Eldritch Horror · Board game rules
When does a Condition card affect a player character's stats?
Quick answer
Condition cards affect stats only after you flip them; the front shows when to flip, then the back applies the effect.
Details
When you gain a Condition card, you place it faceup near your Investigator sheet, but you can only look at the front of the card initially [p.13 — Spells and Conditions]. The front describes the specific trigger that causes you to flip the card—for example, "Flip this card when you lose Health" or at the start of your next turn.
Once you flip the card, you immediately resolve the back, which is where stat modifications and other effects are applied [p.13 — Spells and Conditions]. Until that flip trigger occurs, the Condition has no mechanical impact on your character, even though it's in play.
Watch out: You cannot look at the back of a Condition card before flipping it. This is intentional—the hidden information creates suspense. Only the player controlling that investigator can look at the front; other players should not see it until it's flipped.