Shadows over Camelot

Days of Wonder · Board game · 2005
3–7 · best 6 60–90 min Weight 2.6/5
7.9 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
7.9 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love a good dose of medieval intrigue and cooperative deduction with a traitor lurking, Shadows over Camelot offers a thrilling quest to save the kingdom. Its blend of hand management and hidden roles keeps every game tense and engaging.

Highlights
  • Engaging cooperative and semi-cooperative gameplay
  • Excellent hidden traitor deduction mechanics
  • Thematic quests and immersive setting
  • Scales well across player counts
Keep in mind
  • Can suffer from alpha player syndrome
  • Player elimination can feel harsh
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
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About the game
Get ready to immerse yourself in the legendary world of Camelot in 'Shadows over Camelot', a board game that blends cooperation and semi-cooperation, where hand management and deduction are your greatest weapons. From 3 to 7 players take on the role of valiant Knights of the Round Table, united by a common goal: to protect Camelot from imminent threats. You will have to venture on various quests, from confronting the fearsome Black Knight to the epic search for the Holy Grail. Each successful quest rewards you with white swords on the Round Table, a sign of hope and victory. But beware! Failed quests bring black swords and siege engines to Camelot's walls, bringing the kingdom closer to ruin. The goal is simple, yet challenging: ensure that the majority of swords on the Table are white before the city falls. On each knight's turn, a knight performs a 'heroic action', which can be moving to a new quest, drawing cards to strengthen their hand, or playing cards to advance the forces of good. However, they are also forced to choose one of three 'evil actions', each of which accelerates Camelot's downfall. And to spice things up even more, one of you might be a disguised traitor, a wolf in sheep's clothing, secretly working against your comrades, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver the final blow. Can you discover who the infiltrator is before it's too late? Don your cloak, mount your steed, and gallop into the Shadows, join us in Camelot!
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Shadows over Camelot English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 BEST
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Game details

Families

Components: Miniatures Components: Polyhedral (not D6) dice Game: Shadows over Camelot Theme: King Arthur / The Knights of the Round Table / Camelot
Publisher Days of Wonder
Designer Bruno Cathala, Serge Laget
Artist Cyrille Daujean, Julien Delval
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal number of players for Shadows over Camelot?
The game is for 3 to 7 players. While it works well at all counts, many fans find the experience more intense and the traitor hunt more exciting with 5 to 7 players.
How long does a game of Shadows over Camelot last?
A game typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes. The time can vary slightly depending on the number of players and how quickly decisions are made.
What is the complexity of Shadows over Camelot? Is it easy to learn?
With a BGG weight of 2.5688/5, it's considered medium complexity. The basic rules are easy to pick up, but mastering the strategies and dealing with the uncertainty of the traitor requires a few plays.
What are the main components of the game?
The game comes with a beautifully illustrated board, detailed miniatures of knights and enemies, quest cards, loyalty cards, dice, and various tokens for swords and siege engines.
Is Shadows over Camelot a fully cooperative game?
Not exactly! It's a semi-cooperative game. Most players cooperate for the good of Camelot, but one or more players might be traitors, secretly working to sabotage the loyal knights' efforts. This dynamic is the heart of the game!
Who is Shadows over Camelot recommended for?
It's ideal for groups of friends and families who enjoy games with intense social interaction, deduction, bluffing, and a good dose of drama. If you like medieval/Arthurian themes and don't mind the possibility of a traitor at the table, you'll love it!