The Dagger is a game power first introduced in Les Traîtres (France)/Season 1, making its holder's vote count double at the next Banishment if they choose to use it.
Mechanics[]
When obtained, it can be used by its holder to have their vote count twice at the next Round Table. An unused Dagger will expire, and cannot be carried over to the next round or transferred to another contestant.
The Dagger is usually obtained as a potential Armoury reward separate from the Shield, although both have occupied the same Armoury slot on more than one occasion.
Twists[]
- Double Daggers: First introduced in Episode 10 of De Verraders (Netherlands)/Season 3. There were two Daggers up for grabs in the Armoury, instead of the usual one Dagger in a finale episode.
- Dagger Dinner: First introduced in Episode 3 of Forræder (Norway)/Season 2. Instead of being located in the Armoury like in other versions, the Dagger was obtained through the Dagger Dinner instead. The contestants with Armoury access nominated two others they wished to see win the Dagger. The pair would then choose a box each and play a minigame: one person was allowed to look inside their box and describe its contents (and possibly lie about it), while the other decided if they wished to switch boxes. One of the boxes contained the Dagger; unlike in other versions, it was automatically played at the next Banishment.
Names in Non-English Languages[]
| Version | Name |
|---|---|
| France & Belgium (Wallonia) | Dague |
| Netherlands & Norway | Dolk |
| Greece | Στιλέτο (Stiléto) |
| Germany | Dolch |
| Poland | Sztylet |
Strategy[]
Daggers are only usable in the immediate Banishment; hence, most players see no reason not to play them. They have become especially important in the endgame, where the small number of contestants left means that each vote matters. However, there are arguably two reasons why a player might choose not to use the Dagger, especially if the vote is already overwhelmingly leaning towards one contestant being Banished: uncertainty on the vote and fear that a Dagger misplay might draw attention to them, and a possibly implicit admission if the Dagger is used that the holder does not have the Shield as well, and is thus also a possible target for Murder later.
Trivia[]
- Daggers have made a difference in vote results thrice across the franchise so far, both times coincidentally determining who would ultimately win:
- In Les Traîtres (France)/Season 1, the very first Dagger was won in the finale by Elsa Esnoult, who used it in a 3-3 deadlock to send fellow Faithful Bernard Werber home, setting the Traitors on course to win.
- In Les Traîtres (Belgium)/Season 2, Traitors Manzul Akhmedov and Vanessa Matagne were divided into separate factions trying to vote each other out. During the finale, it was Vanessa's ally Christophe Rochus who won and used the Dagger in another 3-3 deadlock, Banishing Manzul and paving the way for Vanessa to win.
- In Les Traîtres (France)/Season 2, Juju Fitcats used the Dagger against her ally Norbert Tarayre at the final 4 vote when she could have used it against Gennifer Demey instead, sending him home and ensuring she would be the sole winner.