Moonwolf (Third Party): Overview and Strats

 

The Moon Wolf is a powerful third-party killer role with a unique mechanic tied to the phases of the moon. On even nights, during the full moon, the Moon Wolf becomes an unstoppable killer capable of either targeting a player and killing everyone who visits them or staying home and killing anyone who visits the Moon Wolf. On odd nights, the Moon Wolf has no killing action and is viewed as Subver-aligned if investigated, but on even nights, they will appear scum-aligned.

The Moon Wolf’s primary goal is to survive until they are one of the last two players standing.

Here’s how to play the Moon Wolf effectively and maximize the potential of your unique night-killing ability.

Primary Objective:

• Goal: The Moon Wolf wins by being one of the last two players remaining in the game.
• Challenges: The Moon Wolf’s dual nature (appearing Subver-aligned on odd nights and scum-aligned on even nights) requires careful planning and timing of kills, while also avoiding suspicion during the day phases.

Key Abilities:

1. Factional Kill (Even Nights Only):

   • Mechanic: On even nights (during full moons), the Moon Wolf can either:
     • Target a player: The Moon Wolf will kill their target and anyone visiting that target on the same night. This kill ignores any protection mechanics like bodyguards or healing, but does not override hiding/commuting abilities.
     • Stay home: If the Moon Wolf chooses to stay home, they will kill anyone who visits them on that night.
   • Default to Stay Home: If the Moon Wolf is role blocked or prevented from taking an action on an even night, they will automatically default to staying home and kill any visitors, including the role blocker.
   • Strategic Use: This kill mechanic makes the Moon Wolf incredibly dangerous on even nights. You have the flexibility to either go on the offensive by targeting a player or take a defensive position and kill anyone who tries to visit you.

2. Investigation Results:

   • Mechanic: The Moon Wolf’s investigation results change depending on the night:
     • On odd nights, the Moon Wolf appears Subver-aligned if investigated.
     • On even nights, the Moon Wolf appears scum-aligned if investigated.
   • Strategic Use: This dual alignment mechanic gives the Moon Wolf the ability to blend in with the Subver on odd nights. However, if investigated on an even night, players may suspect you of being aligned with the scum, making it critical to plan around potential investigations.

3. Killing Immunity Mechanic (Even Nights):

   • Mechanic: If role blocked on an even night, the Moon Wolf defaults to staying home and kills anyone visiting them. This effectively makes the Moon Wolf’s kill action unblockable because even if they don’t target someone, they will still kill anyone who comes to them.
   • Strategic Use: This mechanic allows you to counter role blockers and other players who might try to stop you. On even nights, you are effectively uncontainable, as any action that tries to hinder you will likely result in the death of the role blocker or other visitors.

Win Condition:

• Survive Until the End:
  • The Moon Wolf wins by being one of the last two players alive.
  • Strategic Considerations: You need to balance aggression with self-preservation. While you have powerful killing abilities on even nights, you must avoid drawing too much attention to yourself on odd nights when you have no kill and are vulnerable to being suspected or voted out.

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Optimal Playstyle and Strategy:

1. Early Game: Stay Low Key and Observe

• Blend in with the Subver: In the early game, you’ll want to use your odd-night Subver-aligned investigation result to your advantage. Avoid taking bold stances or becoming a focal point in discussions. You are more valuable as a silent observer in the early stages of the game.
• Prepare for Even Night Kills: On even nights, assess the situation and decide whether to go on the offensive or stay defensive. If there’s a player who’s actively working against your interests (such as an investigator or protector), consider targeting them, especially if you think they will be visited by others. Alternatively, if you believe you’re being targeted, staying home can serve as a trap for any visitors.

2. Mid-Game: Use Even Night Kills to Sow Chaos

• Target High-Value Players: By the mid-game, factions will likely be forming alliances, and certain players will emerge as powerful Subver or scum members. Use your even-night kill to target these influential players, particularly if you believe others will visit them (such as protectors or investigators). The more players you kill in a single night, the less coordinated the Subver and scum will be.
• Stay Home as a Defensive Option: If you suspect you are a target on an even night, staying home allows you to kill anyone who visits you, which can include investigators, role blockers, or scum members who might be trying to eliminate you. This is a strong defensive play, especially if you believe multiple people will target you.

3. Late Game: Eliminate Threats and Secure Survival

• Kill Remaining Power Roles: As the game narrows down, use your even-night kills to eliminate any remaining power roles that could threaten your survival. This might include investigators, protectors, or players who are gaining too much influence in Subver discussions.
• Manage Your Odd Nights Carefully: On odd nights, when you have no kill, focus on blending in and avoiding suspicion. If you’re being investigated on these nights, play up your Subver-aligned results and use your social skills to avoid being targeted for votes.
• Anticipate Investigations on Even Nights: If you suspect you’ll be investigated on an even night (where you show up as scum-aligned), consider using your kill to eliminate investigators or staying home to kill anyone who visits you.

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Strategic Considerations:

• Timing Your Kills: The Moon Wolf’s ability to kill multiple players at once by targeting someone and killing their visitors makes it a formidable tool for disrupting both Subver and scum alliances. Timing is key—only go on the offensive when you believe you can eliminate multiple threats at once.

• Use Investigations to Your Advantage: On odd nights, when you appear Subver-aligned, use that to your advantage by fostering trust among other players. On even nights, when you appear scum-aligned, avoid behaviors that might draw investigative roles toward you, or consider targeting investigators who could expose you.

• Trap Role blockers: Since the Moon Wolf kills anyone visiting them on even nights if they stay home (or are forced to stay home), use this mechanic to trap role blockers or others who might try to interfere with your actions. If you believe you are being targeted by a role blocker, staying home ensures you eliminate them.

• Avoid the Day’s Spotlight: The Moon Wolf is most powerful during the night, so try to keep attention away from yourself during the day phases. Play neutrally, offer insights that are helpful but not too detailed, and avoid drawing suspicion.

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Final Thoughts:

The Moon Wolf is a high-stakes, powerful third-party role with a unique ability to kill multiple players during even nights. By balancing offense and defense, and making strategic use of your investigation results, you can manipulate the game and survive until the end. Your ability to kill players who visit your target or yourself makes you a deadly force on even nights, while your Subver-aligned appearance on odd nights allows you to hide in plain sight.