- BGG rating
- 7.1
Shadows over Camelot: Sir Bedivere, the 8th Knight
- 3–7 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #603
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Shadows over Camelot
2005
Rules assistance for Shadows over Camelot
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–7 players
- 60–90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Shadows over Camelot
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shadows over Camelot is a board game released in 2005 for 3–7 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Shadows over Camelot: Merlin's Company
- 3–8 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2008
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About the game
Shadows over Camelot is a cooperative/semi-cooperative hand-management and deduction-based board game for 3–7 players. Each player represents a knight of the Round Table and they must collaborate to overcome a number of quests, ranging from defeating the Black Knight to the search for the Holy Grail. Completed quests place white swords on the Round Table; failed quests add black swords and/or siege engines around Camelot. The knights are trying to build a majority of white swords on the Table before Camelot falls. On each knight's turn, the knight takes a "heroic action", such as moving to a new quest, building his hand, or playing cards to advance the forces of good. However, he must also choose one of three evil actions, each of which will bring Camelot closer to defeat. Moreover, one of the knights may be a traitor, pretending to be a loyal member of the party but secretly hindering his fellow knights in subtle ways, biding his time, waiting to strike at the worst possible moment... But enough words... don your cloak, climb astride your warhorse, and gallop into the Shadows to join us in Camelot!
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Days of Wonder
Questions and answers
Shadows over Camelot supports 3–7 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Shadows over Camelot is 60–90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Shadows over Camelot for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Shadows over Camelot has a complexity rating of 2.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Shadows over Camelot belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Deduction, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Shadows over Camelot are: Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Shadows over Camelot as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.