Murderers VS Sheriffs Duels beginner guide: how matches work and what to buy first

After reading this you will know how a match in Murderers VS Sheriffs Duels works, what each of your three weapons is for, how gems are earned, and which ability makes sense as a first purchase. It is a fast aim-and-movement game, so a few good habits matter more than any gear.

If you like the knife-versus-revolver idea but want a round-based social game, our Murder Mystery 2 beginner guide covers a different style of the same theme.

How a match works

The game is built around duels. You pick a mode in the lobby: solo 1v1, or team duels in 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4. The Roblox page lists the tags 1vs1, 2vs2 and 3vs3, and the community guides also describe 4v4.

Matches are described as best-of-9, which means the first side to win 5 rounds takes the match. A round ends when one side is completely eliminated. In team modes you do not respawn during a round, so a player who is knocked out waits for the next one. Because of this, staying alive and trading fairly with the enemy matters more than chasing kills.

Before a match loads, players vote on the map. You are offered three random maps to choose from. The wiki lists five active maps at the moment: Barn, Prototype, Ridge, Lodge and Aerial. Learning the layout of one or two of them gives you a real edge, because you will know where to peek from and where to avoid.

Your three weapons

Everyone gets the same tools each round, so skill decides the duel, not a lucky pickup. According to the gameplay guide we used, you carry:

• Melee knife: the strongest hit up close, but you need to be near the enemy and a missed swing leaves you open for a moment.
• Revolver: fires single shots with a short wait between them, so accuracy matters more than speed. Aim for the head when you can, as headshots hurt more.
• Throwing knife: a projectile that flies on a short arc. It is harder to land at long range but defeats an enemy on contact.

Skins only change how a weapon looks. They do not make it stronger, so you never need to spend money to compete.

How to earn gems

Gems are the game's currency. You earn them by playing matches, and the wiki says the amount depends on how many round points you and your team scored, the active gem multiplier and the server type. Daily checkpoints give extra gems as well. Even a lost match can pay a little if you won at least one round, so playing is never wasted.

Gems are spent on cases (which hold weapon skins) and on abilities. Cases are mainly for looks. Abilities are the thing that can change how you play, so most beginners should look at those first.

Skins are sorted into rarity tiers: common, uncommon, rare, ultra rare and legendary, with collectible items above them according to the wiki. Opening cases is a gamble, so never chase it with real money. The game also bans farming gems or stats, so just play normally.

Abilities and what they cost

You can equip one ability at a time. Costs below are in gems and are from the wiki, with prices confirmed by the guide sources.

• Propeller (1,250): a propeller that gives you a jump boost.
• Dash (2,500): charge forward in the direction you are facing. You cannot fight while dashing.
• Shroud (2,500): throw a projectile that reduces the vision of players it touches. The wiki lists a 7 second cooldown.
• Weapon Buff (3,250): raises the shot speed of your gun by 45 percent and the throw speed of your knife by 35 percent, according to the wiki.
• Sprint (3,750): a 50 percent speed boost for 2 seconds, with a 15 second cooldown.
• Soul Reap (5,000): after you eliminate someone while using it, they leave a soul for 4 seconds. Taking it makes you invulnerable with 60 percent more speed for 3 seconds.

For a first purchase, Dash is the cheapest tool that really changes fights. It helps you close the gap on a revolver user or escape a bad position. Soul Reap costs the most and only works after a kill, so save it for later. Check the in-game shop before buying, because prices and abilities can change after updates (this list is as of October 2026).

Tips for your first matches

1. Play 1v1 first and treat your first 10 or so matches as practice. Use all three weapons, not only your favourite.
2. Keep moving. A player who stands still is easy to hit with a revolver or a thrown knife.
3. Practise throwing knives at short, medium and long range until you know how far the arc drops.
4. Pick the same map when you can, and learn its corners and high ground.
5. Move on to 2v2 once 1v1 feels comfortable, and talk to your teammate. In team modes, punish the player who just eliminated your friend straight away.
6. After a loss, think about the one mistake that cost you the round, such as standing in the open or swinging too early.

Beginner checklist

• Join 1v1 and learn the knife, revolver and throwing knife.
• Vote for a map you know.
• Save gems for Dash first.
• Ignore cases until you can afford them without grinding; skins are cosmetic.
• Do not use exploits or scripts. The game says cheating is bannable.

This guide is an independent fan guide and is not affiliated with the game's developers or Roblox. Some wiki pages are community-edited, so details can lag behind the newest update.