Traitor Mechanic: The Traitor Mechanic Game (2016) Board Game

Traitor Mechanic: The Traitor Mechanic Game is a bluffing and deduction card game released in in 2016. Designed by Jennifer Closson and featuring artwork by Dice Hate Me Games, the game is designed for 4-10 players and has a playtime of 20-30 minutes. In this game, players take on the roles of mechanics working on a spaceship, but one of them is secretly a traitor trying to sabotage the mission.

Game Components of Traitor Mechanic: The Traitor Mechanic Game

Player role cards: Determine if a player is a mechanic or a traitor.

Parts cards: Include items like belts, tires, windows, and headlights.

Job cards: Specify the required parts for each repair job.

Shop budget: Starts at $150.

Box dimensions: 7.5 x 3.75 x 1.25 inches (or 7.75 × 3.9 × 1.4 in according to another source).

How To Setup Traitor Mechanic: The Traitor Mechanic Game

Before the game begins, each player is given a role card at random, determining whether they are a mechanic or a traitor. For 4-6 player games, there is one traitor; for 7-10 player games, there are two traitors. Each player receives a handful of parts cards. The shop’s budget is set to $150.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Role Assignment: Players are randomly assigned as mechanics or traitors.

Job Selection: One player becomes the boss each turn and decides to take an available job or not.

Part Contribution: Players contribute two face-down parts cards to fulfill the job’s requirements.

Job Success/Failure: Jobs succeed if the required parts are provided; otherwise, they fail.

Suspicion Mechanism: Players can blindly discard another player’s cards if they suspect betrayal.

Game Objective:

Mechanics: Complete three successful jobs without the shop running out of money.

Traitors: Deplete the shop’s budget before three successful jobs are completed.

Player Experience

**Traitor Mechanic** encourages active participation and conversation among players. The game doesn’t feature player elimination, ensuring everyone remains involved throughout. The rotating boss role adds a layer of strategy and gives each player a chance to participate. While the game doesn’t favor the mechanics, it requires the traitors to play aggressively to sabotage the team’s efforts. The presence of two traitors in larger games increases suspicion and card variance, making the game more engaging.

Pros

Engaging Social Deduction: Encourages conversation and participation.

Variable Player Roles: Keeps the game unique each time.

No Player Elimination: Everyone stays involved.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but requires strategic play.

Unique Theme: A car-themed game that avoids common motorsports or factory production themes.

Cons

Dependence on Traitor Aggression: The game’s challenge relies heavily on the traitor’s active sabotage.

Quick Deduction in Smaller Games: With only one traitor, deduction can be quicker and less suspenseful.

Personal Thoughts on Traitor Mechanic: The Traitor Mechanic Game

**Traitor Mechanic** is ideal for fans of social deduction games like *The Resistance* and *Saboteur*. It is recommended for groups seeking a fun, interactive game that combines strategy with social interaction. The game is suitable for players aged 8 or older and supports 4 to 10 players, making it versatile for different group sizes. Overall, it’s a cleverly designed game that offers a unique blend of card-laying and social deduction.

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