Imposter Who is a social deduction game that combines the thrill of hidden roles with the fun of word association. Whether you're a first-time player or looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know.

Basic Rules: How Imposter Who Works

The Setup

Add Players (3-10): Enter everyone's names into the app
Choose Categories: Select from 20+ categories like Food, Movies, Animals, etc.
Set Parameters: Choose discussion time (1-3 minutes) and number of imposters
Start the Game: The app randomly assigns roles and words

The Roles

Civilians

Know the secret word. Must describe it without saying it directly while identifying who doesn't know the word.

Imposter

Doesn't know the secret word. Must blend in by giving vague but believable descriptions to avoid detection.

The Discussion Phase

Once everyone has seen their role, the discussion begins. Players take turns describing their word without saying it directly. For example, if the word is "Pizza":

Good clue: "It's round and comes in a box"
Bad clue: "It's a food from Italy with cheese and tomato" (too obvious)
Risky clue: "You eat it at parties" (too vague, might seem suspicious)

Voting and Winning

After the timer ends, everyone votes on who they think is the imposter. The player with the most votes is eliminated. Civilians win if they eliminate all imposters. Imposters win if they survive until only imposters remain, or if they can correctly guess the secret word when eliminated!

Strategies for Civilians

1. Balance Your Clues

Give clues that are specific enough to prove you know the word, but vague enough that the imposter can't guess it. Think of unique characteristics only someone who knows the word would mention.

2. Pay Attention to Timing

Watch who hesitates before giving clues. Imposters often take longer to think because they're trying to piece together the word from others' clues.

3. Ask Follow-up Questions

Don't be afraid to ask players to elaborate. Imposters struggle when pressed for specific details about the word they don't know.

Strategies for Imposters

1. Go Early (Sometimes)

Speaking early with a vague but confident clue can help you blend in before you have enough information. Say something like "Oh, I love this one!" to buy time.

2. Listen Carefully

Build your clue from what others say. If multiple people mention something is "cold" and "sweet," you can safely say something about dessert or refreshment.

3. Deflect Suspicion

If someone gives a suspicious clue, point it out! Being actively engaged in finding "the imposter" makes you seem like a civilian.

Pro Tips for Advanced Players

The Category Trap: Sometimes giving a clue that only applies to items in that specific category can expose an imposter who didn't notice the category.
The Double Bluff: As an imposter, giving an extremely obvious clue can make people think you're just bad at the game, not the imposter.
Body Language: Watch for nervous behaviors, avoiding eye contact, or excessive agreement with others.
The Memory Test: Ask someone to repeat their earlier clue. Civilians remember easily; imposters might fumble.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being too specific: Giving away the word makes you look suspicious!
Bandwagon voting: Don't just vote with the majority without your own suspicions
Ignoring quiet players: Sometimes the imposter stays quiet hoping not to get caught
Overthinking: Simple games are more fun - don't take it too seriously!

Conclusion

Imposter Who is easy to learn but has surprising depth. The more you play, the better you'll become at both detecting imposters and blending in as one. Remember, the goal is to have fun with friends - whether you win or lose, the laughs and accusations are what make this game unforgettable!

Ready to Put These Tips to the Test?

Download Imposter Who and start practicing your deception skills!

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App Store

How to Play Imposter Who: Complete Rules, Strategies & Pro Tips