Decrypto

Scorpion Masqué, 2 Pionki, ADC Blackfire Entertainment · Board game · 2018
3–8 · best 6 15–45 min Weight 1.8/5
8.2 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
8.2 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love word games and team-based deduction, Decrypto is a must-play that brilliantly blends communication with clever interception. It's a fantastic party game that keeps everyone engaged and thinking.

Highlights
  • Engaging team-based word deduction
  • Clever blend of offense and defense
  • High replayability with new words
  • Simple rules, surprising strategic depth
Keep in mind
  • Best with larger player counts
  • Can be challenging for new players
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
Access Rules Guide
About the game
In Decrypto, get ready for a battle of wits and communication played in teams! Two teams face off, each with the dual mission of deciphering secret messages from their own teammates while simultaneously intercepting the codes of the opposing team. The dynamic is simple, yet the strategic depth is surprising. Each team has a private screen where four secret words are hidden, visible only to members of their own team, keeping them secret from opponents.

At the start of each round, one team member receives a card with a sequence of three numbers, for example, 4-2-1. Their challenge is to create a coded clue using words that lead their teammates to guess this sequence, associating them with the team's four secret words. If the team guesses correctly, great! But if they fail, a 'miscommunication' (a black mark) is recorded. From the second round onwards, the tension escalates: the opposing team also tries to guess the numerical code based on the clues you provided. If they succeed, they earn a 'successful interception' (a white mark). If they fail, your team still has a chance to guess their own code to avoid a black mark. The game continues until a team accumulates two white marks (victory) or receives two black marks (defeat). If the match extends for eight rounds without a clear winner, victory goes to the team that can guess more of the opponents' secret words. It's a game of words, deduction, and lots of laughter, perfect for testing your ability to communicate ambiguously!
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Decrypto English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
3 OK
4 BEST
5 REC
6 BEST
7 REC
8 REC
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Game details

Families

Components: Sand Timers Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Mechanism: Give a Clue / Get a Clue Theme: Retro Word Games: Guess the Word
Publisher Scorpion Masqué, 2 Pionki, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, asmodee, Enigma (Bergsala Enigma), Fantasmagoria
Designer Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance
Artist Fabien Fulchiron, Manuel Sanchez, NILS
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Decrypto support?
Decrypto is ideal for larger groups, supporting 3 to 8 players. The more people, the more fun and chaotic the communication between teams becomes!
What is the average playtime for a game of Decrypto?
A game of Decrypto is quite quick, usually lasting between 15 and 45 minutes. It's perfect for fitting into a game night or for several consecutive rounds.
Is Decrypto a complex game or easy to learn?
Despite its clever premise, Decrypto is surprisingly easy to learn! The basic rules are simple, but the strategic depth of giving and interpreting clues is what makes it so engaging.
What is the main objective in Decrypto?
The main objective is to be the first team to successfully intercept two codes from the opponents (two white marks) or cause the opposing team to make two communication errors (two black marks).
Is Decrypto a good game for those who enjoy Codenames?
Absolutely! If you love the dynamic of giving and receiving one-word clues in Codenames, Decrypto elevates that experience with a touch of deduction and 'espionage' that makes it even more challenging and rewarding.
What are the main components of the game?
The game comes with screens for each team, secret word cards, numeric code cards, scoring tokens (white and black), and a sand timer to manage clue-giving time.