custom-monsters

/custom-monsters - Custom Monster Creation

Create scenario-specific monsters with unique behaviors, activations, and stat overrides.

Component Structure

Custom monsters use the CustomMonster prefix and require a base field referencing a catalog monster.

upsert_token("CustomMonsterBoss", {
  base: "MonsterCultist",
  health: "8",
  healthperhero: "2"
})

Note: Custom monsters are created via the spawn system. The base field determines the visual appearance and default stats. Override any field to customize.

Required Fields

Field	Description
base	Base monster type from catalog (e.g., MonsterCultist, MonsterGhost)

Optional Stat Overrides

Field	Description
health	Base health points
healthperhero	Additional health per investigator
horror	Horror value for horror checks
awareness	Detection range
traits	Space-separated trait keywords

Custom Activations

Override the default monster activation with a custom event sequence. When the monster activates during the mythos phase, your custom event fires instead of the standard AI behavior.

Activation Event Structure

# Monster definition with custom activation
upsert_spawn("SpawnBoss", {
  monster: "CustomMonsterCultLeader",
  uniquehealth: "10",
  uniquehealthhero: "3"
})

# Activation event — triggered when the monster activates
upsert_event("EventCultLeaderActivation", {
  trigger: "Mythos",
  buttons: "2",
  randomevents: "true",
  event1: "EventCultLeaderAttack",
  event2: "EventCultLeaderSummon"
})

# Attack pattern
upsert_event("EventCultLeaderAttack", {
  buttons: "1",
  event1: "EventCultLeaderMoveAndStrike"
})

# Summon pattern — spawns a minion
upsert_event("EventCultLeaderSummon", {
  buttons: "1",
  add: "SpawnCultistMinion",
  event1: "EventCultLeaderDone"
})

Random Move + Attack Patterns

Use randomevents=true to vary monster behavior each activation:

upsert_event("EventBossActivation", {
  display: "false",
  buttons: "3",
  randomevents: "true",
  event1: "EventBossAggressive",     # charge and attack
  event2: "EventBossDefensive",      # retreat and heal
  event3: "EventBossSpecial"         # unique ability
})

Evade & Horror Events

Custom Evade

When an investigator attempts to evade, the custom evade event fires:

upsert_event("EventBossEvade", {
  buttons: "2",
  quota: "2",                        # difficulty threshold
  event1: "EventBossEvadeSuccess",   # pass → escape
  event2: "EventBossEvadeFail"       # fail → consequence
})

set_localization({
  "EventBossEvade.text": "The cult leader blocks your path. Test {agility} to slip past.",
  "EventBossEvade.button1": "{qst:PASS}",
  "EventBossEvade.button2": "{qst:FAIL}",
  "EventBossEvadeSuccess.text": "You dart past the robed figure.",
  "EventBossEvadeFail.text": "The cult leader grabs your arm. Suffer 1 damage."
})

Custom Horror

When an investigator encounters the monster, the custom horror event fires:

upsert_event("EventBossHorror", {
  buttons: "2",
  quota: "1",
  event1: "EventBossHorrorPass",
  event2: "EventBossHorrorFail"
})

set_localization({
  "EventBossHorror.text": "The creature's true form is revealed. Test {will} to resist the madness.",
  "EventBossHorror.button1": "{qst:PASS}",
  "EventBossHorror.button2": "{qst:FAIL}"
})

Spawn Triggering

Round-Based Spawning

Use EndRound trigger with #round vartests and one-shot flags:

# Check if it's time to spawn
upsert_event("EventRound3Spawn", {
  trigger: "EndRound",
  display: "false",
  buttons: "2",
  conditions: "round3Spawned,==,0",
  vartests: "VarOperation:#round,>=,3",
  event1: "EventRound3SpawnSkip",    # not time yet
  event2: "EventRound3SpawnFire"     # round >= 3, spawn!
})

upsert_event("EventRound3SpawnFire", {
  buttons: "1",
  operations: "round3Spawned,=,1",
  add: "SpawnHallwayGhost",
  event1: "EventRound3SpawnNarrative"
})

Progressive Spawning

Spawn increasingly dangerous monsters as the scenario progresses:

# Early game — minor enemies
upsert_event("EventEarlySpawn", {
  trigger: "EndRound",
  display: "false",
  buttons: "2",
  conditions: "earlySpawnDone,==,0",
  vartests: "VarOperation:#round,>=,2",
  event1: "EventEarlySpawnSkip",
  event2: "EventEarlySpawnFire"
})

# Mid game — tougher enemies
upsert_event("EventMidSpawn", {
  trigger: "EndRound",
  display: "false",
  buttons: "2",
  conditions: "midSpawnDone,==,0",
  vartests: "VarOperation:#round,>=,6",
  event1: "EventMidSpawnSkip",
  event2: "EventMidSpawnFire"
})

# Late game — boss
upsert_event("EventBossSpawn", {
  trigger: "EndRound",
  display: "false",
  buttons: "2",
  conditions: "bossSpawnDone,==,0",
  vartests: "VarOperation:#round,>=,10",
  event1: "EventBossSpawnSkip",
  event2: "EventBossSpawnFire"
})

Event-Triggered Spawns

Spawn monsters in response to player actions:

upsert_event("EventOpenCoffin", {
  buttons: "1",
  add: "SpawnCoffinZombie",
  event1: "EventCoffinNarrative"
})

Monster Stats Reference

Common base monsters for the base field:

Monster	Health	Per Hero	Notes
MonsterCultist	2	1	Basic human enemy
MonsterGhost	3	1	Incorporeal, horror focus
MonsterZombie	3	1	Slow but tough
MonsterManiac	2	1	Fast, aggressive
MonsterWitch	3	1	Spell-based attacks
MonsterHuntingHorror	5	2	Flying, strong
MonsterRiotOfFlesh	4	2	Resilient
MonsterStarSpawn	6	2	Boss-tier
MonsterDeepOne	3	1	Aquatic areas
MonsterThrall	2	1	Swarm enemy

Use search_game_content with query "Monster" to find all available monsters including expansion content.