As someone who eagerly watches every episode of The Traitors and discusses it with friends afterward, I was immediately intrigued by the upcoming Warhammer 40K board game featuring hidden roles. Developed by Cubicle 7, known for crafting various Warhammer-related titles such as an official tabletop RPG, Warhammer 40,000: Day of Ascension promises an engaging experience. This game centers around the sinister Genestealer aliens infiltrating a human settlement, artfully deceiving their way to triumph while the humans strive to unveil these hidden traitors. It’s like The Traitors but set against the backdrop of Warhammer 40K’s grimdark universe.
Currently, Warhammer 40K: Day of Ascension isn’t released yet, but there are other excellent deception games available that offer quick gameplay. One such game is Traitors Aboard, retailing for $19.95 on Amazon in the US and £19.99 in the UK. It combines a variety of deception mechanics into a gripping bluffing game that can be played in a flash.
You can also pre-order Day of Ascension for $19.99 via the Cubicle 7 store (or £17.99 in the UK), with a release date anticipated in late November. Designed for 5 to 12 players, it’s billed as a “fast-paced social deduction game,” and each session shouldn’t take more than approximately 15 minutes.
What to Expect from the Game
Based on the game’s details, Day of Ascension shares its name with an Adrian Tchaikovsky novel that deals with a similar theme. Its mechanics bear resemblance to games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf or Secret Hitler, both of which are standout titles among adult board games. Loyalists must identify the Traitors among them and can utilize roles such as the Magos Biologis to peek at another player’s secrets—likely their identity card. The necessity for deception and cunning from the Traitors produces an atmosphere ripe with paranoia. As a fan of The Traitors, this concept excites me immensely, which might be a bit concerning, but there’s no denying the allure of a well-crafted deception game.
Where to Buy
You can find The Traitors Board Game for $22.99 on Amazon and One Night Ultimate Werewolf for $24.95. For further recommendations on tabletop games, check out our guides on the best 2-player board games and the top tabletop RPGs.