InGuilty as Sock!, courtroom drama meets cartoon chaos in a fast-paced narrative game where every decision can sway the jury and shock the courtrooms. The game’s quirky visuals and player driven story system is lighthearted fun, but it also rewards timing, logic, and a flair for drama.

From managing your case board to nailing the perfect moment to unleash a headline, Guilty as a Sock is packed with clever mechanics and encourages using your wit. If you’re new to the courtroom or just need a few pointers before your next big trial, this guide breaks down beginner-friendly tips to help you deliver knockout arguments and stay one step ahead of the prosecution.

Cosmetic Section with sock color picked in Guilty as Sock.

Create Custom Decks

Customizing yoursock’s lookisn’t the only thing you’re able to personalize. You can create aCustom Deck, usable by the Defense or Prosecutor. Creating your own cards for the deck is easy. In the game’s main menu, click theCustom Evidencesbutton on the left, just beneath the Host button. Click the plus sign on the left, and the Custom Card Builder will appear on your right, where you can generate your cards, uploadsquare JPEG imagesand add short titles and descriptions.

Custom deckssave locally, so you’re able to copy or exchange the folder with friends.

Evidence Cards in a player’s hand in Guilty As Sock.

Once saved, you canswap between different themed decks depending on the vibe you want for each trial. During courtroom play, custom cards are presented just like regular evidence: click your card when activated by the judge, and it’ll appear on-screen for everyone, complete with image and text.

Make A Deck Loadout

It’s smart to prepare multiple custom decks, like a ‘forensic’ build, a ‘thematic chaos’ loadout, or a ‘wildcard tricks’ setup so you canchange your handdepending on whether you’re playing as Prosecutor or Defense. For a Forensic Deck, focus onbelievable evidencethat strengthens your case’s credibility. Use cards like the ones below to build a strong, factual foundation:

Then sprinkle inquirky wildcardslike these for comedic misdirection:

For a Thematic Chaos Deck, lean heavilyinto absurdity. Combine evidence like these cards:

Each card plays into a comedic narrative that’llkeep the courtroom entertained. Throw in rules cards like“You must object in rhyme”to shake things up.

Yellow evidence folder on table in Guilty As Sock.

Create A Narrative

When starting with yourinitial ten evidence cards, pick five that best bring your case to life. Mix sturdy props like “security footage” or “fingerprint” tobuild believable claimsalongside curveballs such as “bloody spork” or “birthday cake weapon” tograb attentionand throw off your opponent.

If you host, you’re able to choose between three thematic courtroom maps: Default Trial, Trial of the Crowns, or Cosmic Order.Ask playerswhat vibe you want ahead of time.

The Judge’s three important buttons in Guilty As Sock.

Try tobuild a narrativewith your cards. Start with familiar evidence to set the scene, thendrop your curveballin the middle of the trial for shock value. If a card gets a reaction, like laughter or gasps, follow up with another tomaintain momentum. It’s less about logic,more about storytelling flair.

Learn How The Trial Flows

The Prosecutor privately names thesuspect and crime, and evidence cards arerandomly generatedfor both sides. The Judge activates buttons with their gavel toalternate speaking turns.Red gives the pulpit to the prosecutor, blue to the defense, and green signals your side can speak. The Judge also calls witnesses, mutes players, or declares verdicts. Jurors vote on the outcome, and the journalist can dropevidence with headlinesduring the trial.

Understanding the rhythm of the trial helps you prepare for upcoming questions or accusations, timewhen to use paper planes or headlines, and what cards to save or use.

Red Witness Card held before a desk bell in Guilty As Sock.

Speak Confidently And Keep Focused

If you play one of the lawyer roles,Prosecutor or Defense, it’s important to keep the courtroom in check. As a lawyer, you have access to theAuthority feature, which lets you intervene when things get too chaotic. If witnesses start rambling, or if the other side tries to talk during your phase, you’re able to press your Authority button tocall for silence.This doesn’t actually keep the courtroom under control, but it can be a good scare tactic or a way toreestablish order.

The Prosecutor, for example,isn’t supposed to speakwhile setting up their case, since those moments are for playing evidence and building the narrative. The Defense, on the other hand, should try to stick toblunt responsesto avoid wasting time. Both sides need to keep momentum rolling. Dragging out your turn with weak banter or filler talk can get youmuted by the Bailiff.

Breaking News Headline with Homer Simpsons in Guilty As Sock.

Play The Journalist Strategically

Journalists get to write up to three“Breaking News”headlines during a trial. It’s your chance toshape the game’s narrative!Pick moments when drama is high or silliness peaks, like aftersurprise evidenceor just before the verdict. A well-timed headline canstrengthen your side’s storyor undermine the opposition’s.

To get the most mileage from your headlines, pay close attention tocourtroom flow.Early in the trial, scan the narrative: are peoplespotting surprising contradictions, dramatic witness reactions, or comedic mistakes? Then craft headlines that call back to those key moments. Drop your headlines whenattention is highest, usually just after a red/blue light from the Judge allows you to play.

Throwable crumpled paper a desk in Guilty as Sock.

Pay both sides fairly. Balance your headlines between prosecution and defense. If one side is lagging behind, make their big moments even better with a clever headline.

Finally, match your headline’s tone to thetrial’s mood. Use sensational or humorous lines when things get crazy, or more solemn phrasing when thecourtroom becomes serious.

Notepad used for writing evidence in Guilty As Sock!

Use Visuals And Props

Use Paper Planes and Emojis for a reason. If the conversation drags on,throwing paper planesor using emojis can bring energy back to the room. For more impactful action, you may toss Paper Balls,found on your desk, at others in the room. This stuns them for a short time.

Throw Paper Balls strategically. A well-timed hit canshut down an objectionor throw off focus during your presentation. Keep it brief and fun, anddon’t spam paper throwables, as they can freeze the UI for the judge. If things crash or glitch, the Judge hitting the cleanup option usually fixes it.

Take Notes During Trial

Using the notepad effectively canmake or breakyour case. Jot down key evidence cards, even oddball props like “beanbag chair”, and mark which side played them. This helps you catch when someone skirts the story or pounces on contradictions. When you’re the defense or prosecutor, track witness statements and timing.Note who spokewhen, what they claimed, and whether it supports or refutes your version. A simple note (like “Alibi: at the well”) can expose contradictions later on.

For the judge, the notepad is a lifesaver for logging interruptions,muting points, and presentation order. This keeps the trial flowing smoothly and makes sure everyonegets their fair say.