Each team should then appoint a spymaster, they will be the clue giver for the game. Of course, you can also play the standard 9-token mission again. How to play Codenames Duet. Your partner will also be looking for a clue for words that are marked green on the other side of the card. Codenames: Duet is a cooperative word game for two or more players. The timer tokens should be arranged to cover the word, since neither of you can guess it again. Moscow uses only 8, while Berlin uses all 11. A simple helper app for playing the card game Codenames, Codenames Pictures, and upcoming Codenames Duet (property of Czech Games Edition). It accurately represents my style of life. codenames.cards. Enjoy the game! Give yourselves 1 point for each timer token that a player took when ending a turn after a correct guess. The guessing side may discuss their guess, but they should not say anything that would reveal information about their side of the key card. They can debate it amongst themselves, but the spymaster must keep a straight face. The other team has 8. Often it's easiest to just give the clue without discussion, if you think you have found a good one. Don't say pancake in a French accent as a clue for FLAT and NAPOLEON. A word is "visible" until it is covered by a green agent card or two timer tokens representing an incorrect guess from each side. Codenames Duet - Rules of Play says: Codenames Duet keeps the basic elements of Codenames — give one-word clues to try to get someone to identify your agents among those on the table — but now you're working together as a team to find all of your agents. Dutch. Each team chooses one player to be their spymaster. To create a new game or join an existing game, enter a game identifier and click 'GO'. Codenames: Duet . Your partner might see it as a green agent, in which case your partner covers it with a green agent card. This helps everyone remember which team they are on. You can just flip all the word cards over (or deal a new set), draw a new key card, and try again. Codenames Duet keeps the basic elements of Codenames — give one-word clues to try to get someone to identify your agents among those on the table — but now you're working together as a team to find all of your agents. Complexity: Medium. You need at least four players (two teams of two) for a standard game. A river has a BED, so she touches that codename. If your partner touches a word you see as black, that is an assassin. The game needs the players to split into two even teams. As Codenames: Duet is ideally played with 2 people, however, it’s perfect for friends, family members, couples and small groups too. Shuffle the word cards and place 25 of them on the table to form a 5 x 5 grid. English has a long tradition of word play, and you should feel free to use clues like this if they make the game more fun. You both win if you can find all 15 words in nine turns or less. When it is your turn to guess, keep previous clues in mind. You also say one number, which tells your teammates how many codenames are related to your clue. If you are having trouble, you can even use the sand timer on yourself. This indicates that when you gave a clue, your partner guessed this word and ran into an innocent bystander. You have no more time. Facebook. If someone accidentally gives an invalid clue, you should take a one-turn penalty by discarding one of the timer tokens from the time bank. Codenames Pictures Card Game. You can evaluate how well you did by counting up your score: Give yourselves 3 points for each timer token left in the time bank. Additionally, the grid has one black "Game-Over" square for more challenging game play (details below). Boy: 2 is not strictly related to the meaning of SUN, but it could be a good clue for SUN and BROTHER. A score of 9 or 10 is awesome. A double-sided Duet key card is placed between the two players. It is now your partner's turn to give a clue. You just pile more people onto either team and they work together to guess or give clues. This happens if you exceed the acceptable number of incorrect guesses. This forms the time bank. Of course, it doesn't always work out that way. Codenames Duet - Gameplay. Place a key card in the holder so that each player sees one side of the card. On later turns, some codenames will be covered up, so a clue that is not legal now might be legal later. You and your partner are on a secret mission to a crowded city. (Why you don't already know who your agents are is a question that Congressional investigators will get on your back about later!) (But do not forget that you also used a token on the last, victorious turn). But, if you’re looking to play Codenames with a larger group, then you can always checkout the original game, Codenames: Pictures, or many of the other themed games in the Codenames range. Lost Ruins of Arnak Under Falling Skies Sanctum Through the Ages: New Leaders and Wonders Letter Jam Codenames Duet XXL Trapwords Adrenaline: Team Play DLC Pictomania Codenames Pictures XXL Codenames XXL Pulsar 2849 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends - Etherweave expansion deck Through the Ages Digital Galaxy Trucker Rocky Road (a novel) That's a Question! The team that contacted the assassin loses. Players will split up into two teams and play the game as normal, any member of a team able to give the clue. That team wins. Only this many tokens are bystander side up. Tip: Before saying your clue out loud, make sure it doesn't relate to the assassin. However, discussion is not required. The spymasters then should shuffle and deal out 25 codename cards and arrange them in a 5X5 square. Return here when you succeed). When you win a mission in Berlin, Moscow, or Cairo, mark it as complete. Don't think about it. This is the official web implementation of the Codenames board game. Codenames Duet Game Rules Setup. The first number is the total number of turns. She touches ANT. She can try to find the third river word, or she can try to find the other tree word. If you both find all the words before you run out of turns, you both win.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'ultraboardgames_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',113,'0','0'])); You and your partner should sit on opposite sides of the table. For example, if you want your partner to guess ELEPHANT, ANT, and MOSQUITO while avoiding the assassin SLOTH, you can give a clue like lazy: 0. This will mix the words more thoroughly. This site is dedicated to promoting board games. You say miniature: 2, hoping to get DOLL and ANT. Click on the CREATE ROOM button 2. This ends the game! Codenames is simple to explain and easy to understand, with no limit to size of the teams – you can play in four people as well as in twelve! You've selected 400 words. Age: 11+ GLAM Age Range: 11-Adult. If you are the spymaster, you are trying to think of a one-word clue that relates to some of the words your team is trying to guess. Codenames – Duet Alchemists: … Rain: 2 would also be invalid because rain is part of RAINBOW. Final Thoughts: This is my version of Codenames. If that guess is correct, your partner can guess again. Do not give up - flip the word cards over (or deal a new set), draw a new key card, and try again. Your partner also sees 9 green words and 3 black words, but they are mostly different words. Teams take turns. Note: While shuffling the codename cards, be sure to flip over half the deck once in a while. Lost Ruins of Arnak Under Falling Skies Sanctum Through the Ages: New Leaders and Wonders Letter Jam Codenames Duet XXL Trapwords Adrenaline: Team Play DLC Pictomania Codenames Pictures XXL Codenames XXL Pulsar 2849 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends - Etherweave expansion deck Through the Ages Digital Galaxy Trucker Rocky Road (a novel) That's a Question! If you consistently run out of time, consider adding a 10th or 11th timer token. Codenames Duet keeps the basic elements of Codenames — give one-word clues to try to get someone to identify your agents among those on the table — but now you're working together as a team to find all of your agents. You can also find the Duet rulebook there. Codenames: Duet is best suited to older children and adults. Player Count: 2-4 Time: 15-30 Minutes Age: 11+ Each turn covers up at least one word, which makes guessing progressively easier. Cover it with a green agent card. Place a key card in the holder so that each player sees one side of the card. After some thought, she says Waterloo: 2. Rather, it’s a cooperative game designed to be played with two people. The game ends when one team has all their words covered. Your stomach tightens, because that word is an assassin, but you act calm, as though it would not bother you at all for her to pick that word. Price: $17.95 $19.95. The game can end early if a field operative makes contact with the assassin. The field operatives must always make at least one guess. Your partner touches RANCH, because ranch dressing can go on a salad. Of course, if someone guesses an assassin, the timer tokens are irrelevant - you lose. When you think you have a good clue, you say it. Latest posts by Gaming Rules! (Why you don't already know who your agents are is a question that CONGRESSIONAL investigators will get on your back about later!) It's always a bit of a stretch. How to Play Codenames Duet Setup. Getting four words with one clue is a big accomplishment. 2. If you prefer to play with strict time limits, you can download our timer app at codenamesgame.com. Our mission is to produce engaging articles like reviews, tips and tricks, game rules, strategies, etc. Other games you might win in only 7 or 8 turns. The basic game rules are the same, with a few differences. On your side of the card, 9 words are marked in green. You can guess words related to any clue you have been given. The game is over and you both lose. If EARTHQUAKE is visible, you can't say earth, quake, earthy, or quaking. They are a "match". If your partner touches a word that you see as green, that is a correct guess. Follow us on: She is not supposed to give any of this information away, so she acts as though RUSSIA was exactly the word she meant). Your number of guesses is unlimited as long as you keep guessing correctly. Lost Ruins of Arnak Under Falling Skies Sanctum Through the Ages: New Leaders and Wonders Letter Jam Codenames Duet XXL Trapwords Adrenaline: Team Play DLC Pictomania Codenames Pictures XXL Codenames XXL Pulsar 2849 Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends - Etherweave expansion deck Through the Ages Digital Galaxy Trucker Rocky Road (a novel) That's a Question! She touches LUNCH. Play Codenames wherever you go. Note: While shuffling the codename cards, be sure to flip over half the deck once in a while. Follow us on: Note the extra assassins. Overall Rating: 9/10. A key card gives you 9 words to give clues for and 3 words your partner must avoid. The starting team is indicated by the 4 lights on the edges of the key card. The popular card game, online. [6] Codenames: Duet XXL was released in May 2019 and is the same as the original Codenames: Duet, except for the fact that it uses larger format (double-sized) cards. The arrow points from you to your partner. Your partner takes time to look at all the words on the table. The incorrect guess ends the turn. If the guesser chooses to stop guessing after one or more correct guesses, he or she takes a checkmark-side-up token from the time bank. Players split up into two teams of similar size and skill. The red spymaster says river: 3. If you guess a word that your partner marks as a green agent, do not tell your partner what that word looks like on your side. When setting up Cairo, for example, only 5 of the 9 tokens will be bystander side up: Moscow 8-8, Jakarta 7-7, and Singapore 6-6 are just like the standard mission, but with fewer tokens. More missions are unlocked. Codenames. You cover RANCH with a green agent card. Gaming Rules! Your partner will have another chance to guess a word he or she missed on your first clue, so it might not be necessary to give another clue for that same word. A turn always uses up a timer token. … Publisher: Czech Games Edition. The other words are innocent bystanders - people who get in the way. When a player touches a word, its identity depends only on the other player's side of the key card. You mark it with a green agent card. 3. Bio; Latest Posts; Gaming Rules! Shuffle the word cards and deal 25 at random into a 5 × 5 grid, as shown. And a word that looks like a green agent on your side of the key card might be something completely different on turns when you are the guesser. The game begins once the cards are laid out and the spymasters are ready with their first clues. Play with your friends. These are the words you want your partner to guess.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'ultraboardgames_com-box-4','ezslot_10',116,'0','0'])); You also see 3 assassins marked in black. This will happen only when you have 1 timer token left, it is checkmark side up, and the guessing side guesses a bystander. Just slide it into the stand. You cover it with a green agent card. Category: How to Play Age: 11+ 15 - 30 Min 2 - 4 Players 2017. Fortunately, she remembers there is something called a Caesar salad. Timer tokens are used to limit your number of turns. Continue Reading. This game was designed for 2 players, but in playtesting we had a lot of fun with larger groups. Communicating in coded messages, they sneak past enemy assassins in an attempt to complete their mission before time runs out. Your team is ready for more challenging missions. Your clue must be only one word. Play Codenames online across multiple devices on a shared board. Duet Key Cards. Details are on the back page. If you both have words left, you are both guessers. You are not required to guess words related to the current clue. There's more than … Teams may privately discuss their clues to come up with the perfect one! It may be tough, and you might need several attempts or a bit of luck, but it feels great to beat that mission! Great! Blue squares correspond to words that Blue Team must guess (blue agents). Codenames Duet plays much like the original Codenames, but instead of two groups competing against each other you have two players who must work as a team to find all the agents. We particularly enjoyed Codenames with big groups of friends, so we were nervous of Codenames Duet as a two-player experience, but how does the game play? Blue squares correspond to words that Blue Team must guess (blue agents). Price: $14.45 $9.95-11%. Here is what can happen if you guess that word: Your partner might see it as an assassin, in which case you lose the game. To give all clues from one side before even starting to give clues from the other side is not in the spirit of the game. More Ways to Play! Unlike most two-person games, Codenames Duet doesn’t pit the players against each other. Join a room. You can use one: 2 as a clue for METER and DOLLAR. Each player sees a 5×5 grid on the card, with nine of the squares colored green (representing your agents) and three squares colored black (representing assassins). Two covert operatives are on a secret mission in a crowded city. (Your choices are Berlin, Cairo, or Moscow). Sometimes you might want to guess the words you are most sure of first, even if they do not relate to the current clue. You and your partner will take turns giving clues. That word happened to be green on your side, too, but you don't tell her that. I bought Codenames Classic, and printed out 20 Duet grids that were posted on BGGs Files section for Codenames Duet. How to play Codenames Duet. Set the plastic stand beside the word grid. This gives you a reason to change the basic parameters of play without changing the game play itself. Your partner will give you clues for the words that are green on the side of the card that you can't see. The only real change to the main mechanics involve the number of guesses that a player can make. You have no reason to take a wild guess, so you take a timer token from the time bank and place it in front of you with the checkmark side up. You do not sigh with relief, because that would give too much away. It's also red, so she can go again. How are you fairing during this trying time? ️‍♂️. Then he or she makes a guess by touching one of the word cards. As in the original game, you are presented with 25 words of which you have to guess from. Codenames Gadget is a companion app for Codenames that provides … The red agent cards go in a stack in front of the red spymaster. But then the other player should give a clue. Each game has 1 double-sided key card. Red squares correspond to words that Red Team must guess (red agents). How to play: 1. You have the words and key card shown here. Either wide edge can be on top. This will be the key for which clues belong to which team, with the blue squares belongi… The game requires working out the answers through a series of clues, so is both fun and educational. Any side can be up. These games deserve it. This site is dedicated to promoting board games. If the field operative touches the assassin, the word is covered by the assassin card. You might also want to allow homonyms and other word play. If your partner guesses one of these words, you both immediately lose the game. Twitter You can make your guesses in any order, and you do not have to take turns, but you are not allowed to discuss a guessing strategy. You touch NAPOLEON and she marks the word with a green agent. Codenames: Duet includes 400 new words so you do not need any other Codenames game to play. All rights reserved. Now in development, the game will include all the features that you love about Codenames and add some more! Then the guesser should guess as though the clue were valid. Ultra BoardGames. Skill – Complexity. Note: To play Codenames Duet… Either it is used by the clue giver to mark a bystander the guesser touches, or it is taken by the guesser to indicate he or she is done guessing. A free word game inspired by Codenames - Play with your friends and family online or offline. If you know how to play Codenames, then you already know most of Codenames Duet. If all 9 words that you see as green have been covered by agent cards, tell your partner that he or she has no words left to guess. Available At: Amazon.com Quick Take: They turned Codenames into a cooperative two player game and it works so well! She guessed ORANGE first. We hope you enjoyed the game. Codenames Play Codenames online across multiple devices on a shared board. Careful players can avoid the assassins … usually … sometimes. Object of the Game. Choose the language of the word cards and start the game. Some games are a struggle where you run into lots of bystanders and have to use your sudden death turn to pull out a victory. Codenames Duet - Rules of Play says: Codenames Duet keeps the basic elements of Codenames — give one-word clues to try to get someone to identify your agents among those on the table — but now you're working together as a team to find all of your agents. The number of timer tokens left in the time bank is the number of turns (and the number of clues) left in the game. For example, Weather: 2 might be a good clue for STORM and RAINBOW. The spymasters should choose the key card randomly and slide it into the stand between them. This is also important to keep in mind when you are thinking up clues. You did great, and you are ready for anything! I love it and don’t really have much desire to go back to the original. Although with Duet being really best as a two-player experience, it is likely not very necessary. Your objective: to contact 15 agents while avoiding a band of enemy assassins. Use the mission map the way that is the most fun for you. Let's suppose you find a good one while your partner is still looking, so you offer to give the first clue. Place a key card in the holder so that each player sees one side of the card. Codenames Duet – How to play. In this video, Paul is showing you how to play Codenames Duet. NUT is a red word. Share the room URL with your friends. Skill – Complexity. But your partner may choose to quit early. 2015’s Codenames was a big hit, being that rare hybrid of party game and thinky puzzler. You also say one number, which tells your teammates how many codenames are related to your clue. (If this happens, do not tell your partner that you were also giving clues for that word). The only real change to the main mechanics involve the number of guesses that a player can make. You should act like you meant that word. You can play it this way again, or you can try it with 9 tokens. She's not sure of the third river word. However, if a turn causes you to use up more tokens than you have, you lose immediately. Go. On your side of the card, 9 words are marked in green. You lay out 25 word cards in a 5x5 grid like normal, but you place a double-sided code card (one side shown at left) between the two players. Of course, there are other possible endings: If either player guesses a word that the other player sees as black, your team has been caught by the assassins and you both lose.