The Resistance: Avalon (2012) Board Game

The Resistance: Avalon is a standalone game in the popular hidden roles bluffing game series, The Resistance. It was released in 2012 by Indie Boards & Cards and designed by Don Eskridge. The game is set in the world of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, adding a medieval twist to the original game.

Game Components of The Resistance: Avalon

Hidden Role Cards: Players receive secret role cards, which can be good guys (knights) or bad guys (minions of Mordred).

Mission Cards: Success and failure cards used to determine the outcome of quests.

Leader Token: Marks the current leader who selects the team for the quest.

Lady of the Lake Card: Allows a player to gain information about another player’s role.

Special Role Cards: Includes Merlin, Percival, Morgana, Mordred, Oberon, and the Assassin, each with unique abilities and roles.

Quest Board: Tracks the progress and outcomes of the quests.

How To Setup The Resistance: Avalon

At the start of the game, each player receives a hidden role card, which they keep secret throughout the game. The evil players (minions of Mordred) open their eyes to identify each other, while special roles like Merlin and Percival follow specific rules during this phase. After all roles are revealed to their respective groups, the game begins with the first player taking on the leader role to select a team for the first quest.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hidden Roles: Players have secret roles that they must keep hidden.

Roles with Asymmetric Information: Different roles have varying levels of information about other players.

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players vote simultaneously on whether to approve or reject the team selected for the quest.

Team-Based Game: Players are divided into good and evil teams with different objectives.

Traitor Game: Evil players aim to sabotage the quests while good players aim to complete them.

Variable Player Powers: Special roles have unique abilities.

Voting: Players vote to approve or reject the team selected for each quest.

Objective: The good guys must complete three successful quests to win, while the evil players must sabotage three quests to win.

Player Experience

The Resistance: Avalon is a game of social deduction, bluffing, and strategy. Players must use their wits to figure out who is on their side and who is working against them. The game is highly interactive, with players engaging in discussions, accusations, and deception to achieve their goals. The special roles add an extra layer of complexity, making each game unique and challenging.

Pros

High Replayability: With multiple roles and varied player interactions, the game offers a different experience each time.

Deep Strategy: Requires careful deduction and strategic planning.

Social Interaction: Encourages active discussion and bluffing among players.

Thematic Depth: The Arthurian theme adds a rich narrative element to the game.

Large Player Range: Supports 5 to 10 players.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the many roles and strategies.

Lengthy Setup: Understanding the special roles and rules can take time.

Dependence on Player Count: The game is best with a larger player count, which can be a drawback for smaller groups.

Personal Thoughts on The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon is perfect for fans of social deduction games who enjoy complex strategies and dynamic player interactions. It is ideal for larger groups and game nights where active discussion and bluffing are appreciated. However, it may not be the best fit for new players or smaller groups due to its complexity and dependency on a larger player count. For those who enjoy the thrill of figuring out who to trust and the art of deception, The Resistance: Avalon is an excellent addition to their board game collection.

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