On Townblocs

Part of Mastin Academy.

Original Lecture: On townblocs

The best way to organize blocs as town is to not try and form blocs.

No, really. There's nothing wrong with townblocking...but effective townblocs form fluently and organically. So when I say "not try and form blocs", I mean not creating one artificially. The best townblocs I've seen are the townblocs that weren't formed strictly as townblocs. By which, I mean, they evolved naturally. Heck, it's a rarity for them to have even called it a townbloc in the first place. So as town, the best way to obtain a townbloc is...not interfere with the formation of townblocs by wanting one.

Townblocs form when they form. They may take more time than preferable, but it'll happen if you let it. And when it does form this way, it'll most likely be without the influence of scum, AND be harder for scum to break up! Because instead of players working together because they forced themselves to, they're working together because they want to. Rather than it simply making sense, they feel like it should be done.

That organic, flowing townbloc is hard to disrupt because it is the natural order of things, and a break from the natural would be artificial. And because it is natural, it is difficult for scum to force their way in. For them to taint a true townbloc by being integrated into it, it takes a slow, patient process filled with effort which most scum simply don't give the time to.

...Inversely, the best way to organize a townbloc as scum is to make sure it's formed, preferably early. The earlier a townbloc forms, the easier it is to dismantle, infiltrate, or otherwise influence. Because the bonds tying players together are weaker (thanks to the rushed formation of the bloc), they are more easily shattered.

Think of a townbloc like a friendship or even a relationship. If you go in only having known the person for a day, you're far more likely to have that friendship/relationship fail, simply because you learn that you're not nearly as compatible as that initial common factor would suggest you were. Same concept applies to blocs. The earlier they form, the more frequently they fall. This artificial force binding the bloc together will eventually fatigue, and the scum have a buffet of paranoia to feast on.

Thus, as scum, ask to form a townbloc. As town, note the potential existence of it, but don't force it. The cards will fall where they will fall, and as a result, will inevitably organize the bloc with rankings.