What the promo pack adds to your Codenames deck
The Codenames Through the Ages Promo Pack is a bonus set of 10 double-sided cards featuring words drawn from Through the Ages. Each card has a word on each side, so you are adding 20 possible word faces to your game—though only one side of each card will be visible during a round.
These are not new rules or a new game mode. They are extra word cards designed to slot into your existing Codenames set. The pack is compatible with the first edition of Codenames. If you own the second edition, the card size is the same, but the card design has been slightly updated. That visual difference can tempt players to give clues based on the card backs or borders rather than the words themselves—which is technically against the rules.
Pack contents and compatibility at a glance
- Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames): This bonus pack contains 10 double-sided cards with words based on Through the Ages. Ten cards means twenty word faces, so you can mix them into your word deck without overwhelming the base game.
Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames) - Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames): This promo pack is compatible with the first edition of Codenames. If you own the first edition, the cards are designed to match your set and shuffle in cleanly.
- Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames): If you have the second edition, please note that while the card size is the same, the design of the cards has been slightly updated which might lead to players trying to give clues based on those visual differences instead of the words’ meanings. Second-edition owners can still use the cards, but should agree to ignore visual cues before playing.
How to set up the promo pack for a fair game
The goal is to blend the new words into your existing deck without revealing which cards are promo cards. Follow these steps before your next round.
- Check your edition: Confirm whether your base game is first or second edition. The promo pack is built for first edition; second edition works but needs the visual-cue agreement below.
- Agree on visual cues: If you are using second edition, tell all players before the game that clues must be based only on word meanings, not on card design, borders, or backs. This keeps the game fair.
- Shuffle the promo cards into the word deck: Mix the 10 double-sided cards thoroughly with your base game word cards. Because each card has two sides, make sure you are not accidentally showing the same word twice—shuffle face-down as normal.
- Set up the grid as usual: Lay out the 25-card grid according to your Codenames rules. The promo cards simply become part of the available word pool.
- Play and give clues by meaning: Spymasters should give clues based on the words, not on whether a card looks different. Remind players that using visual design as a clue is against the spirit of the rules.
Tips for using the Through the Ages words well
These cards introduce words from a civilization-building context. They can create fresh clue opportunities and new misdirections.
- Expect historical and strategic vocabulary: Words based on Through the Ages may feel more thematic than the base game’s mix. Spymasters can lean into eras, resources, or progress—but keep clues within the rules.
- Watch for double-sided confusion: Since each card has two words, make sure the grid is laid out with the intended side up. Agree before the game which side you will use, or shuffle and place randomly as you would any card.
- Use them as a occasional mix-in: You do not have to add all 10 cards every game. Try adding a few to change the flavor without making the deck feel unfamiliar.
- Keep the visual difference in mind for second edition: If you play with second edition, the slightly updated design is the main risk. A quick reminder at the start of each round helps everyone stay focused on the words.
When the promo pack fits your game night
This pack is for Codenames players who want a small, thematic addition without new rules overhead. It works best if you already enjoy the base game and want to refresh the word pool with a historical twist. If you own the first edition, it is a straightforward shuffle-in. If you own the second edition, you can still use it—just be ready to enforce the meaning-only clue rule so the visual update does not become an unintended clue.
The pack does not include new agent cards, rules, or components beyond the 10 double-sided word cards. It is a word expansion, pure and simple. That makes it easy to teach and easy to remove if your group prefers the original mix.
