Decrypto
COMPETITIVE TEAM WORD-DEDUCTION GAME (2018) by THOMAS DAGENAIS-LESPÉRANCE, published by SCORPION MASQUÉ / IELLO. 3-8 players in 2 TEAMS give word clues to communicate 3-digit codes to teammates — while OPPONENTS listen + try to intercept. Deep signaling metagame across 8 rounds. Won Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018 NOMINEE + Belgian Game of Year 2018. Considered THE deepest word-deduction party game + one of the best 2018 releases. 30 min. HELD BGG top-50 party.
What is Decrypto?
DECRYPTO is a COMPETITIVE TEAM WORD-DEDUCTION GAME (2018) designed by THOMAS DAGENAIS-LESPÉRANCE, published by SCORPION MASQUÉ (Canada) / IELLO (France, USA distribution). 3-8 PLAYERS in 2 TEAMS give WORD CLUES to communicate 3-DIGIT CODES to teammates — while OPPONENTS LISTEN + try to INTERCEPT the meaning to break the code. Considered THE DEEPEST WORD-DEDUCTION PARTY GAME + one of the best 2018 releases. WON KENNERSPIEL DES JAHRES 2018 NOMINEE (German Enthusiast Game of Year) + Belgian Game of the Year 2018. HELD BGG TOP-50 PARTY consistently since release. 30 MIN PER GAME. GAMEPLAY: 2 teams sit facing each other. Each team has a SCREEN with 4 SECRET KEYWORDS (numbered 1-4) — only their team sees. Each round: (1) One team member becomes ENCRYPTOR — draws a 3-DIGIT CODE (e.g. '4-2-3') + gives 3 CLUES (one per digit position, describing that numbered keyword); (2) OWN TEAM tries to guess the 3-digit code correctly (SUCCESS = safe); (3) OPPONENT TEAM tries to guess the code AFTER their own clue chance (INTERCEPTION = they win a token toward victory). Encryptor cannot repeat clues + must be creative to communicate without giving keywords away. Game ends when a team gets 2 INTERCEPTION TOKENS (winning) or 2 MISCOMMUNICATION TOKENS (losing) or after 8 rounds. LOSING TEAM = the team that reaches 2 miscommunications first. WINNING TEAM = 2 successful interceptions first, or highest score at 8 rounds. DEEP METAGAME: as game progresses, OPPONENTS accumulate clue history for each keyword position — allowing pattern deduction. Encryptors must give CLEVER CREATIVE CLUES that OWN TEAM understands but OPPONENTS don't. RECEPTION: Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018 NOMINEE; Belgian Game of Year 2018 WINNER; Golden Geek Best Party Game 2018; BGG top-50 party consistently; considered a MASTERPIECE of team word-deduction design.
Quick facts
Category
Party Games
Type
Team sport
Players
3–8
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
2 team screens with keywords + shared clue history area
Country of origin
🇨🇦 Canada
Estimated origin
Designed 2016-2018 Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance; released 2018 Scorpion Masqué / IELLO
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Communicate 3-digit codes to your team via word clues while preventing opponents from intercepting. Win by 2 interceptions or 2 opponent miscommunications OR highest score after 8 rounds.
Rules
Basic rules
Each team has 4 secret KEYWORDS numbered 1-4 (behind screen)
Only your team sees your words.
Encryptor draws 3-digit code + gives 3 clues (one per digit position)
Clues describe keyword at that position.
Own team guesses code (need correct)
Wrong = miscommunication token.
Opponent team also guesses AFTER (their intercept attempt)
Correct = interception token.
Win: 2 interception tokens OR opponent 2 miscommunications OR highest score at 8 rounds
Multi-path victory.
Encryptors cannot repeat clues; must be creative
History accumulates; harder each round.
Scoring
Win via 2 interception tokens OR opponent 2 miscommunications OR highest score end of 8 rounds.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Own team guesses code correctly | Safe; no token |
| Own team wrong | Miscommunication token to your team |
| Opponent intercepts (guesses your code) | Interception token to opponent |
| 2 interception tokens | WIN game |
| 2 miscommunication tokens | LOSE game |
Win condition · First team to 2 interceptions wins. Alternatively opposing team's 2 miscommunications = loss for them.
Playing area
Called
2 team screens with keywords + shared clue history area
Dimensions
~90×60cm
Each team has SCREEN with 4 SECRET KEYWORDS (numbered 1-4). Central area for spoken clues + code cards + tokens.
Equipment
Decrypto base box
$25 USD; supports 3-8 players in 2 teams
Decrypto: Laser Drive expansion (2019)
$20; new keyword categories
2 team screens with keyword slots
Hidden info
110+ keyword cards
Placed behind screens
Code cards (48 3-digit codes)
Randomized codes each round
Miscommunication + Interception tokens
Track wins/losses
Notepads + pens for clue tracking
Players write clues + histories
Strategies
First round: give broad general clues
Not much history yet; easy for team.
Later rounds: get creative + specific
History accumulating; obvious clues get intercepted.
Track opponent clue history
Note their words per position for interception guesses.
Encryptor code choice tactics
Some codes force keyword pairing; give clues distinguishing.
Sacrifice interception attempts strategically
Failed interception attempts still give free info.
Terminology
- Keyword
- One of 4 secret words behind your team's screen (numbered 1-4).
- Code
- 3-digit combination (e.g. 4-2-3) drawn by encryptor.
- Encryptor
- Rotating player who draws code + gives clues.
- Clue
- Spoken word describing keyword at code's digit position.
- Interception
- Opponent guesses your code correctly = they get token.
- Miscommunication
- Own team wrong on code = you get miscommunication token.
Major competitions
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018 NOMINEE
annual · Germany · since 2011
Belgian Game of the Year 2018 WINNER
annual · Belgium · since 2018
Golden Geek Best Party Game 2018
annual · worldwide · since 2018
BGG top-50 party consistently 2018-2026
ongoing · worldwide · since 2018
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Scorpion Masqué (publisher)
Founded 2007 · Quebec, Canada
IELLO (US/EU distributor)
Founded 2008 · France
Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance (designer)
Founded 2018 · Canada
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance (Canada) — Designer
- Manuel Sanchez + Ferrer Pierre + Alexandre Roche — Illustrators
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Decrypto ($25)
5-min learning; complex depth reveals over games.
- 2
Play with 4-6 friends first
Sweet spot for pacing + interception depth.
Frequently asked
What is Decrypto?+
COMPETITIVE TEAM WORD-DEDUCTION GAME (2018) by Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance. 3-8 players in 2 teams give word clues to communicate 3-digit codes to teammates — while opponents try to intercept. Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018 NOMINEE. Considered THE deepest word-deduction party game. 30 min. Held BGG top-50 party.
Decrypto vs Codenames?+
BOTH TEAM WORD-DEDUCTION but VERY DIFFERENT. CODENAMES = casual, spot-based grid, easy to learn (Spiel des Jahres 2016). DECRYPTO = deeper cipher-based game, harder to learn, more strategic history-tracking. Codenames better for casual/family; Decrypto better for hobby gamers seeking depth. Both hold BGG top-30 party.
Sources & provenance
- Scorpion Masqué — Decrypto— Scorpion Masqué
- BoardGameGeek — Decrypto— BGG
- Wikipedia — Decrypto— Wikipedia