Can You Use Room Actions While in Combat in Nemesis?
The simple answer is no, you cannot use room actions while in combat in Nemesis. The game’s rules are very specific about this limitation. When you find yourself engaged in a conflict with Intruders, your focus must shift to combat-related actions, leaving room actions unavailable. This restriction is a key part of the game’s design, adding to the tension and making strategic planning even more critical. Understanding this rule is essential for surviving the horrors of the Nemesis universe.
Understanding the Action Economy in Nemesis
Card-Driven Actions
In Nemesis, almost everything you do is dictated by the cards in your hand. You start each round with five cards, and every action, including movement, item usage, and combat, has a card cost. This resource management aspect of the game is fundamental to its challenging gameplay. Actions are further divided into two categories: those that are available at all times, and those with specific restrictions. This is especially important in considering room actions.
Combat vs. Room Actions
The rules clearly state that when engaged in combat, actions are restricted. Specifically, the game’s rulebook indicates that you can utilize all actions and items which do not have the “not in combat” icon. This key phrase implies that certain actions are only available when you are not engaged in combat. Room actions invariably fall under the “not in combat” restriction. This limitation is not an oversight; it’s a deliberate design choice that enhances the suspense and tactical depth of the game.
Consequences of Combat Restrictions
The restriction on room actions during combat means that players must carefully plan their movements and actions to avoid being caught off guard. If you’re in a room with an Intruder, and your turn comes, you will not be able to activate a terminal, search through a storage, or close a door. You will only have access to actions like attacking or fleeing. This creates many intense situations where you’re forced to make desperate decisions.
Strategic Planning and Preparation
Knowing that room actions are unavailable in combat forces players to be more strategic in their approach. It encourages the clearing of rooms or making a strategic run rather than walking into every room. Before a player moves into a new room, they need to weigh the chance of an Intruder being in that room. As such, planning your actions around the limited options you have available in combat is a core skill for success in Nemesis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions designed to provide additional clarity on room actions and related aspects of Nemesis gameplay:
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What actions can you take while in combat? During combat, you can take actions that involve fighting or trying to evade. This means you will primarily be using your attack actions, defense/evasion actions, and item actions that do not have the “not in combat” restriction. Remember all these actions cost action points and must be paid by discarding cards from your hand.
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Can I activate an item that has no “not in combat” icon in combat? Yes, items that do not have this restriction are perfectly fine to use in combat, such as some weapons and defense-related equipment.
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If I’m in a room with another player, and combat begins, are both of us limited to combat actions? Yes, all players in a room engaged in combat are subjected to the same restrictions. Everyone is restricted to only combat related actions until the fight is resolved or you escape the room.
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How does the noise rule interact with combat? Noise rolls are typically made at the end of an action. Even during combat, you would still make noise rolls. You wouldn’t make a roll for just being in the same room as another player. You would roll if you moved into the room, or when the event phase takes place.
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Can I use a “run” action to escape combat and then use a room action? Yes, if you can successfully use a “run” action to exit the room and escape combat, you can then utilize room actions provided you didn’t run into another combat situation.
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Are there any exceptions to the room action rule during combat? There are no exceptions in the base game or Nemesis Lockdown. The rule is designed to simulate the chaos of a desperate fight, where players do not have time to use terminals or other actions unrelated to the fight.
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What are some common examples of room actions? Room actions commonly include activating terminals, searching through storage, closing doors, and using room-specific features like the cockpit or engine rooms.
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Do Intruder movement and attack trigger combat? Yes, an Intruder entering a room with you or attacking you directly triggers combat. You are considered to be in combat until you escape the room and do not enter another combat situation.
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What happens if a room action creates noise while trying to do it in combat? You would not be able to use the room action in combat, so you can’t create noise using a room action if in combat.
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Does the “not in combat” restriction apply to all Intruder encounters? Yes, whether the intruder is a Larvae, an Adult, or an other type of intruder, the same room action rules apply.
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If an Intruder attacks me but the attack misses, am I still in combat? Yes. The presence of an Intruder in your room is sufficient to trigger the combat rules. Being attacked is not a necessity. You would still be in combat even if the attack missed.
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Do room actions cost a card? Yes, like all actions in Nemesis, room actions cost a card from your hand, which you discard to activate that action.
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Does this rule apply in all versions of Nemesis? The “no room actions in combat” rule applies across the original Nemesis and its standalone sequel, Nemesis Lockdown.
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Can I use a “Search” action in combat? No, the “Search” action is a room action that is restricted during combat.
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Can I “Repair” the engines during combat? No, the “Repair” action is a room action and is restricted during combat.
Conclusion
Understanding the limitations on room actions during combat is crucial for success in Nemesis. The game’s design ensures that players must plan their moves meticulously, considering the implications of combat and the restrictions it places on available actions. This careful balancing of options adds a layer of tension and strategy that makes Nemesis a truly engaging and challenging board game experience. By adhering to these rules and carefully managing their hand, players can navigate the dangers of the Nemesis and increase their odds of survival.