How to Play Sheep & Wolves
A free real-time social deduction party game for 3–30 players. Here's everything you need to run a round.
Setup
1. Host creates the game.
The host picks how many people are playing (3–30), how many are wolves, and how long the discussion timer runs, then shares the game code or QR code with the group.
2. Everyone joins from their phone.
Players scan the QR code or enter the game code and a name — no app download or account needed.
3. Roles are dealt secretly.
Most players are dealt sheep and a hidden few are dealt wolves. Only you can see your own role — but once a wolf taps to reveal their card, their screen also shows the names of the other wolves so the pack knows who's on their team.
Playing a round
4. Pick a question.
One player is dealt three discussion prompts and picks the one they want to ask, then reads it aloud — that starts the timer. As question master, they choose how to aim it: at one specific player, at a few people, or open to the whole group.
5. Discuss out loud.
Talk it out as a group — in person, or over the built-in voice chat if you're playing remotely — until the timer runs out. Wolves try to blend in; sheep try to spot who's lying.
6. Vote.
Everyone votes for who they suspect is a wolf. The player with the most votes is eliminated and their role is revealed. Ties go to a quick tiebreaker vote.
7. The question-asker checks the record.
Only the player who drew this round's question card gets a private, one-time look at who voted for whom. Nobody else sees it — so it's up to them whether to report it honestly.
8. Repeat until someone wins.
Sheep win once every wolf is voted out. Wolves win if they ever equal or outnumber the remaining sheep.
Frequently asked questions
Getting Started
What is Sheep & Wolves?
Sheep & Wolves is a free, real-time social deduction party game played on everyone's phones. Most players are secretly sheep and a hidden few are wolves. The group discusses out loud and votes each round to eliminate a suspected wolf, trying to find every wolf before the wolves outnumber the sheep.
How many players do I need?
You need at least 3 players, and up to 30 can join a single game. The host picks the player count and the number of wolves when setting up the game — the app automatically caps the wolf count so sheep always start in the majority.
Do players need to download an app?
No. Sheep & Wolves runs entirely in the browser. The host creates a game and shares a short code or QR code, and everyone else joins from their own phone's browser — nothing to install.
Do we need to be in the same room?
No — Sheep & Wolves works in person or remotely. Everyone always uses their own phone to see their secret role and vote. If your group is together, discuss out loud face to face; if you're spread out, jump into the game's built-in voice chat so you can still hear tone of voice and reactions in real time, which is what makes catching the wolves possible either way.
Gameplay & Rules
How does a round work?
Each round, one player is dealt three question cards, picks the one they want to ask (things like "who's being unusually quiet?"), and reads it aloud — directing it at one specific player, a few people, or the whole group, whichever they choose. That starts the discussion timer, which the host sets when creating the game. When time is up, everyone votes for who they think is a wolf, and the player with the most votes is eliminated and their role is revealed.
Can the question be aimed at a specific player?
Yes. Whoever holds the question card that round — the question master — decides how to use it. They can put it to one specific player, call out a handful of people, or open it up to everyone at once. That choice is part of the strategy: a pointed question puts pressure on a suspect, while a broad one gets more of the group talking.
Do the wolves know who each other are?
Yes. As soon as a wolf taps to reveal their role card, their screen also shows the names of the other wolves, each on a matching mini wolf card. Sheep never see this — their card just shows that they're a sheep.
Can players see who voted for whom?
Only one player each round can: whoever drew that round's question card. After the vote they get a single private look at the full record of who voted for whom. Nobody else can see it, and they don't have to share what they saw — or share it truthfully — so the record is as much a bluffing tool as an information one.
What happens if a vote ties?
If two or more players tie for the most votes, those tied players go to a quick tiebreaker vote among the rest of the group instead of eliminating no one.
Winning & Comparisons
How do sheep win? How do wolves win?
Sheep win once every wolf has been voted out. Wolves win if they ever equal or outnumber the remaining sheep — so the sheep need to find every wolf before that happens. If the game ever comes down to one sheep and one wolf, the wolf wins that final standoff automatically.
Is Sheep & Wolves like Werewolf or Mafia?
Yes — Sheep & Wolves is a phone-based take on classic hidden-role social deduction games like Werewolf and Mafia. Instead of a moderator managing roles and votes on paper, everyone's phone handles roles, timers, and voting automatically, so any group can pick up and play with no experience needed.
Is Sheep & Wolves free to play?
Yes, Sheep & Wolves is completely free to host and join, with no account or app download required.