead of 6, and is not limited on how to
3. The group gains a Crypt Key and the distribute them.
Reins of Telgimere (a Monastery item) before 3. The group begins play with 1 random Rune
play. (not affected by the Double Up increase).
4. If there are 3 or more heroes, place 3 4. Power Up cards are drawn and applied to all
Collectors randomly before play begins. heroes as a group instead of individually.
5. Before the game begins, draw 3 Power Ups. Each
hero gains their bonus.
Multiple Heroes - If you’d like to create two heroes and play both, check with the other players to
see if they mind. If the group agrees to this style of play, any player can play two heroes at once.
These changes may be used to quicken play during this style:
1. During the Skill phase, roll Skill dice once and apply the results to each hero you are controlling.
2. When drawing Power Ups, draw once and apply the card results to each hero you are controlling.
5
Play Styles & Options
One Player - There are two ways to Marathon - Playing the marathon version
play using this style. The first is as Multiple Heroes. prolongs the game, but also gives you the opportunity to
This is the easier option and requires no special rule interact with more game content.
changes. You will treat the game as if it were a two
Here are the changes you’ll adopt for the Marathon game:
player game.
The second way to play the one player game is to do 1. The group must accomplish at least three of the
so with only one hero. Please note that not every hero following tasks before facing Noctis:
will be a good fit for the One Hero game. Face at least 6 Bosses .
Complete at least 10 Investigations.
If you find this play style is too difficult with the hero
of your choice, try using the HEXclusive Roles found Gain at least 16 Runes (of any type).
in the Expansion or by combining this play style with Place at least 12 Dungeon Tiles or all 10 map HEXtiles.
the Double Up play style (see page 5). At least 12 Encounters must be placed in the
Encounter Discard pile.
Here are the changes you’ll adopt for
the One Player / One Hero game: 2. Mirza Noctis will not initiate combat with the
group when the Blood Pool reaches 100. Instead,
1. Begin the game with 2 Sovereign Elixirs along he initiates combat with the group during the Villain
with the other starting items. phase each Game Turn when the Game Difficulty is
2. During the Declaration phase of combat you increased to Epic.
may choose to spend 1 Energy to perform the 3. The Blood Pool may increase above 100. For every
Defend action at half rank and take another 20 Blood over 100, increase the Game Difficulty by 1.
action simultaneously. You may still only use one 4. Each time one of the tasks listed above is completed,
item per turn. increase the Game Difficulty by 1.
3. When rolling Skill dice (only Skill dice) to 5. The group may only face Mirza Noctis on Epic
attempt an Investigation, roll twice and apply difficulty to win this game.
the best result.
6
Play Styles & Options
Splitting Groups - This version of play presents adaptations to allow the heroes to split up
into groups. The Merchant Role (from Volume III: The Sands of Shurax) makes use of these rules, but they can
be used in a broader fashion to break the heroes into 2 or 3 independently moving groups. Please note that
this play style is only advisable for advanced players.
Here are the changes you’ll adopt for the Splitting Up game:
1. Heroes may split into 2 or 3 individual groups (more than 3 groups is not recommended).
2. Each group should be represented by a miniature or token of your choice.
3. Each group plays each phase of their Game Turn, one phase at a time, until all groups have finished
their Event phase.
4. The Villain phase is played only once, after all groups have completed their Event phase. Villain Action
modifiers do not stack for each group. Apply the worst Villain Action modifier from all groups.
5. Group Rewards are shared by all players, regardless of where the groups are on the map.
6. Single Rewards are divvied only to those in the group who gained them.
7. Group items (like Runes or any group currency) are always shared, regardless of where the
groups are on the map.
8. When purchasing Group items, the cost is reflective of all heroes in the game.
9. If combat (or another group event) is triggered for one group, the other group(s) cannot participate. Any
effects that count the number of heroes count only the heroes participating in that event.
10. Items, Gold, and Food may only be used or traded by heroes in the same group.
11. Treasures (or other unique items) are not duplicated when groups split. They are held by only one hero,
and benefit only that hero’s group until reunited.
7
Play Styles & Options
8
Play Styles & Options
Blighted Lair Tiles
Blighted Lairs - This version of play modifies the random, single-hex,
Boss locations shown on the map, turning them into larger (multi-hex) Boss Lairs.
x6
You’ll place smaller map pieces on top of those locations, creating a dangerous
region under the control of a random Boss . Your heroes must clear the entire Lair
before they face that controlling Boss .
Once you defeat the Boss , the Blighted Lair is cleared, and it is removed from the x4
map. Blighted Lairs only apply to Random Boss locations (Boss locations showing the
Moon die icon), and not to numbered Boss locations.
Here are the changes you’ll adopt for games using Blighted Lairs:
1. Locate the Blighted Lair map pieces and set them aside.
There are 4 three-hex tiles and 6 four-hex tiles. See right.
2. At the beginning of the game, after you set up the map and the bars, place
any Blighted Lair tile of your choice on top of a revealed Random Boss
location (all Random Boss hexes must be covered by a Lair if able). These
locations are now Blighted Lairs. Their terrain type changes accordingly. Each
hex of a Blighted Lair represents a region influenced by a Boss which must
be neutralized before you may face it.
3. Each time you place a new HEXtile that contains a Random Boss
Location, you must place a Blighted Lair over it (if there are any left in the
pool).
4. Blighted Lairs may never cover Villages, Monasteries, Crypts, numbered
Boss lairs, or other game locations (exception, see #5) shown on the map.
Blighted Lair Tile Placement Examples
9
Play Styles & Options
10
Play Styles & Options
5. Special locations (like Events, Discoveries, or Investigations) may
be placed on top of the Blighted Lair over the hex it would have
occupied, but these locations cannot be accessed by the heroes
until the Lair is cleared and the influence of that Boss goes away.
6. Each hex on a Blighted Lair contains a Rune symbol.
7. Once the heroes enter a Blighted Lair tile, they are being
influenced by the controlling Boss. The group does not need to
move into any other hexes on this tile — they will experience the
entire event in the location they entered.
Time is gained and spent as if the group has moved into
the Dungeon (refer to page 47 of the Rule Book for how Time
is managed), but the group is not considered to be inside the
Dungeon while inside a Blighted Lair.
8. Before you may face the Boss , the group must draw and play
Dungeon cards that match the Runes shown on the tile they
occupy. Cards are revealed and played one-at-a-time in any order
the group chooses. Do not collect these Dungeon cards as a reward
at this time. The group must have at least 1 Time remaining to face
the Boss . If the group runs out of Time before facing it, treat the
event as if the group has Fled (see below).
If any hero Critically Fails, face a Boss based < 30 31 - 69 70 > Noctis Ambushes
on the phase of play and the current Blood the group after
The Hellhound Mad Alchemist Raveziel
Pool. If the result is a Boss that has already rewards are
been vanquished, face Noctis instead. Kesh’kezuul Meat-Hook Dulahan earned.
13
Play Styles & Options
Želja Awakens - This version of play places Želja The Banshee Queen’s miniature on the board
at the beginning of the game. She was once the queen of this realm, a beloved figure to many. When Noctis took
power so many years ago, he slew both the King and Queen. She has now risen, hundreds of years after the fall of
her kingdom, and is consumed by her rage. She has cursed Noctis and now stalks the earth, a terror to behold.
Here are the changes you’ll adopt for the Želja game:
1. Search the Night deck for Želja’s Bounty “Banshee Queen” and place it in the fourth Night slot.
2. Želja’s Roam distance is now tied to the Blood Pool. When rolling her Roam distance (not her direction), add 1
to the amount for every 20 Blood in the Blood Pool (+1 at 20 Blood, +2 at 40 Blood, etc).
3. If Želja is slain, gain the rewards for vanquishing her along with the Bounty reward, and then set her Bounty
aside. She may return again.
4. Želja Revives and returns to haunt the region the next time the Blood Pool increases to a factor of 20 (20, 40,
60, etc). At the end of the Game Turn, discard the card that is located in the fourth Night slot and place
her Bounty there again. Each time Želja returns to the map she becomes Dangerous
Dangerous. It is possible for her to
become Dangerous multiple times this way.
5. While Želja is Dangerous
Dangerous, she can destroy Noctis’s Collectors . Each time she moves
within 1 hex of any number of Collectors, remove 1 Collector from that location.
6. The end combat with Noctis will also include Želja The Banshee Queen , even if she is
not present on the board. When the heroes face Mirza Noctis in battle, Želja arrives
during the Declaration phase of round 2. Noctis and Želja may target one another as
though they were heroes. Roll target dice for both without any modifier.
7. Želja is unaffected by Mirza Noctis’s Boss 2 and Passive abilities.
8. You do not have to vanquish Želja to win — the group wins the game when Mirza Noctis
is defeated per normal rules.
14
Play Styles & Options
Želja’s Bounty
“Banshee Queen”
found in the
Night deck
15
Play Styles & Options
Valor
A point of Valor is awarded when specific milestones are achieved while playing any
HEXplore It game. Valor is not unique to the Domain of Mirza Noctis.
A player’s Valor score is equal to the total Valor gained while playing any game in the series.
All players playing a game of HEXplore It have a Valor score equal to the player with the highest Valor
score.
Valor may only be gained once per source (ie, all the players achieve only 1 Valor point for defeating
the Mirza Noctis, no matter how many times they’ve vanquished him), and cannot be modified by
other game effects.
1 2 3 4 5 6
16
Play Styles & Options
Using Valor
Each time you play any HEXplore It game, consult the table below. You’ll gain the highest tier bonus and all lower
tier bonuses based on your total Valor score. You may not combine these bonuses with other HEXplore It Volume
Valor bonuses and they only affect the current game being played.
Avatar 60+
At the beginning of the game, each hero chooses
an Ability. Up to twice per Game Turn during the
Skill phase, roll a Core die. If the result is equal
to or lower than the rank of that Ability, remove 1
Critical Wound . In order to win the game, you
must defeat the game’s Villain on Epic Difficulty.
17
Play Styles & Options
Step 1: Determine 4 Dungeon Entrances Step 2: Determine How Runes are Turned In
Choose 4 locations to act as your Dungeon Entrances In Domain, there are 3 ways to turn in Runes.
(see examples below). Ideally, these locations should be Impart them in Monasteries, Activate them in
numbered 1 through 4 on your game board. Dungeon Crypts, or Sell them in Villages. Use the following
Entrances are locked at the beginning of play. Place a table to determine how you can use Runes to
Locked Crypt token on these locations when revealed. gain the same reward in previous Volumes:
4 Shrines in the Valley of the Dead King.
Volume Impart Activate Sell
Numbered 1 through 4.
4 Battle Sites in the Forests of Adrimon. Shrine Ruin City
Numbered 1 through 4. Battle Site Grove Portal Waypost
4 City-States in the Sands of Shurax. City-State Oasis Caravanseri
Numbered 1 through .
18
Play Styles & Options
Imparting, Activating, and Selling Runes
When Imparting or Activating Runes, use the corresponding placards from Domain to track any turn ins (Monastery
& Crypt). Instead of gaining a Grace when Imparting Runes, the group gains the first Treasure found in the
Circumstance deck (shuffle any revealed cards back into their deck afterward).
Ignore any Blood Pool effects, as the Blood Pool will not be in play.
Selling Runes works the same in each Volume (10 Gold per Rune Sold). The group may only sell Runes in a location
that sells items worth 8 Gold or higher.
Critical Wounds
Heroes suffer Critical damage and gain Critical Wounds by casting Blood Magic Spells
and certain Encounters may inflict them. Critical Wounds are treated the same way in
any other Volume (see the Keywords placard or page 91 of the Core Rule book for more detail).
19
Play Styles & Options
Updated Passive: For every 3 ranks of [Call of the Wild- Beastmaster][Primal Instincts-Beast Lord], gain the
Beastmaster / next Creature type Encounter from the Encounter deck and add it to your pack. Anytime a Creature appears
Beast Lord in a slot in play, immediately take the card and add it to your pack.
Updated First Mastery [Summoning Circle]: Instead of Summoning an open Encounter, reveal a number of
Summoner cards equal to half Dimensional Shield rank and choose 1 to Summon. Shuffle all other revealed cards back
into the deck. All additional effects for this mastery are unchanged.
Updated Passive: Before combat begins, reveal a number of cards from the Encounter deck equal to half An-
Shaman cestral Spirit and choose 1 to Summon. Shuffle the remainder back into the deck. Its type changes to Spirit and it
remains until combat ends or until defeated. Place it on top of the Encounter deck after combat ends.
Commander Updated Passive: Search the Encounter Deck or discard pile instead of the Circumstance deck.
Updated Second Mastery [Phantom Deck]: Reveal half Stacking the Deck rank cards from the Circumstance
Gambler deck instead of full rank. This mastery now deals Health damage equal to Phantom Deck rank plus Card
Throw rank plus 1 for each card revealed. All additional effects for this mastery are unchanged.
20
Dual I & IV
Dual
DoMN + VotDK 21
Dual Boards:
DoMN + VotDK
If you have both the Domain of Mirza Noctis and the Valley
of the Dead King, you can integrate the two games to play
both at once.
Playing this Dual Boards version will give you an entirely
different play experience. Both Core games and their
Expansions may be used in this play style.
Dual I & IV
New to Domain of Mirza Noctis is the Encounter deck. The original Encounter cards found in the
Valley of the Dead King Circumstance deck will not be used during this game, though you may purchase
the VotDK Encounter deck and add them to DoMN’s Encounter deck to supplement this playthrough.
You’ll have to take care to avoid both Mirza Noctis and the Dead King . One of the two villains will
eventually overpower the other! Amass your strength as quickly as you can, for you’ll have to face both in
order to win the game.
Game Setup
Combine the four quadrants from each game and place in any orientation you choose to create your map. See
page 30 for example layouts. Shuffle and place the HEXtiles from each game face down in separate stacks.
Remove all Encounters found in the Valley of the Dead King Circumstance deck. These will not be used.
Shuffle the Domain of Mirza Noctis Power Up deck. You will not use the Valley of the Dead King Power Up deck.
Place the DoMN Day bar on one side of the table. Place the Day deck and the Power Up deck in each
applicable slot.
22
DoMN Night Bar
Place the DoMN Night bar on the other side
of the table. Place the Night deck and the
Encounter deck in each applicable slot.
Shuffle the VotDK Circumstance deck and the
VotDK Quest deck together into one large
deck. Then split the deck, and place both
halves adjacent to the Day and Night
decks. These decks are now referred to as the
VotDK Day and VotDK Night decks.
DoMN Night Encounter Draw four cards from the VotDK Day deck and
Dual I & IV
Deck Deck place on the Day slots numbered 1
through 4. Draw four cards from the DoMN
VotDK Night
Deck DoMN Day Bar Day deck and place on top of the four cards
drawn from the Day deck, so that you can
see all card titles and any map locations.
Repeat the above operation for the VotDK
Night Deck and the DoMN Night Deck.
You should now have a total of 16 cards in play
(4 each from each deck).
Altered Rules
Win Scenario:
Both Mirza Noctis and The Dead King must be vanquished to win this game. The heroes may not target
these villains directly until the Game Difficulty is Moderate or higher or until the second Villain Event occurs (see
page 28).
Card Decks:
When a card’s effect would have you draw more cards, draw from the same Volume. If you discard a
Circumstance in play, only discard 1 (not any others in the same slot).
Dual I & IV
Bosses:
The group may search for and face most VotDK Bosses using the Random Boss mechanic. While on a
Random Boss location, choose the Level Boss you’re hoping to face (1-9), then roll the Moon die:
On a result of a through 3, face the next lower Level Boss you have not yet vanquished.
On a result of 4 through 10, face the Boss you chose.
On a result of 11 or 12, increase the Level of the chosen Boss by 1 and then roll the Moon die again,
comparing the result for this new Level.
You may not face the following Bosses using the Random Boss mechanic: Syv the Siren Queen , The Cry-
overn , and The Dead King . After you vanquish a VotDK Boss in a random location, place a Hex token on
the Boss’s lair if it has one and is revealed. If it is not, place a Hex token on the location when it is revealed.
Gear Upgrades:
Gear Upgrades are not initially available for purchase. They must be unlocked via the rules in DoMN, by
opening Crypts. They may be gained in other ways (through a reward for instance) normally.
25
Game Difficulty:
Players gain the Game Difficulty benefits from both the DoMN and VotDK.
Revealing HEXtiles:
When you draw a HEXtile for any reason, draw one from both the VotDK and the DoMN stack. Choose one to
play and place the other HEXtile on the bottom of the opposite stack.
Game Locations:
Location Augmented Content
Cities may be targeted by Noctis’s Blood Collectors (see next page).
Dual I & IV
Dual I & IV
The moment a Village would gain a 4th Blood Collector , it is
treated as if it were a Fallen City instead of a Desolate Village.
Remove the Collector die and do not place a Desolate Village
token on the location, instead place a Fallen City Token. The
Dead King gains movement speed increases normally, for
each Fallen City token placed on a Village.
Blood Collector dice are removed from Cities or Villages that
fall to the Dead King. These locations no longer produce Blood
for Mirza Noctis.
Villains:
The Dead King moves at a speed of 1 + 1 for every Fallen City.
The heroes may not target Mirza Noctis or The Dead King
until they have increased the Game Difficulty to Moderate or
higher. The Bosses will not target or initiate combat with the
heroes until after the second Villain Event (see page 28).
27
Villain Game Events
When each of these events occur, alter the game as indicated below:
3
If the Dead King gains 3 Fallen Cities first: Place 3 Collectors in random Villages.
If Mirza Noctis’s Blood Pool increases to 30 first: Increase the Dead King’s movement speed by 1.
30
When 6 Fallen Cities are placed, or the Blood Pool increases to 60:
6 Place the HEXtile containing Mirza Noctis’s fortress if it is not already in play. The Dead King immediately
targets Mirza Noctis’s Castle. The Dead King’s movement speed is decreased to 1 plus 1 for every 2 Fallen
Cities. When the Dead King arrives there, check the Blood Pool.
Dual I & IV
60 If it is 70 or more, Noctis performs a Blood Magic ritual that binds the Dead King to himself.
If it is less than 70, the Dead King corrupts Mirza Noctis’s pattern.
See page 29 for the results.
If the heroes defeat either Villain before one of the above events: Draw 2 Power Up cards and
give twice the bonus to each hero. The game is treated as though it has passed the second Villain event (see
next page), with the Boss that has not been vanquished being the victor. Ignore any further effects that relate to
combat with the vanquished Villain.
28
One Boss to Rule them all
When the second boss event occurs, check to see which of the two overcomes the other.
Dual I & IV
location and intiates combat with them. He is Tenacious (no effect may overcome this).
If the heroes defeat Mirza Noctis , The Dead King arrives and initiates the final combat.
Healing is not possible between battles. The Dead King’s attacks and Conditions deal 1 extra
damage.
29
Example Map Layouts
The Dead King relies on moving from City to City
across the board. Initial map setups can either help Let’s examine a few scenarios. The below graph
or hinder the Dead King’s advancement. shows the distance (in hexes) between Cities, and the
likelihood the Dead King will overcome Mirza Noctis.
D 18 5 11 Fair fight
B C D
30
Dual II & IV
Dual
DoMN + FoA 31
Dual Boards:
DoMN + FoA
If you have both the Domain of Mirza Noctis and the
Forests of Adrimon, you can integrate the two games to
play both at once.
Playing this Dual Boards version will give you an entirely
different play experience. Both Core games and their
Expansions may be used in this play style.
New to Domain of Mirza Noctis is the Encounter deck. The original Encounter cards found in the
Forests of Adrimon Circumstance deck will not be used during this game, though you may purchase the
FoA Encounter deck and add them to DoMN’s Encounter deck to supplement this playthrough.
You’ll have to take care to avoid both Mirza Noctis and Adrimon . One of the two villains will
Dual II & IV
eventually overpower the other! Amass your strength as quickly as you can, for you’ll have to face both in
order to win the game.
Game Setup
Combine the four quadrants from each game and place in any orientation you choose to create your map.
Shuffle and place the HEXtiles from each game face down in separate stacks.
Remove all Encounters found in the Forests of Adrimon Circumstance deck. These will not be used.
Shuffle the Domain of Mirza Noctis Power Up deck. You will not use the Forests of Adrimon Power Up deck.
Place the DoMN Day bar on one side of the table. Place the Day deck and the Power Up deck in each
applicable slot.
32
DoMN Night Bar Place the DoMN Night bar on the other
side of the table. Place the Night deck
and the Encounter deck in each
applicable slot.
Shuffle the FoA Circumstance deck and the
FoA Destination deck together into one large
deck. Then split the deck, and place both
halves adjacent to the Day and Night
decks. These decks are now referred to as the
Forest Day and Forest Night decks.
DoMN Night Encounter Draw four cards from the Forest Day deck and
Deck Deck place on the Day slots numbered 1
Forest Night through 4. Draw four cards from the DoMN
Deck DoMN Day Bar Day deck and place on top of the four cards
drawn from the Day deck, so that you can
see all card titles and any map locations.
Repeat the above operation for the Forest
Dual II & IV
Night Deck and the DoMN Night Deck.
You should now have a total of 16 cards in
play (4 each from each deck).
Set the Fragment deck next to the Power Up
deck and place all Relics aside.
Roll the Magi’s Acropolis location normally
DoMN Day DoMN and place on the corresponding Enthralled
Deck Power Up Deck
City.
Forest Day DoMN cards on top FoA
Deck of FoA cards Fragment Deck
33
Starting Location, Equipment, and Gold
Choose to act during the Day or during the Night for your first Game Turn. If you choose Day as
your first Game Turn, your heroes begin in a City in the Valley. Gain the starting items from VotDK. If
you choose Night as your first Game Turn, your heroes begin in a Village in Domain. Gain the starting
items from DoMN.
Additionally, the heroes gain a movement item based on their starting location.
If you begin outside an Enthralled City, the group gains Elven Riding Saddles.
Saddles
If you begin in a Village, the group gains the Reigns of Telgimere.
Telgimere
If you are playing with the optional Valor rules, use the Valor rewards associated with the group’s starting
location.
Altered Rules
Win Scenario:
Both Mirza Noctis and Adrimon must be vanquished to win this game.
Circumstances:
Dual II & IV
When you roll for a Circumstance you will interact with both cards in that slot.
Play all DoMN cards and any FoA Circumstances normally when you interact with a slot.
FoA Destinations are not played when a slot is rolled. These are played as if they were Investigation cards
with no Trap, during the Event phase, when the group is in a Destination location revealed on the map. If
an Investigation appears in the same slot that a Destination does, the Destination inherits that Investiga-
tion’s Trap and Suspicion level.
Clues have no effect on FoA Destination cards.
Refill any/all cards played from their applicable deck.
34
Power Up Cards:
Each time the heroes draw a Power Up card with the Blood Modifier icon, increase the Fate
Tracker by 1 as if you had drawn a card with the Magi’s Fate Tracker Symbol.
=
Relics:
When the heroes obtain enough Fragments to forge a Relic, that Relic becomes forgeable in the next Battle Site
or Monastery the group visits. The Paragon’s Hall is treated as a Battle Site for this purpose. No more than 6
Relics may be forged in one game.
Card Decks:
When a card’s effect would have you draw more cards, draw from the same Volume. If you discard a Circum-
stance in play, only discard 1 (not any others in the same slot).
Bosses:
The group may search for and face most FoA Bosses using the Random Boss mechanic. While on a Random
Boss location, choose the Level Boss you’re hoping to face (1-9), then roll the Moon die:
On a result of a through 3, face the next lower Level Boss you have not yet vanquished.
Dual II & IV
On a result of 4 through 10, face the Boss you chose.
On a result of 11 or 12, increase the Level of the chosen Boss by 1 and then roll the Moon die again,
comparing the result for this new Level.
You may not face the following Bosses using the Random Boss mechanic: Elowen the Dryad (Expansion Boss)
and Adrimon . After you vanquish a FoA Boss in a random location, place a Hex token on the Boss’s lair, if it
has one and is revealed. If it is not, place a Hex token on the location when it is revealed.
Gear Upgrades:
Gear Upgrades must be unlocked for purchase via the rules in DoMN, by opening Crypts. They may be gained
in other ways normally (through a reward for instance, like Searching for Gear in Enthralled Cities).
35
Game Difficulty:
Players gain the Game Difficulty benefits from both the DoMN and FoA.
Revealing HEXtiles:
When you draw a HEXtile for any reason, draw one from both the FoA and the DoMN stack.
Choose one to play and place the other HEXtile on of the bottom of the opposite stack.
Game Locations:
Location Augmented Content
The group may enter the Dungeon after Searching for Gear in Enthralled Cities.
Enthralled City Draw and place a random Dungeon Tile and place the group in the center hex.
Note that the group may not exit the Dungeon from these locations.
Village No changes.
Waypost Wayposts may be targeted by Noctis’s Blood Collectors.
Dual II & IV
Runes may be Imparted as if the location were a Monastery of the group’s choice.
Battle Site
Additionally, the group may exit the Dungeon and appear on any revealed Battle Site.
Relics may be crafted in Monasteries as if the location were a Battle Site.
Monastery
Additionally, you may purchase and sell Nature’s Essence while in a Monastery.
Elowen’s Grove You may purchase items avaiable in Monasteries here (per normal Monastery rules).
Grove Portals Runes may be Activated in Grove Portals as if the location were a Crypt.
Crypt No changes.
The group may exit the Dungeon from a Crypt Exit and appear
Dungeon Exits
on a revealed Battle Site of their choice.
36
Blood Collectors:
Each time a Blood Collector is placed on the board, first roll the Moon die. If the result is 9-12, the
Collector is placed in a random Waypost if one exists, instead of in a random Village.
There are only 7 Collector dice, so as soon as Noctis has 7 locations feeding him Blood, he cannot gain
another until a new die becomes available to place. When you roll to place new Collectors, the new
location must be one of the 7 already placed.
Villains:
The heroes may not target Mirza Noctis or Adrimon until they have increased the Game Difficulty to Moderate
or higher. The Bosses will not target or initiate combat with the heroes until after the second Villain Event (see below).
3
6 2
5 3 If the Magi’s Fate Cycle becomes 3 first: Place 3 Collectors in random Villages.
4
If Mirza Noctis’s Blood Pool increases to 30 first: Increase the Fate Cycle by 1.
30
Dual II & IV
1 When the Fate Cycle becomes 6 or the Blood Pool increases to 60:
6 Adrimon attempts to mindwipe Mirza Noctis. Roll the Fate die and add the Fate Cycle.
6 2
5 3
4 If the result is greater than twice the number of Collectors on the board, Adrimon mindwipes Mirza Noctis.
If the result is equal to or lower, Mirza Noctis recognizes Adrimon’s influence. During the next Villain phase,
60 Mirza Noctis binds Adrimon to himself.
See page 38 for the results.
If the heroes defeat either Villain before one of the above events: Draw 2 Power Up cards and
give twice the bonus to each hero. The game is treated as though it has passed the second Villain event (see
next page), with the Boss that has not been vanquished being the victor. Ignore any further effects that relate to
combat with the vanquished Villain. 37
One Boss to Rule them all
When the second boss event occurs, check to see which of the two overcomes the other.
Game Setup
Combine the four quadrants from each game and place in any orientation you choose to create your map. SoS
Quadrants no longer need to touch the sides of the SoS bars. Shuffle and place the HEXtiles from each game
face down in one stack.
Dual III & IV
Remove all Encounters found in the Sands of Shurax Circumstance deck. These will not be used.
Shuffle the DoMN and SoS Power Up decks together to make one large Power Up deck.
Place the DoMN Night bar on one side of the table and the SoS Caravan Master Bar on the other side. Use the
optional Extender to leave more space for your card decks. Place the Night, Encounter, Caravan Master,
Caravan Event, and Mutation decks in each applicable slot.
40
The Wastes region may connect to
the other map tiles in this play style.
The Wastes
Encounter &
Power Up Decks
Caravan Master,
Caravan Event, and
Mutation Decks
Place the Day, SoS Circumstance, Power Up, and SoS Mission decks as shown. Flip over the top card in each
Starting Location,
Equipment, and Gold
Choose to act during the Day or during the Night 4 Day Cards
for your first Game Turn. If you choose Day as
your first Game Turn, your heroes begin in a City in
the Valley. Gain the starting items from VotDK. If you choose Night as your first Game Turn, your heroes
begin in a Village in Domain. Gain the starting items from DoMN.
Additionally, the heroes gain a movement item based on their starting location.
If you begin in a Caravansari, the group gains the Dust Skimmer.
Skimmer
If you begin in a Village, the group gains the Reigns of Telgimere.
Telgimere
If you are playing with the optional Valor rules, use the Valor rewards associated with the group’s starting location.
Altered Rules
Win Scenario:
Dual III & IV
Both Mirza Noctis and The Ravager of Shurax must be vanquished to win this game. Only the Phorora
and Nemsynet win scenarios apply in this play style (the Ravager must be killed or subdued).
42
Circumstances:
When you roll for a Circumstance and gain a result of 1 through 4, you will interact with either the Day or the
Night deck (per normal rules based on what phase the group chose during the Movement phase). The
group will also draw the top card from the SoS Circumstance deck. If you roll a result of 5 or a hex, the group
draws an Encounter only (do not play a SoS Circumstance).
Clues that are placed on the Night bar are applies to both Day and Night cards in play.
Refill any/all DoMN cards played from their applicable deck. The SoS Circumstance is always a blind draw.
Card Decks:
When a card’s effect would have you draw more cards, draw from the same Volume. If you discard a Circum-
stance in play, only discard 1 (not any others in the same slot).
Act Appears in Roll Any Die Game Turn Cycle (Game Turn 1, Game Turn 2)
I The Wastes only Ravager Appears, Ravager Disappears
II Quadrants & HEXtiles Odd: Shurax, Even: Domain Ravager Appears, Ravager Disappears
Act II triggers when there are 8 or more Remnants placed in the Wastes.
Act III triggers after the second Villain Event (see page 48).
43
Act I Ravager Appearance
During Act I, the Ravager only appears in the Wastes. It always
appears in the middle HOTtile first. On subsequent appearances, roll
the Wander die to determine the direction normally. The Ravager may
reveal new HOTtiles when appearing in the Wastes.
Gear Upgrades:
Gear Upgrades must be unlocked for purchase via the rules in DoMN, by opening Crypts. If the group is in
a City-State, they may School and Spar for Gear Upgrades,
Upgrades but may only gain Gear Upgrades up to the
slot that has been unlocked. Gear Upgrades may be gained in other ways normally (through a reward for
instance).
Game Difficulty:
Players gain the Game Difficulty benefits from both the DoMN and SoS.
46
Reputation: Random Caravan
Villages have Neutral Reputation. The heroes do not get discounts from Destinations
Reputation in these locations. Choose any revealed
Monasteries have Reputation that match the City-States that shares their Event location
number. For instance, Monastery 1 matches City-State 1 (Phorora), 2 City-State 1: Phorora
Monastery 4 matches City-State 4 (Nemysnet). The heroes gain discounts 3 City-State 2: Dria
(and any other Reputation bonus) while in a Monastery that matches their
4 City-State 3: Tarri
Reputation.
5 City-State : Nemsynet
Caravan Journeys: 6 Village 1: Sithrindell
Each time the heroes embark on a Caravan Journey, randomly roll for a 7 Village 2: Alizien
Caravan destination. Roll the Moon die and consult the table on the right. 8 Village 3: Dobrovizta
If the destination has become a Remnant or Desolate Village, reroll for the 9 Village 4: Ryzeria
Caravan’s destination.
10 Village 5: Kastvarjna
If you roll 3 times without an available destination, the Caravan does not
11 Village 6: Rothlin
have a destination. The Caravan Master must be Bribed to move to a
location of your choice. 12 Village 7: Vigorna
Platinum Bonus:
Each time the heroes vanquish any Boss , the group gains 1 Platinum along with their other rewards.
Villains:
47
Villain Game Events
When each of these events occur, alter the game as indicated below:
8
If the Ravager places 8 Remnants first: Act II begins. Place 3 Collectors in random Villages.
If Mirza Noctis’s Blood Pool increases to 30 first: Randomly place 2 Remnants in the Wastes,
30 revealing new HOTtiles if necessary.
If the heroes defeat either Villain before one of the above events: Draw 2 Power Up cards and
give twice the bonus to each hero. The game is treated as though it has passed the second Villain event (see
next page), with the Boss that has not been vanquished being the victor. Ignore any further effects that relate to
combat with the vanquished Villain.
Dual III & IV
48
One Boss to Rule them all
When the second boss event occurs, check to see which of the two overcomes the other.
49
V
Volume
50 www.hexploreit.com/vol5
Index
Blighted Lairs Play Style.......................9
Blood Magic in Other Volumes......... 19
Bounty Hunter Play Style......................8
Castle Noctis Play Style.......................13
Double Up Play Style............................5
Dual Boards: DoMN + FoA.............. 32
Dual Boards: DoMN + SoS..............40
Dual Boards: DoMN + VotDK......... 22
Dungeon in Other Volumes................ 18
Dungeon, Runes.................................... 19
Dungeon, Boss Locations.................... 19
Familiars in Other Volumes...............20
Marathon Play Style..............................6
Multiple Heroes.......................................5
One Player................................................6
Play Styles.................................................4
Quick Play.................................................5
Roles & the New Encounter Deck.....20
Splitting Groups.......................................7
Valor......................................................... 16
Želja Awakens Play Style.................... 14
51