The Werewolves is a deduction-based card game where players assume the roles of thieves or werewolves with hidden identities. The game combines elements of a traditional trick-taking card game with the intrigue of a hidden roles game, reminiscent of classic werewolf games without relying on verbal communication. Played with 3-5 individuals, the game takes approximately 30 minutes per session.
Players receive a hand of 9 cards (or 7 for a five-player game), which includes special cards determining their team—either the Werewolf team or the Thief team. The goal for Thieves is to collect as many Treasure Chest cards as possible, while the Werewolves aim to gather Thief cards. The trick-taking element dictates that in each round, after the dealer plays a card, other players must follow suit, and the highest card of the opposite type to the dealer wins the trick.
The unique aspect of the game lies in deducing team allegiances based on card play alone. Observant players can infer roles, determining who collaborates with whom, thereby influencing their strategy. Each round ends when all hands are depleted, and the scores are tallied to decide the winning team.
Strategic use of special cards like the Seer, which can always win unless countered by a werewolf, and the Dagger, which halves the points if acquired by a werewolf, introduces further complexity to the gameplay. These mechanics emphasize the dual-layered challenge of mastering deception and tactics in the pursuit of victory.