How to Play Among Us: Dominate as Crewmate or Imposter

Space. The final frontier. But in Among Us, that frontier is infested with parasitic alien Imposters, intent on wreaking havoc aboard your vulnerable spaceship. This wildly popular multiplayer social deduction game plunges you and your crewmates into a heart-pounding blend of collaborative teamwork and ruthless betrayal. As a Crewmate, you’ll race against the clock to complete vital tasks and keep the ship operational. But beware: malicious Imposters lurk among you, ready to sabotage your efforts and eliminate the crew one by one. Will you uncover the Imposters’ deception, or will you fall victim to their deadly machinations?

Among Us offers cross-platform gameplay, allowing you to join the thrilling experience with friends and other players on PC, Mobile (iOS and Android), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Prepare for an immersive game of strategic deception, tense accusations, and thrilling escapes, where every decision could mean the difference between victory and a grisly demise in the cold vacuum of space. Will you survive the Imposter’s onslaught? Or will you embrace the darkness and become the ultimate saboteur? The choice is yours.

Table of Contents

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Among Us throws you into a spaceship, a seemingly peaceful setting quickly disrupted by the presence of deadly Imposters among the Crewmates. Each role has distinct objectives and gameplay, making understanding these fundamentals crucial for success.

A. Crewmate Role: Teamwork, Tasks, and Survival

As a Crewmate in Among Us, your mission is to complete all your assigned tasks while uncovering the Imposter(s) lurking among you. Sounds straightforward, but with a saboteur on board, survival becomes paramount.

Your individual task list, displayed in the top-left corner of your screen, consists of mini-games spread across the map. These range from simple button presses (like “Fix Wiring”) to more complex sequences (like “Calibrate Distributor”).

Basic Crewmate strategies include:

Complete Tasks: Focus on efficiently completing your tasks. This progresses the game and helps you deduce who might be slacking (a potential Imposter sign).
Stay Alert: Observe other players’ movements and behavior. Anyone behaving strangely or wandering off alone could be suspicious.
Report Bodies: Immediately report any discovered bodies to initiate a discussion and vote on suspected Imposters.

B. Imposter Role: Deception, Sabotage, and Elimination

As the Imposter, your objective is to eliminate all Crewmates before they complete their tasks or discover your true identity. You’ll be assigned fake tasks as a disguise, but your real tools are cunning deception, strategic sabotage, and calculated elimination.

Basic Imposter strategies:

Fake Tasks: Pretend to complete tasks to blend in with Crewmates.
Use Vents: Travel quickly through vents to escape crime scenes or reach isolated Crewmates.
Sabotage: Cause distractions and isolate Crewmates by sabotaging various ship systems.

C. Specialist Roles: Unique Abilities and Strategic Advantages

Specialist roles introduce unique abilities that can dramatically alter the course of the game, offering strategic advantages to both Crewmates and Imposters.

Scientist (Crewmate): Equipped with a portable vitals sensor, the Scientist can monitor the status of other players anytime, anywhere. This ability offers crucial information for confirming alibis, identifying victims, and narrowing down Imposter suspects. The catch? The vitals sensor has a limited battery life, requiring the Scientist to diligently complete tasks to keep it charged.
Engineer (Crewmate): This specialist can utilize vents, mirroring the Imposter’s movement capabilities. Use this to quickly traverse the map, respond to sabotages, or potentially catch an Imposter venting red-handed. Remember, the Engineer’s vent access is limited – they can’t remain inside indefinitely.
Shapeshifter (Imposter): This Imposter variant possesses the ability to morph into the appearance of other Crewmates for a short period. This masterful disguise can be used to frame others, sow confusion, and disrupt investigations. However, the transformation process is briefly visible, so choose your moments carefully and ensure you are not observed.
Guardian Angel (Ghost Crewmate): In death, a Crewmate may ascend to the role of Guardian Angel. This benevolent spirit can protect a living Crewmate by casting a temporary shield, preventing an Imposter attack. This offers eliminated players a continued role in aiding their team’s victory.

Understanding these core gameplay mechanics and applying the role-specific strategies will elevate your Among Us game, whether you are a Crewmate seeking justice or an Imposter orchestrating chaos.

Advanced Gameplay Strategies and Tips

Ready to go from Among Us novice to seasoned strategist? This section dives into advanced gameplay tactics for both Crewmates and Imposters, covering crucial elements like communication, map awareness, and mastering the art of the emergency meeting.

A. Communication and Deception

Communication in Among Us is a powerful tool. For Crewmates, it’s about effective collaboration and information sharing. For Imposters, it’s a weapon of psychological manipulation and calculated deceit.

Crewmate Communication:

Clarity and Precision: Provide specific details about your location, who you were with, and any suspicious activity you observed. “I saw Blue vent in Security” carries far more weight than a vague “Blue is sus”. Quantify your information whenever possible: “I saw Blue near the body for approximately 10 seconds”.
Verification and Collaboration: Work together to corroborate alibis and track player movements. If someone claims they were in MedBay, ask if anyone else can confirm their presence. Cross-referencing information is key to exposing inconsistencies and identifying the Imposter.
Building Trust: Consistency and honesty are vital for establishing trust among Crewmates. Provide accurate reports, avoid making baseless accusations, and stick to your statements. A united crew is a strong crew.

Imposter Deception Tactics:

Planting Seeds of Doubt: Subtly implicate innocent Crewmates by raising questions about their behavior or suggesting their proximity to suspicious events. “I saw Yellow near the body, but I’m not entirely sure what they were doing”. Ambiguity and insinuation are your allies.
Crafting Alibis: Prepare believable explanations for your movements and actions. If challenged, react with feigned surprise and indignation. A well-crafted alibi can deflect suspicion and buy you valuable time. Example: “I was in Navigation calibrating the distributor. Ask Green, they were there too”. (Even if Green wasn’t).
Manipulating Information: Distort the truth to your advantage. If you vented, claim you saw someone else near a vent. If you sabotaged a system, express confusion and blame it on a Crewmate.
Strategic Slang: Use Among Us slang (“sus,” “vent,” “self-report”) to blend in with Crewmate conversations and subtly influence their perceptions. However, avoid overusing slang, as it can appear forced and arouse suspicion.

B. Map Awareness and Navigation: Dominating the Terrain

In-depth map knowledge is a crucial advantage in Among Us. Understanding the layout of each map, including task locations, vent connections, and strategic vantage points, is vital for both Crewmates and Imposters.

Crewmate Navigation:

Optimized Task Routes: Plan efficient routes to minimize travel time between tasks and reduce your vulnerability to Imposter attacks. Prioritize tasks in clustered locations to avoid unnecessary movement through isolated areas.
Recognizing Danger Zones: Be aware of isolated rooms, areas with limited visibility, and locations with multiple entry/exit points, as these are often prime spots for Imposter ambushes.
Utilizing Information Systems: Use the Admin table to track player movements, Security cameras to observe activity in key areas, and the Vitals sensor to confirm kills and narrow down suspects. Combining information from different sources can provide a comprehensive picture of the game’s unfolding events.

Imposter Navigation:

Vent Mastery: Vents are your primary means of transportation and escape. Learn the vent connections on each map to move quickly and undetected between areas, allowing for surprise attacks and rapid escapes from crime scenes.
Strategic Positioning: Identify vantage points and hiding spots where you can observe Crewmates without being seen. These locations provide opportunities for ambushes and allow you to gather information about Crewmate movements.

C. Emergency Meetings: Accusations and Deductions

Emergency meetings are critical turning points in Among Us. For Crewmates, they’re a chance to pool information, analyze evidence, and identify the Imposter. For Imposters, meetings become a platform for manipulation, misdirection, and sowing discord.

Crewmate Meeting Strategies:

Strategic Meeting Calls: Avoid calling meetings based on gut feelings or vague suspicions. Gather concrete evidence or develop a compelling logical argument before pulling the emergency lever.
Clear and Concise Reporting: Present your information in a clear, organized manner. Focus on specific observations and avoid rambling or making unsubstantiated accusations. Use visual aids like the map to illustrate your points.
Targeted Questioning: Direct questions at specific players to probe their alibis and gauge their reactions. Look for inconsistencies or contradictions in their responses.
Critical Analysis: Carefully evaluate the information presented by other players. Look for inconsistencies, evasive answers, and attempts to deflect blame.

Imposter Meeting Strategies:

Controlled Composure: Maintain a calm and collected demeanor, even under intense scrutiny. Avoid appearing overly defensive or aggressive, as this can raise suspicion. Feign confusion or express sympathy for the victims.
Deflection and Misdirection: Subtly shift blame onto other players by offering alternative explanations for events or casting doubt on their accounts. “I saw Cyan near Electrical around the time of the sabotage, but I can’t be certain”.
Creating Discord: Exploit disagreements and tensions between Crewmates to create confusion and disrupt their investigation.
Vote Manipulation: Use your influence to sway the vote toward ejecting an innocent Crewmate. This may even involve sacrificing another Imposter to maintain your own cover.

By mastering these advanced strategies, you’ll evolve from a space rookie into a seasoned Among Us veteran, ready to outsmart even the most cunning Imposters or orchestrate elaborate deceptions to secure victory. Remember, adaptation is key – adjust your tactics based on the specific game settings and the evolving dynamics of each match.

Settings and Customization

Among Us offers extensive gameplay customization, allowing you to tailor the experience to your group’s preferences. Whether you crave fast-paced action or prefer slow-burn suspense, understanding the game settings is crucial for creating the perfect match. As the host, you wield considerable power over the game’s dynamics.

Key Game Settings and Their Impact

Here’s a comprehensive look at the critical game settings and how they shape the Among Us experience:

Kill Cooldown: This parameter determines the time an Imposter must wait between kills. A shorter cooldown translates to more frequent kills, accelerating the game’s pace and increasing the pressure on Crewmates. A longer cooldown necessitates a more strategic approach, forcing Imposters to plan their attacks carefully and prioritize targets.
Player Vision: Adjust vision range for Crewmates and Imposters independently. Limited Crewmate vision heightens the suspense and makes it easier for Imposters to ambush their targets. Increased Imposter vision gives them a significant advantage in tracking Crewmates. Balanced vision creates a level playing field, emphasizing strategy and deduction.
Task Count: This setting dictates the number of tasks Crewmates must complete to win. A higher task count extends the game’s duration, providing more opportunities for the Imposter to sabotage and eliminate Crewmates. A lower task count results in shorter, more intense rounds. Carefully consider your group’s skill level and desired game length when configuring this parameter.
Emergency Meetings: You can limit the number of emergency meetings each player can call. Restricting meetings encourages strategic use and prevents excessive interruptions. Unlimited meetings can facilitate frequent discussion but might disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Discussion and Voting Time: Control how long players have to debate and vote during emergency meetings. Longer discussion times allow for more thorough analysis and deliberation, while shorter times demand quick thinking and decisive action.
Imposter Count: The number of Imposters directly impacts the game’s difficulty. One Imposter provides a balanced challenge for Crewmates. Two or three Imposters drastically increase the difficulty, requiring heightened vigilance and strategic coordination among Crewmates.
Confirm Ejects: This setting reveals whether an ejected player was indeed an Imposter. Turning this on can provide valuable information but may lessen the suspense. Conversely, disabling “Confirm Ejects” maintains uncertainty and can lead to more complex social dynamics.
Visual Tasks: As described earlier, these tasks have visible animations. The host can enable or disable these animations. Disabling them prevents Crewmates from easily verifying their innocence, adding another layer of complexity to the deduction process.
Anonymous Voting: This setting hides who voted for whom during ejection sequences. This can encourage more strategic voting and protect players from potential retaliation, but also makes it more difficult to track voting patterns and deduce Imposter identities.

Hosting and Managing Settings

Creating a custom game in Among Us is easy. From the main menu:

Select “Online.”
Click “Create Game.”
Choose your preferred map (The Skeld, Mira HQ, Polus, or The Airship).
Configure the gameplay settings as detailed above.
A unique room code will be generated. Share this code with your friends so they can join your custom match.

Custom Game Presets

Here are some pre-configured setting combinations to inspire your custom game creations:

Fast-Paced Mayhem: Short kill cooldown, limited vision, low task count, limited emergency meetings, confirm ejects on.
Strategic Deception: Moderate kill cooldown, balanced vision, moderate task count, limited emergency meetings, confirm ejects off.
Intense Hide-and-Seek: Short kill cooldown, very limited vision, low task count, unlimited emergency meetings, visual tasks off.
Paranoid Investigation: Long kill cooldown, moderate vision, high task count, limited emergency meetings, anonymous voting on.

By experimenting with these settings and developing your own custom presets, you can create the ideal Among Us experience for your group. Communication and feedback are key – adjust the settings based on your players’ preferences to maximize the fun and create memorable moments of suspense, deception, and teamwork.

FAQs

Q: What are the different roles in Among Us?

Among Us features several distinct roles, each with unique abilities and objectives. Crewmates focus on completing tasks and identifying Imposters. Imposters aim to sabotage the ship, eliminate Crewmates, and deceive their way to victory. Specialist roles, such as the Scientist, Engineer, Shapeshifter, and Guardian Angel, add new layers of complexity and strategy to the game.

Q: How can I spot suspicious behavior and identify the Imposter? Pay close attention to player movements, communications, and task completion. Look for inconsistencies in their accounts, anyone skipping or faking visual tasks, and individuals lurking near vents or behaving erratically. Effective use of the Admin map, Security cameras, and Vitals sensor can also provide valuable clues.

Q: What does “sus” mean? “Sus” is short for “suspicious”. It’s commonly used to express suspicion about another player’s behavior or actions.

Q: How do I report a dead body? When you discover a body, approach it and click or tap the “Report” button that appears. This will initiate an emergency meeting.

Q: What other social deduction or party games like Among Us?

If you love Among Us, you’re in for a treat! Loads of other games offer similar thrills, from social deduction gems like Secret Hitler and Codenames to creative party games like Telestrations and Pictionary. Word game enthusiasts will enjoy Scattergories and Catch Phrase, while strategy buffs can dive into Trivial Pursuit or Cranium. For a more artistic experience, try Dixit. And don’t forget classics like 20 Questions, Hangman, and Charades! So, what are you waiting for? Explore these exciting games and let us know your favorites!

Guessing & Mystery Games