How to Play and Master Traitors Aboard: Rules, Strategies, and Tips

What Is Traitors Aboard?

Traitors Aboard is an exhilarating hidden-role party game that blends deduction, bluffing, and teamwork. Set on a doomed ship, players are divided into loyal sailors trying to survive—and secret traitors determined to sink the vessel from within.

It's a thrilling battle of trust and deception where quick thinking and clever lies are the keys to winning.

The Theme and Story Behind Traitors Aboard

The game is set on a ship battling through treacherous waters. Sailors must complete tasks to reach safety, but traitors secretly sabotage their efforts. Every player must work together—or pretend to—while suspicion and betrayal brew beneath the surface.

If the ship sinks or critical tasks fail, the traitors win. If the sailors manage to complete their objectives, the loyal crew emerges victorious.

What Comes With the Traitors Aboard Game?

When you open the Traitors Aboard box, you’ll typically find:

• Role cards (Sailors, Traitors, Special Roles)
  
  
• Mission cards
  
  
• Voting tokens
  
  
• Rulebook
  
  

Some editions also include expanded roles and scenarios for even deeper gameplay.

Setting Up Traitors Aboard

Initial Setup

• Shuffle and distribute a role card to each player face-down.
  
  
• Place mission cards and voting tokens in the center.
  
  
• Players secretly view their roles without revealing them.
  
  

Understanding Your Role

• Sailors must complete missions and protect the ship.
  
  
• Traitors must sabotage missions without being caught.
  
  
• Special Roles (optional) add twists, like medics, captains, or spies.
  
  

How to Play Traitors Aboard

Gameplay Overview

Traitors Aboard plays over a series of missions, with each round involving:

• Planning Phase:
  
  
  • Players discuss who should be assigned to missions.
    
    
• Voting Phase:
  
  
  • Everyone votes on whether to approve the proposed team.
    
    
• Mission Phase:
  
  
  • Assigned players secretly decide to either succeed or sabotage.
    
    
• Outcome Phase:
  
  
  • Based on the results, players gather clues about possible traitors.
    
    
• Accusation Phase (optional in some versions):
  
  
  • Players can openly accuse and attempt to eject suspected traitors.
    
    

Winning Conditions

• Sailors Win: If a set number of missions succeed without sabotage.
  
  
• Traitors Win: If they sabotage enough missions or reach specific sabotage milestones.
  
  

Key Rules to Remember in Traitors Aboard

Voting Rules

All players must vote on team selections. If the vote fails too many times consecutively, the traitors may automatically win.

Mission Submissions

Each assigned player submits either a success or sabotage token in secret. A single sabotage can doom a mission—depending on mission requirements.

Special Role Powers

Special roles may have one-time powers or continuous influence on voting and missions. Use them wisely to shift the tide.

Best Strategies for Winning Traitors Aboard

If You’re a Sailor

• Communicate Clearly: Confusion benefits traitors.
  
  
• Track Voting Patterns: Notice who approves suspicious teams.
  
  
• Build Trust Gradually: Work with players who consistently help succeed missions.
  
  

If You’re a Traitor

• Blend In: Sometimes let missions succeed to build trust early.
  
  
• Subtle Sabotage: Obvious sabotage draws attention.
  
  
• Frame Others: Cast doubt subtly without being too aggressive.
  
  

General Tips

• Stay Calm Under Accusation: Overreacting can give you away.
  
  
• Use Team Logic: Break down choices mathematically—who should’ve succeeded vs. failed.
  
  

Why Traitors Aboard Is a Must-Play Party Game

Fast-Paced and Suspenseful

Each round builds tension as players scramble to figure out who to trust.

Highly Replayable

With different role combinations and unpredictable player dynamics, no two games are ever the same.

Perfect for Medium and Large Groups

Best played with 5–10 players, Traitors Aboard shines at parties, team-building events, and game nights.

Great for Fans of Deduction Games

If you love games like The Resistance or Werewolf, you'll adore the unique twists Traitors Aboard brings to the hidden-role genre.

Recommended Age and Player Count for Traitors Aboard

• Ages: 12 and up
  
  
• Players: 5 to 10 (sweet spot: 7–9 players for maximum tension)
  
  

Younger players can grasp the rules easily, but the real fun comes from the social strategy and bluffing—skills that truly shine with teen and adult groups.

Where to Buy Traitors Aboard

Traitors Aboard is available at major retailers like:

• Amazon
  
  
• Target
  
  
• Walmart
  
  
• Specialty board game stores
  
  

Some stores also offer deluxe editions with expansion cards and bonus scenarios.

Ready to Outsmart Your Friends? Set Sail With Traitors Aboard!

Traitors Aboard offers a brilliant mix of strategy, deduction, and deception that's perfect for players who love mind games and unexpected twists. Whether you're orchestrating a flawless sabotage or trying to unmask a hidden traitor, every game promises suspenseful moments and unforgettable showdowns.

If you want a party game that gets everyone talking (and second-guessing), Traitors Aboard deserves a spot in your game night lineup. Set sail—and watch your back!

Grab Traitors Aboard on Amazon!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Traitors Aboard Hard to Learn?
   Not at all! The basic rules are easy to pick up, but the depth comes from player interactions and social strategy.
2. Can You Play Traitors Aboard With Only 4 Players?
   It’s possible but not recommended. The game shines with 5–10 players for the best balance of chaos and suspicion.
3. Is There Player Elimination?
   In most versions, players stay involved until the end, even if they're accused or unmasked.
4. How Long Does a Game of Traitors Aboard Last?
   Most games last around 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of players and how intense discussions get.
5. Are There Expansions for Traitors Aboard?
   Yes! Some expansions add new roles, missions, and gameplay twists for even more variety and replayability.