Lupus in Tabula (2001) Board Game

Lupus in Tabula, which translates to “Werewolf in the Village,” is a popular social deduction party game that was first released in in 2001. Designed by Domenico Di Giorgio and published by DV Games, the game has become a staple in the genre of bluffing and deduction games. With a horror-themed setting and a focus on player elimination and voting mechanics, Lupus in Tabula is a game that thrives on deception and strategy.

Game Components of Lupus in Tabula

Player cards: Each player receives a role card indicating whether they are a villager or a werewolf.

Night and Day tokens: Tokens to mark the transition between night and day phases.

Victim tokens: Tokens to represent the victims of the werewolves.

Moderator tokens: Tokens for the moderator to manage the game flow.

Rulebook: A guide to set up and play the game.

How To Setup Lupus in Tabula

To set up the game, the moderator shuffles the role cards and distributes them to the players. Each player looks at their card to determine their role without revealing it to others. The moderator explains the roles and the rules, ensuring everyone understands the objectives and mechanics. The game is divided into night and day phases, with the night phase starting immediately after setup.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Night Phase: During the night, all players close their eyes. The moderator tells the werewolves to open their eyes and identify each other. The werewolves then silently agree on a victim.

Day Phase: The moderator announces the victim and removes them from the game. The remaining players discuss and vote to lynch one of their own, hoping to eliminate a werewolf.

Objective: Villagers aim to eliminate all werewolves, while werewolves strive to outnumber the villagers.

Player Experience

Playing Lupus in Tabula is a dynamic and interactive experience that combines social deduction, negotiation, and strategy. Players must use their communication skills to convince others of their innocence or guilt, making it a great game for those who enjoy social interaction and teamwork.

Pros

High replayability: With random role assignments, each game is unique.

Social interaction: Encourages negotiation and deduction among players.

Easy to learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Large player capacity: Supports up to 24 players.

Cons

Dependent on group dynamics: The game’s enjoyment can vary based on the group’s engagement and behavior.

Moderator required: Needs a dedicated moderator to manage the game flow.

Time-consuming with large groups: Games with more players can extend the playtime.

Personal Thoughts on Lupus in Tabula

Lupus in Tabula is ideal for large groups and social gatherings where interaction and teamwork are key. It is a great choice for those who enjoy Werewolf/Mafia games and are looking for a game that combines negotiation and strategy. However, it may not be the best fit for smaller groups or those who prefer more complex, strategic gameplay.

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