Here is some very simple basic strategy. I'm going to keep this relatively short, including only what I think are the most essential points. Read the analogous posts from earlier games for more detailed strategy advice:
1. DO NOT TELL ANYBODY YOUR ROLE. There is almost no reason to give role information in this game. The mafia have a tremendous amount of power in their set-a-trap ability. The single easiest thing you can do to lose us the game is to tell other people your role. Exceptions:
a. Investigators/superheros/activated desperados should get somebody to proxy for them with probability ~ 70%. Consider setting up a double proxy chain. Regardless, maintain maximum ambiguity as to whether you are an investigator, superhero, or desperado.
b. Innocent Child: you should
onlyuse your power to save yourself from being lynched, to join an innocent child trust circle, or for some other
necessity.
Bottom line, do not
evertell somebody your role, unless you
needto do so. There is a
very high threshold for the reward to exceed the risk.
2. Stay actively involved in the game, from start to finish. With that said, if you have been inactive for a while, it is
never too late to start getting active in the game again.
If 20% of the town (~8 players are inactive) we will lose (the game is balanced assuming all townies are actively participating.)
3. Daily powers need to be used every day, without exception.
4. Keep mayor/police officer elected at all times. Likely innocence is the most important qualification.
5. Set traps for the mafia. If another player uniquely knows your whereabouts, let another player or two know (and don't let the first player know that the others know!) Try to get killed in a way that will incriminate your killer.
6. Verify alibis. Unverifiable alibis are approximately worthless.
7. Talk with other players, strategize, talk about the game. Just don't tell them your role.
8. If you see any suspicious behavior (like a player lurking somewhere)
post it in the town square. This has caught numerous mafia in past games and would have caught many others if the player(s) who had seen them had mentioned it!
Other players, please comment and add things here. And if you have any questions, ask