<p>So far, I have found two ways to simplify the preparation:</p>

<ol>
<li>Some exploration cards (and other elements) are only used in a single scenario. I separate all such scenario-specific components, and store each such scenario separated.</li>
<li>Storing the exploration card sorted alphabetically greatly decreases the search time.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T01:42:30.790Z
This obviously requires longer pack up time as well to keep things sorted
link64
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T07:32:20.500Z
Obviously. However, the net time gain is substantial.
tsuma534
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-16T05:01:00.097Z
You'd be pleased to find out that the second edition rules recommend we sort cards alphabetically =)
link64
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T21:17:14.073Z
2016-05-03T21:17:14.073Z
tsuma534
<p>I own the core game, and the Forgotten Alchemy and the Call of the Wild expansions. That means a lot of cards.</p>

<p>That also means that before every session, there is a lot of preparation. The worst part is sorting out the necessary Exploration cards. I love the game itself, but this preparation slowly drives me into madness... Well, this might have been the designer's intention in the first place. </p>

<p>Is there a way to organize everything in a way that results in less preparation time?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-29T05:41:37.907Z
I'm with you - I've resorted to setting up prior to the main group arriving. Takes up to 30 minutes. I hate setting up in front of the other players, especially when we have new ones as they tend to want to ask questions which can distract during the set-up, resulting in potentially wrong setup and broken game that you don't realise till much later!
link64
<mansions-of-madness>
How to prepare for a Mansions of Madness session efficiently?
Zsolt Szatmari
# How to prepare for a Mansions of Madness session efficiently?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-02-27)

I own the core game, and the Forgotten Alchemy and the Call of the Wild expansions. That means a lot of cards.

That also means that before every session, there is a lot of preparation. The worst part is sorting out the necessary Exploration cards. I love the game itself, but this preparation slowly drives me into madness... Well, this might have been the designer's intention in the first place.

Is there a way to organize everything in a way that results in less preparation time?

**Tags:** mansions-of-madness

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I'm with you - I've resorted to setting up prior to the main group arriving. Takes up to 30 minutes. I hate setting up in front of the other players, especially when we have new ones as they tend to want to ask questions which can distract during the set-up, resulting in potentially wrong setup and broken game that you don't realise till much later!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-03. Score: 5

So far, I have found two ways to simplify the preparation:

1. Some exploration cards (and other elements) are only used in a single scenario. I separate all such scenario-specific components, and store each such scenario separated.
2. Storing the exploration card sorted alphabetically greatly decreases the search time.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This obviously requires longer pack up time as well to keep things sorted  
> **username_2**: Obviously. However, the net time gain is substantial.  
> **username_1**: You'd be pleased to find out that the second edition rules recommend we sort cards alphabetically =)  

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