In the quiet, mist-shrouded hills, atop an ancient and malevolent foundation, stands a house. Not just any house, but a mansion veiled in ominous whispers and hidden horrors. Betrayal at House on the Hill invites you to enter this macabre realm where dread drips from the walls like icy tendrils of despair. At the outset, you and your fellow explorers dare to venture into the accursed abode. You traverse its shadowy halls, with each step echoing like the ghostly footsteps of those who came before. Rooms reveal their secrets as you draw ominously inscribed tiles from a foreboding stack, and with each new discovery, the mansion takes on a life of its own.
But be wary, for the house is not dormant. It hungers for your fear, for the whispered secrets buried deep within your heart.
As you unearth its dark history, your actions sculpt the narrative – will you reveal the mansion’s sinister secrets, or will you be ensnared in its maleficent grasp? As the darkness envelops you, an unseen force beckons betrayal. One among you, a traitor, will turn against the group, seeking to further the house’s nefarious agenda. The haunting begins, and the tension escalates with every sinister twist of fate.
What’s included in Betrayal at House on the Hill
- Game board: Represents the haunted mansion, divided into rooms.
- Character cards: Each player chooses a character with unique traits and abilities.
- Trait dials: Adjustable dials that track character traits.
- Event cards, Omen cards, and Item cards: Decks of cards that drive the game’s narrative.
- Haunt books: Contain scenarios and instructions for the traitor and the other players.
- Room tiles: Represent different mansion rooms.
- Tokens and markers: Used for various game purposes.
How to play Betrayal at House on the Hill
The objective of the game varies depending on the scenario, but generally, players aim to survive the haunted mansion’s dangers and escape, unless you end up as the traitor of course.
Setup
- Place the entrance hall tile in the center of the table.
- Shuffle the room tiles and place them face down.
- Each player chooses a character and takes the corresponding character card, trait dials, and matching plastic figure.
- Set all trait dials to their starting values as indicated on the character cards.
- Shuffle the Item and Omen cards separately, placing them face down.
- Create stacks of Event cards for each floor of the house, beginning with the Entrance Hall and ascending to the upper floor.
- Place all tokens, markers, and dice within reach.
Rules for Betrayal at House on the Hill
The game is divided into two phases: the Exploration Phase and the Haunt Phase.
Exploration Phase:
- Players take turns clockwise.
- On your turn, you have a set number of movement points (usually equal to your character’s current Speed trait). Spend movement points to move through rooms.
- When you enter a new room, draw a room tile and place it in the mansion, connecting doorways appropriately.
- If your room tile has a symbol (such as a spiral staircase), you must follow the corresponding rule on your character card.
- If you meet specific conditions, you may draw an Event card from the appropriate floor’s deck and resolve it.
Haunt Phase:
- The Haunt Phase is triggered when certain conditions are met, typically after a specific Event card is drawn. When this happens, the traitor is revealed, and the Haunt begins.
- The Haunt Phase unfolds differently depending on the specific scenario, as detailed in the haunt book.
- Players divide into two groups: the traitor and the other explorers. Each group reads their respective sections of the haunt book to learn their objectives and rules.
- Play continues with the two groups trying to achieve their objectives, often leading to confrontations between them.
- The game continues until one side achieves its goals, either the explorers or the traitor.
Winning: The game’s outcome depends on the scenario. The explorers win by achieving their objectives, while the traitor wins by completing theirs. Sometimes, it’s a race against time, and other times, it’s a battle of wits and strategy.
For the official rules, see the link below:
How to win Betrayal at House on the Hill
Strategies non-traitor players should be using
As a non-traitor in “Betrayal at House on the Hill,” your objective is to defeat the traitor once they are revealed – work together with your fellow explorers to achieve your objectives, and ultimately survive the terrifying ordeal. Here are some strategies to help you succeed as a non-traitor:
1. Communicate and Collaborate:
- Open communication is crucial. Share information about the rooms you discover, the items you find, and any unusual events or items.
- Work together with your fellow explorers to achieve common goals. Combining your efforts can be highly effective.
2. Share Objectives:
- Share your destination tickets (if any) with the group to ensure everyone is on the same page. This helps in planning routes and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
- Discuss possible strategies for achieving objectives as a group. Prioritize completing destination tickets if applicable.
3. Stay Together:
- Avoid splitting up too much, especially early in the game. Staying together allows you to support each other in case of an encounter with the traitor or dangerous events.
- When dividing tasks, consider forming smaller groups rather than exploring the mansion alone.
4. Collect Items:
- Gather items to increase your chances of survival. Items can provide helpful abilities, enhance your traits, or even save you from dire situations.
- Share items among the group based on each character’s strengths and weaknesses.
5. Pay Attention to Traits:
- Be aware of your character’s traits (Speed, Might, Sanity, and Knowledge). Adapt your actions to your character’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Support teammates with lower traits when necessary, as a team’s overall strength is vital.
6. Understand the Haunt:
- Read and understand the haunt scenario carefully. Knowing what the traitor needs to accomplish can help you anticipate their actions.
- Consider how the traitor’s objectives might affect the game and your group’s strategy.
7. Be Cautious with the Traitor:
- Approach the traitor cautiously if their identity is revealed. They may have unique abilities and objectives, and combat with them can be challenging.
- Prioritize completing objectives over directly confronting the traitor unless it’s necessary to stop their progress.
8. Use the Mansion’s Features:
- Exploit room tiles and special abilities that benefit your group’s objectives. Some rooms can provide healing, item access, or shortcuts.
- Be mindful of rooms that might be more advantageous for the traitor and act accordingly.
9. Plan Your Escape:
- If your haunt scenario allows for escape, have a clear plan for how your group will exit the house when the time comes.
- Coordinate your movements to reach the exit points efficiently.
How to win if you’re revealed as the traitor?
Playing the traitor in “Betrayal at House on the Hill” can be a thrilling and challenging experience. Your goal is to work against the other players to achieve your sinister objectives. Here are some strategies to help you excel as the traitor:
1. Keep Your Objectives Secret: When the haunt begins, you’ll receive specific instructions from the haunt book about your goals and how to achieve them. Keep these objectives a secret from the other players. Misdirection and surprise can be powerful tools.
2. Understand the Haunt: Read and reread your haunt scenario carefully. Understand not only what you need to do to win but also the special rules and abilities that come into play during the haunt. Knowing the rules is essential for executing your strategy effectively.
3. Isolate and Divide: Whenever possible, try to separate the other players. This can make it more challenging for them to work together to achieve their objectives. Create barriers or block routes to keep them apart.
4. Play to Your Character’s Strengths: Your character may have unique abilities that can be used strategically. For example, if your character has high Speed, use it to your advantage to move quickly through the house. If you have combat abilities, use them to thwart the other players.
5. Gather Items: If your haunt scenario allows, collect and use items to your advantage. Some items can provide you with powerful abilities or advantages in combat. Keep in mind that the explorers will likely also be collecting items, so be prepared for confrontations.
6. Use the Environment: The mansion’s layout and various room tiles can be used strategically. Lure the explorers into rooms that benefit your objectives, or use room-specific abilities to your advantage.
7. Employ Psychological Tactics: Mislead, confuse, and sow distrust among the other players. Provide false information or use vague language when discussing the game. This can create confusion and make it harder for the explorers to form a cohesive plan.
8. Prioritize Objectives: If your haunt scenario has multiple objectives, prioritize them based on which is most achievable and how the explorers are progressing. Sometimes it’s better to focus on one goal rather than spreading yourself too thin.
9. Be Prepared for Combat: If combat is part of your haunt, understand the rules and prepare for it. Try to gain an advantage by positioning yourself strategically or using items that enhance your combat abilities.