An alignment identifies a role’s objective and likely allies. Similar abilities can serve opposing teams: a Tavern Keeper and Bootlegger both roleblock, while their preferred outcome is different.
Town, Mafia and Coven
| Faction | Shared objective | Information advantage | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town | Remove the factions and roles that prevent a Town win. | Independent abilities can corroborate one another. | Treating every innocent Sheriff result as a teammate. |
| Mafia | Eliminate opposition to Mafia control. | Known teammates and private night coordination. | Killing a loud player instead of breaking a confirmation chain. |
| Coven | Defeat the factions opposing Coven in expansion modes. | Coordinated powers and the Necronomicon. | Calling every expansion Neutral a Coven teammate. |
Neutral is a category, not one team
Survivor wants to remain alive; Jester needs a hanging; Executioner needs a particular Town target hanged. An Arsonist instead plans independent kills. Those players can support the same vote for different reasons and need not support one another on the next day.
Vampires form a conversion faction despite their Neutral Chaos classification. Pirate can finish its own objective after two successful plunders. Plaguebearer and the transformed Pestilence also belong to Neutral Chaos, even though Pestilence behaves as a dangerous killer.
Model objectives before interpreting behavior
A Survivor may favor a faction that can protect them. An Executioner may stop pushing after the target hangs. A Pirate may choose a duel that contributes little to Town’s investigation. Before calling a vote inconsistent, ask whether the voter’s stated objective changed or was already satisfied.
Town Traitor and conversions are exceptions to role-name trust
Mode rules and conversions can separate a familiar role ability from the allegiance you expect. A role name is useful evidence about power; it is not a universal guarantee about the winning team. Read the setup before treating a reveal or a previously established Town identity as the end of the discussion.
Carry alignment into the endgame
Count voting power, remaining killing abilities and private objectives. “Not Mafia” is insufficient if an independent killer wins the following night. Tie cases and special role interactions can also matter before ordinary numerical control turns into the game’s actual victory screen.
Town roles · Mafia roles · Coven roles · Neutral objectives · Endgame decisions
