# Mafia Watch-Along Thread - NO SPOILERS! \[FORBIDDEN TO LIVE PLAYERS\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 17, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379 "2015-07-17T01:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/21 "2015-07-20T14:19:44Z")
Some of the veterans are going to give the newbies brain aneurysms with all the strategy talk. “Breadcrumbing is this but don’t do it!” “Breadcrumbing is also this and if you do it, do it like this, not like this and if you’re not even thinking about breadcrumbing, you still could be breadcrumbing in reverse!” ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/22 "2015-07-20T14:51:27Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Yes, \*\*Chronos \*\*sounds exactly like normal **Chronos** , so I would slightly lean Town on him at the moment. That said, as a player I agree with \*\*JSexton \*\*that trying to manipulate the game like that is not really fun. I felt the same way about **Chronos** ’ algorithms. Just play the game. JSexton’s statement was a bit of a hollow truism. It’s super easy to say, and people say “just play the game and hunt scum” all the time. But in the void that is Day One (nay, NIGHT ZERO) it’s a bit disingenuous to poo-poo someone else’s contribution when oneself has done little to nothing – mostly because there is little to nothing to comment about _at all_. Admittedly, I’m more aligned with Chronos personality wise anyway. When he posted his thoughts I was thoroughly impressed. The main contribution Chronos gives is that looking at the negative result gives actionable information. Most people overlook this and concentrate on the positive result (X is the First Mason, or Y is the Alpha Wolf). Finding a pool of non-alphas is strong for the Seer. Though, now that I think about it more, a pool of non-alphas would make it more likely for the wolves to kill the investigatee. If I had total control of Town (or was the First Mason) I would strongly consider the following strategy: (1) First Mason Claims 36 hours before EOD. (2) First Mason engineers a tie between the remaining 18 players 9-9. Presumably by that point discussion would have at least 2 candidates for lynch. The hidden Doc can protect the First Mason until the Seer claims (which should be soon) This is, of course, not “fun,” but it is very interesting to me (and probably to Chronos). ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/23 "2015-07-20T15:28:23Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > JSexton’s statement was a bit of a hollow truism. It’s super easy to say, and people say “just play the game and hunt scum” all the time. But in the void that is Day One (nay, NIGHT ZERO) it’s a bit disingenuous to poo-poo someone else’s contribution when oneself has done little to nothing – mostly because there is little to nothing to comment about _at all_. I did not take **JSexton’s** response as “poo-pooing,” per se, but more along the lines of “let’s not get bogged down in this stuff.” I am likely viewing it more positively because I am of a similar inclination, as I said. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/24 "2015-07-20T15:33:38Z")
And since it is highly relevant, I must now post [one of my favorite Blackadder bits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeF1JO7Ki8E). (Side note: I directed a stage adaptation of BGF and the actors playing Blackadder and the Nurse could barely contain themselves when the actor playing Melchett did this speech. Brought the house down every night :)). ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/25 "2015-07-20T19:10:28Z")
Sario brings up a good meta point. In the past, we’ve restricted ourselves to one thread so as not to overwhelm the forum, but now that we’ve been relegated to the ass-end of nowhere, perhaps the forum mod would be amenable to allowing Day and Night threads. I know I would prefer it, but that’s just one non-player’s opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/26 "2015-07-20T21:59:59Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Sario brings up a good meta point. In the past, we’ve restricted ourselves to one thread so as not to overwhelm the forum, but now that we’ve been relegated to the ass-end of nowhere, perhaps the forum mod would be amenable to allowing Day and Night threads. > > I know I would prefer it, but that’s just one non-player’s opinion. Amen. I suggest we begin daily and nightly threads. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/27 "2015-07-21T02:30:44Z")
Ooh, such a scummy scummy texcat. A FOS when she has no vote on the table and not even on an individual player. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/28 "2015-07-21T03:22:36Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Ooh, such a scummy scummy texcat. A FOS when she has no vote on the table and not even on an individual player. I know, right? She has been my prime suspect since… Well since I posted about it before. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/29 "2015-07-21T03:27:09Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > JSexton’s statement was a bit of a hollow truism. It’s super easy to say, and people say “just play the game and hunt scum” all the time. But in the void that is Day One (nay, NIGHT ZERO) it’s a bit disingenuous to poo-poo someone else’s contribution when oneself has done little to nothing – mostly because there is little to nothing to comment about _at all_. > > Admittedly, I’m more aligned with Chronos personality wise anyway. When he posted his thoughts I was thoroughly impressed. The main contribution Chronos gives is that looking at the negative result gives actionable information. Most people overlook this and concentrate on the positive result (X is the First Mason, or Y is the Alpha Wolf). Finding a pool of non-alphas is strong for the Seer. > > Though, now that I think about it more, a pool of non-alphas would make it more likely for the wolves to kill the investigatee. If I had total control of Town (or was the First Mason) I would strongly consider the following strategy: > (1) First Mason Claims 36 hours before EOD. > (2) First Mason engineers a tie between the remaining 18 players 9-9. Presumably by that point discussion would have at least 2 candidates for lynch. > > The hidden Doc can protect the First Mason until the Seer claims (which should be soon) > This is, of course, not “fun,” but it is very interesting to me (and probably to Chronos). Bear mind that the Doctor cannot protect the same player on two consecutive Nights, which does complicate your proposed strategy. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/30 "2015-07-21T14:34:56Z")
Oooh! Good rule. I was wondering about the lack of a scum role blocker since the Hidden Doc + Claimed Cop dynamic is so powerful. I chalked it up to the newbie friendliness of the game. But not allowing consecutive repeats is a nice slick fix without adding undue complication. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/31 "2015-07-21T15:40:04Z")
I agree with Jsexton that Plumpuddin’s analysis is superficial and points at every player equally, but at the same time, I don’t have a real problem with Town being relatively unconcerned with lynching Town on Day 1. Someone has to die otherwise Day 2 is just Day 1 warmed over and if town hangs back for fear of lynching a Townie, scum can pretty much control the lynch. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/32 "2015-07-21T17:24:10Z")
I’m mostly just excited to see the participation level. Everyone in the game is playing, the posts are coming at a much higher rate than we’ve become used to… I think getting some new players in definitely was long overdue! ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/33 "2015-07-21T17:57:36Z")
I would like to see just 1 thread for the game itself. I don’t see a reason for a thread forday and a thread for night. I think it would flow nice that way. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/34 "2015-07-21T19:22:52Z")
Dante, this thread is off limits to alive players. Players have been modkilled for just admitting to reading the discussion thread, much less posting in it. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/35 "2015-07-21T19:25:17Z")
Third Vote. Seriously?! I’m not liking JSexton right now. I feel he’s being disingenuous. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/36 "2015-07-21T20:31:16Z")
Chronos is aware of the “third vote is scum!” concept though, so I’d lean town for that. If I’m scum, I’d place a third vote on someone any day but day one. Even though I know it won’t gain enough traction for a lynch, people will keep going back to it and bringing it up. Therefore, I’d say JSexton is looking for the easy vote. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/37 "2015-07-21T20:49:26Z")
I agree, **JSexton** is pinging me, too. ETA: **Thing Fish** is pushing **Dante G** pretty hard for voting for no reason. Seems a bit too aggressive to me, given that Day 1 no reason votes “to get things started” are pretty standard. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/38 "2015-07-21T21:08:25Z")
See, I was leaning the other way. Everyone knows Day 1 votes are flimsy at best, failing something like a wolf straight up posting to the wrong board, but that doesn’t mean you just fling your vote wherever. I think it’s still worth it to have a reason, even if that reason is lame because as Thing Fish said, what is there to talk about if your stated motivation is random? If I were Thing Fish, I’d be pushing Dante pretty hard too, especially given: > [@MAFIA: The Game - Ideal for Beginners \[Game in Progress\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/304): > > In regards to your second question of why vote for someone for “no reason” - why are you calling _ **me** _ out on this? Does anyone in this game have ANY reason to suspect anyone else? Aside from the Scum team knowing whom each other are, nobody else in the game can really have a suspect at this time, so just about everyone’s vote at this time will be for “no reason.” It can start conversation amongst us by maybe the votee getting defensive and countering votes and in the process bring about more discussion. This may, in turn, bring about meaningful discussion. which looks to me like Dante getting hecka defensive about his random vote and then turning around and justifying random votes by seeing who gets defensive. Veddy interesting. And besides, have you ever seen a Day 1 where no one did anything scummy all Day? I haven’t. Someone’s always doing something scummy. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/39 "2015-07-21T21:17:56Z")
> [@MAFIA: The Game - Ideal for Beginners \[Game in Progress\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-the-game-ideal-for-beginners-game-in-progress/725099/308): > > I will now cast a vote for Chronos on the basis that your guys’ votes do seem to have some sort of merit to them. More so than my initial vote for Sangfroid anyway. Actually, I like this rationale even less than the random one. It’s piggybacking of the worse sort. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379/40 "2015-07-21T23:03:54Z")
That’s the kind of vote you can later disclaim by saying “I wasn’t _actually_ feeling it, you guys just convinced me. Poor townie Chronos :(” If I were playing, I’d be comfortable seeing someone swing for that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-watch-along-thread-no-spoilers-forbidden-to-live-players/725379.md?page=3)