Werwölfe
Werwölfe Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
25 character cards, of which:
Characters that play for the village:
- 6 Villagers (male)
- 6 Villagers (female)
- 1 Healer
- 1 Witch
- 1 Seer
- 1 Hunter
- 1 Red Riding Hood
- 1 Cupid
- 1 Mayor
Characters that play for the werewolf team:
- 6 Werewolves
1 overview card
Character Values
The characters vary in strength, which is indicated by different character values. The following table and the overview card summarize all the character values. Positive numbers mean the character strengthens the village, negative numbers stand for characters that strengthen the werewolf team.
Note: Cupid wins together with the village, but their ability tends to help the werewolves more, so the value is negative.
Overview of the character values:
- Cupid: -2
- Mayor: +2
- Villager: +1
- Healer: +3
- Witch: +5
- Hunter: +3
- Red Riding Hood: +3
- Seer: +7
- Werewolf: -6
Game Setup
Sit around a table so that every player can clearly see every other player. Alternatively, you can also gather in a seated circle and do without a table.
In Werwölfe, one player must take on the role of moderator. The moderator's task is to lead the game and ensure that the participating characters can carry out their abilities in secret.
Determine before the game who takes on the role of moderator.
The moderator takes all the character cards as well as the overview card and selects 1 role per player.
Guidelines for Assembling the Characters
So that both teams enter a game of Werwölfe with roughly equal chances, the moderator should observe the following guidelines:
- The sum of the character values should be close to 0.
- Every game should include some werewolves, some villagers, and the Seer.
- If more than 8 players are taking part, further characters can be added in addition to those named above.
- Red Riding Hood should only play if the Hunter is also playing.
Example Composition for 11 Players
- 3 Werewolves — sum of character values: -18
- 2 Villagers (male) — sum of character values: +2
- 1 Villager (female) — character value: +1
- 1 Seer — character value: +7
- 1 Witch — character value: +5
- 1 Cupid — character value: -2
- 1 Hunter — character value: +3
- 1 Mayor — character value: +2
Sum of all character values: 0
Note: If the players know each other well and have already played Werwölfe multiple times, the sum of the character values should be -1 to -3. If many players are playing Werwölfe for the first time or don't know each other, the sum of the character values should be +1 to +3.
The moderator shuffles the selected character cards and deals 1 card face down to each player. Players may look at their card in secret but must never show it to another player. Afterward, players place their card face down on the table or the floor in front of them.
Goal of the Game
In Werwölfe, the werewolf team faces off against the village. A night phase and a day phase alternate until one team wins.
The werewolves may devour 1 other player every night, who is then eliminated from the game.
If only werewolves remain alive, the werewolf team wins.
All living players — including the werewolves — may lynch 1 player by majority decision during every day phase. This player is also eliminated from the game. If the last werewolf dies, all players belonging to the village win.
Sequence of Play
In Werwölfe, day phases and night phases alternate. The game begins with a night phase, followed by a day phase, then another night phase, and so on, until one team wins. During the night phase, all players must close their eyes. The moderator then calls the various roles one after another, who may open their eyes and, if applicable, use their special ability. The moderator tells these players when they must close their eyes again.
Night Phase: The First Night
The moderator says out loud:
"It has been a long day and you are getting tired — close your eyes."
After all players have closed their eyes, the moderator begins calling the participating roles one by one (in the order given). Should one role or another not be in play, the moderator skips the corresponding paragraph.
Cupid
The moderator says out loud:
"Cupid, awaken and open your eyes. Cupid, now point to 2 players who fall in love with each other. You may also point to yourself."
The moderator notes down the name of the player playing Cupid. The 2 chosen players fall in love with each other. This means: if one of them dies, the other dies immediately as well.
The moderator notes down the names of the two lovers.
The moderator says out loud:
"Cupid has made a choice, go back to sleep and close your eyes."
"I will now touch 2 players on the shoulder. These two players were chosen by Cupid and may open their eyes."
The moderator walks past every player once and touches the two lovers on the shoulder.
After a while, the moderator says out loud:
"Both players have fallen deeply in love with each other, go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: Fall in love with 2 players on the first night. If one dies, the other dies too.
Werewolves
The moderator says out loud:
"Werewolves, wake up. Open your eyes and look at each other. Together, choose 1 player you want to devour."
The moderator notes down on a sheet of paper the names of the players playing a werewolf.
The werewolves must now agree and point to 1 player whom they want to devour this night. This player dies at the start of the next day phase. The moderator notes down the name of this player.
If the werewolves cannot agree on a player, the moderator points out to them that their choice must be unanimous. If, after a while, they still cannot agree, the werewolves devour no player this night.
The moderator says out loud:
"The werewolves have chosen a victim. Go back to sleep and close your eyes."
The moderator says this even if the werewolves could not agree on a victim.
Ability: Choose 1 victim to devour every night, together with the other werewolves.
Seer
The moderator says out loud:
"Seer, wake up and open your eyes. Point to a fellow player — I will tell the Seer whether this fellow player is a werewolf or not."
The moderator writes down the name of the player playing the Seer.
If the Seer points to a werewolf, the moderator raises their thumb and then makes a werewolf grimace to make it clear. If the Seer does not point to a werewolf, the moderator lowers their thumb and shakes their head.
The moderator says out loud:
"The Seer has checked a fellow player. Go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: Choose 1 player every night and learn whether they are a villager or a werewolf.
Witch
The moderator says out loud:
"Witch, wake up. Open your eyes. I am showing the Witch the werewolves' victim. The Witch has a healing potion. Decide whether you want to save this player or not."
The moderator notes down the name of the player playing the Witch.
The Witch can only save 1 player with her healing potion during the entire game.
If the Witch wants to save the werewolves' victim, she raises her thumb. The moderator notes this down. If she does not want to save the victim, she lowers her thumb.
The moderator says out loud:
"The Witch also has a poison potion. Decide whether you want to poison a player."
The Witch can only poison 1 player with her poison potion during the entire game. This player dies at the start of the next day phase.
If the Witch wants to use her poison potion, she now points to 1 player. The moderator notes down the name of the poisoned player.
If the Witch does not want to use her poison potion, she lowers her thumb.
The moderator says out loud:
"The Witch has decided. Go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: You possess 1 healing potion and 1 poison potion, and learn the werewolves' victim.
Healer
The moderator says out loud:
"Healer, wake up. Open your eyes. Point to 1 fellow player you want to heal this night. If this player is the werewolves' victim, they will not die at the start of the next day phase."
The moderator writes down the name of the player playing the Healer. The moderator notes down the name of the healed player. If this player is also the werewolves' victim, they do not die at the start of the next day phase.
The Healer may not heal the same player on 2 consecutive nights. If the chosen player fell victim to the Witch's poison potion, they still die at the start of the next day phase.
The moderator says out loud:
"The Healer has decided. Go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: Choose 1 player every night who cannot be devoured.
Hunter
The moderator says out loud:
"Hunter, wake up. Open your eyes."
The moderator writes down the name of the player playing the Hunter.
If the Hunter dies later in the game, they may immediately shoot another person after their death is announced, who is likewise eliminated from the game.
The moderator says out loud:
"Hunter, go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: When you die, you may immediately kill 1 other player.
Red Riding Hood
The moderator says out loud:
"Red Riding Hood wake up and open your eyes."
The moderator writes down the name of the player playing Red Riding Hood.
As long as the Hunter is alive, Red Riding Hood cannot be devoured by the werewolves.
The werewolves can still choose Red Riding Hood. If they do, Red Riding Hood does not die at the start of the day. If the Hunter dies on the same night that Red Riding Hood is also the werewolves' victim (for example, through the Witch's poison potion), Red Riding Hood dies at the start of the day.
The moderator says out loud:
"Red Riding Hood, go back to sleep and close your eyes."
Ability: As long as the Hunter is alive, you cannot be devoured.
Mayor
The moderator says out loud:
"Mayor, wake up and open your eyes."
The moderator writes down the name of the player playing the Mayor.
If there is a tie in open votes (see the section "The Gallows"), the Mayor's vote counts double.
The moderator says out loud:
"Mayor, go back to sleep and close your eyes."
After the moderator has called all the participating characters and written down their names, and the players have used their abilities where applicable, it becomes day.
Ability: Your vote counts double in the event of a tie.
Day Phase: The First Day
The moderator says out loud:
"It was a long night and werewolves have prowled through the streets of the town. Everyone wake up and open your eyes."
If the Witch has used her poison potion, the moderator first announces which player was poisoned. This player dies, is eliminated from the game, and must turn over and show their character card.
Then the moderator announces which player was devoured by the werewolves. This player dies, is eliminated from the game, and must turn over and show their character card.
Notes: If the werewolves chose Red Riding Hood, but the Hunter is still alive and was not poisoned this night, Red Riding Hood does not die. The same applies if the Witch or the Healer healed the werewolves' victim. In this case the moderator says: "No one was devoured tonight."
All living players (including the living werewolves) may now discuss together who the werewolves are.
Were there any noticeable sounds in the night? Are players noticeably quiet or nervous?
The werewolves try to deflect suspicion from themselves and accuse other players. Or they blend into the crowd and keep a low profile. They may cooperate while doing so, but should be careful that the other players don't catch on to them.
The Gallows
After a while, all living players (including the living werewolves) may nominate 1 player for the gallows.
To nominate someone, point to that player and say: "I nominate Peter."
If another player confirms this nomination by also nominating Peter, the accused has the opportunity to defend themselves with a short speech. Afterward, all living players vote openly on whether the nominated player is lynched.
The moderator says:
"I will count 1, 2, 3, and on 3 you all either put your thumb up, if the player should be lynched, or your thumb down, if you think the player is not a werewolf."
If more players have their thumb up than down, the nominated player is lynched.
This player dies, is eliminated from the game, and must turn over and show their character card.
If the vote results in a tie and the Mayor is still alive, their vote counts double and decides the outcome.
If the player is not lynched, they cannot be nominated again during the current day phase. The living players continue discussing and may nominate another person, until a player is finally lynched (or no further player is nominated).
The Further Course of the Game
As soon as a player has been lynched, or if no further player is nominated, the day ends.
The next night follows; all remaining living players must close their eyes again, and the moderator calls first the werewolves, then the Seer, then the Witch, and finally the Healer.
The remaining characters are no longer called starting from the second night.
From then on, day and night phases keep alternating. During the day, the moderator first announces the dead, then the living may discuss with each other and nominate players for the gallows. At night, the werewolves may devour a player, the Seer may check 1 player, the Witch may use her potions if she still has any, and the Healer may heal 1 player.
End of the Game
The game ends as soon as the last werewolf dies. In this case, all players belonging to the village win — including those already deceased.
If the werewolves manage to devour all the other players (or have them lynched through cunning), they win.
Tips for the Moderator
To lead the game optimally, the moderator should ideally have already played a few games.
Beyond that, here are a few tips summarized to ensure a smooth game.
Moderator's Behavior During the Night Phases
In general, the moderator should be careful during the night phases not to address players directly, but instead to speak in different directions toward the participating players.
If Cupid has chosen 2 players, the moderator should walk past all players and only touch the affected players on the shoulder.
The moderator should avoid gender-specific pronouns like "he" and "she" or "his" and "her" (except when using character names). Otherwise this can unintentionally pass information to the group.
Keeping the Game Moving
If many players are playing Werwölfe for the first time, the game can take longer than with experienced players. The moderator should make sure the game keeps progressing and encourage players to participate actively. Some groups can be very quiet. In this case, the moderator should encourage the village to make nominations.
If the living players are in a heated discussion, the moderator should let them continue discussing, even if the day runs a bit longer than usual.
All Characters at a Glance (Alphabetical)
Cupid
Cupid (character value: -2)
Cupid is called by the moderator on the first night. They choose 2 players of their choice (gender is irrelevant). These players become a couple in love and see who the other is. If one of the two is killed, regardless of how, the other dies immediately as well, of a broken heart.
Ability: Fall in love with 2 players on the first night. If one dies, the other dies too.
Mayor
Mayor (character value: +2)
The Mayor's task is to lead the village, find the werewolves, and bring them to the gallows. If there is a tie in open votes, the Mayor's vote counts double.
Ability: Your vote counts double in the event of a tie.
Variant: Many groups award the Mayor card, after the characters have been distributed, to a specific player by majority decision. If a vote results in a tie, this player may decide. If the player who currently holds the Mayor card dies, they must immediately pass the card to another still-living player. No discussion takes place.
Villager
Villager (male/female) (character value: +1)
The task of the villagers is to find the werewolves and lynch them.
Ability: Find the werewolves and lynch them.
Healer
Healer (character value: +3)
The Healer chooses 1 fellow player every night. If this player is also the werewolves' victim, they do not die at the start of the next day phase. The Healer may not heal the same player on 2 consecutive nights. If the chosen player fell victim to the Witch's poison potion, they still die at the start of the next day phase.
Ability: Choose 1 player every night who cannot be devoured.
Witch
Witch (character value: +5)
The Witch possesses 2 potions, each of which she can use once per game: 1 healing potion and 1 poison potion.
Every night, the moderator shows the Witch the werewolves' victim and asks the Witch whether she wants to use her healing potion. If the Witch raises her thumb, she uses the healing potion and saves the werewolves' victim — if she lowers her thumb, she does not use the healing potion.
The Witch can also use the healing potion if she herself is the werewolves' victim.
Ability: You possess 1 healing potion and 1 poison potion, and learn the werewolves' victim.
In addition, the moderator asks the Witch every night whether she wants to use the poison potion. If she wants to, she shows the moderator 1 player, who dies at the start of the next day phase. If she does not want to, she lowers her thumb.
The Witch can use both potions in the same night.
Hunter
Hunter (character value: +3)
If the moderator announces the Hunter's death, the Hunter immediately fires their weapon at a target right after their death is announced, by pointing to 1 player of their choice. There is no discussion about the Hunter's choice before the Hunter shoots. The chosen player dies immediately and must reveal and show their character card.
Ability: When you die, you may immediately kill 1 other player.
Red Riding Hood
Red Riding Hood (character value: +3)
Red Riding Hood is protected against the werewolves' attack as long as the Hunter is still alive.
However, they can still die normally in other ways (for example, through the poison potion or the gallows). If the Hunter dies on the same night that Red Riding Hood is also the werewolves' victim, Red Riding Hood dies at the start of the next day phase. Red Riding Hood and the Hunter do not know each other. The Witch is shown Red Riding Hood as the werewolves' victim in the normal way, regardless of whether the Hunter is still alive or not.
Ability: As long as the Hunter is alive, you cannot be devoured.
Seer
Seer (character value: +7)
The Seer points to 1 player every night. If this player is a werewolf, the moderator raises their thumb and then makes a werewolf grimace to make it clear. If this player is not a werewolf, the moderator lowers their thumb.
Ability: Choose 1 player every night and learn whether they are a villager or a werewolf.
Werewolf
Werewolf (character value: -6)
On the first night, the werewolves learn the identity of the other werewolves. Every night, the werewolves must agree together on 1 victim, who dies at the start of the next day phase. The werewolves may not choose a werewolf as their victim. During the day, the werewolves try to conceal their true character.
Ability: Choose 1 victim to devour every night, together with the other werewolves.