# The Chameleon: Rules and UI Guide

**The Chameleon** is a deduction game built around a public word deck and one secret word. Everyone sees the same category and eight candidates. Ordinary players know the dealt word; the single chameleon does not. The players must identify who is improvising, while the chameleon tries to blend in or name the word at the right moment.

## Goal, player counts, and round limit

- Supports **4 / 5 / 6 / 8 players**, with exactly **one chameleon**.
- The 4-, 5-, and 6-player games last at most 4 rounds. The 8-player game lasts at most 5.
- Accusing an ordinary player gives the chameleon an immediate win.
- Accusing the chameleon triggers one final word guess, so the game is not won yet.
- If no suspect earns a strict majority before the round limit, the chameleon wins.

## Start a match

![English Chameleon setup page with Classic mode and player count controls](/docs/game-guides/en/chameleon/01-setup.webp "Choose Classic and a table for 4, 5, 6, or 8 players before entering the game")

1. Select **Classic** under the game mode.
2. Choose 4, 5, 6, or 8 under **Players**. This total includes you and the AI players.
3. Keep **New match** selected, check the drop cost shown on the button, then press **Enter game**.
4. If the name dialog appears, enter a nickname and confirm. Seats and roles are assigned automatically.

The opening private card is visible only to you. An ordinary player sees both the category and secret word. The chameleon sees the category and an explicit unknown-word notice. Press **Start** after reading it.

## Read the table

![English Chameleon table with player strip, public candidates, transcript, and action dock](/docs/game-guides/en/chameleon/02-gameplay.webp "Check your private word and the public candidates, then use the bottom dock on your turn")

- **Player strip:** Shows each seat, name, portrait, and public persona. A **you** tag marks your seat without exposing any role.
- **Secret word card:** The left card in the word strip holds your private information. A player sees the word; the chameleon sees **Unknown · Chameleon**. Tap it to reopen **My identity**.
- **Public word deck:** The category and eight candidates are visible to everyone. Scroll sideways to see the whole row. The dealt word is never highlighted here.
- **Transcript:** Stores each clue, vote result, and word guess by round. It sits on the right on desktop and can be opened with **Log** on a narrow screen.
- **Action dock:** Shows only actions that are legal for you now. It changes to a waiting message while an AI seat acts.

## Give a clue or take an early guess

On your speaking turn, type one clue in the bottom field and press **Give a clue**, or press Enter. A submitted clue cannot be edited.

As an ordinary player, prove you know the word without defining it. For “beach,” “My shoes always bring evidence home” is safer than listing sea, sand, and swimming.

If you are the chameleon, your speaking turn also shows **Guess the word**. Press it, select one of the eight public candidates, then press **Guess this**. This is an immediate and irreversible result:

- A correct guess makes the chameleon win at once.
- A wrong guess makes the ordinary players win at once.

You may give a normal clue instead and wait for more information. The chameleon does not have to wait until the final accusation to guess.

## Use the secret ballot and final guess

After everyone has submitted a clue, the table enters the vote:

1. Press **Vote** when the action dock offers it.
2. Tap one suspect's portrait in the tray.
3. Verify the displayed name, then press **Confirm**. You cannot vote for yourself or abstain.
4. The vote board shows only **Waiting** or **Locked** for each seat. Targets stay hidden until all ballots are in.

A suspect needs a **strict majority** to be accused. Having the largest vote pile is not enough. Without a majority, nobody is accused and a new clue round begins.

- Accuse an ordinary player: the chameleon wins immediately.
- Accuse the chameleon: the game opens the chameleon's last guess. A correct candidate steals the game; a wrong candidate gives the players the win.

## Controls and first-game advice

- **My identity** reopens your private role and word. **Words** opens the full candidate deck.
- The top-right controls open the rules, rename dialog, sound toggle, and exit confirmation.
- Do not judge one odd clue in isolation. Compare speaking order and the overlap across the whole round.
- A late-speaking chameleon has more evidence to copy. A clue that is too precise narrows the answer for them, while one that is too vague can make allies vote for you.