Witch Hunt (2013) Board Game

Witch Hunt is a card game released in 2013 by Good Little Games. It is a social deduction game where players take on the roles of villagers trying to uncover witches in their midst. With its simple rules and quick gameplay, Witch Hunt has become a popular choice for game nights and gatherings.

Game Components of Witch Hunt

22 poker-sized character cards

22 poker-sized team cards

8 jumbo-sized rule cards

6 jumbo-sized moderator script cards

A notepad for the moderator

Jumbo-sized identical counterparts for each character and team card

How To Setup Witch Hunt

To set up the game, choose one player to be the moderator, who will not be involved in the gameplay but will manage the game flow. The moderator selects the characters to be used based on the number of players (suggested sets are provided in the rules for up to 12 players). The moderator then shuffles the poker-sized character cards, pairs each with a Villager or Witch card, and distributes these pairs to the players secretly. The moderator notes down the combinations on the notepad.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Social Deduction, Party Game

Number of Players: 7-22

Playtime: 30-90 minutes

Objective: The villagers aim to eliminate all the witches, while the witches aim to eliminate all the villagers or ensure they cannot win.

Day Phase: Players discuss and vote to hang someone they suspect is a witch. A true majority is required to hang someone; otherwise, the moderator may intervene.

Night Phase: Certain characters wake up and perform tasks, such as the Witches identifying each other, Demons meddling with characters, Angels protecting players, and other special roles executing their abilities.

Character Roles: Include Acolyte, Witches, Peeping Tom, Oracle, Apprentice, Gambler, Bomber, Fortune Teller, Priest, Inquisitor, Hunter, Watchman, and others, each with unique abilities.

Player Experience

Witch Hunt offers a dynamic and interactive experience where players must use social deduction skills to identify and eliminate the opposing team. The game is filled with strategic moments and unexpected twists, as characters can gain extra lives, protect others, or deceive their teammates. The moderator’s role adds an extra layer of complexity, ensuring the game runs smoothly and maintaining the secrecy of character roles.

Pros

High Replayability: With multiple characters and roles, each game can be significantly different.

Social Interaction: Encourages active discussion and deduction among players.

Complex Strategies: Offers deep strategic gameplay with various character abilities.

Engaging Theme: The witch hunt theme adds a compelling narrative to the game.

Cons

Complex Setup: Requires careful setup and management by the moderator.

Long Playtime: Games can be lengthy, especially with larger player counts.

Dependence on Moderator: The game’s success heavily relies on the moderator’s skills and fairness.

Personal Thoughts on Witch Hunt

Witch Hunt is ideal for those who enjoy social deduction games and are looking for a challenging, interactive experience. It is perfect for large groups and can be a great addition to game nights or parties. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a quick, straightforward game due to its complex setup and lengthy playtime. For fans of games like “Werewolf” or “Mafia,” Witch Hunt offers a similar but more elaborate and strategic experience.

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