BoLS logo Tabletop, RPGs & Pop Culture
Advertisement

Tabletop Spotlight: Dead Last

4 Minute Read
Aug 9 2016

Dead Last crop

The Tabletop Spotlight is on Dead Last – A Plotters Party Game!

If you are looking for a great party game for your next get together with your friends then our friends over at Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy have the perfect game for you:

Advertisement

Dead Last is one of those “Social Collusion” games. You’ve probably played games like it before but with different names like “Mafia” or Werewolf or other games where a big group of players gets together to vote people off the island. You form alliances, you backstab your allies you try to not get busted – if that sounds like your cup of tea then this game is for you.

Dead Last Cards

It’s got a few twists on the classic formula, the main thing is the voting mechanics. Each player may vote on who they would like eliminated. If one player accrues more votes than others, they are then considered the Target and are removed from the game. BUT there is a defense mechanism – the Ambush card!

The Ambush cards works when a player is declared the Target. If they would have been eliminated then can instead eliminate one of the players that voted for them. However, if you play an Ambush card and aren’t the target, you are eliminated instead.

dead last cards 2

Voting is done face down and everyone reveals at the same time so you’ll know who voted for who. It’s a really simple game but it requires a lot of skill and strategy. Also, the game doesn’t end with just one round of play. The goal is to accumulate gold bars. The first player to hit the goal (based on the number of players) wins – so just because you lost the first round doesn’t mean you’re completely out of the game yet.

When the games gets down to just two players left in the round they immediately go to the Final Showdown phase. It’s a pretty tense part of the game and can lead to some really fun moments.

Dead Last Cards 3

Overall, the cards are fun and simple and they have 12 different color options and decks for players. It’s one of those games that gamers and non-gamers can really get into because of the social aspects of it. I can’t wait to try this at my next party! If you want to read up on the rest of the rules you can see them for free online here.

Dead Last

Dead Last Cover 1

The Tontine. An ages-old investment scheme, where you just buy a ticket and could potentially make millions – if you are the last living member. But there’s a reason Tontines are illegal. They have a tendency to lead to murder. That doesn’t mean they don’t still exist. In fact, you hold a ticket to a quickly collapsing Tontine. With only a few dozen members left, it is now kill or be killed. It could mean a fortune, if you’re DEAD LAST.

DEAD LAST is a ‘social collusion’ game of shifting alliances, betrayals and murder for profit. There is no hidden traitor, as each of you is equally an ally and a betrayer at any given moment. Each round, you will conspire and then vote upon whom to kill, in an effort to be the last player standing and collect gold. You MUST vote with the larger group, just to stay alive, so alliances and gaining agreement on who will die is critical. Subtle communication, a glance, a nod, pointing a finger, flashing their targeting card, anything at all is completely legal. But don’t tip off your target – or they will ambush you instead.

 A boisterous, party game of .45 caliber diplomacy for 6 to 12 players.

If you didn’t see it coming, you’re already dead…

Avatar
Author: Adam Harrison
Advertisement
  • GenCon 2016 - Day One Photos & Videos