Game Modes

In Town of Salem, there are eight different game modes to play in the game; Classic Mode, Ranked Practice, Ranked, Custom Mode, Rapid Mode, All Any, Rainbow Mode, and Vigilantics.

In every game mode except Custom Mode and Rapid Mode, the game will start automatically when the lobby reaches 15 players.

There are also equivalents to all modes, and a new  VIP Mode,  Lovers Mode, and  Rivals Mode. These modes rotate every Tuesday, so you can only play one of these modes at any time.

Classic Mode
Classic Mode is the simplest form of the game; the roles are predetermined. This mode is geared towards newer players so they can learn roles without them changing every other game.

The amount of roles depend on the number of players. The corresponding number will be the first roles that are used. For example: if there are 10 players only the first 10 roles will be used. This means that if there are twelve or fewer players, there will be no uncertainty to what roles are in the game, as there will be no or.

The should press everyone for claims. If two people claim the same role, one is either the or an evil role. If 2 groups of two people claim the same role (for example, two people claim, and two other people claim ) one of them is definitely evil. The same goes if 3 people claim the same role, or if 2 people claim the same role when the slot is dead or taken. Once the is known, it is easy to narrow down who is evil by process of elimination. If you are evil, claim a role that fits in your investigation result that is hard to disprove and provide a will to back your claim up. If the dies and didn't put your investigation result in your will, you can claim any role. Be careful of counterclaims though, normally, the one with a better will is the one who stays alive. If you are a, you should try and claim what a confirmed claims. Most people will likely believe them over you. If you are an, claim or  and accuse your target late game.

Ranked Practice
This mode may be found under the 'Normal' tab and it features the same role list which Ranked Mode has.
 * 10 games of this mode are required to play Ranked.
 * Players may play this mode with friends in a party.
 * This mode is often played by players that need to warm up before a Ranked match.

Differences

 * Since you have a lot of placements, you must find all the  in order to discern wether or not a claim is truly fake or not. This often takes place during the late game.
 * Due to the fact that there are three placements, there is a reasonable chance to have more than one  in this game mode. This means you can ask for other possible  to reveal early in the game and team with them, ensuring a good combo.

Ranked
Competitive? Experienced? Ranked may be found under the 'Normal' tab.

Differences
Since there is more claimspace in Ranked, it becomes easier for the evils to claim freely. If you are, it is usually best to have a confirmed that directs the  on what to do. They should ask for claims and narrow it down that way. However, this has a downside in which it forces and other important  roles to claim. If a is confirmed, make sure you have a, , , , or even a  on them. The should communicate with each other in the day time to gain information. If you are evil, try and lay low and attack semi-confirmed, or ones that might be important and have no protection.
 * In order to participate in Ranked matches, you must have played and have completed 50 games in other Game Modes. You must also have completed 10 Ranked Practice matches, which counts towards playing 50 games.
 * You will be competing to win and earn Elo.
 * Rather than being placed into a lobby, you are placed into a queue that redirects you to a ranked match with fourteen other people. You will see a timer instead of the 'Play' button on the top of the screen, with the words 'Ranked Queue'. When the timer runs to 0, you will be shown a small picture with 2 options: 'Accept' and 'Decline'. Choose 'Accept' to join the queue. If you join when the timer is near 0, you might get a message telling you that the queue is already full but you will be the first person in the next queue.
 * The roles are predetermined (see below for list of player roles).
 * Scrolls are not allowed in this game mode, because the developers wanted scrolls to have no effect on Ranked games and have a fair environment to play without them.
 * Parties are not allowed in this game mode, as you are sent right into the queue.

Custom Mode
Custom Mode gives the Host more freedom to choose what they want to put into their game. All players will earn the same number of Merit Points, which is dependent on the duration of the match.

The Host

 * The host is the first person who joins the lobby. If there are at least 7 players in the lobby, players are able to type /repick to pick a new host which will be one of the players in the lobby. You would also be needed to be in the lobby for at least 10 seconds before repicking the host.
 * The host can create the role list from 15 choices of any specific or random role. Random roles may be of a certain alignment (e.g. ), a certain team (e.g. ) or Any.
 * The host has a few restrictions while picking roles:
 * There cannot be more than one of a Unique role(Meaning you can't have 2 of the same Role).
 * There cannot be more than four members of the.
 * There cannot be more than four.
 * There cannot be more than six Any roles.
 * There cannot be more than six of a particular role or alignment.

For common setups to host, view Custom Setups.

Rapid Mode
Rapid Mode is a Game Mode where everything is fast-paced. The timer for several aspects of the game is cut in half, leaving you with much less time. If you need a quick game or a fast-progressing game, then this is where you'll find it. All players will earn the same number of Merit Points, which is dependent on the duration of the match.

Differences

 * Time given to complete actions is cut in half.
 * Overall duration of the game is decreased.
 * Certain roles drop in usefulness (see Disadvantages)
 * It is possible to start with as little as two players as long as they are of opposing factions.

Advantages

 * Great for people who want to play a game but don't have enough time.
 * Great for people who like fast progression.

Disadvantages

 * Night and Defense phases progress very fast.
 * Less amount of time to write your Last Will.
 * Difficult to find a match, as it is not as popular as other game modes.
 * Some role abilities are put at a disadvantage with the shortened time frame (i.e. 's seance, 's jailing, and 's writing a forged will).
 * Difficult to discuss with each other.
 * Shorter time to choose what you are going to do at night.

Strategy
Rapid Mode forces players to summarize their findings as fast and as succinct as possible. Interrogations are also forced to speed up. Players who are able to summarize accusations can effectively carry the game and steamroll over the rest of the town. However, just like Custom, the strategy depends on the role list.

All Any
All Any mode is completely random and consists of 15 Any slots, which can be any of the 33 roles in the game. As with other modes, there can only be one of each Unique Role if one is selected. Games can start with as many as 4 members of the and, although very rare, as few as 0 members of the. Games can also start with up to 4.

Normally, the have a big majority over the rest of the factions. They are the usually only faction that knows their identities instantly, while the can take many days to figure out who is who. If you are accused of any role, call them an. If you are evil, you should refrain from claiming because that is a common claim for evils in this mode. The have to converse and figure out the role list very quickly before the evil roles kill them all off or the  convert them all.

Advantages

 * It is significantly easier for roles to win games, as chances are that there aren't as many  roles compared to other game modes.
 * Members of the may also find it easier to win as they instantly recognize their teammates.
 * Games generally take a short time to start as it is popular among Town of Salem players.

Strategy
All Any mode requires players to only rely on the findings of their own and other people. As such people who rely on the role list to make accusations may be at a disadvantage.

Rainbow Mode
Rainbow Mode is a chaotic game mode where the role list looks like a rainbow. ,, and the are night immune, as well as any potential  and  on alert.

Main Ally: -  can stop the evil  from killing your,  from killing you, and only have a 50% chance to affect you.

Night Kill Target: -  likely will join the  or. They can become you, but the odds are lower as has a better chance to get allies and kill you.

Lynch Target: - Sure, the  can kill your, but you can try to trick them later in the game. can kill both of you, and are the ultimate threat of the game, able to kill everyone.

Main Ally: Other - The best team you have is your own. You can kill anyone, and as soon as someone is doused, you can ignite them later or even in the same night for quick deaths. can collaborate through Death Notes on when to ignite, who to douse, etc.

Night Kill Target: - They're your bane. If either of them still can use their ability in an endgame, they win. The can kill you early, and the  just wants to save themselves from attacks, not mass-kill.

Lynch Target: - If you're not killing members of the  at night, lynch one of them. An informed group can be very powerful towards the endgame, and if it's 2 versus 1 or 3 versus 2, you're doomed. Also, and  will likely side with them.

Get your name out there. The longer you wait, the less believable your claim is. Keep reminding people, and they won't want to hurt an ally.

Note: if you claim to be a on the first day, someone may try to kill you on the first night, but you can use a bulletproof vest to keep yourself safe.

Main Ally: -  will probably go with the side that wins the least in the endgame, so team up with them. The could work too, as you can easily win in a 1 versus 1, and an  if you aren't doused. Remember that because the doesn't have the majority, you will need any ally you can get to compensate for your lack of Night Immunity.

Night Kill Target: - They make the most nightly kills of any faction, and the longer they live, the more likely you are to die. Also, in jail will kill the  if said  doesn't execute them.

Lynch Target: - You need one lynched in order to win in the endgame with them, so think long-term.

For, it's best to start using alerts after Night 1, constantly or on most of the nights, since Rainbow Mode is full of evil roles. Once you're out of alerts, you can ask to jail you. Don't write your name in your Death Note; perhaps you should put another player's name in your Death Note, because you'll most likely be lynched if you write your own name.

You have 2 tactics:

Be peaceful - Remember that you were a or, claim you're that person, be helpful to everyone you can.

Steal the win - If an dies Night 2 or 3 with something from 10 or less people alive, become an. The other will likely do too, and you will have a power group. If they aren't dying, remember that you were a. You still have an effective faction that can take the majority and kill the and a.

Main Ally: - They have bulletproof vests, they won't be that afraid of you, especially if you vow you won't attack them. will likely mess up your killing flow to protect themselves, but they work when it comes to voting.

Night Kill Target: - You have a, trying to save himself from being shot, and can be in a 1 versus 1 with you in the endgame, which is a gamble. You also have a that can kill you literally or passively through Last Wills, and you will likely be lynched because only  and  win with you. Kill them off as fast as you can, but be cautious of alerts.

Lynch Target: - They're the only faction bigger than you. They can kill everyone, including you, they have the same numbers as you, are in your case in the endgame, are basically you but stronger in this setup. You can get an easy lynch out of them as they're prime targets to kill. It's a long-term plan that will help in the endgame.

Claim and confirm yourself as a, and pretend to do what do, remind people constantly. You can convince not to execute you because you aren't the primary kill. People can have good games because since the might already die, so you can tell them not to execute you as you are the least priority target. In order to win the game, its best if you tell the you're a  and team up with them before they kill you.

/
What people lynch on varies between games, so that can change. However, can claim on stand, and people will probably lynch the, or if you want to be subtle, just put one vote on someone. For, become an annoyance that people just dislike and want out of the game. Don't spam, as that's breaking the rules, but being annoying all varies on how you feel, (Ex. Name, Spoiling a Movie, Unpopular opinion on Politics/games/movies, etc).

Main Ally: - If you communicate, you won't be threats to each other, and to be safe they can control you every other night. will probably fear you because of your killing ability.

Night Kill Target: -  tend to attract attention, and if you attack them when they aren't alerting, you can get a bunch of kills in, but you have to read when they're alerting correctly. Also, them alerting in endgame is incredibly bad. can out you like, and they can kill you in endgame. Also, you probably want to avoid attention unless you want to stay home for some reason.

Lynch Target: - They can douse you, ending your Night Immunity and devastate your life if they ignite. In a 1 versus 1, a draw will come out as they will ignite you and you will maul them, creating a draw.

Try to bite the for less threats and  so you don't have a big role against you. You can even try to persuade the to get bitten if you want. and will probably side with you for this rare occurrence. Everyone who you can't bite though, except for, are lynch targets, as they're in a factions that can kill you.

(From olly's forum page: http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37586&p=1168297&hilit=Rainbow+Mode+Strategy&sid=990356e5e8923c0305d87b8b71477a2b#p1168297)

Vigilantics
The goal of Vigilantics is for one team, either or, to kill the opposing team at night to win. want to force to kill other, and  try to shoot or lynch the. If a shoots another, both will die, as the original shooter will commit suicide after murdering a.

Differences

 * Up to 10 and 5  are picked, rather than a diverse set of characters.
 * The tendency for less players leads to faster games.

Advantages

 * Luck-based (advantage for some, not for others).
 * If you're a, you won't die from being controlled by another to target yourself.
 * If you're a, you will survive the first time you were shot by a

Disadvantages

 * The game is very much based on luck. If you shoot the wrong person, you're done for.
 * If you're a, you have a very high possibility of either dying by guilt or dying by another.
 * Players are scarce, so it will take quite a while to fill up the lobby.
 * If you're a, you can only defend yourself from being shot by a once meaning that if you were shot two times in one night you will die.

Strategy
It is a game of risk, chance, and luck. The most effective way to rid of is by lynching them and hoping you guess correctly. There is little strategy to this Game Mode, other than pointing your barrel in the right direction.

However, as a, there is a certain strategy that you can take. Choosing a random person and sending them to another person can result in a killing one of your fellow. To avoid this from happening, you can have the person visit themselves. This can result in nothing happening, in which case you have found a and can team with them. If it's a, they kill themselves. The only downside to this is that you cannot achieve a double kill which comes from a  killing another, and then they die for killing a.

Coven Classic
Coven Classic is a Game Mode exclusive to the Town of Salem: The Coven expansion.

Mafia Returns
Mafia Returns is a Coven exclusive game mode that has a classic town vs mafia vs neutral setup, except with the new expansion exclusive roles.

Coven VIP
Coven VIP is a game mode exclusive to the Town of Salem: The Coven expansion. It will have a lot of and  Roles, and a few. One random will be selected as the VIP and all Town will know who the VIP is. If the VIP dies, loses, so the point of the game is to make sure that the VIP dies or stays alive, depending what faction you belong to. You cannot whisper in Coven VIP.

Strategy

 * If a user is on trial and they claim a role, ask them who the VIP is. If they answer incorrectly or don't answer at all, they are probably evil. This can out the identity of the VIP, however.
 * The VIP is always a user.

Coven Lovers
Coven Lovers is another game mode that is also exclusive to the Town of Salem: The Coven expansion. It also has a normal role list, but 8/15 players are tied to another as lovers (This means the 7 other players are left single). If you die, so does your lover and vice versa. You are also able to secretly whisper to your lover. In addition, your lover can win with you, regardless of their faction. For example, if you are a and your lover is the, they can win with , assuming  meets their required win condition (other than eliminating your lover). Additionally, if all players who do not have lovers die, all lovers still alive will win even if they are in opposition (for example, if the only living players are a pair of lovers and a pair consisting of  and, all four will win). All pairs of lovers can exist, besides one the involves a. This is likely due to the fact that die if they successfully protect someone from an attack.

Strategy

 * It's important to understand victory conditions.
 * Beyond the basics there's one easy to miss fact - your goal is to WIN not to survive. Keeping your lover alive is nothing more than self-preservation. And generaly is only as valid a move as that. Also you don't care in the slightest if they win you only care if YOU win.
 * Town can win from the graveyard as long as it's town victory not lovers victory.
 * Pirate can win as long as he gets his plunders.
 * Pestilence can outlive their parnter and win solo.
 * Keep in mind all your winning and losing options.
 * Lovers with a townie can win with town OR lovers. Lovers with no town can only win with lovers. Sometimes it's easier for town/evil pair to kill singles and "join" evil pairs than to keep pushing for town win. Keep that in mind as any sinlge/paired player.
 * Pair with a town protective in it can win with town. Keeping important town memebers alive can grealty accelerate that process. Caring only for your lover however still puts both of you at risk (unless both are tp) giving active evil more time to kill you. And if game ends with lovers victory niether of you will win.
 * Even within a pair "discord" is possible. Pirate doesn't care if both of you live once he has won. And pest doesn't need you alive in the end. That said both of those cases WANT you alive as winning a lover victory is always an easier option. But perhaps the most treatcherous would be the town itself. Throwing the safety of themselves and their partner under the bus in order to ensure town victory is a viable move on their part.

Coven Rivals
Coven Rivals is the forth game mode exclusive to the Town of Salem: The Coven expansion. It is the reverse of Lovers in the way that each player has a rival and you must kill your rival to win. However, normal rules apply and your faction still must win. You cannot visit your rival directly in Coven Rivals.