<p>After considering the links in this thread, I've concluded that the Silver Key artifact can be used anywhere you might spend a clue including re-rolls. The single situation I would say it cannot be used is where the wording says after resolving a research encounter, the investigator can spend a clue gained from that encounter to etc such as in the <a href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/eldritch-horror/p3/Marketing%20Images/Mystery%20Card/01_OccultResearch.jpg" rel="nofollow">Azathoth Occult Research mystery card</a>.</p>

<p>The whole purpose of this wording seems to be to imply that the investigator should have succeeded in gaining <em>that</em> specific clue in order to spend a clue, and not allow one to circumvent it (i.e. via the Astronomer ability) to supply a clue.</p>

<p>Apart from that case, it's an artifact, so should be viewed as all manner of awesome. A 1 clue per round boon in every non-specific clue interpretation sounds fair game to me.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-15T16:49:29.513Z
2015-06-15T16:49:29.513Z
Joey
<p>The description for the Silver Key artifact is</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Once per round, you may spend 1 less clue to pay for an effect</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This boardgamegeek thread discusses it, but I am still not clear what effects this covers or doesn't cover.</p>

<p><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1080669/silver-key-what-effect" rel="nofollow">https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1080669/silver-key-what-effect</a></p>

<p>My general thinking is most anything is valid as long as it isn't a specific clue that is needed to pay for an effect, i.e. a mystery that requires you to finish a research encounter and pay THAT clue toward solving it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-03T14:24:59.143Z
This thread seems to claim that anything is an effect if you spend clues: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/110153-silver-key-artifact/
Tom Wilkinson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-03T14:50:10.197Z
I'm leaning toward your thinking but still on the fence about cases, usually mystery solving, where they say to obtain a clue and then spend *that* clue to move forward, i.e. get an eldritch token to place on a mystery card. Given it's an artifact, I'm tempted to say yes to those cases.
Joey
<eldritch-horror>
With the Silver Key artifact, what effects can I spend 1 less clue?
Joey
# With the Silver Key artifact, what effects can I spend 1 less clue?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-05-30)

The description for the Silver Key artifact is

> Once per round, you may spend 1 less clue to pay for an effect

This boardgamegeek thread discusses it, but I am still not clear what effects this covers or doesn't cover.

<https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1080669/silver-key-what-effect>

My general thinking is most anything is valid as long as it isn't a specific clue that is needed to pay for an effect, i.e. a mystery that requires you to finish a research encounter and pay THAT clue toward solving it.

**Tags:** eldritch-horror

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This thread seems to claim that anything is an effect if you spend clues: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/110153-silver-key-artifact/  
> **username_0**: I'm leaning toward your thinking but still on the fence about cases, usually mystery solving, where they say to obtain a clue and then spend *that* clue to move forward, i.e. get an eldritch token to place on a mystery card. Given it's an artifact, I'm tempted to say yes to those cases.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2015-06-15. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

After considering the links in this thread, I've concluded that the Silver Key artifact can be used anywhere you might spend a clue including re-rolls. The single situation I would say it cannot be used is where the wording says after resolving a research encounter, the investigator can spend a clue gained from that encounter to etc such as in the [Azathoth Occult Research mystery card](https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/eldritch-horror/p3/Marketing%20Images/Mystery%20Card/01_OccultResearch.jpg).

The whole purpose of this wording seems to be to imply that the investigator should have succeeded in gaining *that* specific clue in order to spend a clue, and not allow one to circumvent it (i.e. via the Astronomer ability) to supply a clue.

Apart from that case, it's an artifact, so should be viewed as all manner of awesome. A 1 clue per round boon in every non-specific clue interpretation sounds fair game to me.


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