How to Play Among Us: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Pros

Among Us, the social deduction game that took the world by storm, continues to captivate players with its blend of suspicion, teamwork, and betrayal. Whether you’re a complete newbie or looking to refine your strategies, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become a master Among Us player. From understanding the basic mechanics to mastering advanced tactics, we’ll cover it all.

What is Among Us?

Among Us is an online multiplayer game developed by Innersloth. Set in a space-themed environment, it pits a crew of players against one or more impostors. The crewmates must complete tasks around the map while trying to identify and vote out the impostors. Meanwhile, the impostors work in secret to sabotage the crew and eliminate them before their identity is discovered. The game’s simple mechanics, coupled with its social deduction aspects, create a unique and highly engaging experience.

Getting Started: The Basics

Before diving into gameplay, let’s cover the fundamental aspects:

1. Downloading and Installing Among Us

Among Us is available on various platforms, including:

• PC: You can purchase and download the game through Steam or the Epic Games Store.
• Mobile: The game is available for free on the Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store (iOS).
• Consoles: Among Us is also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the game, you’ll need to create an account or play as a guest.

2. Understanding the Roles

Each player in Among Us is assigned one of two roles:

• Crewmate: The primary goal of a crewmate is to complete all assigned tasks and identify and vote out all the impostors.
• Impostor: The impostor’s objective is to sabotage the crew and kill them before they complete their tasks or discover the impostors’ identities.

The number of impostors in a game varies, typically ranging from one to three, depending on the lobby settings. This adds a layer of unpredictability to the game.

3. The Game Interface

The game interface is simple and intuitive. Here are the key elements:

• Joystick/Movement Controls: Use the joystick (on mobile or controllers) or the WASD keys (on PC) to move your character around the map.
• Task List: A small icon in the top-left corner displays your current list of tasks to complete as a crewmate.
• Map: Clicking on the map icon in the top-right corner reveals a full layout of the ship or base you’re playing on. The map also indicates locations where tasks need to be completed.
• Report Button: If you stumble upon a dead body or witness suspicious behavior, you can report it by clicking the report button.
• Use/Interact Button: This button allows you to interact with objects, such as vents (impostors) or task consoles.
• Emergency Meeting Button: Players can use this button to call a meeting and discuss suspicious events or make accusations.
• Chat Window: This is used during emergency meetings to communicate with other players, discuss findings, and vote.
• Voting Screen: This screen displays player names and allows you to cast your vote on who you believe is the impostor. You can skip voting if you’re uncertain.

4. Game Settings and Customization

Before joining or creating a lobby, you can customize various game settings:

• Number of Impostors: Typically 1-3, but may differ.
• Impostor Vision: The field of vision for impostors.
• Crewmate Vision: The field of vision for crewmates.
• Kill Cooldown: The time an impostor must wait between kills.
• Discussion Time: The time allotted for discussions during meetings.
• Voting Time: The time given for voting during meetings.
• Number of Tasks: The quantity and difficulty of the tasks.
• Movement Speed: The speed at which players move.

Adjusting these settings can significantly affect the gameplay and difficulty. Experimenting with different settings can help you find what you enjoy most.

Gameplay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the basics, let’s delve into the gameplay mechanics for both crewmates and impostors:

For Crewmates:

As a crewmate, your primary focus is to:

1. Complete Tasks: Your main goal is to complete all the tasks assigned to you. Tasks can range from simple actions like swiping a card to more complex puzzles. The task list displayed in the top left corner will guide you through your assigned duties.
2. Stay Alert: Pay close attention to your surroundings. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity, such as players quickly moving through vents (a characteristic of impostors), sudden disappearances, and players acting unusually.
3. Use the Map Effectively: Familiarize yourself with the map’s layout, especially the locations of vents and critical areas. The map helps identify locations where tasks can be done and allows you to track other players’ movements.
4. Buddy Up (Carefully): Consider partnering up with other crewmates, especially in the early game. This can provide witnesses and prevent you from being isolated and vulnerable. However, be aware that impostors may also try to fake buddying up.
5. Report Bodies: If you find a dead body, immediately report it using the report button. This initiates a discussion among the remaining players.
6. Call Emergency Meetings Wisely: Don’t spam the emergency meeting button with frivolous claims. Save it for when you have significant evidence or observations to share.
7. Discuss and Vote Intelligently: During meetings, provide any relevant information you have, ask questions, and try to identify contradictions in other players’ testimonies. If you’re not sure who to vote for, consider skipping your vote.

For Impostors:

As an impostor, your goals are to:

1. Blend In: Act like a regular crewmate. Fake tasks by lingering at task locations, but do not actually perform them (unless there is a visual task). Use the map to navigate and blend in with other players.
2. Sabotage: Use the sabotage feature to create chaos, disrupt crewmate progress, and provide opportunities to pick off victims in the confusion. The sabotage menu includes:
   • Oxygen Sabotage: Impostors can shut off oxygen, forcing crewmates to fix it in time, or they all lose.
   • Electrical Sabotage: Turns off the lights, reducing crewmates’ vision.
   • Communications Sabotage: Prevents crewmates from using the map and seeing task locations, or seeing which tasks are visual.
   • Reactor Sabotage: Requires at least two crewmates to solve in two different locations, or the crewmates lose.
   • Doors Sabotage: Temporarily closes selected doors on the map.
3. Eliminate Crewmates: When you have an opportunity, eliminate crewmates without being seen. Use vents to travel quickly and move undetected. Be aware of any nearby witnesses.
4. Use Vents Strategically: Vents are your primary method of travel. Use them to get to locations quickly and move around without being tracked by crewmates. Be cautious when entering or exiting vents, as it could reveal you as the impostor.
5. Create Alibis: Try to establish false alibis by making it seem like you were somewhere else when a kill occurred. Blame other players if possible, and do not get caught by other players, especially during a kill.
6. Avoid Being Too Obvious: Try to avoid killing multiple players in quick succession. This can make you a prime suspect.
7. Discuss and Vote Carefully: During meetings, try to divert suspicion by blaming others, offering plausible alibis, and asking seemingly innocent questions. However, do not get too over-confident when being questioned, as you can over-complicate your explanation or get caught in a lie.

Advanced Strategies and Tactics

Once you have mastered the basics, here are some advanced strategies to further improve your gameplay:

Crewmate Tactics:

• Visual Tasks: Tasks like scanning at the med bay and trash disposal are visual and can be used to prove innocence. Stick around to help crewmates complete these tasks.
• Admin Table Monitoring: Keep an eye on player movements using the admin table map. This can help identify suspicious patterns and players who are not doing tasks.
• Electrical Lights Strategy: During electrical sabotages, it’s useful to look at who is heading toward electrical, and keep an eye out for players exiting vent locations nearby.
• Communication Strategies: Be clear and concise with your statements during meetings. Avoid over-explaining, which can make you seem suspicious.
• Memory and Observation: Pay close attention to the details and remember who was near a player before they were found dead. Note any changes in behavior or movement patterns.
• Use Logic, Not Just Gut Feeling: Base your votes on clear observations and logical deductions, not just on suspicions.
• Be Aware of Common Traps: Impostors will often try to trick players into voting each other out. Try to evaluate each situation carefully.

Impostor Tactics:

• Strategic Sabotage Use: Use sabotage at opportune moments to isolate crewmates or create confusion, or to prevent them from completing tasks.
• Door Trapping: Use doors to trap players with you, allowing for an easy kill. However, be careful as other players could see you trap and kill them.
• Double Killing: While risky, a well-executed double kill can remove two suspects quickly. This works well if there is chaos caused by a sabotage.
• Vent Baiting: Position yourself near a vent to bait crewmates into following you before you exit into the vent.
• Play the Long Game: Sometimes, it’s better to lay low for a round or two to blend in and then make your moves.
• Utilize Information: Listen carefully to the discussion. Use what you hear to build alibis and deflect suspicion.
• Be Consistent: Avoid making sudden changes in your behavior or movement patterns. Consistency makes you less likely to be identified.
• Master the Impostor’s Mindset: Think like an impostor, anticipate other players’ actions, and plan your moves accordingly.

Tips for Playing With Friends and Strangers

Playing Among Us can be different depending on if you’re with a group of friends or strangers online. Here are some tips for each scenario:

Playing With Friends:

• Establish Rules: Agree on the level of seriousness you want in your game. Are you going to take it lightly, or strategize every game?
• Use Voice Chat: Discord or any voice chat app will help facilitate better communication and make the game more exciting.
• Be Patient: Everyone has different skill levels. Be patient with new players and avoid getting too frustrated.
• Have Fun: Don’t take the game too seriously. Remember it’s a game, and the main goal is to have a good time.
• Be Fair: Do not cheat by looking at the other players’ devices or by intentionally spoiling information.

Playing With Strangers:

• Be Cautious: Be aware that not everyone is playing fairly. Some players might use hacks or cheat. Be aware and mindful of any suspicious activities.
• Communicate Effectively: Use the chat function to clearly and concisely convey your observations. Avoid being too vague, as this can make it seem you are trying to hide something.
• Adapt to Different Playstyles: Be prepared to adapt your play style based on the actions of other players. Some players may be very talkative, while others may be more reserved.
• Don’t Take It Personally: If you are voted out or lose a round, try not to take it personally. It’s all part of the game.
• Be Respectful: Be polite and respectful, even if you disagree with other players.
• Report Bad Behavior: If you encounter players who are being abusive or using cheats, report them to the game developers.

Conclusion

Among Us is a game that combines strategy, psychology, and communication. By understanding the mechanics, mastering tactics, and effectively using the social aspects of the game, you can greatly improve your experience and increase your success rate, regardless of whether you play as a crewmate or impostor. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, there’s always room to improve and refine your skills in this captivating game. So, gather your friends or join a random game online, and get ready to uncover the secrets and become the ultimate Among Us player.