
2026Yangtian Li
From BoardGameGeek
Trial of Lotus is a social deduction board game for 6-12 players, inspired by Chinese mythology. Players are secretly assigned roles as spirits of the Forest who support Jade Lotus, or shadows who follow the Black Fox. Players play through up to 6 trials, divided into random groups via sun/moon token draws that shuffle every two trials. Each round, players secretly vote with pure or tainted hearts. the revealed results decide whether a trial is purified or tainted. The good spirits must purify the trials while the shadows aim to taint them or conceal their identity. Players may spend a Ruyi token to propose swapping participants in a trial group. After 4 trials, the table must eliminate one player during the Cleanse Ritual before proceeding to the aftermath, 2 more trials if necessary, or the Fox's Last Strike, where the Black Fox attempts to assassinate Jade Lotus. Both factions race to win 4 trials while protecting their leaders from elimination. A flowchart is included in the rulebook. The game features Art Nouveau illustrated character cards with 12+ unique roles, each with distinct abilities rooted in Chinese folklore and mythology. Similar in structure to Avalon, but with randomized group mechanics and a unique 'Cleanse Ritual' that creates a climax in the game, like a day in Werewolf. Characters like Kirin, Dreamwing, and Snow Kiku give different endings to the later half of the game that creates new information dynamics.
Trial of Lotus has 2 videos from 1 creator: 1 playthrough and 1 other video. They date from April 2026.
If you like it, try Wonder Woods, Scales of Fate, Fog of Love or Fractured Sky, which share several of its mechanics.
2025Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison
2 players30 minMedium weight
2024Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison
1 - 5 players45 - 75 minMedium weight
From BoardGameGeek:
Trial of Lotus is a social deduction board game for 6-12 players, inspired by Chinese mythology. Players are secretly assigned roles as spirits of the Forest who support Jade Lotus, or shadows who follow the Black Fox. Players play through up to 6 trials, divided into random groups via sun/moon token draws that shuffle every two trials. Each round, players secretly vote with pure or tainted hearts. the revealed results decide whether a trial is purified or tainted. The good spirits must purify the trials while the shadows aim to taint them or conceal their identity. Players may spend a Ruyi token to propose swapping participants in a trial group. After 4 trials, the table must eliminate one player during the Cleanse Ritual before proceeding to the aftermath, 2 more trials if necessary, or the Fox's Last Strike, where the Black Fox attempts to assassinate Jade Lotus. Both factions race to win 4 trials while protecting their leaders from elimination. A flowchart is included in the rulebook. The game features Art Nouveau illustrated character cards with 12+ unique roles, each with distinct abilities rooted in Chinese folklore and mythology. Similar in structure to Avalon, but with randomized group mechanics and a unique 'Cleanse Ritual' that creates a climax in the game, like a day in Werewolf. Characters like Kirin, Dreamwing, and Snow Kiku give different endings to the later half of the game that creates new information dynamics.
Designer
Yangtian Li
Artist
Yangtian Li
Publisher
Vineblade Studios
Categories
Mechanics