Betrayal at House on the Hill: How to Play and Tips

Summary

In this video, Lavinia and Peter from 'Games Made Easy' guide viewers through the board game 'Betrayal at House on the Hill.' They explain how players begin by exploring a creepy mansion, working together to uncover rooms, while managing traits like speed, might, sanity, and knowledge. At some point, a 'haunt' scenario triggers, and one player turns traitor, pitting them against the heroes. With 50 different haunt scenarios and a mix of strategy, exploration, and role-playing, each game is unique. Tips for success include collecting items early and taking time to understand the scenario after the haunt begins.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Betrayal at House on the Hill* is a 3-6 player game where players explore a creepy mansion together, but at some point, one player becomes a traitor, and the game turns into a fight between heroes and the traitor.
• 😀 The game features 50 different haunt scenarios, each with unique victory conditions and storylines, making every game feel different.
• 😀 Each player picks an explorer, who has various traits (speed, might, sanity, and knowledge) and a starting value for each. These traits can change throughout the game, affecting gameplay.
• 😀 Players explore the house by discovering new rooms. As they do, they may draw event, omen, or item cards, each affecting the game in different ways.
• 😀 Omen cards play a crucial role in triggering the haunt. Once enough omen cards have been drawn, players must roll to determine if the haunt begins, based on their total omen cards.
• 😀 The haunt starts when the haunt roll fails, turning one player into a traitor. The traitor and heroes now have different objectives, and the game becomes asymmetric.
• 😀 Movement in the game is determined by a character's speed stat, with each room revealing a new part of the house. The rules for movement change once the haunt begins.
• 😀 During the haunt, the traitor and the heroes each have special powers and objectives. The traitor has access to a 'traitor’s tome,' which contains secret rules for them to follow.
• 😀 Combat in *Betrayal* uses a dice system based on the character's might (for physical attacks) or other traits (for mental attacks). If a character’s trait reaches a skull, they die.
• 😀 Monsters, which can appear during the haunt, move and attack according to their own special rules. The traitor controls the monsters and their movement.
• 😀 Strategy in *Betrayal* involves preparing as much as possible before the haunt begins by collecting items and improving your traits. After the haunt starts, take your time to assess the situation and plan carefully.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the game 'Betrayal at House on the Hill'?

The main objective of 'Betrayal at House on the Hill' is for players to explore a haunted mansion together, but at some point, one player will become a traitor. The heroes must then work together to complete their victory conditions, while the traitor has their own set of goals to achieve.

How many players can play 'Betrayal at House on the Hill'?

The game supports 3 to 6 players.

What happens when the 'Haunt' is triggered?

When the 'Haunt' is triggered, the game takes a dramatic turn. One player becomes a traitor, and the remaining players become heroes. The traitor works against the heroes, who must try to stay alive, while the traitor tries to complete their secret objectives. The game includes 50 different haunt scenarios with varying victory conditions.

What are the four main actions players can take on their turn?

On their turn, players can move, discover new rooms, use an item or omen card, or attempt a die roll. Players can also make one attack per turn once the Haunt begins.

How does movement work in the game?

A player's speed stat determines how many rooms they can move. For example, a character with a speed of 4 can move up to 4 rooms. Players can also move, take actions, and move again, but drawing a card (event, item, or omen) will end their movement for the turn.

How do players discover new rooms in the game?

Players discover new rooms by moving into a doorway. They draw a tile from the room stack and place it in the doorway. The tile must match the floor the player is on (ground floor, upper landing, or basement). If a room cannot be placed, it is discarded.

What is the significance of omen cards in the game?

Omen cards are important because they help trigger the Haunt. After drawing an omen card, the player must roll a number of dice, and if the roll is lower than the number of omen cards in play, the Haunt begins. Omen cards are also kept by the player and may provide items or special effects.

How do attacks work during the Haunt?

During the Haunt, players and traitors can attack. To make an attack, both players roll dice equal to their might (or other relevant trait). The higher roll deals physical damage. If an attack is successful, the opponent loses damage points, and if a player's trait reaches the skull symbol, they die.

What happens when a player dies during the game?

When a player dies, their character is removed from the game, and they no longer participate. All of their items and companions remain in the room where they died. Monsters do not die but are stunned, and items may be left behind for other players to collect.

What is a good strategy for winning 'Betrayal at House on the Hill'?

A good strategy is to collect as many items and improve your traits before the Haunt starts. Once the Haunt begins, it becomes more difficult to explore and collect items, so it's essential to be prepared. After the Haunt, take your time to assess the situation and make strategic decisions rather than rushing into actions.