Avalon Hill Announces Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate Board Game

Wizards of the Coast’s Stream of Annihilation day 2 has brought us more news on some upcoming games. This time it’s a twist on a classic.

WOTC and Avalon Hill joining forces for a D&D version of Betrayal at House on the Hill.

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate. Takes place in one of the most famous locations of the Forgotten Realms. In the original Betrayal at House on the Hill, players were invited to explore a haunted mansion and contend with ghosts and other supernatural enemies before one of the player characters inevitably went mad and sided with the monsters. Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate is keeping the essential ideas and themes from the original, but adding some twists to the mix.

“The shadow of Bhaal has come over Baldur’s Gate, summoning monsters and other horrors from the darkness! As you build and explore the iconic city’s dark alleys and deadly catacombs, you must work with your fellow adventurers to survive the terrors ahead. That is, until some horrific evil turns one—or possibly more—of you against each other. Was it a mind flayer’s psionic blast or the whisperings of a deranged ghost that caused your allies to turn traitor? You’ll have no choice but to keep your enemies close!”

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate includes:

50 brand new scenarios set in the world of the Forgotten Realms

47 new location tiles, including buildings, streets, and catacombs

86 new cards, including 22 items, 45 events, and 13 omens

18 new monsters to encounter including minotaurs, beholders, and dragons

12 D&D adventurers including a dwarf barbarian, half-orc paladin, and human sorcerer

6 plastic adventurer figures

The 50 scenarios act like “mini-campaigns” and bring adventurers together to battle plenty of foes familiar to D&D fans and gamers. Some fun examples include contending against a Sphere of Annihilation hell-bent on destruction, a hungry slaad devouring you from the inside, and a suddenly-sprouted second head that wants to be in charge.

“When we sat down to talk through the design for this game, Baldur’s Gate made perfect sense, Not only is it one of D&D’s most infamous cities, but the thieves, assassins, and other scoundrels that lurk in its shadowy alleys provided a perfect fit for Betrayal’s game play.” Mike Mearls, Senior Manager of Design & Development for Dungeons & Dragons.

Beloved for its re-playability, Betrayal at House on the Hill has been touted as one of the “Best Horror Board Games” of all time. Like Dungeons & Dragons, the story you tell in one game is unique and original to your party’s experience.

“The core of both D&D and Betrayal is story, exploration, and (mostly) working together so this was a pretty seamless mash-up, Because this is a D&D experience, you’ll see more cooperative haunts than in the original game. But it’s also Baldur’s Gate so there is definitely some double-dealing treachery going down.” Shelly Mazzanoble, Brand Manager for Avalon Hill.