Dota 2 Spy rules
Dota 2 Spy is a free online party game for 3 to 10 players, in the spirit of Spyfall. A Dota 2 item, hero or ability is picked: everyone sees the picture except one player - the Dire spy. Discuss the secret so your team understands each other while the spy stays in the dark - or figure out who is bluffing.
Roles and setup
One player creates a room and sends the others the link or the four-letter code. Once everyone is in (at least three players), the host presses “Start the game”.
- Radiant - everyone except one player. They see the secret card: its picture and name.
- Dire, the spy - one player. They see a “?” instead of the picture. Their job is to work out the secret without giving themselves away.
Before the first round there is a short 10-second break: look around, while the spy gets their first ability.
How a game goes
- Players take turns. On your turn you type in the chat (or say by voice) something about the secret: a property, an association, a hint. You can't name the secret directly.
- When everyone has spoken, the round ends. After two rounds the players decide by majority: vote for the spy or play one more round.
- There is a 10-second break between rounds: this is when the spy can use their ability.
- The turn time can be limited (30-120 seconds). Run out of time and your turn is skipped.
The spy should speak confidently and vaguely, while the players should describe the secret precisely enough for their team, but not so precisely that the spy guesses it.
Voting
Each player votes for whoever they think is the spy (you can't vote for yourself). The player with the most votes is picked.
- A tie - nobody is picked and the next round begins.
- The spy is picked - they get one last chance to name the secret.
- An innocent player is picked - the spy wins.
How to win
Spy (Dire)
- Names the right card - at any moment of the game.
- The players vote for an innocent player.
- Gets exposed but still guesses the secret.
- A wrong guess loses (unless the spy has “Second Chance”).
Players (Radiant)
- Find the spy in a vote, and the spy fails to guess the secret.
- The spy names the wrong card.
- The spy runs out of time to answer.
Game modes
- Dota 2 items
- The classic mode. Pool: “shop” (189 shop items), “neutral” (49) or “all”.
- Heroes
- Guess the Dota 2 hero - all 127 heroes with portraits.
- Hero abilities
- Guess a hero's ability. There are always 25 abilities on the table: 5 groups of 5 (escape, control, damage, support, summons, passives - 5 of the 6 are used).
- Easy mode
- 30 cards from 6 themed groups of 5 lie on the table. The secret is one of them - easier for the spy, while picking by cost and popularity keeps it balanced.
- Text chat or voice
- In text mode the whole history of lines is visible in the chat. In voice mode you talk on Discord or Telegram, and the site runs the turn order, timer and voting.
The spy has a notebook: mark clues (yes / no) and the candidate list narrows down by itself; you can also cross out cards on the table and keep a dossier on players.
Spy abilities
At the start of every round the spy gets one random ability from the deck. If it isn't used during that round, the card burns and goes back to the deck. A used card is out until the end of the game. The host can turn any card on or off in the room settings.
| Card | What it does | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Hint | An objective fact about the secret: cost, type, hero role. Others see that the spy took a hint, but not its text. | 3 |
| Swap | The secret is replaced with another one and the rounds start over. Everyone learns about the swap. | 3 |
| Cull | About 20% of the cards are crossed out as definitely wrong. | 3 |
| Swap Places | Swaps two players who haven't had their turn this round. | 3 |
| Rush | The chosen player gets only 10 seconds for their next turn. | 3 |
| Second Chance | The first wrong guess is forgiven. | 3 |
| Skip Turn | The chosen player (the spy can pick themselves) skips their next turn - everyone sees a big “turn skipped”. | 4 |
| Double Vote | The spy's vote in the next vote counts as two. Drops from round 2. | 5 |
| Black Mark | The chosen player's vote in the next vote doesn't count. Drops from round 2. | 5 |
Strong cards only drop in bigger rooms, so that voting doesn't break in a three-player game.
Streamer mode
If you stream the game, turn on streamer mode (button in the header). Your role, the secret card and the room code disappear from the main window, so viewers can't peek at the secret or jump into your room. You see your role and the secret in the “secret window” or via a link on your phone - never add that window to OBS.
FAQ
How many players do I need?
From 3 to 10. It plays best with five to seven: there are enough rounds to discuss, and the vote stays interesting.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. The game runs in the browser on desktop and mobile. Create a room and send your friends the link or the four-letter code.
How does the spy win?
By naming the secret card, which they can do at any moment. The spy also wins if the players vote for someone else, or if a caught spy still guesses the secret.
How do the others win?
By finding the spy in a vote after two rounds. A caught spy gets one last chance to guess; if they miss, the players win.
Can we play by voice on Discord?
Yes. Pick “Voice” mode in the lobby: talk on Discord or Telegram while the site runs the turn order, timer and voting.
How are the modes different?
Items, heroes or hero abilities - that's what you guess. Easy mode limits the table to 30 cards (25 for abilities), which makes it easier for the spy.
What happens if the spy guesses wrong?
They lose. The exception is the “Second Chance” card: it forgives the first mistake.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes, the interface works on phones. Long lines are easier on a keyboard, so many people play by voice.
Is the game free?
Yes, free and ad-free. It's an unofficial fan project: Dota 2 and the images of items, heroes and abilities belong to Valve Corporation.
Where can I send feedback?
On the feedback page you can rate the game, vote for new ideas and leave a comment.