A village has werewolves disguised as villagers. Every night the werewolves secretly eat one villager. Every morning the village meets and votes to throw out someone they suspect.
The village wins when every werewolf is gone.
The werewolves win when there are as many werewolves as villagers left, or more.
The fun is in the talking. Villagers don't know who is who; the werewolves know each other and have to lie well. The game comes from Mafia, invented in Russia around 1986, and was later re-themed with werewolves.
What you need
One role card per player. No box? Folded paper slips with the roles written on them work fine.
A moderator, who wakes the roles at night and keeps time, and is on nobody's side.
Somewhere everyone can sit in a circle and see each other's faces.
Deal the cards face down. Everyone secretly looks at their own role and tells no one.
The main roles
Role
Side
What they do
Villager
Village
No special power; watch and vote
Werewolf
Werewolves
Wake at night and agree on a victim
Seer
Village
Each night, checks one player: werewolf or not
Doctor
Village
Each night, protects one player; if the wolves pick them, they survive
Hunter
Village
When they die, they take one other player with them at once
Witch
Village
Has one healing potion and one poison potion, each usable once a game
For a first game, villagers, werewolves, the Seer and the Doctor are enough. Add the others in later games.
How many of each
This is a fairly balanced starting point; play and adjust. If the werewolves win too easily, use fewer wolves or more roles that help the village.
Players (not counting the moderator)
Werewolves
Special roles
Plain villagers
6
1
Seer, Doctor
3
7 to 8
2
Seer, Doctor
3 to 4
9 to 11
2
Seer, Doctor, Hunter
4 to 6
12 to 15
3
Seer, Doctor, Hunter, Witch
5 to 8
16 to 20
4
Seer, Doctor, Hunter, Witch
8 to 12
The moderator's script
Night
"Everyone close your eyes. Night falls on the village." (Have everyone tap the table softly or hum, so nobody hears people moving.)
"Werewolves, open your eyes. Look at each other, then point to tonight's victim." (On the first night the wolves can just meet each other.)
"Werewolves, close your eyes."
"Doctor, open your eyes and choose who to protect tonight." Then "Doctor, close your eyes."
"Seer, open your eyes and point to someone." The moderator gives a thumbs up for a werewolf and a thumbs down for not. Then "Seer, close your eyes."
If there is a Witch, wake her, show by gesture who was attacked, and ask whether she will use the healing potion or the poison.
Day
"Everyone open your eyes, it's morning." Announce who died in the night, or "Nobody died last night" if the Doctor saved the right person.
The dead player reveals their card (or doesn't, if you agreed to play hidden) and may not speak again until the game ends.
Allow about 3 to 5 minutes of discussion. Anyone can name a suspect.
Vote together: count to 3 and everyone points. The player with the most votes is out. On a tie, nobody goes, or hold a second vote between the tied players.
If neither side has won, go back to night.
Tips for a first game
Villagers: notice who changes the subject quickly, who always votes with others, and who is quick to accuse people who are already dead.
Werewolves: don't go quiet. Ask questions like a villager, and don't defend your fellow wolves too obviously.
Seer: reveal yourself early and the wolves eat you next night. Gather information for a few nights first.
Everyone: play the role, not the person. When it is over, be friends again.
Popular variants
One Night Ultimate Werewolf: one night, about 10 minutes, roles can be swapped during the night. Good for 3 to 10 players.
More roles: Cupid, who links two players as lovers who die together, or the Little Girl, who may peek at the werewolves.
The Mayor: the village elects a mayor whose vote counts twice.
MaliWikis is not affiliated with the makers of any Werewolf edition. Game and role names in each box belong to their owners. These are the common basic rules, so the edition you buy may differ a little.
