FAQ
8 answered questions6 official
Rules questions from the BoardGameGeek forum. Answers marked Official were confirmed by Hurrican or the designers.
Common mistakes
- Leaving alibi cards where the colored edges can be seen — use the box tray setup in the erratum to keep Jack’s identity private. Ruling · Rule
- Accusing because an ability moved Jack onto someone — the Detective’s activated character must move onto Jack. Ruling · Rule
- Forgetting Jack spends a movement point to leave the board through an open exit. Ruling · Rule
- Treating Watson as lit by his own lantern — it lights the line ahead, not his own hex. Ruling · Rule
Showing 8 of 8
Does the player look at the alibi card drawn by Sherlock Holmes? Official
The player activating Holmes privately looks at the drawn card and keeps it face down. If the Detective drew it, that character is cleared; if Jack drew it, the Detective does not see the clue.
Source: official English rulebook, pages 4 and 6.
Can the printed edges of the alibi cards reveal Jack's identity? Official
Yes. The publisher's erratum says the first printing lets players identify card colors at the edge. Arrange the deck in the box tray shown in the erratum so the edges are concealed from the opponent.
Source: official erratum file page.
When a player chooses two characters, must both be chosen before either is played?
The community answer uses one character before selecting the second. The English rulebook says the second player chooses and plays two characters, but does not explicitly settle whether both choices must be declared first; no answer by this game’s designer or publisher was found in the linked thread. Agree on the timing before playing if this matters to a Holmes draw.
Community discussion: BGG thread.
Does Jack spend a movement point to leave Whitechapel?
Count the step from an exit hex off the board as one movement point. This is the community interpretation of moving the token out of the district; the rulebook does not separately price that final step, and the linked reply is not by either Mr. Jack designer.
Community clarification: BGG thread.
Can Jack escape during the first round? Official
No. Jack cannot try to leave until after the first witness call has declared him invisible; that call happens only after round one's four character activations.
Source: official English rulebook, page 6.
[Extension] Does John Pizer frighten characters when another ability moves him? Official
No. Pizer's ability triggers when he is activated, not when another character's power moves him next to someone. If several characters are adjacent at his activation, each must flee as far as possible, up to three hexes.
Source: official 2018 Extension rules, pages 5–6.
Can Goodley's whistle move Jack onto another character to make an accusation? Official
No. The Detective must move an activated character onto Jack's hex to accuse; moving Jack onto an investigator with an ability does not count. Goodley's movement can still bring an investigator closer so a later activation can make the accusation.
Source: designer clarification on BGG
Does Watson light his own hex? Official
No. His lantern lights the unobstructed straight line in front of him, but not his own hex. Watson is visible only if a gaslight illuminates him or another character is adjacent.
Source: official English rulebook, pages 4–5.