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Who is the Spy?

The Complete Guide to Social Deduction

The Logic of Deception

Who is the Spy? is an intense social deduction experience that tests your ability to speak in code, read body language, and sniff out lies. In every round, a group of players is divided into two secret roles: the Villagers and the Secret Spy. The brilliance of the game lies in its simplicity—everyone gets a word, but the Spy's word is just slightly different.

Your goal as a Villager is to identify who has the wrong word before they figure out yours. As a Spy, your goal is to blend in, listen to the others, and deduce what their word is so you can survive the final vote.

Step-by-Step Strategic Walkthrough

1

Hosting & Joining

Select 'Who is the Spy?' in the Arena. Host a room and share your unique 4-letter code with your friends. This game requires a minimum of 3 players, but it's most exciting with 5 to 8 participants. Every player needs their own mobile device to see their secret role.

2

Role Reveal

Once the host starts the round, look at your screen privately. Most players will see the Villager word (e.g., 'APPLE'). One person will see the Secret Spy word (e.g., 'PEAR'). Both words belong to the same category, which is why it's so hard to tell who is who!

3

The 3-Turn Discussion

The game proceeds in 3 phases. In each phase, every player must say exactly ONE word that describes their secret word. As a Villager, you want to prove you know the word without making it obvious. As a Spy, you're listening carefully to catch the Villager's word so you can copy their clues.

4

The Final Vote

After 3 rounds of descriptions, a 30-second voting timer begins. Everyone must vote on their device for the person they think is the Spy. You cannot vote for yourself. The person with the majority of votes will be revealed.

5

Victory & Scoring

The game reveals the Spy's identity. If the group successfully votes out the Spy, the Villagers win! If the Spy evades capture or if an innocent Villager is voted out, the Spy wins. Points are awarded based on how many rounds you survived or successfully identified.

Win Conditions

  • • Villager Victory: Catch the Spy by majority vote.
  • • Spy Victory: Stay hidden until the end or trick the group into voting out a Villager.
  • • Point Value: Successful catches are worth +50 Pts.
  • • Deception Bonus: A winning Spy earns +100 Pts.

Strategic Clues

  • • Villagers: Use clues that only someone with your word would understand. Don't be too generic.
  • • Spy: If you're the first to go, pick a very broad word (like 'Object' or 'Nature') to stay safe while you listen.
  • • Group Dynamics: Watch who pauses before giving their clue—they might be the Spy trying to adjust!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Spy win by guessing the Villager word?

In our digital version, victory is decided by the vote. If you stay hidden, you win! In house rules, you can also allow a caught Spy one chance to guess the Villager word for a tie-breaker.

What is the minimum player count?

You need at least 3 players. 1 Spy and 2 Villagers. This is the hardest mode for the Spy!