Post by Judge Sam on Jun 19, 2010 19:04:46 GMT -6
I want to talk about how I work with the Spies in this game. In a perfect world I wouldn't say a single word to you at all but the reality is some things are more difficult for Spies and they need a leg up in places. For example, this game is very long compared to other mafia games and that advantages the Citizens.
Here's another example of how it's difficult for Spies and why they need non-specific words of wisdom from me.
The Citizens have to:
- Be a citizen
The Spies have to:
- Be a citizen
- Be a spy
- Find a way to merge those two conflicting intentions into one workable coherent strategy
The Spies have three times as much work to do as the Citizens. And unfortunately, oftentimes when time is short and things must be cut, the Spies choose to cut the "be a citizen" part which sometimes leads to their downfall. Here's my first piece of advice: don't cut that part out.
For that reason the Spies need support from me just to maintain an equal footing. For example, Spies in this game rarely get a break. The Citizens get a break of sorts every Imprisonment - they get to rest, think, stop strategizing as much and just see what happens. The Spies get no break. They are constantly strategizing MORE than the citizens each Exile, and then they have to strategize and plot again for Imprisonment, over and over again. For this reason this game will have several 2 or 3 day breaks during the game for everyone to rest. If you ever feel the Spies need a break or you need a break please post here something and discuss it amongst yourselves. It is recommended you take personal breaks if needed!
There are also sometimes stupid, highly questionable tricks the citizens might pull to figure out your identity. For example in the past citizens have put spies on the spot saying to them in IM: "copy/paste your reason for voting so and so out in the last Exile from your confessional for me in 1 minute or you are a Spy."
It is these kinds of advice that I will give to you. I certainly won't help you with any strategic matters or specific events at all. In this same vein, if someone tries to come up with an illegal strategy to 'catch' you out as a Spy I will tell you about it and warn them not to do it.
Here is another way I offer a hand. After previous games have finished, and I'm just talking with people, I have stated my hosting preferences in terms of roles and how they work. (Though not that much, I try to be careful haha.) Obviously you don't know what I said to someone a year ago, so if you made a role that did something I said I might not do a year ago, that is an example of something dumb that might catch ya. It is for that reason that, if you like, and if you want to create and use a fake role, I will look over it for you and point out any 'glaring' things that might not be something I'd usually do. For example if you claimed to be a cop that got an investigation every round I doubt that claim would fly as I don't do that. Just post your fake role somewhere and ask me to look over it and I will point out a part that might stand out and it's up to you whether you want to change that.
I may also post general vague advice written before the game. These are just basic ways of playing as a Spy that will help you shore up possible weaknesses. Don't take it as gospel, incorporate it into your specific spy strategy.
Being a Spy is very hard, especially considering the length of the game, and I don't envy your position. It hurts your head to brainwash yourself into believing you are actually a Citizen and lying to people for an hour+ a day every single day. But I know you can do it. Just don't overdo yourself, remember this is a marathon not a sprint. Take some breaks during the game if you need it.
I realize the things I have said above you may not be used to in other games, but in my opinion Spies is a different beast with the constant daily activity on the boards and on AIM, and due to it's length. Everything I say to you I consider very seriously and try and minimize my influence into the game as best I can.
Here's another example of how it's difficult for Spies and why they need non-specific words of wisdom from me.
The Citizens have to:
- Be a citizen
The Spies have to:
- Be a citizen
- Be a spy
- Find a way to merge those two conflicting intentions into one workable coherent strategy
The Spies have three times as much work to do as the Citizens. And unfortunately, oftentimes when time is short and things must be cut, the Spies choose to cut the "be a citizen" part which sometimes leads to their downfall. Here's my first piece of advice: don't cut that part out.
For that reason the Spies need support from me just to maintain an equal footing. For example, Spies in this game rarely get a break. The Citizens get a break of sorts every Imprisonment - they get to rest, think, stop strategizing as much and just see what happens. The Spies get no break. They are constantly strategizing MORE than the citizens each Exile, and then they have to strategize and plot again for Imprisonment, over and over again. For this reason this game will have several 2 or 3 day breaks during the game for everyone to rest. If you ever feel the Spies need a break or you need a break please post here something and discuss it amongst yourselves. It is recommended you take personal breaks if needed!
There are also sometimes stupid, highly questionable tricks the citizens might pull to figure out your identity. For example in the past citizens have put spies on the spot saying to them in IM: "copy/paste your reason for voting so and so out in the last Exile from your confessional for me in 1 minute or you are a Spy."
It is these kinds of advice that I will give to you. I certainly won't help you with any strategic matters or specific events at all. In this same vein, if someone tries to come up with an illegal strategy to 'catch' you out as a Spy I will tell you about it and warn them not to do it.
Here is another way I offer a hand. After previous games have finished, and I'm just talking with people, I have stated my hosting preferences in terms of roles and how they work. (Though not that much, I try to be careful haha.) Obviously you don't know what I said to someone a year ago, so if you made a role that did something I said I might not do a year ago, that is an example of something dumb that might catch ya. It is for that reason that, if you like, and if you want to create and use a fake role, I will look over it for you and point out any 'glaring' things that might not be something I'd usually do. For example if you claimed to be a cop that got an investigation every round I doubt that claim would fly as I don't do that.
Just post your fake role somewhere and ask me to look over it and I will point out a part that might stand out and it's up to you whether you want to change that.I may also post general vague advice written before the game. These are just basic ways of playing as a Spy that will help you shore up possible weaknesses. Don't take it as gospel, incorporate it into your specific spy strategy.
Being a Spy is very hard, especially considering the length of the game, and I don't envy your position. It hurts your head to brainwash yourself into believing you are actually a Citizen and lying to people for an hour+ a day every single day. But I know you can do it.
Just don't overdo yourself, remember this is a marathon not a sprint. Take some breaks during the game if you need it.I realize the things I have said above you may not be used to in other games, but in my opinion Spies is a different beast with the constant daily activity on the boards and on AIM, and due to it's length. Everything I say to you I consider very seriously and try and minimize my influence into the game as best I can.
