Merlin's Company - Expansion for Shadows Over Camelot

A new expansion for the board game Shadows over Camelot (my pick as the best board game published in 2005) has been announced by publisher Days of Wonder. Merlin's Company, scheduled to be available in July 2008, introduces seven new knights and the wizard Merlin to Shadows over Camelot. With this expansion, Merlin becomes a full-blown independent character in the game, complete with his own figure. He travels the board lending guidance and a helping hand to the embattled knights.

Game designers Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget said in a press release, "Merlin's Company creates a new set of challenges for Shadows over Camelot players. Travels have become more perilous and treason may appear in multiple disguises, but Merlin is now watching over the Knight's shoulders and might yet step in to rescue the kingdom from disaster. Together, these changes give a whole new dimension to adventures inside and around Camelot."

In addition to the new Merlin figure and summary card, Merlin's Company includes seven new Knight's Coats of Arms; a bonus figure of Sir Bedivere, complete with his own Coat of Arms and die; 16 travel cards (new events that occur as you move from Quest to Quest); 14 black cards, including Morgan's seven witches; and 23 white cardsm, including eight new special white cards.

The Merlin's Company expansion is for 3 to 8 players, ages 10 and up. The original Shadows over Camelot board game is required to play. It's expected to sell for about $25 in the United States and €25 in Europe.

^{Image courtesy of Days of Wonder}