# Dante's Action Hero Mafia **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [September 29, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988 "2015-09-29T22:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/381 "2015-10-08T18:06:34Z")
I think I’m addicted to Refreshing. ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/382 "2015-10-08T18:08:51Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > At the top of my list at the moment are \*\*Mosier \*\*and **Astral Rejection** , because it seems to me that they have spent a great deal of time so far discussing how many Scum there are, and whether or not it’s better to lynch or not lynch, and how many days until lynch-or-lose, and other stuff that doesn’t qualify as “hunting Scum”. > > Just to clarify: I don’t think that they are both Scum, but I think that one of them likely is, and he is using the other to try to steer the conversation to “discussion of mechanics” rather than “who are the bad guys?” I see you’ve voted for me based on this rationale, and I don’t feel it’s a fair vote (big surprise, right? :)) Yes, I’ve commented a ton on why no-lynches are bad. Why shouldn’t I have? We didn’t lynch anybody yesterday, it looked like we weren’t going to lynch anybody today, and there were still questions on the utility of the no-lynch anyway. Nobody else seemed as concerned as me, so maybe I’m just shouting into the void. Is this what having a stroke is like? I smell Gouda. 😃 I also don’t see how you could reasonably say I’m talking just about lynches and mechanics, since I’m also accused of playing too aggressively and throwing suspicions around willy-nilly. That frustrates me a bit too (it’s become a talking point - “Astral is so aggressive!” with no conversation about the _content_ of what I say), but I think I’ve contributed a lot beyond cheerleading the concept of a lynch. I guess I’m just destined to keep discussing this with people! ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/383 "2015-10-08T18:09:55Z")
Oops, didn’t know the day had ended. Uh… never mind! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/384 "2015-10-08T18:14:24Z")
> [@Astral\_Rejection](#): > > Oops, didn’t know the day had ended. Uh… never mind! 🙂 You really should pay closer attention to such things. Take it from me…I know what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/385 "2015-10-08T18:16:13Z")
Man, a claim during my bike ride home! Gah… ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/386 "2015-10-08T18:20:22Z")
So, Plum, how was class? Any news for Mahaloth? ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/387 "2015-10-08T18:20:31Z")
_ **End of Day 2** _ “Listen Cobb, I’ve never dealt with this guy Gruber before, but I’ve dealt with plenty of scum in my career,” said \*\*Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan \*\*into his phone. “So I don’t see how he’ll be much different.” “Believe me, Callahan, he’s no fun, but if you think you’ve got something that may help us, we’d welcome the assist,” replied Walter Cobb back in NYC. “Will do. Besides, it’ll give me the chance to work with your guy John McClane. From what I hear he’s alot like me, of course I’m probably a better shot.” “Maybe so,” Cobb replied as he acknowledged McClane entering his office. “I’m on my way to the airport now,” continued **Harry**. “My flight should be arriving at JFK around 2.” “Sounds good. I’ll have a uniformed officer there to meet you and bring you downtown. Thanks again, Callahan.” He hung up the phone and sighed as **McClane** sat down. “So no luck, huh, John?” “A couple of leads, but they were dead ends,” **McClane** replied. “Hans and his boys are playing a great job of hide and seek.” “It’d seem so,” Cobb said, “but I may have us some help. I just got off the phone with Inspector Harry Callahan from SFPD. He says he may have some intel that could help us.” “Yeah, I’ve heard of him. The man’s a legend over there, alot like me. Of course I’m probably better with a pistol though.” * * * In the abandoned apartment building on the edge of town, **Karl** was sitting in a chair across the desk from **Hans**. “So it would appear that you’ve lost your touch, my friend.” \*\*Hans \*\*said with a slight tinge of disappointment in his voice. “Maybe that fight with McClane back then took more out of you than you led us to believe.” “_Verpiss dich, Hans_,” **Karl** replied coldly. **Hans** smiled, “We’ve known each other a long time, Karl, so I will let that comment go. Your frustration is understandable. Just don’t let me down again.” * * * As the afternoon rolled in, \*\*John McClane \*\*and Walter Cobb were both at Cobb’s desk going over **Gruber’s** files, trying to glean any more info from them. A knock came at the door. “Come on in,” said Cobb. A desk officer opened the door and said hesitantly, “Um … Inspector? We, uh, we just got a call from SFPD. There was an accident on the highway and Inspector Callahan died. I’m sorry, sir.” Cobb stared at him, stunned, then replied, “Thanks Walsh.” “Look’s like I’m on my own again, Walt,” **McClane** said. “Yeah, it would seem so.” * * * **Suburban Plankton** has been lynched. He was **Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan** / Town aligned\*\* Deputy\*\* It is now Night 2. Please send in your abilities. The Night will end on Saturday at 2PM EDT. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/388 "2015-10-08T18:24:40Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > So, Plum, how was class? Any news for Mahaloth? They weren’t there today. They will probably be in tomorrow. > [@Dante\_G](#): > > * * * > > **Suburban Plankton** has been lynched. He was **Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan** / Town aligned\*\* Deputy\*\* Ouch… ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/389 "2015-10-08T18:29:55Z")
Okay… gotta go look up what Town Cop does. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/390 "2015-10-08T18:37:03Z")
Not to beat a dead horse (would that be self-flagellation in this case?), but I do want to apologize for my play here during Day 2. The combination of shorter than normal (for here) Days, along with the extended Night 1, just threw me. Note that I’m not blaming Dante - he was more than clear on exactly when the Day ended; I just failed to take note of it and made a very poor assumption. As much as I really didn’t want to get lynched here Today, I certainly don’t blame anyone who voted for me (unless you’re Scum, in which case you are bad, bad people); I would absolutely have voted for me if the situation had been reversed. I just hope that you can all glean something useful out of what happened. One last note: my wife is one of the world’s most enthusiastic Alan Rickman fans, so she’s rooting for the Scum in this one…so in the interest of familiar harmony, I’ll just say _ **"Yippee Ki Yay!"** _ ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/391 "2015-10-08T18:39:09Z")
Cop is an investigative role. They generally choose a player, and receive a “scum/no scum” read on that player. Usually, they’re paired with a scum godfather, who is immune to their investigation. We almost certainly have one of those in the game, because town having essentially two investigators is a powerful set of powers. In more advanced games, there’s a potential role called the “miller,” who is town but will yield a “scum” result when investigated. I personally hate the concept of a miller, but luckily in a game of this size, it’s highly unlikely that we have one. As an aside, I have no idea why that role is called “miller.” ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/392 "2015-10-08T18:40:32Z")
Maybe it’s Barney Miller. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/393 "2015-10-08T18:44:12Z")
Hey, you guys! \*\*NIGHT ENDS at Saturday at 2 p.m.! \*\* Just to make sure… ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/394 "2015-10-08T18:47:41Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Hey, you guys! \*\*NIGHT ENDS at Saturday at 2 p.m.! \*\* > > Just to make sure… Ahem, don’t forget the EDT. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/395 "2015-10-08T18:54:00Z")
EDT! ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/396 "2015-10-08T19:01:01Z")
**ANTICLIMACTIC MOD NOTE** Thank you, Professor. Play on, players! ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/397 "2015-10-08T19:07:19Z")
It looks as if most of our Town players were given some kind of power or special role, then. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/398 "2015-10-08T19:12:43Z")
Well, three at least: Town Cop, Deputy, and, er, Transporter. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/399 "2015-10-08T19:30:59Z")
There’s still room for 4 vanilla town (assuming 3 scum). Though that says nothing of roles that haven’t had visible effects yet. Also, I’m sorry **Plankton**. That wasn’t a good lynch, and we’re worse off for it. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988/400 "2015-10-08T20:24:00Z")
> [@Astral\_Rejection](#): > > It makes me laugh every time. > > I prefer Mosier, and I’m torn on Suburban Plankton, but I think SP is a good enough lynch toDay. I’ll be voting for him. I brought you guys some syrup to go with all of the wafling I’m about to do before I type “vote SP,” although I promise I’m leading you guys to what I think is a good conclusion. 😃 > > * * * > > My preferred lynch is, just as it was yesterday, Mosier. I intended to vote for him toDay, but wasn’t able to finish my post until deep into last night, where Suburban’s lynch then required consideration. Mosier is my strongest scum lean, but admittedly he’s giving me far more to look at than most any other player. I don’t like that Mosier will be ending a second round of voting with a one-off vote, because he’s actively helping a no-lynch happen, and we all know what I think about that oh god I’ve written so many words about this. 🙂 > > His vote on SP was all kinds of unconvincing yesterDay, and Mosier rode that vote all the way to the end of the day. I think the SP case is actually better this time around, and now Mosier is having none of it. There are the usual scenarios - both are town, one is town, both are scum - but with my existing scum lean on Mosier, I think this points to a possible scum SP as well. Mosier is in favor of a lynch, but he won’t help one happen. He wanted SP dead yesterDay as a throwaway vote with no chance of pressuring SP, but isn’t interested in his lynch toDay. He’s dismissive of voting for SP for lurking reasons, when there’s literally no defense of his own vote for SP yesterDay. For this reason, an SP lynch is acceptable. > > The next most likely combination, I think, would be a scum Mosier just doesn’t want to be on a mislynch of townie SP, and is helping a no-lynch along. That’s tougher to gauge. Thirdly, a town Mosier just honestly isn’t feeling the lynch at all, and SP is who knows what in that scenario. Also very possible, but we can’t begin to guess until one of them is dead. > > To add to that existential waffling, I’m _generally_ suspicious of the speed with which Suburban Plankton’s lynch has appeared. It seems to me that when a lynch occurs so quickly, it’s got the scum seal of approval, which suggests we’d be lynching town. I’m _specifically_ leaning town on most of the people who are voting for Suburban though, so I’m very wrong somewhere in this entire thought process. One of these preconditions has to be false, whether it’s about SP or Mosier, and the SP lynch will help us start to unravel which is which. > > But this is one of those backwards cases I was talking about earlier. I’m suspicious of SP because of what Mosier is saying and doing. I’d be, in essence, using Suburban Plankton’s lynch to get a good clue about Mosier, which is good for me, but I didn’t want a _clue_ about Mosier, I wanted Mosier solved. SP’s flip gives us circumstantial evidence regarding Mosier, and I think this means we as a group have only one way to play that: > > If Suburban flips scum, we lynch Mosier. Easy! But if Suburban Plankton flips town, we **have** to accept the alternative most likely to help us win the game at that point, which is that I’m wrong about Mosier, and he’s town. This is like the Monty Hall problem, where I’d be switching my door choice after an empty door is revealed. I’d have serious heartburn about this (that scum lean ain’t going anywhere!), but we can’t lynch SP to get evidence on Mosier, and then lynch Mosier as well to confirm the evidence we just got. If we’re (read: me) wrong about this, and Mosier is town, we lose, because we wasted our lynches. I think we have to choose which of the two we want to lynch, and flat-out accept what it says about the other, because I don’t believe we can spare a lynch for both. I’d prefer Mosier, but it looks like we’ve selected SP, and that’s the next best thing at this point. > > **VOTE SUBURBAN PLANKTON.** For the record, I’d like to know what you think SP’s reveal will say about me. Because your argument above seems to read “if SP reveals town, it means Mosier’s scum, and if SP reveals scum, it means Mosier’s scum.” So if both possibilities mean I’m scum, how can killing SP tell you anything about me? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dantes-action-hero-mafia/732988.md?page=21)