Quest Board Game Rules: A Complete Guide to Strategic Deception and Heroic Adventure
Quest is a social deduction game created by Don Eskridge, the designer of The Resistance and Avalon. While it builds upon the foundation of those games, Quest introduces new mechanics, simplifies some aspects, and makes the experience more accessible and engaging for casual and competitive players alike.
Set in a mythical kingdom, players take on the roles of heroes or minions of evil, working togetheror against each otherto determine the fate of the land. But heres the twist: no one knows whos who.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of the Quest board game depends on your role:
-
Heroes (Good Team): Complete three successful quests before evil sabotages them.
-
Minions of Mordred (Evil Team): Sabotage three quests or win through endgame assassination if heroes succeed.
The catch? Only the evil players know who each other are. The heroes must use deduction and discussion to uncover the traitors before its too late.
Setup and Components
Heres whats included in the game box and how to set it up:
Components:
-
Role cards (Heroes and Minions)
-
Quest tokens (Success and Fail)
-
Team selection markers
-
Round tracker
-
Reference cards
-
Rulebook
Setup:
-
Determine the number of players (typically 4 to 10).
-
Distribute role cards secretly based on the number of players. Roles may include:
-
Loyal Knights
-
Minions of Mordred
-
Merlin (optional)
-
Assassin (optional)
-
-
Place the round tracker on the table.
-
Shuffle and deal quest success/fail cards to each team leader when needed.
Core Quest Board Game Rules
The game proceeds in a series of five rounds, with each round consisting of the following phases:
1. Leader Chooses a Team
Each round has a rotating leader who selects a team of players to go on the quest. The number of team members varies by round and player count.
2. Team Vote
All players vote on whether to approve the selected team. If the majority approves, the quest proceeds. If not, leadership passes to the next player. Five failed votes in a row result in an automatic evil win.
3. Quest Outcome
Each player on the approved team secretly chooses a Success or Fail card:
-
Heroes must play Success.
-
Minions can choose either.
Cards are shuffled and revealed. If all are Success, the quest succeeds. If even one Fail appears, the quest fails (except in specific rules where two Fails are needed).
Special Roles (Optional)
To increase depth and strategy, you can introduce special characters like:
-
Merlin: A hero who knows the identity of the evil players but must remain hidden. If the heroes win, the assassin gets a chance to kill Merlin. If successful, evil steals the win.
-
Assassin: A minion with the power to assassinate Merlin if the heroes win.
These roles add layers of bluffing and hidden knowledge that enrich the experience.
Winning the Game
-
Heroes Win: By successfully completing three out of five quests.
-
Evil Wins: By failing three quests OR assassinating Merlin after a hero victory.
In games with Merlin and the Assassin, the final twist occurs after the third successful quest, giving evil one last chance to snatch victory.
Tips on How to Play Quest Effectively
Understanding the Quest board game rules is just the beginning. Strategy is where the real fun begins.
For Heroes:
-
Use deduction and voting patterns to uncover minions.
-
Pay attention to players who consistently vote for failing teams.
-
Protect Merlin if you suspect their identity.
For Minions:
-
Coordinate subtly without revealing identities.
-
Occasionally approve good teams to gain trust.
-
Avoid playing Fail too predictably.
Why Quest Stands Out
While Avalon and The Resistance laid the groundwork, Quest refines the formula by:
-
Removing cumbersome mechanics like player elimination.
-
Offering shorter game time (around 20 minutes).
-
Streamlining voting and team selection for faster pacing.
These improvements make it ideal for newcomers and perfect for party settings or game nights.
Final Thoughts
If you're searching for a game that blends fantasy, strategy, and hidden roles, Quest is an excellent choice. Its accessible rules, fast gameplay, and rich social interaction make it a favorite among fans of deduction games.
Whether you're leading your kingdom to glory or secretly plotting its downfall, mastering the Quest board game rules ensures every game is thrilling, challenging, and full of surprises. So gather your friends, choose your team wisely, and get ready to embark on an epic adventure of trust, betrayal, and cunning strategy.
