Would this be considered gamethowing?

[Tappytheturtler]

Me claiming Psychic in Ranked Practice.

[dolphina]

depends, classic or coven?

[Brilliand]

I do this every so often. In Classic, not Coven.

It isn't gamethrowing, though you do need to be ready with a quick explanation of why you would claim something impossible. I've found it a generally beneficial strategy, because it usually causes the Town to VFR the three randoms that I put in my "psychic will", even after it's been clearly explained that I am not actually Psychic. (The VFR then benefits the Town, which causes me to be tentatively trusted by the smarter players, which in turn makes the strategy worth using even when I'm evil.)

[3cheersforidiots]

also depends on what your actual role is

[Brilliand]

also depends on what your actual role is

I have seen some players on this forum make a good case for claiming Psychic every game regardless of your actual role.

The thing is, Psychic's actual ability (knowing that there is definitely an evil among 3 randomly-chosen people) is crap; you can have a high probability of finding an evil by just guessing 3 people completely at random. However, it has a psychological effect that helps the Town; it's a very powerful role purely because it tricks poor players into playing well.

If you have a role that doesn't need to be in the public eye (such as a Doctor), then you can help the Town by claiming Psychic and thus tricking your dumber teammates into playing well. If you have an evil role, then you can divert attention off yourself by claiming Psychic (which is easier to fakeclaim than most people think it is), and giving the Town a list of three other people to focus on so they don't get around to considering that you might be evil until D5 or so.

The case for claiming Psychic in Classic is a bit weaker, but it basically boils down to explaining to the other players that fakeclaiming Psychic helps the town, so would they please play along with my impossible fakeclaim for a little while? (I also have to give a "real" claim in this case - either my true role or a realistic fakeclaim if I'm evil.)

The only role I wouldn't fakeclaim Psychic as is Jester, but it's pretty much impossible for a Jester to gamethrow. So, I don't think it "depends on what your actual role is" - every role can claim Psychic without gamethrowing.

[kyuss420]

If you have a role that doesn't need to be in the public eye (such as a Doctor), then you can help the Town by claiming Psychic and thus tricking your dumber teammates into playing well. If you have an evil role, then you can divert attention off yourself by claiming Psychic (which is easier to fakeclaim than most people think it is), and giving the Town a list of three other people to focus on so they don't get around to considering that you might be evil until D5 or so.

In my experience, if the psychic isnt dead, or at least attacked by n3, they arent psychic....

[Brilliand]

In my experience, if the psychic isnt dead, or at least attacked by n3, they arent psychic....

Wow, really? Sounds like a good reason for unimportant townies to fakeclaim Psychic.

[kyuss420]

In my experience, if the psychic isnt dead, or at least attacked by n3, they arent psychic....

Wow, really? Sounds like a good reason for unimportant townies to fakeclaim Psychic.

some of us do.... altho finding players who think their role is unimportant, or willing to bus themselves for the greater good (while everyone calls for G/T reports) is usually hard

[cob709]

If you're claiming Psychic because you want to intentionally lose, then yeah it's gamethrowing.
But assuming you're doing it to help people VFR and actually want to lynch evils, then it's good.

[dolphina]

If you're claiming Psychic because you want to intentionally lose, then yeah it's gamethrowing.
But assuming you're doing it to help people VFR and actually want to lynch evils, then it's good.

just gonna say "agree" bc the docs weren't lying about melatonin making me sleep easier