Usurper

Usurper Alias: none Alignment: Mafia Role type: Negative Utility Linked Third-party Choice: None Status: Historical

The Usurper is a Mafia role that wins if it outlives its allied Mafia Godfather. This Win Condition is in addition to the normal Mafia Win Condition. Thus, the Usurper must simultaneously work toward the ordinary Mafia win while intentionally bussing one of its power roles. If the Godfather outlives the Usurper or if the Godfather lives to endgame, the Usurper loses even if the rest of the Mafia wins.

Standard version

The Usurper is a member of the Mafia that leaves the game in a loss if they die, or the game ends, while an allied Godfather is still alive.

Variations

The wording of the Usurper aspect of the Win Condition can vary somewhat. Some mods will simply require the Godfather to die before the end of the game, regardless of whether the Usurper is alive.

Sometimes the Usurper will inherit the Godfather's abilities (i.e. investigation immunity) upon death.

Use & Balance

The Usurper exists to weaken and/or troll the Mafia. Unless there is a flavor-based reason for including a Usurper, they tend to be frowned upon - more so than Condemner, as the usual intent of the Mafia is that they work as a team.

Play Advice

It is open to debate whether a Usurper should inform the Godfather of its existence. As the Godfather wins with the rest of the Mafia after being bussed, it's simple politeness to do so. On the other hand, informing the Godfather of an impending sacrifice may cause the bus to seem staged, allowing a savvy Town to catch the bussing scum.

While Usurper is not at all commonly seen, some players get suspicious if Mafia power roles die to eliminations that seem too easy, so bussing is not quite as easy as it could be.

Sample Role PMs

The standardized Role PM for "Usurper" describes the passive ability as follows:

• As an unmodified passive ability: When you die or the game ends , if an allied Godfather is still alive, you leave the game in a loss. (edit)

• As a passive ability with a modifier: When you die or the game ends the nth Night OR on day n, if an allied Godfather is still alive, you leave the game in a loss. (edit)

Example (unmodified)

Welcome to game! You are a Mafia Usurper.

Your team-mates are names. You may talk to them here during night phases and confirmations only.

When you die or the game ends , if an allied Godfather is still alive, you leave the game in a loss.

You have the following active ability:

• Each Night, if no other member of your faction is performing this action, you may target a player. Assuming no interference with your action, that player will die.

You win if at least one mafia member is alive and all other players are dead (or if nothing can prevent the same).

Confirm by replying to this PM with a summary of your role.

Example (modified)

Welcome to game! You are a Mafia Odd Night Usurper.

Your team-mates are names. You may talk to them here during night phases and confirmations only.

When you die or the game ends during odd-numbered Nights, if an allied Godfather is still alive, you leave the game in a loss.

You have the following active ability:

• Each Night, if no other member of your faction is performing this action, you may target a player. Assuming no interference with your action, that player will die.

You win if at least one mafia member is alive and all other players are dead (or if nothing can prevent the same).

Confirm by replying to this PM with a summary of your role.