/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.

code

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

code

# 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:

code

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:

code

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:

code

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:

code

# 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:

code

# 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:

code

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.