Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

DWS VARIABLE SERIES II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

May 19, 2014

Supplement [Text Block]

dvs2_SupplementTextBlock

SUPPLEMENT TO THE CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUSES OF THE LISTED FUNDS

DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Fund

DWS Alternative Asset Allocation VIP

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund

The following disclosure is added to the “MAIN RISKS” sections contained within the summary section and the “FUND DETAILS” section of the funds’ prospectuses.

Market direction risk. Since certain underlying funds will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The underlying fund’s results will suffer both when there is a general market advance and the underlying fund holds significant “short” positions, or when there is a general market decline and the underlying fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.

DWS MARKET TRUST | DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Supplement [Text Block]

dvs2_SupplementTextBlock

SUPPLEMENT TO THE CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUSES OF THE LISTED FUNDS

DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Fund

The following disclosure is added to the “MAIN RISKS” sections contained within the summary section and the “FUND DETAILS” section of the funds’ prospectuses.

Market direction risk. Since certain underlying funds will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The underlying fund’s results will suffer both when there is a general market advance and the underlying fund holds significant “short” positions, or when there is a general market decline and the underlying fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.

DWS MARKET TRUST | DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Supplement [Text Block]

dvs2_SupplementTextBlock

SUPPLEMENT TO THE CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUSES OF THE LISTED FUNDS

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund

The following disclosure is added to the “MAIN RISKS” sections contained within the summary section and the “FUND DETAILS” section of the funds’ prospectuses.

Market direction risk. Since certain underlying funds will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The underlying fund’s results will suffer both when there is a general market advance and the underlying fund holds significant “short” positions, or when there is a general market decline and the underlying fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.

DWS VARIABLE SERIES II | DWS Alternative Asset Allocation VIP

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Supplement [Text Block]

dvs2_SupplementTextBlock

SUPPLEMENT TO THE CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUSES OF THE LISTED FUNDS

DWS Alternative Asset Allocation VIP

The following disclosure is added to the “MAIN RISKS” sections contained within the summary section and the “FUND DETAILS” section of the funds’ prospectuses.

Market direction risk. Since certain underlying funds will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The underlying fund’s results will suffer both when there is a general market advance and the underlying fund holds significant “short” positions, or when there is a general market decline and the underlying fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.