When you set up an episode, encounter cards are used to build the encounter deck. (See details under: Episode Setup.)

During the encounter phase, each character must draw 1 encounter card. (See details under: Encounter Phase.)

Whenever you draw an encounter card, you must resolve it without consulting the other characters. You must make all decisions alone. (See details under: Table Talk.)

When you are instructed to draw a specific encounter card (by name or with certain characteristics), you look at the top cards of the encounter deck one after each other until you find the first card matching and draw it. Then, reshuffle the encounter deck. (See details under: Draw.)

When you are instructed to search the encounter deck for a specific card (by card name or with certain characteristics), you look through the whole encounter deck and take any card that matches. Then, reshuffle the encounter deck. (See details under: Search.)

When you must draw (or analyze) an encounter card, but the encounter deck is empty, shuffle the encounter discard pile back into the encounter deck. (See details under: Empty Deck.)

When you discard an encounter card, place it in the encounter discard pile. (See details under: Encounter Discard Pile.)