- See also: Omen
Doom is a game mechanic in Eldritch Horror that counts down the amount of time until the Ancient One awakens from slumber. It is measured as a number, and can go up or down during the game. The beginning level of Doom is specified on the Ancient One's sheet. Any card or effect that says to "advance" Doom subtracts that number from the level of Doom, and any effect that "retreats" Doom adds that number.
Once Doom hits zero, the Ancient One awakens. If the Ancient One is 
Azathoth or 
Syzygy, the game ends. Otherwise, the Ancient One card flips over and the Final Mystery takes place.
After the Ancient One has awoken, advancing Doom will have a different effect than normal: the Final Mystery will explain what happens when Doom advances. Retreating Doom has no effect if the Ancient One awakens, unless the Final Mystery specifies it.
Advancing Doom
Any card or effect that says to advance Doom will increase the level of Doom. However, there are other ways to advance Doom within the game:
- If the Omen rotates, and the new Omen shares a symbol with an open gate, advance the Doom by 1 for each Gate.
- If an investigator is defeated or devoured, advance the Doom by 1.
This always holds true unless a card effect specifically says not to advance the Doom when this occurs.
Retreating Doom
Some cards or effects allow investigators to retrat Doom; some of the most common are ways are as follows:
- A Defeated Investigator Encounter often retreat Doom as a reward.
- An Expedition Encounters is most likely to retreat Doom.
- The most of the Task Unique Assets have one variant allowing to retreat Doom.
- An investigator's ability, from his sheet or Personal Story can retreat Doom under certain specific conditions (e.g.
Monterey Jack).
