Here is our guide to virtual Werewolf.
We put this guide together after running thousands of successful virtual team building activities and connecting remote teams in all industries for over a decade!
Virtual Werewolf is a social deduction game where players are assigned roles as villagers or werewolves. Players work together to uncover the werewolves’ identities while protecting the villagers. This activity promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills as players collaborate to analyze behavior, make strategic decisions, and ultimately achieve their team’s objectives.
Ideal group size:
6 to 18 players
Activity duration:
30 to 60 minutes
(This timeframe allows for multiple rounds of gameplay, including discussions, accusations, and voting.)
Cost:
Free
What you’ll need:
- Video conferencing platform for communication and interaction
- Virtual Werewolf game platform or app for role assignments and gameplay
- Pen and paper for note-taking or tracking game progress
How to play:
Step 1: Assign Roles
At the start of the game, designate roles for each player, including villagers and werewolves. You can also assign optional special characters like the seer or healer.
Step 2: Explain the Objective
Next, clearly communicate the goal of the game. Villagers must identify and eliminate the werewolves while the werewolves attempt to remain undiscovered and eliminate villagers.
Step 3: Start the Night Phase
The game begins with the night phase, during which werewolves secretly choose a villager to eliminate. In addition, any special characters perform their nighttime actions using private messages or breakout rooms for confidentiality.
Step 4: Conduct the Day Phase
After nighttime, transition to the day phase. Players openly discuss suspicions, share information, and vote on who to eliminate as a suspected werewolf, encouraging active participation and collaboration.
Step 5: Hold a Vote
Players vote o determine who to eliminate, reminding participants to consider evidence, behavior, and voting patterns when making their decisions.
Step 6: Reveal the Results
You can announce the player with the most votes as eliminated, and this player will exit the game.
Step 7: Continue the Cycle
The night and day phases repeat, with werewolves choosing new targets and players engaging in discussions and voting rounds.
Step 8: Conclude the Game
The game concludes when either all werewolves are eliminated or when the werewolves outnumber the villagers.
Classic Werewolf characters
- Villager: The Villager’s role is to work with other villagers to identify and eliminate werewolves during the day phase by discussing suspicions and voting. This player has no special abilities but must use deductive reasoning and observation to uncover the werewolves’ identities.
- Werewolf: Werewolves are tasked with secretly eliminating villagers during the night phase while avoiding detection during the day. These players collaborate with fellow werewolves to strategically target villagers and sow confusion among the group.
- Seer: The Seer can learn the true identity of one player each night phase by inspecting them, aiding villagers in identifying werewolves, or confirming the innocence of fellow villagers.
- Healer: The Healer can protect one player each night phase from being eliminated by the werewolves’ attacks, providing crucial support to potential targets or key village allies.
Special Werewolf characters
- Tanner: The Tanner is a unique character who secretly wants to be eliminated from the game. While villagers aim to identify and eliminate werewolves, the Tanner’s objective is to draw suspicion onto themselves and be eliminated by the vote. This player’s goal is to deceive the village into thinking they are a werewolf, adding an additional layer of complexity to the gameplay as players must navigate conflicting motivations.
- Cupid: Cupid is a matchmaker who selects two players to become “lovers” at the beginning of the game. If one of the lovers is eliminated, then the other will die from heartbreak, regardless of their role. Cupid’s role adds a twist to the game dynamics as players must consider the implications of targeting or protecting the lovers, potentially impacting their own strategies and alliances.
- Bodyguard: The Bodyguard can protect one player from the werewolves’ attacks each night phase. However, if the Bodyguard chooses to protect themselves, then they forfeit their protection ability for that night. This player’s role introduces a strategic element as players must decide whether to prioritize their own safety or protect other key players, potentially influencing the game’s outcome.
- Jester: The Jester’s goal is to be eliminated by the vote during the day phase, but they cannot reveal their true role. If the Jester is eliminated, then they win the game, regardless of whether the villagers or werewolves win. This player’s presence adds a dynamic element to the game as players must consider the possibility of the Jester intentionally drawing suspicion onto themselves or manipulating the voting process to achieve their objective.
Tips:
- Communicate Openly: Encourage all players to actively participate in discussions, share information, and voice suspicions to foster collaboration and uncover werewolves.
- Analyze Voting Patterns: Pay attention to how players vote during the day phase, as it can reveal alliances, suspicions, and potential werewolves among the group.
- Use Special Abilities Wisely: Strategically utilize special character abilities, such as the Seer’s inspections or the Healer’s protections, to gain valuable information and protect key players.
- Build Alliances: Form alliances with trusted players to share information, coordinate voting strategies, and increase your chances of survival and victory as villagers.
- Beware of Deception: Remain vigilant for deceptive behavior and inconsistencies in players’ statements, as werewolves may attempt to manipulate discussions and deflect suspicion away from themselves.
- Trust Your Instincts: Trust your instincts and intuition when making decisions, but also be open to reconsidering your opinions based on new information and analysis.
Final Thoughts
Playing virtual Werewolf offers an exhilarating and immersive experience that promotes teamwork, communication, and critical thinking among participants. You can work together to uncover werewolves or navigate the complexities of special character roles. The game fosters bonds, encourages strategic thinking, and creates lasting memories. As you embark on your Werewolf adventures with your team, may you embrace the thrill of the chase.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on virtual games for large groups.
