In Play & Out Of Play

Cards can be in play or out of play. If a card is out of play, you cannot perform its tasks and its effects do not apply. 

The following cards are considered to be in play:

  • The topmost chapter card
  • Setting cards and Leads on the table
  • Cards in the Network
  • Enemies and States at a location
  • Cards in a characters play zone
    • Character cards
    • Character Tools
    • Purchased Tools
    • Purchased Allies
    • Collected Followers

The following cards are considered to be out of play:

  • Chapter cards under the topmost Chapter card
  • Cards in the encounter deck
  • Cards in the encounter discard pile
  • Cards in the staging deck
  • Cards in the trash pile
  • Cards in a players hand
  • Cards in a tool kit
  • Cards in a (character) discard pile
  • Cards in other (episode-specific) decks or piles

Retreated Enemies and States are only in play as general “retreated cards” – the Enemy or State on the back side is considered to be out of play.

Other face down cards are considered out of play independently from what zone they are in.

Other components (tokens and dice) that are not in the supply are considered to be in play. However, characters can only use or spend support markers in their play zone.