Town of Salem Rules

Although Town of Salem is a very flexible game in terms of roles, goals, and strategies, there are still rules that should be followed. As roles are added and updated, several sub-rules might change.

These rules are in no specific order. Note that these rules will not be universal in all Town of Salem games. These rules only apply to the web-based browser Town of Salem game, hosted by Blank Media Games.


 * No Spam: Spamming is defined as repeatedly saying the same thing in the chat in a row, usually over four or five times. Most of the time, spam is easily spotted, because the spammed text in question is either annoying or vulgar. This is a reportable action.
 * Jesters may not spam in order to get themselves lynched. Jesters that decide to do this can be reported.
 * Mafia may not spam in the mafia chat, solely for the purpose of deceiving any would-be spy.
 * Town members should not spam in order to get attention. Often times, this has the complete opposite effect of what the town member expected. Instead of the town listening to the spammer, it is possible for them to lynch the offender.


 * No Profanity: Although Town of Salem has a profanity filter available, it is sill a reportable offense if you see one town member repeatedly swearing over and over. Because moderators read not only the chat, but also wills and actions, profanity inside wills can be reported as well.
 * It is debatable exactly how much profanity is too much. If a player is unsure on whether or not the profanity is too much, then it may help them to look at the general attitude of the offender. If they do not seem to be respectful of other players and are disrupting the chat, then there is a good case for a profanity report. If they are swearing every once in a while, but otherwise exhibiting good sportsmanship, then there is less of a case.


 * No Harassment: Harassment can be summarized legally as "intentional behaviour which is found threatening or disturbing." (Wikipedia, 2015) Players often insult other players in the span of a game, but the degree of insults and the person under fire are the determining aspects of harassment. This is a reportable offense on a player or group of players.
 * If a player is repeatedly insulting and degrading another player or a group of people, then that can count as harassment. Racism and offensive language can also be harassment, although the situation it is used can vary.


 * Gamethrowing;: Several different definitions exist on the topic of gamethrowing. More often than not, the context of this rule violation relates to Intentional gamethrowing. If a player intentionally reveals information that causes their alignment,to lose a game, and if there is evidence that the player did it with malicious intent, then that is gamethrowing.


 * General acts of Gamethrowing
 * Leaving the game intentionally on the first day.
 * Leaving the game and revealing roles in your will that should otherwise be impossible to know without playing the game through.
 * Going against your alignment or your role and killing/lynching/working with others to secure their win, rather than yours.
 * Not acting, is usually not a sign of gamethrowing. Exceptions exist, and if a player is not sure about a specific incident, they are encouraged to ask in the forums or contact an administrator for clarification.


 * Town related gamethrowing: Specific to roles, it is possible for a town member to use a role to throw a game. If a vigilante shoots a mayor on purpose, that is gamethrowing, unless he was controlled by a witch. Gamethrowing also relates to a town member actively and consciously working against the town. A Jailor executing a revealed mayor on the basis of "He was annoying", is gamethrowing.


 * Mafia related gamethrowing: Mafia may not sell out another member of their team with the intent of making sure the mafia lose. It is possible for a mafia member to lynch another mafia member to try and remove suspicions, but this is rare.


 * Neutral Gamethrowing: Neutral roles are less obvious, as it is sometimes in their win condition to go against other roles. Neutrals usually have have no obligation to either side. Whatever roles or fairly obtained information revealed by a survivor to swing the game a certain direction, is not necessarily throwing the game. Often times, neutral roles are the roles who decide which direction the game will end.
 * It is possible for a neutral serial killer to sell out other serial killer, if the player does not intend to win the game. Lynching other neutrals out of spite can be gamethrowing, however, it requires the the player knows what he or she is doing. Accidents happen, and an accident is not gamethrowing.


 * Illegal use of Chat: It is a reportable offense to reveal information obtained through any other medium besides the game. Mafia in a skype call may not reveal to other mafia in the call, what they have found. Town members may not use a skype call at night to direct other members, as this is taking advantage of something the town is not supposed to use. A town working through a skype call to kill the mafia is cheating.
 * It is not illegal to use skype, google chat, or to play together on Town of Salem. However, it is illegal to use it specifically as an advantage over the rest of the players. Often times, if a player is revealed or confesses that they are on skype, the town will seek their immediate execution, regardless of what they are or what they have done.
 * The bottom line, is that if a player is in a chat outside of the game, they should not say anything about being in a chat. That action alone is already rigging several favors in favor of said player, and it presents an unfair advantage over the rest of the roles.


 * Over-emphasis on Role Playing: Although role-playing is not reportable, it can be an issue when players begin to RP over the game rules. If players decide to continue role-playing and knowingly break the rules in the "spirit of having fun", then that is not acceptable. Common sense should be used in RP, and acting is not an excuse to break the rules "in the name of fun."