Some game nights leave you with a single story to remember. Others give you two experiences right after the other, each with its own surprises, lessons, and big mistakes. Our recent evening was definitely the second kind.
We managed to fit two games of Blood on the Clocktower into one night. Both were run by Dave, who was telling the story for the first time. Although he was new to running the game, Dave had played many times before. We also had Martin with us. He is an experienced Story Teller, but this time he played and quietly helped keep things moving.
The two games were very different. The first was a long, tense tragedy for the good team, full of mistakes. The second was a cleaner, sharper victory that showed how great the game feels when everything works perfectly.
Game One: A Slow Burn Into Disaster
Players (6): Glen (me), Martin, Dan, Ahmed, Kevin, Lee
Story Teller: Dave
Hidden Roles:
- Glen – Slayer (Townsfolk)
- Martin – Soldier (Townsfolk)
- Dan – Imp (Demon)
- Ahmed – Saint (Outsider)
- Kevin – Monk (Townsfolk)
- Lee – Poisoner (Minion)
We sat in the circle and began. This first game lasted over an hour. There was plenty of talking, theorizing, and just enough false information to slowly confuse the town.
First Night and Day: Big Claims, Bigger Red Flags
Early on, Dan came to me claiming to be the Investigator. He said he had seen that either Lee or Martin was the Poisoner. It was a bold move, and it made me suspicious immediately.
Later, we found out Dan had told Martin a completely different result. He said the Poisoner was either Martin himself or me. Right away, the story did not add up.
Ahmed and Kevin, both playing for the first time, naturally stuck together and claimed their roles early. Meanwhile, Lee claimed to be the Empath and reported a “0,” meaning both his neighbors were supposedly good.
With only six players, the math felt tight. If we executed a Townsfolk too early, the evil team would gain a huge advantage. After much discussion, no execution took place. It was cautious, but we would see if it was the right choice.
Second Night and Day: No Murder, No Certainty
The second night passed with no Demon kill. This supported the claims of both the Monk and the Soldier, but strangely, it made things feel even more suspicious.
I confronted Dan about his contradictory information. He claimed he was confused, but his behavior felt wrong. Martin accused Kevin, and Kevin was put on the block. Moments later, Lee accused me, and the vote tied, saving both Kevin and me from danger.
Again, no one was executed.
At this point, I was openly accusing Dan of lying on purpose. The town was uneasy but still unsure where the real danger was.
Third Night and Day: Star-Pass Chaos
Overnight, Dan died. He had killed himself on purpose to Star-Pass the Demon role to Lee.
I immediately called it out. Loudly.
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No one believed me.
Convinced we had to act, I used my Slayer shot on Ahmed. I thought Ahmed was the Demon now. The shot missed. The Saint lived.
Martin, now convinced that Kevin’s failure to use the Monk ability on the first night meant something bad, pushed hard. The vote went through, and Kevin was executed. Another Townsfolk was gone.
Fourth Night and Day: The Fatal Mistake
I was murdered in the night.
From the grave, I watched suspicion bounce around wildly. Martin briefly wondered if I had somehow Star-Passed (I hadn’t), but then attention finally settled on Lee. He received two votes and was placed on the block.
Then Lee nominated Ahmed.
Hands went up.
And I—convinced that Ahmed and Kevin’s early private discussions meant they were the evil team—forced the vote through.
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Ahmed died.
The Saint was executed.
Evil instantly won.Post-Game Revelations
When the roles were revealed, everything clicked into place:
- Martin had been poisoned on nights 1 and 2, meaning the Soldier should have died earlier.
- Kevin was required to choose someone to protect as the Monk, but we had misunderstood this rule, unfairly casting suspicion on him.
- The game hinged on just a few small rules mistakes, but the story they created was fantastic.
Painful? Absolutely.
Memorable? Without question.Game Two: Redemption, With Laughter
Players: Glen, Martin, Dan, Charlene, Kevin, Lee
Story Teller: Dave
Hidden Roles:
- Glen – Slayer (again)
- Martin – Mayor
- Dan – Virgin
- Charlene – Saint
- Kevin – Poisoner
- Lee – Imp (Demon)
Same Story Teller. A similar group. But a very different energy.
First Night and Day: Lies for the Greater Good
Kevin poisoned Martin immediately, making the Mayor vulnerable. I decided to fake being the Librarian, hoping to identify a lone Outsider and help the town control the story.
Through conversations with Martin and Dan, I quickly confirmed Charlene was the Saint. The information aligned neatly, and I was feeling confident.
At the Town Square, no one was nominated. It was quiet—but productive.
Second Night and Day: A Very Public Mix-Up
No murder again. Kevin poisoned me, silently turning my Slayer ability into a dud.
Here is where things went sideways—in the best way.
I announced that if there was a Virgin, I would nominate them and die… but my real plan was to Slayer Shot Lee, who had been behaving oddly since day one.
Martin pointed out the Virgin to me.
Unfortunately, Dave misheard the exchange. He thought Martin had nominated the Virgin, and auto-killed the Mayor.
The table erupted in laughter.
An honest mistake, instantly forgiven, and very on-brand for Clocktower chaos.Play continued. Pressure mounted on Kevin and Lee. Dan nominated Lee and put him on the block. Then, not knowing I was poisoned, I fired my Slayer shot at Lee.
It failed. Obviously.
Kevin was nominated next and executed. There was no Scarlet Woman. Just a poisoned Slayer making dramatic gestures.
Third Night and Day: Justice Served
I was murdered in the night.
With Kevin gone, the remaining players compared notes. Everything pointed at Lee. Charlene nominated him, four hands went up, and the Demon was executed.
Good team victory.
Final Thoughts
Two games. Two wildly different outcomes. One excellent evening.
For a first-time Story Teller, Dave did a great job, handling rules, pacing, and the occasional chaos with good humour. Ahmed and Kevin, both new players, jumped in brilliantly, asked the right questions, and added real texture to the games.
Dan once again proved he is far less clueless than he pretends, Martin found himself boxed in by powerful Townsfolk roles, Charlene played a textbook Saint, and I—apparently destined to be the double Slayer—nearly got my Demon and caused just enough drama to feel satisfied.
Blood on the Clocktower thrives on mistakes, misunderstandings, and moments where everyone thinks they are right… right up until the end.
And honestly?
That is what makes it so good.
