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This section provides answers to some common questions about playing Mafia, in general and on this site. If you have additional questions, email [[mith]] or ask in the Forums.
This section provides answers to some common questions about playing Mafia, in general and on this site. If your question is not answered here, you're welcome to register the site and ask in [http://mafiascum.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=5 Mafia Discussion], or if you like, PM an established scummer who you think would be helpful.
 
'''Do not publicly ask questions about ongoing games, even if they are not being run on mafiascum.net!''' If you are playing in a [[Newbie Game]] and have a question, ask one of the experienced players.  If you are moderating a game, ask an experienced moderator who is not otherwise related to your game.  In any other case, you're on your own - not knowing what to do is a part of the game, and we can't play for you.


==General Gameplay Questions==
==General Gameplay Questions==


;What does x mean?
;What does <INSERT UNFAMILIAR TERM HERE> mean?


There are a couple of possibilities.
There are a couple of possibilities.
# It's a specialized term.  To see the meaning just type it into the '''Search box''' below and see what you get.  If you get nothing, type <tt>{{tl|AnswerMe}}</tt> on the page and someone will get on it soon.
# It's a Mafia-specific term.  Look in [[#Category:Glossary|Category:Glossary]] and see if you find it.  If you don't, try searching for it on this wiki using the search box on the left pane.
# It's an abbreviation of a specialized term.  See [[Commonly used abbreviations]] or see 1 above.
# It's an abbreviation of a Mafia-specific term.  See [[Commonly used abbreviations]] or see 1 above.
# It's an abbreviation of a player's name.  In that case, just look around a little, you'll figure out who's being talked to pretty easily.   
# It's an abbreviation of a player's name.  In that case, just look around a little - you'll figure out who's being talked to pretty easily.   
# If it still isn't clear, ask the person who said it in the first place.
# If it still isn't clear, ask the person who said it in the first place.
If you're going to search the wiki, don't forget that spelling counts!


==General Mafia Etiquette==
==General Mafia Etiquette==
Line 17: Line 21:
No! Never reveal information after you are dead. Just watch the game, and wait for it to end.
No! Never reveal information after you are dead. Just watch the game, and wait for it to end.


;Can I post emails/messages from the Game Moderator to prove my innocence?
;Can I post messages from the Game Moderator to prove my innocence?


No! Never quote emails or private messages without explicit permission from the [[Game Moderator]]. In most games, it is allowed (and encouraged) to reveal your role at certain points in the game (for example, if you are a [[Cop]] and have found the last [[Mafia]], you can reveal your role to get that player [[lynch]]ed). However, you may not actually ''quote'' anything from the GameModerator; even though it could easily be faked, the point of the game is to prove yourself through your actions and voting, not through outside information.
No! Never quote private messages (to include your Role PM) without explicit permission from the [[Game Moderator]]. In most games, it is allowed (and encouraged) to reveal your role at certain points in the game (for example, if you are a [[Cop]] and have found the last [[Mafia]], you can reveal your role to get that player [[lynch]]ed). However, you may not actually ''quote'' anything from the Game Moderator; even though it could (sometimes) easily be faked.  The point of the game is to prove yourself through your actions and voting, not through outside information.


;Can I post information during the night?
;Can I post information during the night?


No, it is against the rules in almost all games to post information during the night. Most Moderators will lock the thread at [[Night]] to avoid accidents.
No, it is against the rules in almost all games to post game-related information during the night. Most Moderators will lock the thread at [[Night]] to avoid accidents.


;I feel the Game Moderator was unfair in a decision. What should I do?
;I feel the Game Moderator was unfair in a decision. What should I do?


Never question the Game Moderator in the thread if the decision has anything to do with something that shouldn't be known to the Town. However, feel free to contact the Moderator about it. Keep in mind that moderating can be a lot of work, and if you are griping about something that is completely within the rules of the game, you will probably just annoy the Moderator.
If you are dead at the time or if your complaint stems from something that should not be known to the Town, what you should ''not'' do is make your sentiment public, either in the game thread or elsewhere. Instead, feel free to contact the Moderator about it via [[PM]]. Keep in mind that moderating can be a lot of work, and if you are griping about something that is completely within the rules of the game (or that the moderator is unwilling to take action on), you will probably just annoy the Moderator.
 
;Can I ask for help about what I should do in a game in a Discussion forum?
 
No.  Games are meant to be self-contained, and you are expected to do your own best at any given time.  Aside from that, what you say in your out-of-thread post may be revealing of your alignment, making the game much nastier to fairly moderate.


;I'm in the [[Mafia]], but I really don't like my family/being a criminal. Can I just get them all lynched?
;I'm in the [[Mafia]], but I really don't like my family/being a criminal. Can I just get them all lynched?
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;Someone in my family just voted for me! What should I do?
;Someone in my family just voted for me! What should I do?


One of the common Mafia strategies is to have some of the family voting against each other, so that if one member gets lynched, the others will look more innocent. This is a natural part of the game, and is sometimes called [[distancing]] or [[bussing]].
One of the common Mafia strategies is to have some of the family voting against each other, so that if one member gets lynched, the others will look more innocent. This is a natural part of the game, and is sometimes called [[distancing]] or [[bussing]].  As for what you should do... that's up to you.


;Can I talk to someone at night or outside of the thread?
;Can I talk to someone at night or outside of the thread?


It is generally against the rules to discuss anything with anyone at night unless you are in the Mafia or a [[Mason]] lodge. It is also usually against the rules to contact someone during the day privately. Check with the Moderator's posted rules, or ask him or her directly by private message or e-mail.
It is almost always against the rules to discuss anything with anyone at night unless you are in the Mafia or a [[Mason]] lodge. It is also usually against the rules to contact someone during the day privately.
 
;We just started the game and, after Day 1 ended, two people posted during Nightmode.  The moderator gave these people a pass.  What is the proper response?
 
Ideally, the moderator would use these people as an example and exile them immediately.  If that is not a feasible option due to number of players, then the game should be reset with the understanding that any further similar behavior will result in exile of the players that committed the offense.  If the moderator is set on their decision, then make your objection known and either quit or accept that you are in a game with a generous moderator.  Keep that in mind when considering joining games with this moderator in the future.


==Moderator Questions==
==Moderator Questions==
Line 51: Line 55:


The most common and recommended way is randomly. This is the fairest way to assign roles.
The most common and recommended way is randomly. This is the fairest way to assign roles.
#Some use an Excel spreadsheet to do this.
#You can use the [http://www.random.org/sequences/ Sequence Generator] at [http://www.random.org random.org].
##List the players in one column, the roles in another column, and in each cell of a third column put "=<code>RAND()</code>". This generates a random number in each cell.
##The players or the roles can be randomly sorted by the generated numbers.
#You can also use the [http://www.random.org/sequences/ Sequence Generator] at [http://www.random.org random.org].
##Assign each role a number.
##Assign each role a number.
##Run the generator.
##Run the generator.
##Match the role number to your player list.
##Match the role number to your player list.
#You can also just choose who you want to be [[Mafia]], [[Cop]]s, etc., but this is generally considered unfair, and leads to [[metagaming]] by your players.
#You can also just choose who you want to be [[Mafia]], [[Cop]]s, etc., but this is generally considered unfair, and leads to [[metagaming]] by your players. This is considered a bad modding practice, and by extension, moderators who do this are generally considered bad themselves.
 


;Some group of night actions caused a paradox (such as two [[Role blocker]]s blocking each other) or could be interpreted multiple ways (such as the [[Mafia]] killing an [[SK]] who killed someone else). What do I do?
;Some group of night actions caused a paradox (such as two [[Role blocker]]s blocking each other) or could be interpreted multiple ways (such as the [[Mafia]] killing an [[SK]] who killed someone else). What do I do?


Ideally, you should've thought of any possible circumstances along these lines before the game began. One possible policy that deals with some of these situations is that actions always succeed unless they are blocked (so in the second scenario, both the SK and the SK's victim would die.). If you didn't, figure out what'd be best for the game and/or make the most sense, but '''be consistent'''!
Ideally, you should haveve thought of any possible circumstances along these lines before the game began. One possible policy that deals with some of these situations is that actions always succeed unless they are blocked (so in the second scenario, both the SK and the SK's victim would die.). If you didn't, figure out what would be best for the game and/or make the most sense, but '''be consistent'''!


==Search==
See also [[Natural Action Resolution]].
To search the wiki for an answer not found here, enter your term into the Search box to the left. Remember that spelling counts!


[[Category:Help]]
[[Category:Help]]

Revision as of 14:31, 16 September 2011

This section provides answers to some common questions about playing Mafia, in general and on this site. If your question is not answered here, you're welcome to register the site and ask in Mafia Discussion, or if you like, PM an established scummer who you think would be helpful.

Do not publicly ask questions about ongoing games, even if they are not being run on mafiascum.net! If you are playing in a Newbie Game and have a question, ask one of the experienced players. If you are moderating a game, ask an experienced moderator who is not otherwise related to your game. In any other case, you're on your own - not knowing what to do is a part of the game, and we can't play for you.

General Gameplay Questions

What does <INSERT UNFAMILIAR TERM HERE> mean?

There are a couple of possibilities.

  1. It's a Mafia-specific term. Look in Category:Glossary and see if you find it. If you don't, try searching for it on this wiki using the search box on the left pane.
  2. It's an abbreviation of a Mafia-specific term. See Commonly used abbreviations or see 1 above.
  3. It's an abbreviation of a player's name. In that case, just look around a little - you'll figure out who's being talked to pretty easily.
  4. If it still isn't clear, ask the person who said it in the first place.

If you're going to search the wiki, don't forget that spelling counts!

General Mafia Etiquette

I was just killed. Can I tell everyone what I know now?

No! Never reveal information after you are dead. Just watch the game, and wait for it to end.

Can I post messages from the Game Moderator to prove my innocence?

No! Never quote private messages (to include your Role PM) without explicit permission from the Game Moderator. In most games, it is allowed (and encouraged) to reveal your role at certain points in the game (for example, if you are a Cop and have found the last Mafia, you can reveal your role to get that player lynched). However, you may not actually quote anything from the Game Moderator; even though it could (sometimes) easily be faked. The point of the game is to prove yourself through your actions and voting, not through outside information.

Can I post information during the night?

No, it is against the rules in almost all games to post game-related information during the night. Most Moderators will lock the thread at Night to avoid accidents.

I feel the Game Moderator was unfair in a decision. What should I do?

If you are dead at the time or if your complaint stems from something that should not be known to the Town, what you should not do is make your sentiment public, either in the game thread or elsewhere. Instead, feel free to contact the Moderator about it via PM. Keep in mind that moderating can be a lot of work, and if you are griping about something that is completely within the rules of the game (or that the moderator is unwilling to take action on), you will probably just annoy the Moderator.

Can I ask for help about what I should do in a game in a Discussion forum?

No. Games are meant to be self-contained, and you are expected to do your own best at any given time. Aside from that, what you say in your out-of-thread post may be revealing of your alignment, making the game much nastier to fairly moderate.

I'm in the Mafia, but I really don't like my family/being a criminal. Can I just get them all lynched?

Technically, this is perfectly possible. However, the goal of the Mafia family is to kill all non-mafia players. Getting your own allies lynched as a joke or because you don't like them is against the spirit of the game, and will likely earn you the lasting distrust of other players. However attacking your partners is a legitimate (and common) tactic, but it should be done strategically, not spitefully (see below).

Someone in my family just voted for me! What should I do?

One of the common Mafia strategies is to have some of the family voting against each other, so that if one member gets lynched, the others will look more innocent. This is a natural part of the game, and is sometimes called distancing or bussing. As for what you should do... that's up to you.

Can I talk to someone at night or outside of the thread?

It is almost always against the rules to discuss anything with anyone at night unless you are in the Mafia or a Mason lodge. It is also usually against the rules to contact someone during the day privately.

Moderator Questions

(see also Category:How to Mod)
How should I decide who should get what roles in the Mafia game I am running?

The most common and recommended way is randomly. This is the fairest way to assign roles.

  1. You can use the Sequence Generator at random.org.
    1. Assign each role a number.
    2. Run the generator.
    3. Match the role number to your player list.
  2. You can also just choose who you want to be Mafia, Cops, etc., but this is generally considered unfair, and leads to metagaming by your players. This is considered a bad modding practice, and by extension, moderators who do this are generally considered bad themselves.
Some group of night actions caused a paradox (such as two Role blockers blocking each other) or could be interpreted multiple ways (such as the Mafia killing an SK who killed someone else). What do I do?

Ideally, you should haveve thought of any possible circumstances along these lines before the game began. One possible policy that deals with some of these situations is that actions always succeed unless they are blocked (so in the second scenario, both the SK and the SK's victim would die.). If you didn't, figure out what would be best for the game and/or make the most sense, but be consistent!

See also Natural Action Resolution.