Typecast Help & FAQ

Quick Start

Look at the available letters and the targets on the board. Find a word you can build that has a strong connection to one of those targets, select that target, and cast your word. You are expected to switch between targets: experienced players often scan the letters first, then choose where their best word will fit.

Each cast receives a verdict: a score and a reaction from your judge. Scores add to the selected target’s progress, and 100 points clears it. You can clear a target with one excellent cast or several useful ones. Clearing a target gives you fresh letters and may reveal another target. Clear every target within the round’s displayed move limit to finish it. The default is 12 moves; some rounds set a different limit. There is no time limit.

If you need help, use a Wildcard to supply a missing letter, or tap the lightbulb after a non-clearing cast to reveal a hint. If you disagree with a verdict, Appeal asks for a second assessment.

Welcome to Typecast

What is Typecast?

Typecast is a word game about meaning. Build a word from the available letters, cast it at a target, and see how well it connects. Each cast receives a score and a reaction from your judge. Clear every target before your moves run out.

Your answer is yours to choose. A familiar word can be perfect. An unexpected word can be brilliant. Finding the connection is the game.

Why does Typecast exist?

Human language is one of our greatest inventions. Words carry memories, tell stories, express feelings, and connect ideas across centuries and cultures. Their meanings shift as we use them. There is always more to discover inside a word.

We wanted a word game that embraces that richness: one where any word you can build might be the right one, and the game responds to what your answer means. Typecast brings that together with carefully written puzzles, stories, discoveries, and judges with something to say.

It is an invitation to play with language: to notice a connection, find a better word, or surprise yourself with what you already know.

Do I need a huge vocabulary?

No. Common words can make excellent casts. Observation, imagination, and choosing the right meaning matter as much as vocabulary.

You may discover unfamiliar words along the way, but you do not need to know them all to begin.

Where should I start?

Start with Classic. Its early rounds introduce the game through familiar subjects. Once you feel comfortable, try a Story or a Discovery that interests you.

How to play

How do I play a round?

1. Scan the available letters and read the targets.
2. Find a strong word you can build and select the target it fits best.
3. Cast your word at the selected target.
4. Read the score and your judge’s reaction.
5. Keep casting until you have cleared every target.

Each round has a displayed move limit. The default is 12 moves, and authored rounds may use a different limit. Each accepted cast uses one move.

What is a target?

A target is the subject your word should connect to. Its title tells you what you are aiming at. The short words beside it clarify the meaning, and any accompanying text gives you the situation.

Your answer might be an example, an action, a characteristic, or a convincing association. For a target like Fire, ember and blaze connect directly, while warmth points toward it more loosely. See What kinds of answers work? for more examples.

What does “cast” mean?

A cast is a word you submit to a target. Think of it as offering your answer: “Here is the connection I see.”

Is there one correct answer?

Usually, many words can fit. Your task is to find useful answers with the letters you have.

Some connections are stronger or more specific than others. The game scores the word you chose rather than checking whether you found one secret answer.

We don’t know what you’ll cast. Players surprise us every day with connections we hadn’t considered. Discovering those possibilities is part of the pleasure of Typecast—for us, too.

How do I clear a target?

Your cast’s score adds to that target’s progress. A target clears when its progress reaches 100 points.

A strong cast may clear it immediately. Several smaller scores can also add up to a clear: scores of 60 and 40 would clear a target together.

A single cast can score more than 100, but a target’s progress stops once it clears. Stronger casts still help you at the end of the round, because higher scores earn more Silver.

What happens when a target clears?

You receive fresh letters. Another target may appear if the round has more waiting. You may also uncover a piece of the story, a surprising fact, or a reaction from your judge.

Keep an eye on the Targets count at the top of the screen. It includes targets that haven’t appeared yet, so clearing the visible ones may reveal more.

Do I have to clear every target?

Yes. A round is complete when all its targets have cleared, including any that appear later.

Can I choose which target to work on?

Yes—and switching between targets is part of the strategy. Your word is judged against the target you select.

Experienced players often start with the letters: what strong words can you build, and which visible target gives one of them the best chance? You do not need to finish one target before working on another.

Clearing a target gives you fresh letters and may open new possibilities elsewhere on the board.

What are campaigns, levels, and rounds?

A campaign is a collection built around a theme, story, or subject. A campaign contains levels, and each level contains one or more rounds.

Clear the targets to finish a round. Finish the rounds to complete a level. Complete the levels to finish the campaign.

What happens if I run out of moves?

If targets remain after your final cast and any available verdict actions, the round fails. Retry that round and try a different approach. The rounds you have already completed in the level stay completed.

When you retry, your Silver returns to what it was when the round began. Anything you spent during the failed attempt comes back, and the failed attempt earns no Silver.

Do I have to play quickly?

No. There is no time limit anywhere in Typecast. Take as long as you like to think, explore the letters, or choose a target. The limit is on moves, not time.

Letters and words

How do the available letters work?

All visible targets share the same letter pool. Build your word using the letters available there.

Within a word, each letter tile can be used once. To use a letter twice, you need two copies of it or a Wildcard for the missing copy. A small number on a key shows that a second copy is available.

Are letters used up when I cast?

No. Letters become available again after you cast, so you can build another word from the same pool. Clearing a target replaces the pool with fresh letters.

What words can I submit?

Submit one word of 3–16 letters, using the English alphabet, a–z. Casts can’t contain spaces, numbers, punctuation, or accented characters.

Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other kinds of words can all work. What matters is whether the word, as written, fits the target.

Can I use names, slang, or technical terms?

Yes, if the term has a recognizable meaning that fits the target and meets the input rules. A word does not have to be everyday vocabulary to make a good cast.

An obscure term may be harder for the judge to recognize. If you think a meaningful word was misunderstood, consider an Appeal.

Do longer words score more?

Length alone does not earn a better score. A short, precise word can be stronger than a long, loosely related one.

Can I repeat an answer?

You cannot submit the exact same word to the same target twice during one round attempt. Choose another word to build more progress.

You may use that word on a different target if it fits. Undo does not make the word available again on the original target. Retrying a failed round resets that attempt’s used words.

Why does the game say my word is too close to a word on the board?

An exact word in the selected target’s title or visible clarifying words is blocked, ignoring letter case. A target may also have specific blocked answers. The game does not automatically block plurals or other related forms merely because they resemble a word on the selected target.

Look for a different connection: an example, action, property, object, or related idea. Follow the message beside your word; rules apply to the target you selected.

What if I make a spelling mistake?

Your cast is judged as written. The game does not silently replace it with the word it thinks you meant.

Check the spelling before casting. After a non-clearing cast, Undo can return the move so you can edit your answer.

Scores and judges

What makes a good cast?

A good cast has a clear, natural connection to the selected target. A more precise word can express that connection especially well.

Try asking: “What is a strong example of this?” or “What word captures this particular situation?”

What counts as a good score?

A cast scoring 100 or more is a great cast: it clears a target on its own. Scores from around 60 are good casts that make solid progress. Lower scores still add progress, but they usually mean the connection was broader or looser than it could be.

What kinds of answers work?

Here are three illustrative targets, each with several possible approaches:

Musical Instruments

• violin, trombone: strong, direct examples of instruments.
• melody: a broader connection—something instruments produce. It may earn partial progress.
• wood: a weak connection—a material used in some instruments and countless other things.

Deception

• forgery, bluff: strong, specific forms of deception.
• secret: related, but concealed information need not involve deception. It may earn partial progress.
• carrot: no clear connection by itself; likely to earn little or nothing.

Fire

• ember, blaze: strong connections to fire.
• warmth: one effect of fire, with many other sources. It may earn partial progress.
• blanket: a weak connection—something else that keeps you warm.

Strong candidates can aim for a one-cast clear. A broader answer may contribute points without clearing the target; a weak answer may contribute little or nothing. These examples illustrate the connections, rather than promise fixed scores: the full target and its context matter.

Why did a related word receive a low score?

Being related is a starting point. A word may be very broad, fit only a small part of the target, or require several steps to explain the connection.

In the examples above, secret connects to Deception, but a secret is not necessarily a lie. Similarly, warmth connects to Fire, but many things produce warmth. Those words point toward the subject without identifying it as precisely.

Read the whole target and look for a word that gets closer to its main meaning.

Can imaginative or metaphorical answers work?

Absolutely. A familiar metaphor, symbolic connection, or unexpected but convincing association can be an outstanding answer, strong enough to clear a target in one cast. Imagination can be as useful as a direct example.

The connection still needs to make sense from the word and the target. A private joke or a story only you know may not come across.

What if my word has several meanings?

An established meaning that fits the target can count. The target’s title, clarifying words, and context help indicate which sense is relevant.

You cannot attach an explanation to a cast, so choose a word whose connection can stand on its own.

Are letter tricks and wordplay valid connections?

The judge looks for meaning. Sharing letters, rhyming, or hiding part of the target’s spelling inside your word does not, by itself, make a strong answer.

Wordplay can fit a target about language or wordplay, but the connection should still be meaningful.

Is my word judged against the whole board?

No. It is judged against the selected target. A word that fits a neighboring target perfectly may be a weak answer for the one you selected.

Check your aim before casting.

Do different judges score differently?

We aim for fair, consistent judging, but we cannot promise that every judge will interpret every word identically. Language leaves room for interpretation, and AI judgments can vary.

If a connection seems to have been missed, consider an Appeal.

What is a verdict?

A verdict is the result of your cast: its score and your judge’s reaction. The verdict view shows how much progress the cast added. After a non-clearing cast, it also offers the available next actions, including hints, Undo, and Appeal.

Who is my judge?

Your judge is a character who scores your casts and reacts to them in their own voice. Different rounds and campaigns can bring different judges: some warm, some dry, some stern, some funny.

The reaction is personality; the score is the result. A stern comment does not necessarily mean a poor score, and a funny response does not necessarily mean a strong one. Use the score and progress bar to see how you did.

Does Typecast use AI?

Yes. Typecast uses advanced AI language models to assess the meaning of your casts and generate characterful reactions. Campaign content is curated and reviewed to create coherent puzzles, stories, and discoveries.

Appeal requests a second assessment, which may take longer than the initial verdict.

Can the judge get something wrong?

Yes. Language is rich and sometimes ambiguous, and AI can misunderstand a word or miss a connection.

If a non-clearing verdict seems wrong, use Appeal for a second assessment. You can also report a result that seems clearly mistaken.

How do I get a hint?

After a cast that does not clear its target, tap the lightbulb in the verdict view. It reveals examples or guidance to help you understand the target and think of another answer.

Hints are free. Opening one does not use a move or add points. The usual word and blocking rules still apply.

Silver, Wildcard, Undo, and Appeal

What is Silver?

Silver is currency earned through play. Spend it on Wildcard, Undo, and Appeal.

You earn Silver when you complete a round. Stronger average cast scores earn more Silver, so thoughtful answers help fund your next decisions.

If a round fails, your Silver returns to its round-start balance when you retry.

What does Wildcard do?

Wildcard lets you supply one letter that the pool cannot provide for your current word. The current default is 12 Silver per supplied letter; check the cost shown for your draft before casting.

It is useful when you have a strong answer in mind but are missing a letter or an extra copy of one. The letter is for that word only; it is not permanently added to the pool.

When am I charged for a Wildcard?

The cost is committed when you submit the word. Remove the Wildcard letter before submitting, or abandon the draft, and you do not spend that Silver.

Once submitted, the Wildcard has been used, even if the cast scores poorly. Undo does not refund it.

What does Undo do?

After a cast that has not cleared its target, Undo lets you take it back. The current default is 6 Silver; check the cost shown before using it.

It returns the move and reverses the progress from that cast, as if the move never happened, including for stars. You can then edit your word or choose another target.

The original word remains used on its original target. Silver already spent on Wildcards or an Appeal is not refunded.

What does Appeal do?

Appeal asks for a more careful second assessment of the same word against the same target. It does not use another move.

The new verdict replaces the original verdict. The score can rise, stay the same, or fall. Appeal is a review, not a guaranteed improvement.

The current default is 6 Silver per Appeal; check the cost shown before requesting it.

When can I Appeal?

Appeal is available after a non-clearing verdict, before you continue. A cast can receive one completed Appeal, so you cannot keep appealing the same answer until it receives a better score.

Can I buy Silver or better scores?

Silver is earned through play. A subscription gives you access to premium content; it does not buy a more generous judge or change the scoring standards.

Stars and better play

How do I earn stars?

Stars record how efficiently you complete a level.

• ★ Complete the level.
• ★★ Complete the level without failing a round.
• ★★★ Complete the level without failing a round and stay within each round’s star target (Star Par). The default is 10 moves; authored rounds may set a different target.

Undone moves do not count toward the total.

You do not need three stars to enjoy a campaign. They give you another challenge when you want to improve your play.

Can I replay a level to improve my stars?

Yes. Replay the level and aim for a better result. Your best star rating is kept, so a weaker replay does not replace it.

How can I improve?

• Read the whole target. A clarifying word or context line may distinguish the meaning you need.
• Choose a clear example. Concrete, specific answers often make their connection easier to recognize.
• Build on progress. A target can clear through several different useful casts.
• Plan for fresh letters. Clearing one target may help you tackle the next.
• Spend Silver deliberately. A Wildcard for a word you believe in can be more useful than several speculative casts.

What should I do when I feel stuck?

Try another visible target, look for a simpler example, or tap the lightbulb after a non-clearing verdict to reveal a hint. Check whether a Wildcard would complete a word you already have in mind.

You can also step away for a moment. A familiar word often appears once you stop chasing an elaborate one.

Ways to play

What is Classic?

Classic is a single campaign of themed word challenges, easy to pick up and rewarding to master. Its levels explore everyday life, the world around us, mysteries, and unexpected situations.

Start here to learn the game, then keep going to discover new themes and sharpen your word choices.

What are Stories?

Stories let you play your way through a narrative. Your targets connect to its events, characters, objects, and atmosphere. Clearing them reveals the next part of the experience.

Literary campaigns are adaptations designed for play, so their pacing and wording may differ from the original books.

Do I need to have read the book?

No. Stories introduce the people and situations you need to understand the campaign. Knowing the book may add another layer of enjoyment, but prior reading is not required.

Expect spoilers: progressing through a Story reveals its events.

What are Story Cards and World Cards?

Story Cards move the narrative forward. World Cards explore the surrounding setting, objects, mood, and details.

Both are targets, and both must be cleared to complete the round.

Why should I prioritize Story Cards?

Story Cards are revealed in a fixed narrative order. Later ones wait for earlier ones to clear, so you cannot jump ahead in the story.

That means a round may still have several Story Cards waiting even when only one is visible. Clear it, and another may appear; clear that one, and there may be another. If you leave the sequence until your last few moves, you may uncover more targets than you have moves to clear.

Give Story Cards priority when the letters offer a strong cast. You can still switch to a World Card to make better use of the current pool, but keep the Targets and Moves counts in mind.

What are Discoveries?

Discoveries explore subjects such as language, history, science, and culture through connected word challenges. Each clear can reveal a fact, explain a connection, or give you a new way to see the subject.

You do not need to be an expert before you start. Discovering something is part of the pleasure.

Free play, subscriptions, and accounts

What can I play for free?

Classic is free to play. Selected Stories and Discoveries are also available free; other campaigns require a subscription. The campaign browser shows which are available to you.

What does a subscription include?

A subscription unlocks the premium campaigns included in the available offer. It gives you more Stories, Discoveries, and places to explore with your words. Check the campaign browser and purchase screen for the content and plan currently available.

The same gameplay rules and judging standards apply to free and subscribed players.

Are there ads?

The current version does not show ads between rounds.

Is there a free trial?

You can try the free content before subscribing. Available plans, prices, billing periods, and any trial terms are shown in the purchase offer before you confirm. Do not assume that every offer includes a trial.

How do I manage or cancel my subscription?

Manage your subscription through the service where you purchased it: the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the web billing service. Your purchase confirmation can help you identify which one.

Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.

Do I need an account?

You can begin as a guest. Sign in to keep your progress linked to your Typecast account and access it across supported devices.

Before changing devices, reinstalling the app, or clearing browser data, make sure your progress is linked to an account.

Can I play on another device?

Sign in with the same Typecast account on each supported device to access your linked progress. Purchase and restoration options depend on the platform and the available purchase service. If subscription access is missing, check the account used for the purchase and use the restoration options shown in the game.

Check your existing purchase before buying a second subscription.

I paid, but a campaign is still locked. What should I do?

Check that you are signed in to the correct Typecast account and that your subscription is active. If you purchased through an app store, check the store account used for the purchase and try restoring purchases.

If access is still missing, email support@playtypecast.com with the purchase date and purchase reference. Never send passwords or full payment-card details.

Troubleshooting and feedback

Why can't I submit my word?

Check that:

• a target is selected;
• your word has 3–16 letters;
• it contains only letters a–z;
• the pool or Wildcards can supply every letter;
• it is not an exact blocked word for the selected target;
• you have not already cast it at that target during this attempt.

Follow any message shown beside the word. A word the game refuses before submission does not use a move.

Why is a verdict taking time to appear?

Casts need an internet connection to be judged. A slow connection or a busy service can delay the verdict. Let the current request finish before trying another action.

If an error appears, follow the retry instructions shown in the game.

My progress seems to be missing. What should I check?

Make sure you are using the same Typecast account as before. Check your connection and reopen the game.

If you previously played as a guest, avoid clearing browser data or reinstalling while investigating: your progress may depend on data saved on that device.

How do I report a bad verdict or a problem?

Email support@playtypecast.com with the details needed to find it: the campaign, level, round, target, your cast, and the result you received. A screenshot is helpful.

For a scoring issue, briefly explain the connection you believe the judge missed. For a technical issue, include your device, app or browser, and what happened just before the problem.

Can I suggest a Story, Discovery, or new feature?

Yes. Email support@playtypecast.com and tell us what you would like to explore and what makes it interesting to you. We’d love to hear your ideas.