In week #9 the class played Ultimate Werewolf. Ultimate Werewolf is a role playing card game similar to Mafia, in which players are randomly assigned a role on the team of the villagers or the werewolves. The goal of each team is to eliminate the opposing team via killing players during the night or voting to kill players during the day. In this game I was a member of the villager’s team and had the role of Witch, and had the special ability to save one player and kill one player at any time during the game. The most difficult part of playing the role of the witch was deciding when to use my extra power. I ultimately chose to save a player in the night following the killing of the wolf cub (during this night the werewolves can kill two players). However, overall the most difficult part of this game is determining who is on your side, who is telling the truth and who to nominate to kill. This is particularly tricky because people can choose to say whatever they want, and no one ever gives much of a reason to trust them.

The topics surrounding leadership that are present in this game are definitely teamwork and trust. In the game it is vital that you determine who is on your side and that you share appropriate information to figure out who the werewolves are. Due to the nature of the game, trust is also extremely important, because you often are taking peoples word to heart. A leader needs to have trust in others around them and believe in the team that surround them, as well as work together well with others to accomplish their goals.

I would recommend this game to my group of friends that partakes in alternative spring break trips. When we go on these trips we always play Mafia. However, werewolf offers more specific roles and is easier to explain and set up (comes with rules and cards). We all love playing mafia, so Ultimate Werewolf could be a nice change of pace while still allowing us to play the random role playing type game we love!