Firebug (Third Party): Overview and Strats

 

The Firebug is a strategic third-party role in Deck Mafia, with the ability to lay groundwork for mass eliminations through their dousing ability, followed by a well-timed ignition. Unlike other killers, the Firebug operates by setting up potential future kills, which can lead to devastating results if executed correctly. The Firebug's win condition allows for flexibility, as they can win by either being one of the last two players standing or by killing everyone else with their ignition. Additionally, the Firebug always wins tied wagons in the event of a vote tie.

Let’s break down the Firebug’s abilities and strategies for effectively playing this role to either burn through the competition or survive until the final two.

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Primary Objective:

• Goal 1: The Firebug can win by reaching the final two with any other player, securing a shared victory.
• Goal 2: Alternatively, the Firebug can win by killing everyone else in the game through mass ignition.
• Challenges: The Firebug must balance between dousing multiple players over time and choosing the right moment to ignite and eliminate them.

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Key Abilities:

1. Douse (Night Action):

   • Mechanic: Each night, the Firebug must douse a player. This action leaves the target primed for future ignition, but does not immediately cause any harm or alert the target to the dousing.
   • Strategic Use: The Firebug’s dousing ability is the key to setting up future kills. By spreading out douses over multiple nights, you can set up a devastating ignition that can wipe out multiple players at once. It’s important to douse a mix of high-value targets and those less likely to be protected.

2. Ignite (Night Action):

   • Mechanic: On any night after dousing players, the Firebug can choose to ignite, killing all previously doused players in one massive strike. However, the Firebug cannot douse and ignite on the same night.
   • Strategic Use: The timing of the ignition is critical. Igniting too early may result in only one or two kills, while waiting too long could lead to being exposed or eliminated before you can pull it off. Aim to ignite when you’ve doused multiple players and the game is at a crucial turning point, such as when multiple factions are closing in on their win conditions.

3. Starting Option: Bulletproof Vest (Passive):

   • Mechanic: The Firebug can choose to start with a Bulletproof Vest, providing protection against one kill attempt. The Firebug will be informed when the vest is popped.
   • Strategic Use: The vest offers early-game protection, allowing you to survive an assassination attempt and continue dousing players. It’s particularly useful if you suspect you’ll be targeted by night kills early on.

4. Starting Option: 1-Shot Yeet proof (Passive):

   • Mechanic: Alternatively, the Firebug can start with a 1-shot yeet proof passive modifier, granting them immunity to being eliminated by vote once during the game.
   • Strategic Use: The yeet proof option is valuable if you expect to be targeted by votes during the day. It gives you a safety net against suspicion, allowing you to avoid elimination and continue dousing or preparing for ignition.

5. Tie-Breaking Ability:

   • Mechanic: The Firebug wins any tied wagons during voting. This means that if a vote ends in a tie, and the Firebug is one of the players in the tie, the Firebug will automatically survive.
   • Strategic Use: This ability can be a game-changer in tight voting situations. It allows you to play more aggressively, knowing that you have a tie-breaking advantage. Use this to influence votes or avoid being voted out when the vote count is close.

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Win Conditions:

1. Final Two Victory:

   • The Firebug can win by simply surviving until the final two players. This provides flexibility, as the Firebug can win by outlasting others and forming alliances with the right people.
   • Strategic Considerations: This win condition allows the Firebug to work more covertly, using dousing and alliances to stay safe while others eliminate each other. Dousing can be used as a bargaining chip in certain situations, threatening ignition if certain players don’t cooperate.

2. Mass Kill Victory:

   • The Firebug can also win by killing everyone else through ignition, potentially eliminating multiple players at once.
   • Strategic Considerations: This is a more aggressive win condition, requiring careful planning and timing. By dousing players over several nights and choosing the right moment to ignite, the Firebug can wipe out entire factions in one fell swoop.

   3. Did you know?:

   •   That explosions that happen at night will set doused players on fire automatically?

    

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Optimal Playstyle and Strategy:

1. Early Game: Douse Stealthily and Stay Under the Radar

• Start Dousing Right Away: Begin dousing players early on, targeting a mix of high-value players (like investigators or protectors) and less obvious targets to avoid drawing suspicion. Since dousing doesn’t harm the player immediately, they won’t know they’ve been marked for future ignition.
• Choose Your Defensive Option: If you anticipate early suspicion or attacks, decide whether the Bulletproof Vest or 1-shot yeet proof is better for your strategy. The vest protects you from night kills, while the yeet proof offers defense against early votes.
• Avoid Aggressive Behavior: In the early game, play low-key. You want to avoid being perceived as a threat, which could lead to being targeted for votes or kills. Blend in with town-aligned behavior to avoid drawing too much attention.

2. Mid-Game: Continue Dousing and Plan Your Ignition

• Expand Your Dousing: By the mid-game, you should have several players doused. Continue adding new players to your list, focusing on those who are less likely to be protected or have strong abilities that might prevent your ignition.
• Watch for Power Shifts: Pay close attention to the dynamics between factions and third parties. If you notice one faction becoming too powerful, dousing key members of that faction can help you control the balance of power with a well-timed ignition.
• Plan Your Ignition: The timing of your ignition is critical. If you’ve doused enough players, wait for a moment when igniting would have the maximum impact. For example, when the town or mafia are on the verge of a major victory, you can strike and reset the game’s balance.

3. Late Game: Secure Victory Through Ignition or Survival

• Ignite at the Right Time: In the late game, you may have several players doused and ready for ignition. If the numbers are favorable, ignite to eliminate the competition and secure a solo victory. Alternatively, if you’ve already eliminated key threats, you can focus on surviving to the final two.
• Leverage Your Tie-Breaking Ability: If you find yourself in a tight voting situation, don’t be afraid to use your tie-breaking ability. Push for tied wagons if you’re one of the players being voted on, as this guarantees your survival and could eliminate a key opponent.
• Consider a Final Two Alliance: If you’re nearing the endgame and don’t feel confident in your ignition, consider forming an alliance with a trusted player to reach the final two together. The Firebug’s ability to win in a final two gives you flexibility in your approach to the endgame.

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Strategic Considerations:

• Dousing as Insurance: Dousing players early provides you with future leverage. You can threaten ignition to manipulate players or factions into leaving you alone or even helping you.

• Careful Timing for Ignition: The most crucial decision you’ll make as the Firebug is when to ignite. Timing your ignition when multiple doused players are vulnerable can wipe out entire factions, but igniting too early could leave you exposed or short of your win condition.

• Defensive Choices Matter: Whether you choose the Bulletproof Vest or 1-shot yeet proof can significantly affect your early game strategy. The vest provides security against night kills, while the yeet proof helps you survive the day phase. Choose based on your read of the game and how much attention you expect.

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Final Thoughts:

The Firebug is a versatile and strategic third-party role that can either win by surviving to the final two or by eliminating all opponents in a fiery blaze of glory. By carefully dousing players over time and choosing the right moment to ignite, the Firebug can single-handedly change the course of the game. With a combination of stealth, strategic dousing, and timely ignition, you can dominate the game without ever needing to engage in direct combat.