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The Resistance: Avalon box art

The Resistance: Avalon

Game ID: GID0344878
Game Info
Year
2012
Players
5-10
Playtime
30 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Expansions & Family
Blood on the Clocktower Werewolf The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow
Mechanic profile
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Description

The Resistance: Avalon pits the forces of Good and Evil in a battle to control the future of civilization. Arthur represents the future of Britain, a promise of prosperity and honor, yet hidden among his brave warriors are Mordred's unscrupulous minions. These forces of evil are few in number but have knowledge of each other and remain hidden from all but one of Arthur's servants. Merlin alone knows the agents of evil, but he must speak of this only in riddles. If his true identity is discovered, all will be lost.

The Resistance: Avalon is a standalone game, and while The Resistance is not required to play, the games are compatible and can be combined.

Description

The Resistance: Avalon pits the forces of Good and Evil in a battle to control the future of civilization. Arthur represents the future of Britain, a promise of prosperity and honor, yet hidden among his brave warriors are Mordred's unscrupulous minions. These forces of evil are few in number but have knowledge of each other and remain hidden from all but one of Arthur's servants. Merlin alone knows the agents of evil, but he must speak of this only in riddles. If his true identity is discovered, all will be lost.

The Resistance: Avalon is a standalone game, and while The Resistance is not required to play, the games are compatible and can be combined.

Featured Videos
Rules Teach
THE RESISTANCE: AVALON - How to Play

THE RESISTANCE: AVALON - How to Play

Rum & Board Jul 14, 2026
Playthrough
THE RESISTANCE: AVALON - Play Through

THE RESISTANCE: AVALON - Play Through

Rum & Board Jul 14, 2026
Ask a Rules Question
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 22
This page: 22
Sentiment: pos 19 · mix 1 · neu 0 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Showing 1–22 of 22
Video 2jKoKGuqrac Rum & Board Rules Teach at 0:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 92211 · mention_pk 247699
Rum & Board - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Enriches the game and gets players more invested by telling stories.
  • Optional characters add more intrigue and change the balance of good and evil.
  • Encourages discussion, bluffing, tricking, persuasion, and mind-reading.
  • Optional Lady of the Lake token allows learning allegiances.
Cons
  • Potential for embarrassment if five failed votes for a quest team occur in a row.
  • Merlin's vulnerability if identified by the minions of Mordred.
Thematic elements
  • Loyalty and betrayal in the followers of King Arthur, with good fighting against the minions of Mordred.
  • Medieval Arthurian England
  • Players take on roles and try to complete quests, with the narrative unfolding based on the success or failure of these quests and the players' interactions.
Comparison games
  • The Resistance
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players must deduce the roles of others based on their actions and statements.
  • Hidden Roles — Players are secretly assigned roles as followers of King Arthur or minions of Mordred.
  • Set collection (quest success/failure) — The game is won or lost based on achieving a certain number of successful or failed quests.
  • Team nomination — Players nominate teams to go on quests, which are then voted on by all players.
  • Voting — Players vote to approve or reject proposed quest teams.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The resistance Avalon is that game with a medieval reskin and some additional rules.
  • some people love space themes other people love medieval themes so it just makes sense to sell two copies of your game more cash monies cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching game developers
  • The fate of the realm will depend on whether you can identify which players are evil before it's too late.
  • Merlin who can use his magical crystal ball like some Minority Report to figure out who the bad guys are.
  • This entire phase is designed for lots and lots of arguing, I mean civil discussion.
  • This is the moment that all of your finely honed skills of bluffing, tricking, persuasion, diplomacy and mind-reading have been waiting for.
  • It's as terrible and amazing as it sounds.
  • So that's Avalon the game where you just keep talking I guess somebody thought filibustering should be a game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HEAio-gMRSk Rum & Board Playthrough at 30:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 92209 · mention_pk 247681
Rum & Board - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 30:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • The game has a good theme.
  • The game is fun to play with friends.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Good vs. Evil, deception, loyalty
  • Arthurian legend
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players use information from mission outcomes and player behavior to deduce roles.
  • Hidden Roles — Players have hidden roles as either loyal servants of Arthur or minions of Mordred, with one player being Merlin.
  • Social Deduction — Players must deduce who is on which team based on voting and mission outcomes.
  • Team Selection — Players vote on teams to go on quests.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Can we rescue a dragon
  • There's a dragon being held captive by a unicorn
  • We need to find a better name for this user
  • We're going hunting in the forest with the goal of finding Pedro's parents
  • we're actually not allowed to talk while the boats are happening
  • we're going to go kill the unit dude
  • we need to study the ancient lore books
  • we uncovered the beasts
  • we're going to investigate the UM the unicorn Peter Loftus is economic ties
  • so afraid Jordan is gonna be on the wrong team
  • I do not trust you at all
  • it was like a murder mystery invitations great party
  • so I'm okay maybe you were the assassin the whole time
  • thanks for watching you guys hopefully you enjoyed us playing as much as we enjoyed us playing
  • remember to subscribe to us to see more videos of us enjoying ourselves at a table with our friends
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video J8YEwhb6C5w Meeple University Analysis at 8:28 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 91157 · mention_pk 244352
Meeple University - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Can be played by beginners
  • Involves hidden mathematical deduction
Cons
  • Playing with people who really love the game and play it a lot is not a party game
  • Can't sit down with strangers and play it at that higher level
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Requires players to use deduction to identify traitors.
  • Hidden Roles — Players have hidden roles such as loyal servants or minion of Mordred.
  • Social Deduction — Players deduce the roles of others through actions and discussion.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • if it can't accommodate at least five it's not a party game
  • your definition of party game is a game that place sadness fine please have to be at least 5 yep
  • and then what has to be simple enough in componentry to be played easily at a party hmm and it has to be simple enough that you can explain it I'm inside probably 10 minutes yep and have it be understood by gamers and non-gamers I think those are the hallmarks of a genuine party game
  • if the game isn't generating laughter naturally through playing it then it's not really a party game
  • there's a lot of chaos element often that's what causes the the humor
  • it really depends on the people that we're playing with as well
  • it can read like party on paper but then it people aren't quick enough to like make it fun party or they're not happy enough to just throw a caution to the wind and wind and lose and have it be funny and it becomes really understand
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 30am6u6kxa4 Shelfside Playthrough at 4:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 90284 · mention_pk 241041
Shelfside - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 4:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Engaging social deduction with bluffing and misdirection
  • High replayability due to hidden information and player interaction
  • Clear tension and group dynamics
Cons
  • Can be chaotic with a large group
  • Quality depends on player engagement and honesty
Thematic elements
  • deception, deduction, trust
  • Arthurian-themed resistance scenario where loyal servants of Arthur attempt to complete missions
  • dialog-driven social interaction with hidden roles
Comparison games
  • Avalon
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players discuss behavior to deduce who is spying.
  • discussion and deduction — Players discuss behavior to deduce who is spying.
  • Hidden Roles — Players are secretly assigned good or evil roles that guide their objectives.
  • Mission outcome with hidden sabotage — Spies can secretly sabotage missions, while resistance members try to succeed.
  • Team selection and voting — Players vote on groups sent on missions; discussion influences outcomes.
  • Voting — Players vote on groups sent on missions; discussion influences outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a one-third chance is any of us
  • i'm like a lie detector man
  • i knew he was a spy
  • you can trust me
  • this video for every the resistance game ever was recommended by arjun t hopefully i'm saying that right
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jZHhrqQPSeE BigPasti Analysis at 6:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 88517 · mention_pk 233462
BigPasti - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • mechanics support organic storytelling and table-level meta
  • flexibility with character variants enables creativity and replayability
Cons
  • depends heavily on a table with good group dynamics
  • some players may feel betrayed by hidden roles
Thematic elements
  • trust, deduction, and hidden allegiance
  • Arthurian legend, knights of the Round Table
  • passionate appraisal with emphasis on player agency
Comparison games
  • Secret Hitler
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • End Game Bonuses — The Assassin can try to identify Merlin at the end to win for the evil team.
  • Endgame assassination mechanic — The Assassin can try to identify Merlin at the end to win for the evil team.
  • Hidden roles with social deduction — Players take on righteous or treacherous roles (Merlin, Assassin, etc.) and must deduce allies and foes through discussion.
  • Social Deduction — Players take on righteous or treacherous roles (Merlin, Assassin, etc.) and must deduce allies and foes through discussion.
  • team-based missions — Groups form to go on quests; success or failure influences the overall arc.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the policy deck is terrible game design
  • it's a boring game
  • I give secret Hitler a two out of ten
  • it's just an illusion that your choices matter
  • Avalon is actually a fucking game
  • the mechanics are so fucking sound
  • Avalon lets you tell your own stories
  • secret Hitler tells one story and it's a story that's pre-programmed in the Box
  • Avalon is actually a game, it's a mechanism to actually deduce what people's intentions are
  • secret Hitler is a game meant for people who don't like social deduction
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B4M_5E3ik3Q UndeadVikingVideos Discussion at 3:27:04
video_pk 87800 · mention_pk 230103
UndeadVikingVideos - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:27:04 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
  • Avalon
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players need to deduce who the bad guys are.
  • Hidden Roles — The game has hidden roles for players.
  • Social Deduction — The game is based on social deduction.
  • Voting — There's a voting mechanic for missions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • game they considered street racing a sport
  • I guess we considered illegal but yeah I used to go to a bunch of them up in Philly down by the airport back in like the 90s and all that guys there spare transmissions
  • I love car meets car meets are fun to go to too
  • Breaking the Law now they actually got people on that too at one point they were cracking down on it
  • I drive a piece of [__] Dodge Dakota that's nearly 20 years old
  • it's got more rust than than paint it's you know I mean that's beautiful Mad Max style
  • This weed's gonna be so good because we can turn it into a rope
  • it's like a side Scraper on its side
  • I got my basketball grievance out of the way
  • I had a weird experience my Jen's brother stepbrother had a 60th birthday party
  • well she's getting a touchy Fey with her old lady like well don't make her problem it's my problem
  • the big theory is why Damen priest is gonna lose the belt
  • pulled off the Canadian Destroyer that on the outside outside of the Ring no that was great
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tN0UJ89MF6o JestaThaRogue Top 10 List at 5:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 87355 · mention_pk 228144
JestaThaRogue - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:24 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • rich social manipulation and discussion
  • replayability with multiple roles
Cons
  • table talk can be lengthy
  • reliant on experienced players for best experience
Thematic elements
  • moral choices, truth versus lies
  • Arthurian legend with hidden loyalties
  • dialogue-heavy negotiation and vote-based missions
Comparison games
  • The Resistance
  • One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Hidden Roles — players have loyal servant or evil minion roles (and Merlin) influencing decisions
  • team assignment and voting — selected players go on missions; votes determine success or failure
  • Voting — selected players go on missions; votes determine success or failure
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The Hidden roles are great but a long Play Time exacerbated by player talk and player elimination put this on the downside
  • it's a very simple game you don't necessarily need to know the answer to the question
  • I love this game
  • I do have fun memories playing this with my many many good friends
  • I really enjoy the game as the seer and the Werewolf trying to help and hinder without being too obvious
  • plays from 6 to 30 players
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video glO84_uY1dk Chairman of the Board Top List at 3:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86790 · mention_pk 225883
Chairman of the Board - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Favorite social deduction game.
  • Great player interaction.
  • Facilitates deception and trust.
  • Leads to fun game nights.
Cons
  • Requires a high player count, so it's not played as much as desired.
Thematic elements
  • Intrigue between loyalists and minions of Mordred
  • Arthurian Legend
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Social Deduction — Players are divided into loyal to Arthur and minions of Mordred. Traitors try to sabotage missions while gaining trust and blaming others.
  • Teamwork/Betrayal — Players form teams for missions, where traitors can sabotage. Merlin knows the traitors but must not be obvious.
  • Voting — Players vote on who should be on the team for each mission.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hey everybody and welcome back to my top 100 board games of all time today I'll be continuing the series with games 90 through 81
  • one of the simplest area control games that I've played yet still one of the best
  • if you want a a dice driven game with tons to M over really carefully strategize about what you want to do planning to the nth degree um it doesn't really get much better than trist ma Justice
  • hopefully you have enoyed enjoyed it if you have please be sure to hit like And subscribe to the channel and check out my other content too
  • for everybody else I'll see you next time on chairman of the board bye-bye
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mbtuGD4Q68o Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Top List at 5:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86388 · mention_pk 223274
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:41 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Great for extended family gatherings
  • Lots of different roles and cards with the big box edition
  • Keeps things moving and engaging
  • Satisfying betrayals and reveals
Cons
  • Can cause arguments and strain relationships
Thematic elements
  • Good vs. Evil in a social deduction context.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing — Deception and bluffing are key mechanics as players try to deduce who is on their team and who is not.
  • Hidden Roles — Players have hidden roles that determine their allegiances and knowledge.
  • Social Deduction — Players are secretly assigned roles as good or bad guys, with the bad guys knowing each other. The game revolves around deduction and deception.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • if we reach 3,000 subscribers we would do our top 100 games of all time
  • it's like how do you pick out the best ones and then on top of that how do you rank the best ones
  • if my mind is able to be fully present which game do I prefer
  • we're going through this 10 games at a time so today's video we're going through 100 through 91
  • this is such a fun pretty game and it's so mean like you don't realize how mean this game is until you play it
  • the game playay itself is so unbelievably chill this is super relaxing experience
  • the system the gameplay of this game is so strong and so good
  • I don't care if I win or lose it doesn't matter what matters is how good of a story did I create at the end of the game
  • Ticket to Ride what a classic uh game
  • Ticket to Ride Legacy garbage it doesn't count for this
  • it is incredibly adorable it is aggressively adorable
  • absolutely a brain burner thinky experience as well
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2EwauOPvJJ4 Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Top List at 8:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85944 · mention_pk 221302
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Quential social deduction game
  • Always requested for family gatherings
  • Leads to a lot of arguing and accusation
Cons
  • Can cause hurt feelings and arguments
Thematic elements
  • Good vs. Evil, loyalty and deception
  • King Arthur's Court
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players deduce roles based on actions and votes.
  • hidden traitor — Some players are secretly working against the group.
  • Social Deduction — Players try to identify hidden roles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is so streamlined it's so easy
  • it is a really cool game each time you play it is different because of the way the cubes drop out
  • this is a much lighter Feld it's a very cute game
  • this is just such a classic Cooperative game
  • there's never a time where I've played this game and there hasn't been some event that's come out of it that gets brought up years and years and years to come
  • we're not going for a high scoore anymore we are simply going for having the most amount of fun talking through these cases in a funny British accent
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 81sOHE-7BGQ Chairman of the Board Analysis at 19:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85651 · mention_pk 220108
Chairman of the Board - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Highly Positive
Pros
  • Still in collection
  • Still love it
  • Was host's number one game of all time
  • Best social deduction game
  • Roles synergize well
  • Still hasn't gotten old for the host
  • The measuring stick for social deduction games
Cons
  • Dry spell in playing it
  • Needs 6+ players to really enjoy
  • Host has only played it 20 times, not hundreds
Thematic elements
  • Social Deduction
  • Arthurian
Comparison games
  • The Resistance: Quest
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Hidden Roles — deceive each other
  • Social Deduction — the best social deduction game
  • Teamwork — make people pass or fail missions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Took me a long time to learn.
  • the more I think that kind of the cleanliness of rules, the streamlining of rules, for me, that is real good game design.
  • I still give it like a six out of 10.
  • When I play this one, I kind of feel very cold on it to be honest.
  • I just prefer competitive games in general. I can't explain why.
  • Still good game. Again, an absolute classic, but completely numb on it now. I'm not really interested in playing it anymore.
  • And yeah, I absolutely love and advocate this one non-stop.
  • It's actually a lot of fun.
  • I think this game is so genius.
  • For me, this is always the measuring stick when it comes to social deduction.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LH_bliosEk8 Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Top 10 List at 1:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85052 · mention_pk 217221
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Strong social deduction core
  • highly replayable with different groups
  • fits well as a party or large-group game
Cons
  • Can be chaotic with larger groups
  • depends on player interaction to shine
Thematic elements
  • hidden roles, social deduction
  • Arthurian legend / fictional Avalon-like setting
  • story-driven deduction with hidden allegiance
Comparison games
  • The Resistance
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Betting and Bluffing — Players bluff or misrepresent information to influence missions.
  • bluffing — Players bluff or misrepresent information to influence missions.
  • Hidden Roles — Players are secretly aligned with the good or bad faction; teammates know who is who while others do not.
  • hidden_role — Players are secretly aligned with the good or bad faction; teammates know who is who while others do not.
  • mission_rounds — Missions are proposed and completed with players voting, influencing success/failure outcomes.
  • Social Deduction — Players deduce loyalties and motives through discussion and observations.
  • social_deduction — Players deduce loyalties and motives through discussion and observations.
  • Voting — Missions are proposed and completed with players voting, influencing success/failure outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's a simple game. It's straightforward, but you do have to be interactive and understand what's happening.
  • Don't be that person.
  • We left the game soured. We were like we don't want even we want to sell our copy of the game.
  • You didn't actually win because I shouldn't have lost.
  • Be sure that you are being very gentle with your first time players of especially of big involved games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XESHZMmDPT4 Stonemaier Games Top List at 8:01 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83758 · mention_pk 211699
Stonemaier Games - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:01 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Large group deduction and bluffing game
  • Can be played quickly or extend into multiple games
  • Creates memorable social experiences
  • Minimal components
Cons
  • Can extend beyond intended playtime due to table talk
Thematic elements
  • Arthurian Legend
  • Camelot
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing — Described as a 'deduction bluffing game.'
  • Deduction — Described as a 'deduction bluffing game.'
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I'm very grateful that they are full of games. um but how I want to continue to explore many more games in the future and I just don't have room for them. And so I am valuing more and more games that fit into a smaller space.
  • And uh and even better for the publishers, smaller games mean that you can put more games in a carton, more games on a pallet, more games on a shipping container or a or a truck or a train, however you're transporting them around the world, and so it's uh more cost-effective to freight ship these games, too. Better for the environment, too. You're using fewer components to make these games. Um and less materials, basically.
  • It's kind of a miracle of a game how well this game works and how long it came out.
  • This to me is not a filler trick taking game. This is a a really substantial trick taking game.
  • I am completely enamored with this game.
  • I love the card row in the middle and how you can either buy a card or remove a card so your opponent can't get it. I think that is such a clever mechanism.
  • Every card is two cards. It isn't just one card. [...] It's brilliant. It is so so clever.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pJHlYlp6jlY Stonemaier Games Top 10 List at 7:11
video_pk 81541 · mention_pk 203116
Stonemaier Games - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 7:11 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • there's a ton of interaction in the trading phases of this game that are completely simultaneous
  • you must trade with other players to have a successful strategy or even to have fun
  • Planet Unknown uses a rondelle to let players select tiles and there are shared goals and a race to get technology cards
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video QxzcT_U9ahI Board Game Critique Top List at 13:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80034 · mention_pk 194093
Board Game Critique - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 13:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Highly Positive
Pros
  • Still recommended often for a classic available game
  • Holds up better than most newer games
  • Special roles create constant second-guessing
  • Quest votes are a minefield of lies and observation
  • A single convincing performance can carry a game
  • Expansions and role modules add depth without complicating the core experience
  • Meanness comes from the balance between information and deception
  • Creates constant tension
  • Assassin win condition adds paranoia
  • Works well for groups who enjoy deduction puzzles mixed with social deception
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Good vs. Evil, knights, spies
  • Arthurian legends
  • Abstracted missions with hidden roles
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players deduce the identities of the spies based on voting patterns and quest outcomes.
  • Hidden role — Players are secretly assigned as servants of evil or loyal servants of Arthur.
  • Set Collection — Successful quests contribute to the good team's victory.
  • Voting — Players vote on proposed teams for quests, with outcomes revealing information.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • We're going through the list from the more accessible and chaotic ones up to the heaviest hitters, and we're going to be pretty direct about which ones are worth your money and which ones you can safely skip.
  • The deduction here blends careful clue interpretation with social deception rather than pure voting.
  • What we loved is how mean the discussion can become without anyone raising their voice.
  • It rewards subtle, clever lying and reading people more than loud accusations.
  • The traitor can be incredibly patient.
  • The social deduction is deep because of the shared board state and multiple crisis phases.
  • The Resistance: Avalon is still the one we recommend most often when people ask for a classic that's actually available and holds up.
  • Every quest vote is a minefield of lies, half-truths, and careful observation.
  • The Thing: The Board Game is the one that feels the most like actual horror.
  • Every test and every shared resource carries real tension because you really don't know who's still human.
  • Feed the Kraken is one of the best modern takes on the three-faction hidden role style.
  • Blood currently sitting at number one for us.
  • Dead players continue participating fully, which creates this incredibly rich information economy that most other social deduction games simply don't have.
  • It requires a good storyteller, but when it clicks, it's the meanest, most satisfying social deduction experience we have right now.
  • Roma XLI is the newest game on the list and it fits right into the facade game style we've come to enjoy.
  • Being able to politically remove someone from the game through clever maneuvering is deeply satisfying in a way that feels very Roman.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video doJoJsXRsw8 Analysis at 50:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 72608 · mention_pk 171948
The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 50:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Highly Positive
Pros
  • Highly influential in social deduction genre
  • Still holds up well
  • Accessible and popular
  • Avalon version significantly boosted its popularity
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Arthurian
Comparison games
  • The Resistance
  • Werewolf
  • One Night Ultimate Werewolf
  • Secret Hitler
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Players deduce information based on actions and votes.
  • Hidden Roles — Each player has a secret role (e.g., loyal servant or minion of Mordred).
  • Social Deduction — Players try to determine who among them are secret agents or traitors through discussion and voting.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I think from my perspective based on what I've seen of the games that they inducted the original 25 uh I just wanted to speculate on what the next 25 would be
  • there's some interesting gaps in the 25 list that's out there now
  • Shadows over Camelot out really started that whole thing
  • it influences things that you wouldn't necessarily think that it did influence that kind of thing
  • it really took the world over for several years
  • it's like too big I mean the shadows of Brimstone which isn't on this list and I would never suggest to be in the Hall of Fame is like its own thing
  • it is such um a force or a presence in the board gaming world that it just has to be in there
  • it's almost like the quintessential board game in in a way
  • it is really the predecessor of all of these board games that have been a big part of the board game geek hobby
  • maybe eventually this is my opinion here I think they should stick to the games for a few years and then you know later on they can start thinking about like putting ryer kitsi in or stefen Feld or Christian Peterson or Corey kesa Cole Worley Richard Borg
References (from this video)
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Video k3kQ3zW0j0Q Meeple University Rules Teach at 2:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 64996 · mention_pk 158607
Meeple University - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Adds complexity and depth with special roles.
  • Merlin's knowledge is powerful for the good team.
  • Assassin's role creates end-game tension.
  • Percival helps identify Merlin but can be misled.
  • Morgana's role is to deceive Percival.
  • Mordred's secrecy benefits the evil team.
  • Oberon's isolation impacts evil team coordination.
  • Lady of the Lake provides additional information.
Cons
  • Merlin is difficult to play, balancing information and self-preservation.
  • Assassin needs to correctly identify Merlin to win.
  • Percival can be misled by Morgana.
  • Morgana's team choices are dangerous.
  • Assassin needs to make the correct choice to win.
Thematic elements
  • Good vs. Evil, social deduction
  • Arthurian legend
Comparison games
  • The Resistance
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Assassin's Reveal — At the end of the game, the assassin attempts to identify Merlin, with the outcome determining the win.
  • Lady of the Lake — A variant where a player holding the token reveals allegiance information to another player, aiding deduction.
  • Merlin's Knowledge — Merlin knows all evil players, providing a significant advantage to the good team if used carefully.
  • Mordred's Secrecy — Mordred is unknown to Merlin, making it harder for Merlin to identify all evil players.
  • Oberon's Isolation — Oberon is unknown to other evil players, impacting their coordination.
  • Percival's Insight — Percival knows Merlin but is confused by Morgana, impacting his ability to deduce roles.
  • special roles — Introduces special role cards like Merlin, Percival, Assassin, Morgana, Mordred, and Oberon with unique abilities and knowledge.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • these two games are probably up there might be my favorite game of all time
  • the resistance and Avalon social deduction games played between two teams which are randomly determined at the start of game
  • the bulk of the game is in selecting teams of players to go on missions
  • the resistance was the first of the games released and in the resistance all players are either members of the resistance or spies
  • when Avalon was released a few years later it was re-themed to be under the etherion legend and certain character cards were given additional powers or roles
  • the primary difference between the Avalon and the resistance is the introduction of six special role cards
  • Merlin on the good team has the power that he knows who all of the evil players are
  • the assassin has the opportunity at the end of the game to try to identify who Merlin is and if the assassin successfully identifies Merlin then the evil team wins the game
  • Percival is on the good team and Percival knows who Merlin is although Marylin does not know who Percival is
  • Morgana you know the words personal will know who Morgana and Merlin are but will not know which is which
  • Mordred when in the evil team is not known by Merlin
  • when Oberon is in the game Oberon is known by Merlin but is not known by the other evil players
  • the Lady of the lake the player who starts to the right of the starting leader in mission one takes the Lady of the lake token
  • if you are a good guy if you are a member of the resistance or a loyal servant of Arthur you need to convince everyone you are good if you are a bad guy you need to convince everyone you are good
  • as a bad guy you need to remember convince everyone else at the table that you're good
  • one of the mistakes I see that players make when they are a bad guy in the game is often what they'll do is they'll say okay guys here's what I'm gonna do just to show you guys that you can really trust me I'm not even gonna put myself on the team
  • as a good guy you would have no information about who's good and evil right so this reveals to experience good players that you are you are choosing a team with a spy on it and you yourself are a spy
  • the best team that can get up for you is usually going to be one spy and one good player one good guy
  • deduction is a very important skill to be able to use in this game
  • the spies only need one more failed mission to win the entire game
  • Merlin is a very difficult character a very difficult role to play
  • Merlin needs to strike a balance between doing two things
  • so optimally melon will strike a balance between revealing information that helps the resistance and seeming to not know what's going on in the game
  • Percival has two things that he needs to do in the game the first thing is needs to work out out of these two players which one is melon and which one is Morgana then he needs to very convincingly seem to the assassin to be Merlin
  • Morgana has really one job in this game in addition to being in addition to her normal Spidey DS and that is to deceive Percival
  • the assessing the number one thing that you're trying to do is to work out who Melanie's
  • look for someone who is always seeming to make the right decisions
  • if you see a good guy making correct decisions or choices without solid logic to back that up then that is a clear indication that that player might be Merlin
References (from this video)
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Video mX7IH6nF32o Chairman of the Board Discussion at 8:57 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12244 · mention_pk 35765
Chairman of the Board - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:57 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • best social deduction experience at scale
  • fluid player interaction
Cons
  • hidden-role chaos can be opaque for new players
Thematic elements
  • factional intrigue and hidden roles
  • Arthurian social deduction
  • theatrical deduction with role-playing flavor
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Bluffing and deduction — team votes and action phases decide success or failure
  • Hidden Roles — players assume identities with secret objectives
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • rock solid martin wallace game and i'm really enjoying it
  • it's got one of the weirdest pacings of the game
  • I like it but I just don't love it and i don't think this is going to be sticking around much longer
  • Six Nimpt by Wolfgand Kramer, a borderline essential game, a great little filler that everybody should play at least once
  • it's just pure simple family weight fun
References (from this video)
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Video FhWgUXC8PrY Before You Play Top List at 18:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12149 · mention_pk 115043
Before You Play - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 18:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • fast, accessible social deduction
  • lots of expansions add variety
Cons
  • can leave players out in large groups
  • depends heavily on group dynamics
Thematic elements
  • social deduction with hidden roles
  • Arthurian-inspired resistance and loyalty dynamics
  • mystery and intrigue in team missions
Comparison games
  • Dominion
  • Coup
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Hidden Roles — Players have secret alignment and abilities that influence play.
  • mission-based rounds — Teams vote on missions; success or failure shapes outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a filler type where you are drawing cards and you're trying to curate a hand of cards where everything synergizes well with each other
  • the heart and soul of that is realms and that is why Naveen dislikes it is why i really enjoy it
  • gosh the dice selection is so restrictive
References (from this video)
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Video 2YOEVwKri_o Chairman of the Board Top List at 14:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9850 · mention_pk 29021
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Click to watch at 14:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • rich social dynamics with dramatic turns
  • great in larger groups for table talk and bluffing
  • iconic, accessible entry into social deduction
Cons
  • player count sensitivity can affect pacing
  • mythic/theme interpretation may vary between groups
Thematic elements
  • social deduction and hidden information
  • Arthurian legend, secret roles and quests
  • social experiment
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hidden_roles — Players are assigned secret alignment roles (good/evil) that influence decisions.
  • social_deduction — Tension arises as players deduce who is lying and who is trustworthy.
  • vote_and_quest — Players vote on who goes on quests; failures/approvals determine success.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this game puts you under a bit of pressure by forcing you sometimes to bite off more than you can chew
  • this game was very much at the Forefront of these kind of lightweight eurocentric games and it did introduce me to the worker placement mechanism
  • it's a timeless evergreen of a design is a simple auction style game as you're bidding for these properties having a very fixed amount of cash
  • I love the master builder mechanism here
  • the idea of working with my friends to overcome these scenarios was a really cool novel concept to me
  • mindblown... the feeling that the initial plays of the resistance Avalon had on me
  • this one opened the floodgates in terms of me wanting to explore more intricate game design
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xgNI1-iDDDc Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Analysis at 10:51 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8098 · mention_pk 23819
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 10:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Great gaming experiences
  • Engaging deduction gameplay
  • Creates memorable moments
Cons
  • Can get loud and aggressive
  • Requires right group of people
  • Can make players feel uncomfortable
Thematic elements
  • espionage
  • medieval fantasy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Your cards are ordered, you must never change the order of your cards
  • If nobody guesses my card I get zero points and if everybody guesses my card I get zero points
  • I've got to come up with a clue that's just obscure enough that some people around the table will get it
  • Evolution is my absolute favorite game
  • It's like a jigsaw but you build it all together - a game can be this
  • Social deduction games can get quite loud and aggressive
  • I really don't like games which require you as a player to be funny
  • I find it so awkward and cringy, to be honest I won't play these games anymore
  • There are billions and billions of possible combinations that we could make
  • Hand management is a really satisfying part of many many card games
References (from this video)
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Video bFejmp9yuGo Actualol Top List at 0:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 215 · mention_pk 106548
Actualol - The Resistance: Avalon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Succinct gameplay
  • Intense social interaction
  • Easy to learn
  • Quick playtime
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Hidden traitor/social deduction
  • Medieval court of King Arthur
  • Loyalty vs betrayal
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Hidden Roles — Players are either loyal servants or traitors
  • Quest voting — Players vote on who goes on quests
  • Secret roles — Players are either loyal servants or traitors
  • Voting — Players vote on who goes on quests
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • If I was on death row because I'd murdered an anthropomorphic animal and the guards asked me what my final request was, I'd ask them to let me out and then I'd go home and play these awesome games.
References (from this video)
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