Among Us has continued to explode in popularity. With so many new players joining into their first matches uninitiated, it can be a little bewildering to understanding all of the community lingo. What do terms like “sus” and “vent” really mean? Even after learning how to communicate, players might still not understand the entire goal or strategy of playing as a crewmate or Impostor.

Related: Among Us: Things You Should Never Do As A Crewmate

One method for crewmates to stop Impostors dead in their tracks is the use of special map abilities. Possibly the most useful is spying on portions of the level with the CCTV security system. While this isn’t always an option depending on the map’s settings, it can still be a powerful tool once implemented correctly.

Using Security CCTV in Among Us

Polus CCTV can spot dangers in Among Us

Surveillance cameras are scattered around the Skeld and Polus maps. Unfortunately, they are not available when playing on Mira HQ. The CCTV system can only be accessed while remaining in the map’s security room. This means that it should be a lower priority than the main map tasks. Players should only really swoop by Security if they have another nearby task or have completed all their assigned tasks. Otherwise camping in security will be more of a burden on the entire crewmate team and waste precious time allowing Impostors to kill and sabotage.

Closed Circuit Scope

On the Skeld, the CCTV system covers four locations at the same time: the hall south of the cafeteria leading to storage; the second hallway directly west of the cafeteria leading to the upper engines; the third in the cross between weapons, O2, navigation, and shield; and last just outside the security room itself. On Polus, only one of the six video cameras can be viewed at once: east, central, northeast, south, southwest, or northwest. Players will need to manually switch between them via the left and right button prompts, which means it can be slow to scroll through all of them.

When the CCTV system is being manned, the corresponding camera will have a flashing light, which can alert Impostors who possess good perception. The trick is that instead of constantly watching the screens, one should purposely flip around or disengage and quickly view it again. This way the light system will possibly be off, giving the Impostors a false sense of safety.

Spotting an Impostor

Even though the CCTV has a limited range, it can be used to catch Impostors in several incriminating acts. If another player is standing around doing very little within view of the active camera, it is highly likely that they are faking a task or worse yet are in the middle of a sabotage. If a major sabotage suddenly happens when a player is clearly not moving, they should be considered a prime suspect.

The CCTV is also well situated to see inconsistent movement. If a player comes from several directions too quickly, it is highly likely that they used the vents to swiftly teleport around the map. In a few cases, like the south Polus screen or the Skeld’s shields hall screen, the system will be in plain view of a vent. An unaware Impostor may jump in or out of a vent right as a crewmate is able to spot them.

The other most obvious tell is witnessing a bold Impostor in the middle of killing someone else. If they are spotted in this manner, players shouldn’t wait for the body to be discovered and instead issue an emergency meeting if they are still available.

Fixing Broken Cameras

Impostors that are wary about being watched can use their sabotage ability to switch off the CCTV system. In this case, crewmates who want to continue spying around will need to leave security and wander over to the communications room. The console here will have a radio with a visible soundwave. Players will need to adjust the lower nobs so the operator’s voice becomes crystal clear. Turning it too far in either direction will instead distort or mute the voice by too much. After completing this, the CCTV will be useable again.

Keep in mind, an Impostor can fix communications themselves. So, if one spots another player solving the issue, it does not in fact always clear them of being a crewmate. However, a broken camera is overall less hazardous sabotage compared to draining O2 or seismic instability. This can result in Impostors simply wasting their own time selecting a less deadly strategy.

Becoming a Verified Witness in Among Us

Hosts can change tasks settings for easier or harder matches in Among Us

Even if one is highly suspicious of someone they saw or has already spotted an Impostor in the act, the testimony may fall on deaf ears. Why should the other crewmates listen to someone presenting to them what may seem like inaccurate or unprovable statements. From their point of view, the claimant could actually be an Impostor spreading lies (or attempting to win favor with honesty).  To solve this, players should become verified as soon as possible. This can be done by completing any of the visual tasks across the maps. Since Impostors cannot complete real tasks, there is no way for them to fake a true verification. These visual tasks can include shooting asteroids in the weapons room, emptying garbage, submitting a medical scan, or priming the shields. These are all possibly available on the Skeld (provided the host turned them on), but is much more limited option on Polus.

Still, by having two or more players confirmed as crewmates, it will make any evidence they state from CCTV even more trustworthy. Additionally, moving around with a verified partner will also make using security much safer (granted that both crewmates have no more tasks left). One player can stand guard at the front hallway leading into the room or watch over the nearby vent. This will allow the monitoring viewer much more breathing room to analyze and spot enemies.

Once a player is confirmed, their knowledge will at that point be extremely reliable. This could mean their past hunches are possibly be correct as well, although there are sometimes false positives if players’ colors or timing gets confused in a chaotic match. Additionally, verified crewmates will become an Impostor’s number one target making it unlikely they will stay alive much longer.

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Among Us is available now on PC, Android, and iOS.