XP is collected into, and used from, one shared pile.
Tiles are adjacent when they are connected orthogonally, never diagonally. Tiles are NOT adjacent if they are separated by a complete wall, i.e. either tile has all 4 squares on its connecting side filled black. Example of tiles (A) adjacent to tile B:
| A | ||
| A | B | A |
| A |
Monsters move in tiles. Moving 1 tile means moving to any space on any of the up to four adjacent tiles (remember, tiles are only adjacent orthogonally, not diagonally, see above)
Within 1 tile means either on the same tile or an adjacent one, also known as "up to one tile away". Similarily, within 2 tiles means on the same tile, an adjacent tile or a tile adjacent to an adjacent tile.
Consider the above image. The center of the image is where 4 tiles meet, so what we're seeing is the corners of 4 tiles A-D, and the 4 corner squares are numbered 1-4.
- Tile A is adjacent to tile B and tile C, but not to tile D (adjacency for tiles is only orthogonally, never diagonally).
- A Spider on 1 can bite a Hero on 2, 3 and 4 (squares are always adjacent, also across tiles).
- A Spider on A can web any hero on B and C, but not on D.
- A Spider can move 1 tile from A to B, or from A to C.
- A Spider can move 2 tiles from A to D.
- A Hero on 1 can move 1 square to 2, 3 and 4 (a Hero's regular movement doesn't care about tiles, only squares).
- A Hero on 1 can "attack one adjacent Monster" on 2, 3 and 4. (e.g. Deep Cut)
- A Hero on A can "attack one Monster on your tile" on A, not on B, C or D. (e.g. Divine Flare)
- A Hero on A can "attack one Monster 1 tile away" on B and C, not on A or D. (e.g. Fireball)
- A Hero on A can "attack one Monster within 1 tile" on A, B or C, but not on D. (e.g. Lance of Faith)
- A Hero on A can "attack one Monster within 2 tiles" on A, B, C or D. (e.g. Hunter's Shot)
You usually start with 2 healing surges total, no matter the number of Heroes playing. If you want an easier game, add surges. Or for a harder game (gasp!) start with fewer.
Nope. These are Adventure specific things, and will be explained in the Adventure if you need them.
No. (unconfirmed)
Further away from the Start Tile.
No. You gain 2 extra Hit Points, but you do not remove any of your previous hits taken. The intention is to take HP counters for Hit Points lost. However if you decide to instead play with a "pool" of hit points, and discard tokens when you get hit, you need to regain 2 HP when levelling. Either way works fine, just make sure everyone around the table knows what system you are using.
Unless the specific Adventure tells you otherwise, you're supposed to use ALL the Dungeon Tiles. Usually you have a "Quest tile" for that specific Adventure that is placed under a set number of tiles, and the rest of the tiles are placed under the Quest Tile in the pile. Drawing from the bottom of the stack is supposed to be a hindrance, not a shortcut.
All tiles are used in an Adventure, unless specifically stated in the text for that particular Adventure.
Each attack is rolled separately. So for example if Immeril uses his Fireball on a tile with 2 Monsters, you roll the die for each of the 2 Monsters. So it's possible to hit both, none or just one of the Monsters. (rules, page 9, "Making an Attack")
No, always one tile, and you don't have the choice of not exploring.
The basics here are simple, Monsters come from the Monster Deck, while Villains have their own thick sheets like Heroes. But all powers say "attack 1 Monster" and similar, and surely you are supposed to be able to attack Villains with these powers. So here's how we think it can all make sense:
- Villain means only the creatures that have their own Villain tile, e.g. Count Strahd and Gravestorm.
- Monsters refer to creatures both on a Villain tile and on Monster Cards.
- Monster Cards are only the cards in the Monster Deck, like the Skeleton and the Wraith.
- This ensures all Powers make sense, as they all refer to Monster.
- This means you are also entitled to a Treasure when you defeat a Villain, as the rules say you get a Treasure card if you defeat a Monster.
- Encounters that affect Monsters, would also affect Villains, e.g. Teleporting Glyph and Circle of Death.
- Encounters that affect "Monsters you control" would not affect Villains, as they are not under any one player's control, e.g. Voice of the Master.
- Zombies do one extra damage per Monster on the tile, so that would include Villains.
- When defeating Monsters you get XP by placing its Monster Card in the XP pile. Since Villains don't have cards, they don't give any XP.
No. You can still attack when you are Slowed or Immobilized, they only affect your movement.
Heroes that are knocked out are not considered when checking Monster tactics, so all regular Monsters will just stand still. There are some Villains who might still act though, like Klak.