The Resistance vs Avalon — Rules, Differences & How to Play Online
The Resistance and Avalon are two of the most beloved social deduction games — and they're made by the same designer. But which one should you play? This guide breaks down the rules, differences, and how to play both online with AI on TextGame.ai.
Overview — Two Games, One Family
Both The Resistance and Avalon (full name: The Resistance: Avalon) were designed by Don Eskridge. They share the same core mechanic — a group of players must complete missions, but hidden spies (or minions) sabotage from within. The key difference? Avalon adds special roles like Merlin and the Assassin.
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5–10 players
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30 min
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Social Deduction
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Team Voting
The Resistance: Rules & Gameplay
In The Resistance, players are secretly divided into Resistance members (loyal) and Spies. Spies know each other; Resistance members don't know who anyone is.
- 1
Team Selection
A rotating leader proposes a team of players to go on a mission. The group size depends on the mission number and total players.
- 2
Team Vote
Everyone votes approve or reject. If the majority rejects, leadership passes to the next player. Five consecutive rejections means spies win.
- 3
Mission
Approved team members secretly play Success or Fail cards. Resistance members must play Success. Spies can play either.
- 4
Result
Cards are shuffled and revealed. One Fail card (two in large groups for Mission 4) means the mission fails. Three successful missions wins for Resistance; three failed missions wins for Spies.
Avalon: Rules & Roles
Avalon uses the same mission-based structure but adds named roles with special abilities, creating deeper strategy and more dramatic moments.
Key Roles in Avalon
Merlin
Knows who the evil players are, but must stay hidden — if the Assassin identifies Merlin at the end, evil wins.
Assassin
If good completes three missions, the Assassin gets one chance to guess Merlin. A correct guess steals victory for evil.
Percival
Knows who Merlin is and can help protect them, but Morgana may appear as a false Merlin.
Morgana
Appears as Merlin to Percival. Creates confusion about who the real Merlin is.
Oberon
Evil, but unknown to the other evil players (and doesn't know them). A wildcard for both sides.
These roles make Avalon a game of information management — Merlin must subtly guide the team without revealing their identity, while the Assassin watches for clues.
Key Differences Compared
| Feature | The Resistance | Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Dystopian rebels vs spies | Arthurian knights vs evil |
| Special Roles | None (pure deduction) | Merlin, Assassin, Percival, Morgana, Oberon |
| Information | Spies know each other only | Multiple layers of partial info |
| End-game twist | None | Assassin guesses Merlin |
| Complexity | Lower — great for beginners | Higher — more strategic depth |
Which Should You Play?
Choose The Resistance if...
- Your group is new to social deduction. No roles to remember — just vote, discuss, and deduce.
- You have 5–6 players. The Resistance shines at smaller counts where every vote matters.
- You want pure bluffing. Without hidden information roles, the game is entirely about reading people.
Choose Avalon if...
- Your group loves strategy. The Merlin/Assassin dynamic adds a thrilling layer of cat-and-mouse.
- You have 7–10 players. More roles means more intrigue at higher player counts.
- You want dramatic endings. The Assassin's final guess can flip the entire game in seconds.
On TextGame.ai, you can play both — the AI Game Master handles team selection, voting, mission resolution, and role reveals. AI players fill empty seats so you can start with any group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Resistance and Avalon with the same group?
Absolutely. Many groups start with The Resistance to learn the core mechanics, then switch to Avalon once everyone is comfortable. The mission structure is identical.
How many players do you need for Avalon?
Avalon officially supports 5–10 players. On TextGame.ai, AI fills any empty seats, so you can play with as few as 1–2 humans and still get the full experience.
Is Avalon better than The Resistance?
Neither is strictly better. Avalon adds more complexity and memorable moments with Merlin and the Assassin, but The Resistance is more elegant and accessible. It depends on your group's preferences.
Can I play Resistance or Avalon online for free?
Yes! On TextGame.ai, both games are free to play with an AI Game Master. Create a room, invite friends with a link, and AI fills any remaining seats.
🏰 Play Resistance & Avalon Online
AI Game Master. AI players fill empty seats. No moderator needed. Start in 30 seconds.