Section 2: Equipment
No physical equipment is required. A moderator may privately assign roles by whispering to each player or by using another agreed method that reveals each role only to its owner. The game can therefore be played entirely through spoken instructions, gestures, discussion, and voting.
Optional Play Aids
Groups often use role cards or folded paper slips to make assignment easier, but these are optional and are not required to compete. If role cards are used, each one should identify the role clearly and briefly explain its night action, team, and winning condition. Cards should have indistinguishable backs so that roles cannot be inferred before or during play.
A timer may be used to limit discussion, and a score sheet may be used during a series of games. Name tags, seating charts, or markers can help large groups track living and eliminated players. None of these aids changes the fundamental rules, and the moderator must not allow their appearance or placement to reveal secret information.
Preparing Role Information
- Prepare exactly one secret role for every active player.
- Count and verify the role distribution before assignment.
- State the roles that may appear in the game, unless the group has agreed to use a hidden setup.
- Explain unusual abilities and tie procedures without revealing who holds those roles.
- Keep unused roles out of sight so they do not reveal the final setup.