Coming Soon, Expansion to Betrayal at House on the Hill

There is an expansion coming out soon for Betrayal at House on the Hill. Even though it hasn’t come out yet I feel the need to talk about it. Because I love this game! (my review)

From Avalon Hill

I am excited that the house will finally be getting a bathroom, as well as other rooms. I feel that more rooms with help with the variety of the beginning exploration phase. As I have yet to go through the 50 original haunts, and only once repeating a haunt, I feel like more haunts weren’t totally necessary. I’m not complaining here, extra haunts does significantly increase the replay value.

I’m not overly interested in most of the new tokens as keeping track of who has used which room ability is relatively easy for me to do. So this isn’t a selling feature for me.

The new cards are a big selling feature for me. I find that the events and items are what make the beginning exploration phase of the game more interesting. I feel like a greater of variety in the events and items available would make the start of the game feel fresher each time. I think if there is another expansion a simple deck of items and events would be an ideal option for players on a budget; and players who would buy both expansions. I don’t think a card expansion needs new omens because they would need to coincide with haunts. I feel like creating omens would be better suited for a full expansion with newer haunts, and new rooms, etc. If I were to do that big of an expansion I might include a tunnel to a guest house (which would be one floor.) Maybe a garage or carriage house or stables.

I would have liked to see new characters introduced. Balance for some scenarios could be thrown off with too many players but some people don’t want to play the same characters every time. A nod to some horror movies would be easy to do with these characters. A licensed Scoobie Doo pack could bring in some new players by giving a rationale for going into the haunted house. Since each card is two characters a “hitchhiker” type could double with Shaggy, in case players don’t want to play as the same characters. The dog could be one side like Scoobie, the other a more typical dog.

Although a Stranger Things expansion may be more topical (and easier to license)

Anyway, I’m definitely buying the Widow’s Walk expansion when I get the chance.

Until next time, I will be working on expansions to my blog.