TDG: Cody's Top Ten Hidden Traitor Games (August 2023)

[@gimilzur]

We play a homebrew version of BSG with 10 people. 5 play on the Galactica as normal, 5 others play on the Pegasus in a different room. No contact between the tables. Then shortly after the sleeper phase, the two ships jump together and we combine both tables. It's GLORIOUS! It does take two copies of the game, but that's not an issue for my group. I've also blinged out my set to use plastic models of all of the ships, including the Ares Games Vipers/Raiders/etc. so it's a massive BSG extravaganza.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

That sounds really cool!!!

[@tomharding4095]

Cody, keep talking about BSG: the board game. You have at least one viewer, who is on your team. The show is one of the best sci-fi series of all time. Admittedly, I've yet to play the game or its expansions. My friend raved about it for the same reasons you have expressed, as well. Persuaded me to purchase it with the expansions. One day, I'll experience BSG myself. So, I enjoy listening to you sharing your passion for this game. Again, thanks for you discussion of hidden traitor games. One other note, this was one of your best ending setups. Thought there was something wrong. Well played.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha! Thanks a ton. Hope you get to play it soon.

[@jesperpetersen2649]

One of my favorite hidden traitor games has always been "Room 25 Ultimate" based on the scifi movie "cube" from 1997.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I havent played that one. Fun?

[@jesperpetersen2649]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, nothing quite like it. The movie is a cult classic and is even available on youtube just search for "cube 1997 movie". Tom vasel has several reviews of "Room 25" but if you get it make sure you get the ultimate edition it has all the expansions included.

[@h.l.malazan5782]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer That one has a robot in it and the robot can push players into bad rooms. I always wanted to play it.

[@ezraclark7904]

I don't know where you got that lore for New Angeles, the city formed around a space elevator built in a US leased portion of Ecuador.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ah. Danke.

[@stefanosmetzidakis6112]

Blood on the Clocktower would fit well on this list (since you've included other social deduction games). The list is awesome either way

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. I haven’t played that one.

[@Webhead123]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer You absolutely need to play it, Cody! It's an incredible eye-opener when it comes to social deduction game designs. If you do, I suggest playing with between 9-13 people (8-12 players plus 1 storyteller). The official app also makes it easier to get such a large group together. BotC has mostly (but not entirely) replaced Resistance and Secret Hitler in my eyes, unless playing with smaller groups. At 5-6, I'd choose Resistance. At 7, I'd play Hitler. At 8+, it's BotC all the way.

[@boardnwargames]

Great list. I recommend checking out Deception Murder in Hong Kong, if you haven't played it

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I've heard good things about that one.

[@hamvaicsaba35]

Great list. My number one is Mantis Falls. I think that one is the only hidden traitor tabletop works with 2 players.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven’t played that one.

[@refreshdaemon]

With Resistance, I actually made a Star Wars OT reskin of the game and when I tried Secret Hitler, I realized that it's perfect for a prequel era reskinning with a secret Palpatine and that's my go-to version of the game now. I saw on BGG I wasn't the only one with the idea, and people have made some nice components, but either way, it's a fun retheming. Never got a chance to play BSG because every time the friend that has it brought it there was always someone in the group that simply doesn't want to play anything more complex than a party game. When it went out of print and the price jumped, he sold it so now I don't know anyone with the game. But maybe some day I'll get to play Unfathomable--it's so low buzz I'm sure it'll go on sale someday.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

The Star Wars stuff sounds really fun. I hope you get a chance to play BSG someday. Fantastic game!

[@Warchoon]

If you love Secret H so much, try out Feed the Kraken, it's like SH on steroids with a pirate theme and gorgeous production (no need for Deluxe version, btw).

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’ll look into it. Thanks.

[@ericengstrom2138]

Battlestar Galactica was truly something special and spawned so many copycats...some good some not so much! That game has caused more fights than any other I've ever played. Ah Nemesis...the game where the humans try to mess with each other and almost always end up alien food. Real great game. Shadows Over Camelot is such a great game and I think you're right: it's really the grand-daddy of this genre. Also, I've never played with a person who didn't love being the traitor (evil laughs aplenty).

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Right? Thanks!

[@guybrushftw]

Glad I own BSG and all the expansions. It's my groups favourite game and any time we have enough people to play it, it's always great.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. Fantastic game!

[@douglaspearson4853]

There are only 2 games on the list I have played and own BSG and Shadows. Love both but since moving and losing contact with my gameing friends I do not play to many game unless its solotair, I will say you list did intrigue me and would love to try all. Oh yeah Betrayal at House on the Hill I enjoyed that.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. I wouldn't consider Betrayal at House on the Hill a hidden traitor game, since everyone knows who the traitor is.

[@FatherTime89]

Have you ever played Feed the Kraken? Because that would definitely make my top 10 list for social deduction games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No. But I've heard good things about it.

[@thunderccr5056]

Hi Cody, thanks for making this video. BSG is my favourite game that I’ve never played and don’t own! I’d love to get this one day. Have you played with the expansions?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I play regularly with Pegasus. Thanks.

[@frenchsensation4770]

Huge thanks for your videos. Love you Cody ❤ Keep going, we are with you! Greetings from a french guy!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Merci!

[@Harlekqu1n]

You should try Legendary aliens 😎with traitor extension

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah. I need to.

[@thesexychokingmrkrabbz8213]

Anyone got some recommendations for good traitor games where the traitor/traitors can be obvious? Like where there’s a team goal but then either from the start or mid way through you can start pulling out sabotaging cards/abilities to claim winning for yourself or just prevent the main goal being completed ? I like a traitor game but my friends and family tend to be pretty bad at being subtle, so a game where someone is blatantly trying to make you lose would be ideal

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don’t know about that one. It seems to defeat the purpose.

[@RainbowCrewPeople]

An expansion to Unfathomable has been announced for 2024. No details yet.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No kidding? Awesome! Thanks.

[@RainbowCrewPeople]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, they've announced it at Gen Con 2023! I'm excited too :)

[@drewgrgich]

I'm ashamed it took me too long to understand the 'Sundae School' joke.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@craigfoster5470]

Ooooooh! Now I get it!

[@chavhunter86]

Is there any stargate board games i think the series would be a perfect setting for a hidden traitors game as in a system lord somthing has taken over someone on base

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don’t know. Have you looked on BGG?

[@attiladukai2121]

Hi Cody, did you tried out the new Thing board game? It's similar to dead of winter.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I have not. Looks good.

[@jeffa6841]

Nice list. Battle Star Galactica is super thematic, but... you just keep contributing cards to each mission endlessly. I mean it, endlessly... the game takes FOREVER to play. Oh well, I'm glad you enjoy it though. By the way, how many Nemesis boxes do you have, and have you played with all of them?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’ve played some pretty tight games of BSG. I’ve got Nemesis and Nemesis Lockdown. Both great games.

[@pasiojala3227]

Our BSG games take around 1.5-2 hours (4 and 5 players) on average with all expansions to Kobol. But then again, after 50 plays it does get faster for any group. (734 logged plays since 2012 and ~50 before that -- all plays are still different)

[@samhugo5870]

Witch Expansion of BSG you find necessary, or witch not so much?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I always play with the Pegasus. The others not do much - although I do use all the minis and such.

[@pasiojala3227]

(For us Pegasus is the least needed -- Daybreak for Cylon Leader Motives, Exodus for the Cylon Fleet Board.)

[@samhugo5870]

@@pasiojala3227 Thank you. Interesting. Would love to hear mor opinions on that matter. The Daybreak Expansion I don’t have, sadly. Some want alone 500 -650 $ for this one…

[@ishotmyboss]

Have you played the TMNT games Cityfall or Out From The Shadows?

[@RedBird77]

Unfathomable was well done, except for the character bios on the back of the character sheets were absolutely ridiculously Wolk nonsense

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Cant say I disagree.

[@RandomPerson-nd2ey]

Wolk? You mean "woke"? As a side note, if you looked up the official page for "Secret Hitler" while a certain President was still in office, they had snide political comments. For example, in the FAQ it said something like "Q: What if I don't like fascism? A: Write a letter to (address for the White House).". I was interested in the game and don't care about the political opinions of the creators but them not shutting up about it annoys me whether I agree with them or not.

[@colleenlove2114]

I really like this 💖😗

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@Dman0001]

I have BSG with 2 expansions - i have never played the second one - but you need people who like that style of game - but its great mechanics and great theme

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. Love that game!

[@ishotmyboss]

Have you played the TMNT games Cityfall or Out From The Shadows?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven’t. Fun?