How To Play: The Resistance – Setup, rule summary and strategy

Hey there, fellow board game enthusiasts! If you’re looking to dive into the world of secret identities, deduction, and espionage, then you’re in for a treat with this special guide on ‘How To Play The Resistance’. Not only will I give you a rundown of the basic rules, but I’m also here to arm you with top-notch strategies and clever tricks that have helped me and my crew outwit opponents time and time again. So buckle up, because we’re about to turn you into a mastermind of rebellion, capable of swinging any game of The Resistance in your favor. Let’s get started!

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 15 Character Cards
• 6 Summary Cards
• 1 Leader Token
• 10 Mission Tokens
• 5 Team Tokens
• 20 Vote Tokens (10 Approve, 10 Reject)
• 5 Score Markers (1 per faction color)
• 2 Blank Character Cards (for customization)

How To Play The Resistance: Rules Summary

For anyone diving into The Resistance, understanding the core rules is essential before you start sniffing out spies among you. I’ll take you through everything from setup to special conditions, exactly as I learned when I played for the first time.

Setup

1. Determine the number of players (the game caters to 5-10 participants), which dictates the number of spies within the game.
2. Each player receives a character card revealing their secret identity as a member of The Resistance or a spy.
3. Randomly choose a leader for the first round.
4. Gather the necessary mission, vote, and science cards near the game area.

Gameplay

1. The leader proposes a team of players for the round, the size of which is game specific.
2. All players then vote on the proposed team, either approving or rejecting it.
3. If the majority approves the team, they embark on the mission; if not, leadership passes and a new team is formed.
4. Team members secretly vote on whether the mission succeeds or fails; one fail vote can sabotage the mission, except in certain cases that require more fails, based on player count.
5. The next leader is chosen, and then steps 1 to 4 are repeated for new missions.

Winning

1. The Resistance wins by completing three missions successfully.
2. The spies win by failing three missions or sometimes by certain mission fails in a row, depending on the game variant or expansion in play.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Communication among players about their identity cards should be vague; they cannot show their identity.
2. In later rounds, the ‘Plot Thickens’ cards add additional challenges by providing players special abilities or information.
3. A spy reveal can end the game immediately, if a special card or game rules dictate.

Remember, ‘How To Play The Resistance’ is a thrilling blend of deception and deduction. Be prepared to advocate for your innocence, debrief missions effectively and keep a keen eye on suspicious behaviors.

Best The Resistance Strategies

Mastering the Mind Games: Player Roles and Psychology in The Resistance

Understanding the subtle nuances of player roles in The Resistance can turn the tide of any game. Remember, as spies bustle in their clandestine venture, the objective becomes deciphering their true allegiances. Conversely, resistance members need guile without suspicion. Let’s delve into how these dynamics play out.

Grasping the Basics of Bluffing

1. Study behavior patterns early on. Players often subconsciously signal their true intentions.
2. Establish a believable persona from the start, rebel or spy, and stick to it.

Strengthening Your Deductive Reasoning

1. Connect the dots between votes and missions outcomes. Trends often hint at loyalties.
2. Propose hypothetical questions to gauge reactions, offering insight into their motivations.

Effective Team Communication

1. Maintain a consistent narrative but stay flexible; adapt to the evolving subterfuge.
2. Beware not only what is said but also what remains unspoken; silences can speak volumes.

The key to

The Art of Persuasion: Communication & Accusation in The Resistance

Mastering ‘How To Play The Resistance’ hinges not just on strategic voting, but also on your communication and accusation skills. The give and take of information forms the core of the game’s social deduction. Here’s how to leverage dialogue to sniff out the spies, or, if you are one, to sow discord:

Facilitate Open Discussions

1. Encourage flow of conversation. As a Resistance member, observe who tends to control or divert conversations and question their motives. However, as a spy, you’ll want to guide the discussion subtly to cast doubt on loyal Resistance members.

2. Transition smoothly between topics. Jumping erratically raises suspicion. Maintain the narrative flow to appear cooperative without revealing too much.

Assess Player Contributions

1. Analyze both what is said and unsaid. Those giving vague or non-committal input may be hiding their spy status.

2. Leverage silence as a tool. Sometimes what a player doesn’t say is as important as what they disclose.

Practice Accusation With Caution

1. Be precise when making an accusation. Unfounded allegations can turn others against you and discredit your future assertions.

2. Use questions to lead onto others’ realignment without coming off as confrontational.

3. Address inconsistencies in players’ stories to unravel the web spies may weave.

Mastering the Art of The Vote in The Resistance

How To Play The Resistance and win? Well, strategic voting and mission selection are pivotal. When deciding which way your thumb will point during the vote, keep an eagle eye on who is being unusually persuasive or who seems to want to fade into the woodwork. Also, never forget, failed missions are a treasure trove of hints!

Critical Evaluation

Always weigh up the proposed mission team carefully. Think back on past actions and stated loyalties; they can give you a hefty clue towards making a judicious choice.

Vote with Intent

Your vote is a powerful tool. Use it to signal distrust or approval, shape strategy, or even to push others to reveal themselves. A ‘No’ vote can be as telling as a resolute ‘Yes’.

The Long Game

Mull over the implications of each mission’s outcome. Early game information-gathering is just as vital as later missions where the game could be decided.

Spotting Discrepancies

1. Catalog past votes and compare them; inconsistent voting patterns might show you who the impostors are.
2. Watch for who people are voting to go on missions – friends protecting friends is a common downfall.

Modulating Risk

Accept that sometimes you’ll have to vote ‘Yes’ on a risky team to draw out the resistance or fail the mission deliberately as a last-ditch effort to identify the spies.

Your Secret Mission: Mastering The Resistance

And there you have it, fellow resisters! Combining the insights on player roles and psychology, maneuvering through the web of communication and accusation, and placing your votes with keen strategy will elevate your gameplay. Remember, success in The Resistance hinges on your ability to deceive and deduce in equal measure. Keep your friends close, but your secrets closer. The next time you sit down to root out spies or hatch a covert scheme, let the tips in this guide light your path to victory. Trust no one, question everything, and may the most cunning team claim the win. Gather your allies, sharpen your wits, and let the rebellion commence!

Want to know what we think of The Resistance? Read our detailed review of The Resistance here