Safes finally open to keys — and the clockwork stops clawing at the lid

'All LOCK-type cards will work on it' was never wired: openSafes was
reset every turn and filled by nothing. A PICK LOCK or MASTER KEY
aimed at a safe's square (underfoot or beside) now opens it until
turn's end, with its own chronicle line; the dead never-emitted
safeOpened variant and its null humanize go. The automaton — H4EN's
Automaton II spent six turns grabbing at a locked lid saying 'I meant
to do that' — now cracks the box first (key or DISPEL CREATION, which
it held the whole time) and drops unopenable safes from its goals
rather than marching to one forever.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_015RCWSTnb1KYTPyL4GmhGnF

packages/engine/src/automaton.ts

@@ -652,6 +652,17 @@ function treasureGoals(view: GameView): Set<string> {
   }
   for (const t of view.treasures) {
     if (!t.position || t.carriedBy) continue;
+    // A chest inside someone else's SAFE is no goal without a way in — a
+    // lock card turns the combination, DISPEL CREATION removes the box.
+    // Marching to an unopenable safe stalls the clockwork on it forever.
+    const boxKey = cellKey(t.position);
+    if (view.squareContents[boxKey]?.kind === "safe" &&
+        view.squareContents[boxKey]!.createdBy !== view.you &&
+        !view.openSafes.includes(boxKey) &&
+        !inHand(view, "pick-lock") && !inHand(view, "master-key") &&
+        !inHand(view, "dispel-creation")) {
+      continue;
+    }
     if (t.owner === view.you) {
       // REPOSSESSION: my own gold banked at an enemy's home is a point on
       // THEIR scoreboard. Marching to take it back is worth the detour
@@ -1302,7 +1313,17 @@ export function automatonCommand(
                  // Repossessing my own gold off an enemy's home square.
                  view.players.some((p) => p.id !== you && cellKey(p.home) === here)),
       );
-      if (prize) return { type: "pickUpTreasure", treasureId: prize.id };
+      if (prize) {
+        // A SAFE over the prize: turn the combination (or dispel the box)
+        // before reaching for the gold — the grab itself would be refused.
+        const boxed = view.squareContents[here]?.kind === "safe" &&
+          view.squareContents[here]!.createdBy !== you && !view.openSafes.includes(here);
+        if (!boxed) return { type: "pickUpTreasure", treasureId: prize.id };
+        const key = inHand(view, "pick-lock") ?? inHand(view, "master-key");
+        if (key) return { type: "cast", instanceId: key.instanceId, target: { kind: "cell", cell: self.position } };
+        const dispel = inHand(view, "dispel-creation");
+        if (dispel) return { type: "cast", instanceId: dispel.instanceId, target: { kind: "cell", cell: self.position } };
+      }
     }
 
     // Wounded clockwork teleports clear of visible hunters.

packages/engine/src/game.ts

@@ -703,7 +703,6 @@ export type GameEvent =
   | { type: "boobytrapPlacedPrivate"; visibleTo: PlayerId; realCell: Cell }
   | { type: "objectsGlued"; caster: PlayerId; at: Cell; turns: number }
   | { type: "safeCreated"; caster: PlayerId; at: Cell }
-  | { type: "safeOpened"; player: PlayerId; at: Cell }
   | { type: "itemsTraded"; caster: PlayerId; a: Cell; b: Cell }
   | { type: "stoneTurnedToWater"; caster: PlayerId; at: Cell | null; edge?: { cell: Cell; side: Side } }
   | { type: "handsSwapped"; a: PlayerId; b: PlayerId }
@@ -745,6 +744,7 @@ export type GameEvent =
   | { type: "extraTurnGranted"; player: PlayerId }
   | { type: "lifeTraded"; player: PlayerId; points: number; newAllowance: number }
   | { type: "madDash"; player: PlayerId; newAllowance: number }
+  | { type: "safeOpened"; player: PlayerId; cell: Cell; withCardId: string }
   | { type: "trapSprung"; player: PlayerId; cardId?: string }
   | { type: "died"; player: PlayerId; killedBy: PlayerId | null }
   | { type: "handTaken"; from: PlayerId; to: PlayerId; count: number }
@@ -3588,6 +3588,17 @@ function unlockDoor(
   cardId: string,
   opts: { requireAdjacent: boolean },
 ): string | null {
+  // "All LOCK-type cards will work on it" — aimed at a SAFE's square
+  // (underfoot or beside), the key opens it until the turn ends.
+  const cell = cmd.target?.kind === "cell" ? cmd.target.cell : null;
+  if (cell && state.squareContents[cellKey(cell)]?.kind === "safe") {
+    const d = Math.abs(caster.position.x - cell.x) + Math.abs(caster.position.y - cell.y);
+    if (d > 1) return "you must be at or beside the safe";
+    const key = cellKey(cell);
+    if (!state.openSafes.includes(key)) state.openSafes.push(key);
+    events.push({ type: "safeOpened", player: caster.id, cell: { ...cell }, withCardId: cardId });
+    return null;
+  }
   const found = doorTarget(state, cmd);
   if (typeof found === "string") return found;
   const key = edgeKey(found.cell, found.side);

packages/engine/test/automaton.test.ts

@@ -1008,6 +1008,42 @@ describe("interception, escape, and hazard sense", () => {
     expect(applyCommand(state, "bot", cmd!).ok).toBe(true);
   });
 
+  it("cracks a safe over the prize instead of grabbing at the lid forever", () => {
+    let { state } = createGame({ playerIds: ["foe", "bot"], seed: 42, sets: ["basic", "expansion1"] });
+    state = toBot(state);
+    const bot = state.players.find((p) => p.id === "bot")!;
+    const chest = state.treasures.find((t) => t.owner === "foe" && t.position)!;
+    state.squareContents[cellKey(chest.position!)] = { kind: "safe", damage: 0, createdBy: "foe" };
+    bot.position = { ...chest.position! };
+    bot.hand = [{ cardId: "dispel-creation", instanceId: "DC" }];
+    const cmd = automatonCommand(viewFor(state, "bot"), "hunter", "archmage");
+    expect(cmd).toMatchObject({ type: "cast", instanceId: "DC", target: { kind: "cell" } });
+    const r = applyCommand(state, "bot", cmd!);
+    expect(r.ok).toBe(true);
+    // The box gone, the very next thought is the grab.
+    const next = automatonCommand(viewFor(r.state, "bot"), "hunter", "archmage");
+    expect(next).toMatchObject({ type: "pickUpTreasure" });
+  });
+
+  it("never proposes the doomed grab on a safe it cannot open", () => {
+    let { state } = createGame({ playerIds: ["foe", "bot"], seed: 42, sets: ["basic", "expansion1"] });
+    state = toBot(state);
+    const bot = state.players.find((p) => p.id === "bot")!;
+    const chest = state.treasures.find((t) => t.owner === "foe" && t.position)!;
+    state.squareContents[cellKey(chest.position!)] = { kind: "safe", damage: 0, createdBy: "foe" };
+    bot.position = { ...chest.position! };
+    bot.hand = [{ cardId: "number-3", instanceId: "N3" }];
+    for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
+      const cmd = automatonCommand(viewFor(state, "bot"), "hunter", "archmage");
+      if (!cmd) break;
+      expect(cmd.type).not.toBe("pickUpTreasure");
+      const r = applyCommand(state, "bot", cmd);
+      expect(r.ok).toBe(true);
+      state = r.state;
+      if (cmd.type === "endTurn") break;
+    }
+  });
+
   it("a pressed carrier of any temperament turns to mist", () => {
     let { state } = createGame({ playerIds: ["foe", "bot"], seed: 42, sets: ["basic", "expansion1"] });
     state = toBot(state);

packages/engine/test/terrain-objects-control.test.ts

@@ -109,6 +109,47 @@ describe("terrain", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("safes and lock cards", () => {
+  function safeRig() {
+    let { state } = createGame({ playerIds: ["alice", "bob"], seed: 42, sets: ["basic", "expansion1"] });
+    state = toRound2(state);
+    const raider = activePlayer(state);
+    const owner = state.players.find((p) => p.id !== raider.id)!;
+    const chest = state.treasures.find((t) => t.owner === owner.id && t.position)!;
+    state.squareContents[cellKey(chest.position!)] = { kind: "safe", damage: 0, createdBy: owner.id };
+    raider.position = { ...chest.position! };
+    return { state, raider: raider.id, chest };
+  }
+
+  it("a pick lock aimed at the safe's square opens it until turn's end", () => {
+    let { state, raider, chest } = safeRig();
+    expect(applyCommand(state, raider, { type: "pickUpTreasure" }).ok).toBe(false);
+    const pl = giveCard(state, raider, "pick-lock", "PL", 0);
+    const here = state.players.find((p) => p.id === raider)!.position;
+    state = must(state, raider, {
+      type: "cast", instanceId: pl.instanceId, target: { kind: "cell", cell: { ...here } },
+    });
+    expect(state.openSafes).toContain(cellKey(here));
+    state = must(state, raider, { type: "pickUpTreasure" });
+    expect(state.treasures.find((t) => t.id === chest.id)!.carriedBy).toBe(raider);
+    state = must(state, raider, { type: "endTurn", draw: 0 });
+    expect(state.openSafes).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("the key must be at or beside the safe", () => {
+    let { state, raider } = safeRig();
+    const p = state.players.find((q) => q.id === raider)!;
+    const box = { ...p.position };
+    p.position = { x: (box.x + 3) % 10, y: (box.y + 3) % 10 };
+    const pl = giveCard(state, raider, "pick-lock", "PL", 0);
+    const r = applyCommand(state, raider, {
+      type: "cast", instanceId: pl.instanceId, target: { kind: "cell", cell: box },
+    });
+    expect(r.ok).toBe(false);
+    if (!r.ok) expect(r.error).toMatch(/beside the safe/);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("objects", () => {
   it("a thrown dagger does physical damage full shield cannot stop, then lies on the floor", () => {
     let { state } = newGame();

packages/web/src/App.svelte

@@ -786,6 +786,13 @@
       confirmTeleport();
       return;
     }
+    if (selectedCard && (selectedCard.cardId === "pick-lock" || selectedCard.cardId === "master-key") &&
+        view.squareContents[cellKey(cell)]?.kind === "safe") {
+      // A key aimed at a SAFE's square opens the box, not a door.
+      dispatch(withMods({ type: "cast", instanceId: selectedCard.instanceId, target: { kind: "cell", cell } }));
+      clearSelection();
+      return;
+    }
     if (selectedCard?.cardId === "relocate-sector") {
       // Any board click (re-)picks the sector; the landing is chosen from the
       // dashed ghost slots beyond the maze, since every on-board slot is taken.

packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts

@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ export function humanize(e: GameEvent): string | null {
       : `${e.player} is stone — the damage has no effect.`;
     case "lifeGained": return `${e.player} gains ${e.amount} life (${e.source}) — now ${e.lifeAfter}.`;
     case "madDash": return `${e.player} MAD DASHES — every stride doubles: ${e.newAllowance} movement this turn!`;
+    case "safeOpened": return `${e.player}'s ${cardDef(e.withCardId).name} clicks the safe open — until turn's end.`;
     case "spellSustained": return `${spellName(e.cardId)} settles over ${e.target} (${e.turns} turn${e.turns === 1 ? "" : "s"}).`;
     case "spellExpired": return `${spellName(e.cardId)} wears off ${e.target}.`;
     case "teleported": return e.by === e.player
@@ -162,7 +163,6 @@ export function humanize(e: GameEvent): string | null {
     case "boobytrapBlank": return `${e.player} flips a face-down token — a blank. The rest still wait.`;
     case "objectsGlued": return `Everything on that square is glued down (${e.turns} turns).`;
     case "safeCreated": return `A massive safe slams down around the loot.`;
-    case "safeOpened": return null;
     case "itemsTraded": return `Two items blink and trade places.`;
     case "stoneTurnedToWater": return `Stone runs like water — a wave crashes out!`;
     case "handsSwapped": return `${e.a} and ${e.b} trade entire hands of cards!`;