Section 4: Players & Officials
Group Size
A practical game normally has six to twenty active players plus one moderator. Smaller groups tend to produce short, highly volatile games, while larger groups benefit from timed discussion and structured nominations. The moderator does not belong to either team and is not counted when checking a winning condition.
Core Roles
- Townsperson: Has no night action. Participates in discussion and voting and wins when all Mafia members are eliminated.
- Mafia member: Knows the other Mafia members and participates in selecting a night target. Wins when the Mafia control the vote by equaling or outnumbering the remaining opposition.
- Moderator: Assigns roles, conducts phases, records actions, resolves conflicts, counts votes, announces results, and protects all secret information.
Common Special Roles
- Detective: Each night investigates one living player. The moderator privately indicates whether that player is aligned with the Mafia. The Detective ordinarily belongs to the Town.
- Doctor: Each night protects one living player. If the Mafia target that player, the target survives. Before play, announce whether the Doctor may protect themself or protect the same person on consecutive nights.
- Vigilante: A Town-aligned player who may eliminate a target at night, often only once per game. This role is best used in larger groups.
- Roleblocker: Chooses a player whose night ability does not take effect. The moderator must announce how blocking interacts with other abilities before play.
Balance Guidelines
For six to nine active players, use one Mafia member for roughly every three or four players. For ten or more active players, a Mafia team near one quarter of the group usually creates a fair starting point. Strong investigative or protective roles favor the Town, while Mafia disruption abilities favor the Mafia. New groups should begin with few special roles and adjust future setups based on game length and player experience.
Player Responsibilities
Every player must keep their role secret unless the rules allow them to claim it during discussion. Players may bluff about their own roles, but they may not display hidden assignment material, use outside proof, communicate secretly without permission, or impersonate the moderator. Eliminated players cease participating except as silent spectators.