INTRODUCTION -- THIS ISN'T A NOOB GUIDE AT ALL
This thread is not meant for everyone.
Some ppl are perceptually and cognitively impaired.
These ppl are better off towntelling and getting carried.
This thread is a method for reading ingame that challenges how most ppl play. This isn't a "noob guide," this is how my tryhard (hyper focused) games are played. In effect it explains how to toggle GOD MODE -- the feeling you get when playing at such a high level
LESSON #1
SKILL CAP
Competitive mafia has a very high skill cap. It is f'ucking absurdly high. And there are tiers that players get stuck at without realizing. For instance a player can reach his individual skill cap, but he's still a mid-tier player. He's just a dumb guy. A good example is Mikeyru. He will stay average just like 75-85% of ppl unless he adapts and learns from pros. Pros have a skill cap with a very high ceiling (the top tier). They adapted by either experience or by being taught. In this tier you can solo win games. Pranay can do this, but so could groundhogday (ian).
Both players are top tier while one is clearly better than the other. The skill cap is so high that a player like pranay -- who looks at every possible angle to win a game and is able to skimread mafia (explained later) -- can compare with a player like groundhogday -- who rarely misreads mafia.
LESSON #2
DON'T BE A BOT
Most of you read literally word for word and see lines only at face value. This is basic, and bots are content reading lines this way because it's easy. These are the same players who ask useless questions in a TvT scenario. The answer is obvious and is not important to the game. No scumhunting is really done. The mind isn't challenged, the bot never learns.
Examples of bots:
- you know how they say 'slip' when someone typos,
- or how 'vets' point out actual slips and get fos'd by bots who are unable to grasp it,
- or how ppl feel lost and cant keep up with the pace of the game,
- or when you feel intimidated as you realize a superior player is bullying you
- or the town of bots who must play a setup a certain way and is incapable of change
Read on.
LESSON #3
SKIM READING
Here is how to read quickly and efficiently in a fast paced game:
- Practice reading an entire line all at once. This is called scan or skim reading.
- With practice you should be able to see the whole line without reading word for word.
- You shouldn't hear each word sounded out in your head.
- Your brain is able to process an entire line at once because you can view it as an image.
- After awhile its easier to recognize certain lines that players use and you can read them at a glance.
Now after you get good at the above, you should be thinking about what's behind the line (intent or motive). There is a thought process behind everything. You can skim read and find motive/intent simultaneously. Then you can jump to a conclusion which means you have an almost instant read on someone which you can change anytime. Because once you push them you will know if they're mafia
Mafia can be found with just one or a few lines this way. But the game becomes more annoying for everyone because it's a pranay mindset where you stick on a read for an easy maf. Heres an example of a snapread that will be correct more often than not.
- vilden dies as doc after softing a save on soda
- jared23's first 4 lines show he knew doctor over night
- sometimes town will do that, so pushing them will give info
LESSON #4
INTENT VS NO INTENT
Most people understand this as filler, but they also use it incorrectly. What's more annoying is I've noticed most people ignore filler as a basis to scumread someone. This is because so many noobs call out "hes fillering" with no understanding of what it is or how to elaborate on it. Filler is a legit pattern in mafia play. If you stick to this, you will hammer mafia more often than not.
Scenario 1- No Intent
- Assume oracle claims in jan2.0 right at the start of d1
- Then someone says "why did you claim"
There is no reason or motive to ask that question. The orc has already claimed. It was said just to look towny and is a filler. 9/10 times this is a mafia line and the most experienced players will say it
Scenario 2- Intent
- Assume the person says "why did you claim so early" or "why claim orc"
- This is different. There is motive which shows actual confusion -- could be town or real orc hiding.
- "why would you claim orc" means "you may be something else, why did you claim orc" so it's not the same (and it's not filler)
