Codenames Sci-Fi Expansion: What It Adds and How to Use It
By Asmodee – Asmodee USA | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Product Reviews
The Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack adds 50 themed words you can mix into Codenames or Codenames: Duet. Here's what's inside, how to play it, and who should buy it.
Quick answer
The Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack is a 50-card themed word pack you shuffle into Codenames or Codenames: Duet — it doesn't add new rules. Buy it if your group already enjoys the base game and wants a fresh batch of sci-fi words; skip it if you don't own Codenames yet.
What the sci-fi words actually change at the table
Because the expansion only swaps in new words, the rules, board layout, and win conditions stay exactly the same. What changes is the vocabulary your spymasters have to work with, so clues that used to feel easy may become harder — or open up new connections your group hasn't tried before.
That makes it a low-risk purchase for a group that plays Codenames often and has started to recognize the base words. It is not a fix for a group that finds the base game too difficult; the challenge level stays in the same range.
One trade-off to know before mixing
Mixing the sci-fi cards into the base deck increases the total word pool, which means each game draws from a larger set of words. If you want a fully sci-fi-themed session, you can play with only the expansion words, but 50 words is a smaller pool than the base game offers, so expect more repetition across rounds.
The expansion is also designed for the standard Codenames and Codenames: Duet word decks. It is not a standalone game, so it won't do anything for groups that don't already own one of those.
Codenames Sci-Fi Expansion FAQ
- What's in the Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack?
- A themed set of 50 word cards designed for Codenames or Codenames: Duet. It is a mini expansion, so it does not include a board, agent cards, or a rulebook for a new game mode.
- How do I play with the sci-fi words?
- Shuffle the 50 new cards into your base Codenames or Codenames: Duet word deck, then set up and play exactly as you normally would. There are no extra rules to learn.
- Is the expansion compatible with Codenames: Duet?
- Yes. The pack is designed for use with either Codenames or Codenames: Duet, so you can mix it into whichever version your group owns.
- How is the sci-fi word list different from the base game?
- The expansion replaces the base game's general vocabulary with sci-fi-themed words, which shifts the kinds of clues that work. Expect more references to space, technology, and speculative science, and fewer everyday objects.
- Can I play with only the sci-fi cards?
- You can, but 50 words is a much smaller pool than the base game, so words will repeat more often across rounds. For variety, mix the expansion into the full base deck instead.
- Do I need the base game to use this expansion?
- Yes. The expansion is not a standalone game. You need a copy of Codenames or Codenames: Duet to play.
Product facts
- Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack: The Sci-Fi Expansion Pack contains a themed set of 50 words for Codenames or Codenames: Duet. Fifty cards is enough to freshen a few game nights without replacing your base deck.
Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack - Codenames: Codenames is a party game where two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents, and teammates know them only by codenames. You need the base game first — the expansion only supplies words, not the board or agent cards.
Codenames
