Camelot (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Camelot is a board game that was released in in 2005. It is designed by Tom Jolly and published by Wingnut Games. The game is set in the mythical realm of King Arthur’s court, where players take on the roles of knights of the Round Table. The game features real-time gameplay and simultaneous action selection, making it a fast-paced and dynamic experience for players.

Game Components of Camelot

Player Boards: Each player has a unique knight board.

Character Cards: Special abilities for each knight.

Quest Cards: For various quests such as the Tournament, Lancelot’s Armor, Excalibur, and the Holy Grail.

Black Cards: Representing evil actions and challenges.

White Cards: Used for heroic actions and quest completion.

Siege Engines: Tokens that indicate the progression of evil.

Miniatures: Knight and siege engine figures.

Game Board: Featuring Camelot and various quest locations.

Merlin Cards: Special cards to counter black cards.

Life Points: Track the health of each knight.

How To Setup Camelot

To set up the game, each player selects a knight and receives the corresponding character card and player board. The game board is placed centrally, with the various quest boards and spaces prepared. The black card deck and white card deck are shuffled, and each player starts with a set of white cards. Siege engines are placed on the board as indicated by the initial setup rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Progress Evil Phase: Players choose to draw a black card, add a siege engine to Camelot, or lose a life point.

Heroic Action Phase: Players can perform two actions such as moving to a quest, performing a quest-specific action, playing white cards, healing, or accusing a traitor.

Quests: There are several quests including the Tournament, Lancelot’s Armor, Excalibur, the Holy Grail, and battles against Saxons and Picts.

Hidden Traitor Mechanic: One player may be a traitor, working against the others to prevent them from winning.

Game Objective: The game is won by accumulating seven white swords at Camelot or lost if there are 12 siege engines on the board, all loyal knights have died, or 12 black swords are at Camelot.

Player Experience

Playing **Shadows Over Camelot** involves a mix of cooperation and deduction. Players must work together to complete quests and defend Camelot while also suspecting and potentially accusing a hidden traitor among them. The game is tense, especially as siege engines accumulate and options become more limited. The hidden traitor mechanic adds a layer of paranoia and social deduction, making each game unique.

Pros

High-Quality Components: The game features excellent miniatures, artwork, and card quality.

Hidden Traitor Mechanic: Easy to understand and plays well with new players up to a certain point.

Tension and Time Pressure: The game’s timer mechanism, using siege engines, creates a sense of urgency and forces strategic decisions.

Variable Traitor: Anyone can be the traitor, keeping the game fresh and tense.

Cons

Poker Hand Mechanics: The use of poker hands for quests feels out of place and disconnects from the game’s theme.

Limited Choices at Endgame: As the game progresses, player choices become more limited, which can feel restrictive.

Personal Thoughts on Camelot

**Shadows Over Camelot** is ideal for fans of cooperative and semi-cooperative games who enjoy social deduction and hidden traitor mechanics. It’s a great introduction to these genres due to its accessible rules and engaging gameplay. However, the game may not appeal to those who prefer more thematic consistency or more open-ended gameplay options, especially towards the end of the game. Overall, it’s a classic game that still offers a unique and thrilling experience, even nearly two decades after its release.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.