Hard3–8 players·30–45 min
Decrypto
Give coded clues to your team without letting the enemy team crack your code.
Decrypto is a team code-cracking word game published by Iello. Each team has four secret keywords visible only to them, numbered 1 to 4. Each round, one player draws a code (e.g. 3-1-2) and must give three spoken clues that lead their team to call out the numbers in the right order — without giving clues obvious enough for the opposing team to intercept and decode the pattern over multiple rounds. If the opposing team correctly guesses your code twice before you do theirs, you lose.
The interception mechanic
- After each round, the opposing team can attempt to intercept your code — guessing which numbers your three clues referred to, based on all the clues they've heard across all rounds.
- Two successful interceptions by the opposing team = your team loses.
- Two failed communications within your own team = your team loses.
- Clues accumulate on a public board so both teams can study the pattern over time.
Strategy tips
- Vary your clue types — use synonyms, antonyms, associated concepts, and oblique references. If you always use direct synonyms, the opposing team will crack your keywords quickly.
- Track the opposing team's clue board carefully. If their keyword 2 has been linked to OCEAN, WATER, BLUE, and FISH across four rounds, you can probably guess it.
- Save your most oblique clues for codes that will be revisited — the longer you can keep a keyword ambiguous to the opposition, the better.
- Develop a team vocabulary of reference points — shared cultural knowledge or inside references that your team understands but opponents cannot decode.