Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Awaken Realms, Albi, Arclight Games · Board game · 2019
1–4 · best 1 Solo 60–120 min Weight 3.4/5
9.0 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
9.0 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love a dense story, impactful choices, and a breathtaking cooperative or solo challenge, Tainted Grail is for you! It's an epic experience that pulls you into a dark world full of mysteries.

Highlights
  • Deep and branching narrative
  • Choices with real consequences
  • Total immersion in the universe
  • Cooperative and solo challenge
  • Meaningful character progression
Keep in mind
  • Long and demanding campaigns
  • Steep learning curve
  • High language dependency
HIGHLY 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 for an unforgettable, dark adventure in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, a solo or cooperative experience for 1-4 players that delves deep into Arthurian legends and Celtic mythology, but with a much more sinister twist. Here, your choices truly matter, shaping the world in profound and lasting ways. The narrative is a standout feature, with a branching storyline that ensures each campaign is unique, full of difficult decisions and consequences that can echo for a long time. In Avalon, daily survival is a challenge, with the land sinking into the Wyrdness and threats like starvation, sickness, and extreme weather events lurking around every corner. The Guardian Menhirs, which once protected travel, are failing, turning simple logistics into a breathtaking puzzle. To face all this, your character evolves along conflicting lines, such as Brutality/Empathy or Practicality/Spirituality. These choices unlock a range of exclusive skills and deck-building strategies, making character advancement super meaningful. You will be tested in dozens of encounters, both combat and social. Sometimes brute force is the way, but often diplomacy might be your best weapon. And the best part? The unique dice-less combat system keeps you immersed in the story, making each conflict exciting. In every corner of Avalon, there's a legend waiting to be discovered, with locations and characters holding secrets far beyond what they seem. Piecing together this larger puzzle is an experience that can take several campaigns, with surprises at every turn. The story, crafted by Krzysztof Piskorski, one of Poland's best fantasy authors, elevates non-linear narrative to a new level.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 BEST
2 BEST
3 REC
4 OK
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Game details

Families

Components: Miniatures Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Tainted Grail Mechanism: Campaign Games Misc: Eastar Game Manufacturing Players: Games with Solitaire Rules
Publisher Awaken Realms, Albi, Arclight Games, CrowD Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Edge Entertainment
Designer Krzysztof Piskorski, Marcin Świerkot
Artist Andrzej Półtoranos, Ewa Labak, Michael Peitsch, Patryk Jędraszek, Piotr Foksowicz, Piotr Gacek
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Tainted Grail support and what's the playtime?
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is designed for 1 to 4 players, making it great for both solo sessions and playing with friends. Each session can last from 60 to 120 minutes, but as it's a campaign game, you'll invest many hours into the full story!
What is the complexity level of the game?
It's considered a medium-heavy game, with a complexity rating of 3.37/5 on BGG. It's not a game for beginners, but if you already have experience with more robust board games, you'll adapt well. Be prepared for strategic decisions and detailed rules!
Does the game have a lot of language dependency?
Yes, Tainted Grail has a very high language dependency. The narrative is the heart of the game, so there's a lot of text on cards and in the storybook. A good translation or knowledge of English is almost essential to fully enjoy the experience.
What are the main components of the game?
Besides a modular board that reveals itself as you explore, the game comes with many cards for events, combat, and character progression, resource tokens, and of course, detailed miniatures that add a special touch to your heroes and enemies.
Who is Tainted Grail recommended for?
It's perfect for those who love adventure and exploration games with a deep and branching narrative, especially fans of RPGs and dark stories. If you enjoy cooperative games with difficult moral choices and a constant challenge, you'll fall in love with Avalon.
What makes Tainted Grail different from other campaign games?
Tainted Grail's big draw is how your choices impact the long-term narrative and character progression along conflicting axes (like Brutality vs. Empathy). Additionally, the dice-less combat system is super immersive and unique, focusing more on hand management and card strategy.