Werewolf!
I just recently learned about this game, and it sounded interesting so I gave it a go with the family over the past weekend. It turned out to be a blast, and super easy to learn and pick up. You’ll need a pretty large group to play - at least 8 people, but if you have a large family like mine, I suggest you give it a try sometime.
There’s been a few commercial editions of this game released, but to play Werewolf, all you really need is a simple deck of cards. If you’d like a printer friendly version of the rules, click here. This game is an experiment in mob rule, and gets really loud, but damn is it fun. The game goes like this:
SET-UP
1. Assemble a group of 8 or more players.
2. From a deck of normal playing cards take 2 jokers, a king, a queen, and enough number cards so that there’s a single card for each player. Put the rest of the deck away.
3. Shuffle these cards and deal one, face down, to each player
4. The players with the Joker card are the “Werewolves”. The player with the King is the “Moderator”. And the player with the queen is the “Mystic”. All other players are “Villagers”.
THE PREMIS
The players are divided into 2 teams, the werewolves and the townsfolk.
The werewolves’ goal is to kill off the townsfolk without being killed themselves.
The goal of the townsfolk is to kill off both werewolves.
One of the townsfolk is the Mystic who has the power to detect the werewolves, but must be careful not to let the werewolves know who they are – the Mystic is the werewolves’ greatest threat.
The Moderator runs the game, and does not participate directly – like a referee. It is their job to keep things moving and entertaining.
During the game, players are killed and considered “dead”. Dead players are not allowed to converse, confer, or otherwise communicate with any “living” player.
The game alternates between night and day phases and begins at night.
NIGHT
The night phase begins with the Moderator instructing all players to close their eyes – it is night time, and the townsfolk are sleeping. The Moderator is the only player allowed to speak at night – all other players should remain silent. It helps to have music playing to muffle any sounds.
Once all the players have their eyes closed the Moderator says “Werewolves open your eyes…” The werewolves open their eyes and recognize each other.
Once the Moderator knows who the werewolves are, the Moderator then says “Werewolves choose your kill…” The werewolves then agree on which player they wish to kill. This must be done as silently as possible using pointing, hand gestures, etc.
Once the werewolves have agreed, the Moderator says “Werewolves close your eyes…” At which point, the werewolves close their eyes again.
Next, the Moderator says “Mystic, open your eyes…” The mystic should now open their eyes. The Moderator then says “Who bears the curse?…” The mystic now silently points to any player. The Moderator should now indicate if the chosen player is indeed a werewolf with a head nod. The Moderator then says “Mystic close your eyes…” The mystic should then close their eyes once more.
DAY
Once all the players have their eyes closed, the Moderator then says “It is day, and insert victim’s name was killed during the night…” The players can now open their eyes. The killed player flips their card over to reveal what card they drew. The player is now “Dead” and out of the game.
The angry townsfolk must now vote on who should be lynched for the crime. At this point, all living players argue over who should be chosen.
The werewolves should pretend to be just normal townsfolk. Anything is allowed here, lying and trickery is the name of the game. Once the players have reached a majority decision, that player is killed, and their card is flipped over – they are now “Dead”.
After this is done, a new night phase begins. Dead players can keep their eyes open and watch the action, but can no longer participate.
VICTORY
If at any time the number of werewolves is equal to or greater than the number of townsfolk remaining, the werewolves win. If the two werewolves are killed, the townsfolk win.
If the players wish to play again, shuffle up all the cards, and deal them out randomly to each player, thus beginning a new game.
The game is all about lying, acting, alliances and betrayal. And it’s interesting to see how people quickly fall into their given roles each round with surprising intensity. Give it a go if you have the chance, it’s awesome.
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DEACON
