Crunkus wrote:In the end this is a cost-benefit situation. You need to consider not just what the cost of such and action is, but what the benefits are carefully and with specificity. It is one of the things that varies GREATLY from game to game depending on the rules, and what works for one game does not necessarily work for another as a strategy. The only thing that really doesn't work is adopting a philosophy and applying that evenly to all games. This robs the town of a chance to see how you interact with the rules of the game (since you aren't really considering them at all in your decision) and likely leads to poor choices in many cases.
I really can't agree more with this. There is a definite cost-benefit game being played with reveals, and it depends on the rules of the game. It's easy to speak in platitudes about "rules on reveals"; it takes more thought to think about what the consequences for certain reveals are in a certain game, but that's the only thing that is important.
And to add to something Crunkus also pointed out: if you think it through and come to the conclusion that you should keep a piece of information under wraps, remember that decision throughout all phases of the game. If it's important to stay hidden day 1, it's likely important to stay hidden day 2. If it's important to stay hidden in thread, it's likely important to stay hidden in any PMs, especially if you are not guaranteed your communication partner is town. Approach things systematically, with clear reasons. You'll be less likely to fool yourself (or at least you'll be honest with yourself on how you arrived at a certain conclusion), and it will be easier to explain to others.
I think people often try to use reveals as a way of establishing trust with others. It's not a good way of doing it: it is lazy for town, and easy for scum to fake.
