Betrayal at House on the Hill
HORROR STORYTELLING board game published by AVALON HILL (Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro) — original 2004; 3RD EDITION 2022 current standard. 3-6 players cooperatively EXPLORE a HAUNTED HOUSE (modular tile system), gaining items + omens + companion. At some point, THE HAUNT is triggered — one player becomes TRAITOR + game splits into ASYMMETRIC scenario (50 SCENARIOS in base game) where survivors vs. traitor race to win. Classic gateway horror board game; 1M+ SOLD. Beloved for narrative unpredictability + horror atmosphere. Sequel BETRAYAL LEGACY (2018) adds 13-game campaign. Perfect for HALLOWEEN + storytelling groups.
What is Betrayal at House on the Hill?
Betrayal at House on the Hill is HORROR STORYTELLING board game originally designed by BRUCE GLASSCO + team at AVALON HILL (division of Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro subsidiary). ORIGINAL PUBLISHED 2004; SECOND EDITION 2010 (revised); THIRD EDITION 2022 (current cleaner rules). PREMISE: 3-6 players are EXPLORERS who accidentally enter a HAUNTED HOUSE. Each player picks a CHARACTER (Vivian Lopez, Zoe Ingstrom, Father Rhinehardt, Missy Dubourde, etc.) with 4 STATS (Might, Speed, Sanity, Knowledge) with sliders on player boards. GAMEPLAY PHASE 1 — EXPLORATION: players TAKE TURNS moving through the house; when entering unexplored room, DRAW A NEW ROOM TILE + place it. Rooms trigger EVENTS (dice rolls, story flavor), OMENS (bad events), or ITEMS (Bloody Dagger, Lucky Stone, Puzzle Box, Book, etc.). HAUNT ROLL: each time an OMEN is drawn, current player MUST ROLL 6 DICE — if TOTAL is LESS than the number of OMENS drawn so far, THE HAUNT BEGINS! GAMEPLAY PHASE 2 — THE HAUNT (asymmetric horror scenario): one player becomes TRAITOR based on which HAUNT is triggered (50 scenarios in base 3rd edition; determined by ROOM + OMEN combination on Haunt Table). Traitor + non-traitors ('Heroes') read SEPARATE RULEBOOKS (TRAITOR'S TOME + SECRETS OF SURVIVAL) explaining their asymmetric win conditions. EXAMPLES OF HAUNTS: 'One of you is TRANSFORMING INTO A WEREWOLF' (transformed player attacks others), 'GHOSTLY HANDS attack from mist' (traitor summons hands), 'MADMAN with axe' (traitor is killer), 'RITUAL to summon ancient god' (traitor completes ritual before heroes stop). Sometimes heroes are OUTNUMBERED by minions; sometimes ally NPCs help. HORROR THEMES + STORYTELLING focus. VICTORY: whoever completes their objective wins (traitor kills all heroes / heroes stop traitor / one race condition). 50 UNIQUE HAUNTS in 3rd edition (2022) — random rediscovery replay value. VERSIONS: (1) 2004 ORIGINAL — foundational, 50 haunts; (2) 2010 SECOND EDITION — revised rules + typo fixes; (3) 2016 WIDOW'S WALK EXPANSION — 50 MORE HAUNTS + rooftop; (4) 2018 BETRAYAL LEGACY — CAMPAIGN VERSION where each game affects next; permanent character death + house modifications; 13-game campaign; SEALED envelopes reveal story; considered BEST BETRAYAL EVER MADE; (5) 2020 BAKER STREET IRREGULARS (spin-off — Sherlock Holmes themed); (6) 2022 THIRD EDITION — cleaner rules + 50 revised haunts + streamlined; NOW CURRENT RECOMMENDED VERSION. (7) 2023 SCOOBY-DOO BETRAYAL (licensed reskin). AWARDS: multiple horror game awards; consistently top 100 BGG since 2004. 1+ MILLION UNITS SOLD across all editions. Perfect HALLOWEEN game. Cited for pioneering ASYMMETRIC BOARD GAME design + inspiring SPIRIT ISLAND + NEMESIS + other traitor-mechanic games.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Team sport
Players
3–6
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Modular tile-based haunted house (built during exploration)
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
2004 (original); 2010 (2nd edition); 2016 (Widow's Walk expansion); 2018 (Legacy version); 2022 (3rd edition)
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
PHASE 1: Explore haunted house + gain items/companion. PHASE 2 (post-Haunt): complete your asymmetric win condition based on the triggered haunt. Traitor vs. Heroes.
Rules
Basic rules
PHASE 1 EXPLORATION: enter new rooms, draw tile, resolve room event/item/omen
Party cooperatively explores until Haunt triggers.
HAUNT ROLL: when omen drawn, roll 6 dice; if total < # omens drawn, THE HAUNT BEGINS
Ratchet up unpredictability.
PHASE 2 HAUNT: check ROOM + OMEN combo on HAUNT TABLE to determine WHICH of 50 scenarios triggers
Random asymmetric horror scenario.
TRAITOR REVEALED — one player reads Traitor's Tome + becomes hidden/open enemy
Betrayal moment is highlight.
HEROES read SECRETS OF SURVIVAL — separate winning conditions
Asymmetric information + goals.
COMBAT: attacker + defender roll dice equal to Might (or Sanity for mental attacks); higher wins
Simple d6 combat.
STATS on player boards: Might, Speed, Sanity, Knowledge — modified by rolls + events
Stat sliders track changes.
WIN: complete your asymmetric objective (varies per haunt)
Traitor may kill heroes; heroes may stop ritual; either side may escape house.
Scoring
Win/lose game — asymmetric objectives per haunt. Sometimes traitor solo vs. multiple heroes; sometimes heroes race a clock.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Traitor wins their haunt objective | Traitor victory |
| Heroes stop traitor / escape house | Heroes victory |
| Draw haunt objectives | Depends on scenario |
| Legacy Version: campaign continues | Permanent character death + house upgrades |
Win condition · Complete asymmetric objective from Traitor's Tome or Secrets of Survival. 50 unique haunts = 50 different win conditions.
Playing area
Called
Modular tile-based haunted house (built during exploration)
Dimensions
Grows dynamically as players explore
Iconic rooms: Foyer, Basement Landing, Widow's Walk, Master Bedroom, Grand Staircase, Chapel, Chasm.
Equipment
Betrayal at House on the Hill 3rd Edition — $50-60
Current version; recommended purchase 2022+.
Character sheets (6 characters, each with 2 sides — different portraits)
Reversible character boards.
50 room tiles + omen/event/item cards + monster tokens + dice
Standard board game components.
TRAITOR'S TOME + SECRETS OF SURVIVAL rulebooks (50 haunts)
Two rulebooks unique to Betrayal.
Widow's Walk expansion (2016) — 50 MORE haunts + rooftop
Optional expansion $30.
Betrayal Legacy (2018) — 13-game campaign; standalone
$70; different game entirely.
Strategies
PHASE 1: EXPLORE cooperatively but grab ITEMS + COMPANIONS early
Items help in Phase 2.
STAT MANAGEMENT — don't burn Sanity/Might in Phase 1 exploration events
Save resources for Phase 2 combat.
STAY IN GROUPS to reduce splitting up (though not always optimal)
Isolated characters die faster in Haunt.
IF TRAITOR: read Traitor's Tome carefully — often unique win path
Traitor scenarios reward creative thinking.
IF HERO: identify traitor's WEAKNESS + focus fire
Heroes often outnumber; coordination wins.
SOME HAUNTS have TIME LIMITS — race to objective
Read carefully; some are ticking-clock.
IN LEGACY: EVERY GAME MATTERS — permanent character death + house changes
Different playstyle from base.
USE COMPANIONS wisely — Girl, Dog, Cat, etc. from cards
Extra actions + fodder.
Terminology
- Haunt
- Horror scenario triggered mid-game (50 scenarios in 3rd edition).
- Traitor
- Player revealed as villain when Haunt begins.
- Hero
- Non-traitor players.
- Omen
- Bad event card; each drawn increases Haunt-trigger chance.
- Traitor's Tome
- Traitor-only rulebook explaining current haunt.
- Secrets of Survival
- Hero rulebook explaining current haunt.
- Might / Speed / Sanity / Knowledge
- 4 character stats tracked with sliders.
- Room Tile
- Modular house tile added when unexplored space entered.
- Companion
- NPC ally card giving passive/active benefits.
- Item
- Object gained during exploration (Bloody Dagger, Lucky Stone, etc.).
- Basement Landing / Upper Landing / Ground Floor
- 3 house levels connected by stairs.
- Legacy
- Campaign version — 13 games affect each other permanently.
Major competitions
No formal competitive scene — casual horror storytelling focus
n/a · n/a
Board Game Arena / Tabletop Simulator online play (limited)
occasional · worldwide online · since 2015
Halloween gaming events + horror-themed conventions
annual · worldwide · since 2004
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Avalon Hill (publisher, Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro subsidiary)
Founded 1952 · Renton, WA, USA
Official site ↗Wizards of the Coast (parent)
Founded 1990 · Renton, WA, USA
Hasbro (parent conglomerate)
Founded 1923 · Pawtucket, RI, USA
Bruce Glassco — Original designer
Founded 1968 · USA
Rob Daviau (Legacy version + more) — Legacy game design pioneer
Founded 1970 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Bruce Glassco — Original designer
- Rob Daviau — Legacy version designer + inventor of 'legacy game' genre
- JR Honeycutt + others — 3rd edition design team
- Various YouTube personalities (Watch It Played, Shut Up & Sit Down) who evangelized Betrayal
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
BUY BETRAYAL 3RD EDITION (2022) — cleanest rules + best haunts
Skip older editions; 3rd is refined.
- 2
PLAY WITH 4-5 PLAYERS — ideal count
3 is minimum; 6 gets chaotic.
- 3
PLAN FOR 2 HOURS first game — rules + Haunt reveal + Phase 2
Learning curve is real.
- 4
EMBRACE STORYTELLING — narrate what happens; don't just optimize
Betrayal is atmosphere + story.
intermediate
- 1
PLAY 10+ DIFFERENT HAUNTS to see variety — replay value
50 haunts = 50 possible experiences.
- 2
TRY BEING TRAITOR + being HEROES — different roles feel different
Both sides fun.
- 3
ADD WIDOW'S WALK EXPANSION for 50 more haunts
Doubles replay value.
advanced
- 1
PLAY BETRAYAL LEGACY (2018) — 13-game campaign
Different game; considered best Betrayal ever.
- 2
TRY THEMED reskins: Baker Street Irregulars, Scooby-Doo Mystery Mansion
Similar mechanics; new theme.
- 3
PLAY ON HALLOWEEN — perfect atmosphere game
Cultural tradition among fans.
Frequently asked
Which edition of Betrayal at House on the Hill should I buy?+
BUY BETRAYAL AT HOUSE ON THE HILL 3RD EDITION (2022) — $50-60 — this is the CURRENT DEFINITIVE VERSION with cleaned-up rules + revised haunts + better balance. AVOID: 1st Edition (2004, out of print + rules issues) + 2nd Edition (2010, superseded). ALTERNATIVELY consider: (a) BETRAYAL LEGACY (2018) — $70 — 13-GAME CAMPAIGN version; considered BEST BETRAYAL EVER MADE by many; permanent character death + house modifications across games; STORY-DRIVEN + more emotional. Buy INSTEAD of 3rd edition if you have committed play group for 13-15 game campaign. (b) WIDOW'S WALK EXPANSION for 3rd edition ($30) — adds 50 MORE HAUNTS + rooftop; doubles replay value. START with 3rd edition base + Widow's Walk expansion = 100 haunts of horror content.
Is Betrayal really scary?+
SPOOKY + ATMOSPHERIC rather than genuinely SCARY. Betrayal creates HORROR through: (a) HAUNTED HOUSE atmosphere + moody art; (b) EVENT CARDS with unsettling flavor text ('you hear whispers'); (c) HAUNT REVEAL — genuinely SURPRISING when quiet exploration turns into horror scenario; (d) HORROR THEMES: werewolves, cultists, ghosts, insanity, murderers, ancient evils, demonic rituals. HOWEVER, it's NOT jump-scare or graphic horror — it's TABLETOP GAME horror = imagination-driven, campfire-story feel. Suitable for teens + adults; young kids may be unsettled by themes (e.g., 'One of you is possessed by a demon' or 'A vampire is loose'). AGE 12+ recommended. Best PLAYED IN GROUP with beer + snacks + Halloween lighting for maximum atmosphere. Great for HORROR fans who enjoy Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark tone. Not for those who want serious psychological horror (that's more Nemesis or Mansions of Madness).
Betrayal at House on the Hill vs. Betrayal Legacy — which is better?+
BOTH are excellent + DIFFERENT: (1) BETRAYAL AT HOUSE ON THE HILL 3RD EDITION (2022) — REPLAYABLE base game with 50 haunts per playthrough; ~90 min per session; great for casual game nights + Halloween one-shots. Best for: DROP-IN PLAY, VARIED GROUPS, seasonal Halloween. (2) BETRAYAL LEGACY (2018) — 13-GAME CAMPAIGN designed by ROB DAVIAU (Pandemic Legacy, Risk Legacy pioneer); each game affects the next via permanent character deaths, house modifications, sealed envelopes revealing story, family lineages across generations. Considered BEST BETRAYAL EXPERIENCE + one of best legacy games ever made. BUT REQUIRES DEDICATED PLAY GROUP for 13 sessions over months. Best for: COMMITTED GROUP, STORY LOVERS, LEGACY FANS. RECOMMENDATION: (a) If you play with SAME group regularly → LEGACY. (b) If you play with different groups + like flexibility → 3RD EDITION. Some people buy both. Legacy is emotional + story-heavy; 3rd Edition is quick-fire horror scenarios.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Betrayal at House on the Hill— Wikipedia
- Board Game Geek — Betrayal at House on the Hill— BGG
- Avalon Hill Betrayal official— Avalon Hill