The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow and Ultimate Werewolf are both boxed versions of classic Werewolf with a moderator, night kills and day votes. Pick Ultimate Werewolf if your group size varies (it’s listed for 5 to 75 players) or if you want a moderator app. Pick Miller’s Hollow if you usually have 8 or more players and want the classic European version, with its elected Sheriff and long line of expansions.
Side-by-side comparison #
| The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow | Ultimate Werewolf | |
|---|---|---|
| Designers | Philippe des Pallières and Hervé Marly | Ted Alspach |
| Publisher | Lui-même until 2020; Asmodee since | Bezier Games |
| First published | 2001 | 2008 |
| Players | 8 to 47 | 5 to 75 |
| Game length | About 30 minutes | 15 to 45 minutes |
| Age | 10+ | 9+ |
| Moderator | Yes, the game master | Yes |
| Signature twist | The Sheriff, whose vote counts as two | Large pool of roles and bonus packs |
| Moderator app | None we could confirm | Ultimate Werewolf Moderator, on Google Play |
| Recognition | Nominated for the 2003 Spiel des Jahres |
Sources: Wikipedia’s articles on Miller’s Hollow (French Wikipedia for the publisher change) and Ultimate Werewolf, and Bezier Games.
What they have in common #
Both are the classic Werewolf loop. The werewolves wake at night and pick a victim, special village roles act, and by day everyone argues and votes someone out. The village wins by eliminating the wolves, and the wolves win by outnumbering the village. Both need a non-playing moderator. If you know Werewolf game rules, you can play either box with little new to learn.
Where The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow stands out #
The Sheriff #
The village elects a Sheriff, whose vote counts as two. Wikipedia notes that the Sheriff’s power stacks on top of any other role that player holds, and that a Sheriff who is eliminated picks a successor. That gives day one a purpose: before anyone is voted out, the village argues about who to trust with a double vote. It also creates a target, since the wolves have every reason to kill a Sheriff they don’t control.
Expansions and history #
Miller’s Hollow has been in print since 2001 and has four expansions listed on Wikipedia: New Moon (2006), The Village (2009), Characters (2012) and The Pact (2014). Its 2003 Spiel des Jahres nomination helped make it one of the best-known Werewolf boxes in Europe.
Best group size #
Its listed minimum is 8 players. Below that, the balance of the base roles tends to fall apart.
Wrong for: groups that often have 5 to 7 people, or groups that want an app to help the moderator.
Where Ultimate Werewolf stands out #
Flexibility #
A 5-to-75 player range means the same box works for a small dinner party and a very big event. Bezier’s line is compatible with Ultimate Werewolf Extreme, Bonus Roles and Pro, and Wikipedia lists themed packs including Classic Movie Monsters, Night Terrors, Artifacts, Urban Legends, Wolfpack and Hunting Party. Ultimate Werewolf Legacy (2018) adds a campaign that changes across games.
The moderator app #
Bezier publishes Ultimate Werewolf Moderator for its own sets. Its Google Play listing describes an app that builds decks by player count, balance, game length and moderator difficulty, scans cards, player names and faces, then walks you through every day and night phase. Scanning is tied to Ultimate Werewolf (4th edition) or Extreme, and there’s a “Quick Play” mode without scanning. Check the listing for what it supports today.
Price #
Bezier’s store listed the base game at $14.95 in September 2026. Check current pricing before you buy.
Wrong for: groups who want one fixed, carefully tuned set of roles out of the box. Ultimate Werewolf’s range of roles means someone has to choose a good mix, although the moderator app can help.
Which should you buy? #
| Your group | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Size changes from week to week, sometimes 5 or 6 | Ultimate Werewolf |
| Always 8 or more | Either; Miller’s Hollow for the Sheriff |
| New moderator who wants help | Ultimate Werewolf, for the app |
| Wants the classic European version | Miller’s Hollow |
| Wants the lowest-cost box | Ultimate Werewolf |
| 3 or 4 players | Neither. Try One Night Ultimate Werewolf |
If neither fits, our best Werewolf card game sets guide also covers One Night Ultimate Werewolf and Blood on the Clocktower.
Running either game from your phone #
You can keep your cards and still use an app to track the night. Mafia Helper has a Werewolf mode that includes the Werewolf, Seer, Witch, Hunter, Doctor, Bodyguard, Mason and Villager roles, among others. Deal your physical cards, enter who got what, and the app shows each role’s wake line in order and works out kills against saves when you tap Resolve Night. It won’t have every card from these boxes. For missing roles, the custom role creator lets you add one with a name, team and a kill, protect or investigate action, and roles like the Sheriff can simply be tracked in the player notes. For more app options, see the best Mafia and Werewolf apps.
Frequently asked questions #
What’s the difference between Miller’s Hollow and Ultimate Werewolf? #
Both are classic Werewolf with a moderator. Miller’s Hollow (2001) starts at 8 players and is known for its elected Sheriff, whose vote counts double. Ultimate Werewolf (2008) scales from 5 to 75 players and has a moderator app from Bezier Games.
Is The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow good for small groups? #
Not really. Its listed range starts at 8 players, and smaller games tend to swing on a single vote. For 5 to 7 players, Ultimate Werewolf’s flexible roles or One Night Ultimate Werewolf work better.
Can you mix Miller’s Hollow and Ultimate Werewolf cards? #
Mechanically, yes, since both use the same core rules. The card backs and art won’t match, so mixed decks can reveal who holds which card. If you combine them, use sleeves or deal from a phone instead.
Does The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow have an app? #
We couldn’t confirm an official moderator app for Miller’s Hollow. General moderator apps can run its night if you enter the roles yourself, and Bezier Games offers apps for its own Werewolf lines.