Doctor role in Mafia

Citizens teamWe call it WidowHas a night ability

Also known as: Healer, Medic

The Citizens' protective role. Each night picks one player; if Mafia tries to kill them that night, they survive. Usually can't protect the same player two nights in a row. In our game this niche is filled by the Widow — same restriction applies.

Abilities and night actions

The Doctor is the only protective role in classic Mafia. Each night the Doctor picks a player, and if Mafia attacks that player, they survive. Standard rules forbid protecting the same player two nights in a row — prevents permanent shielding of one key Citizen.

How to play

The Doctor's job is guessing who Mafia attacks next. Non-trivial: you don't know exactly who threatens Mafia most. Shield the Sheriff (if revealed), active accusers, and players who know too much.

Don't self-protect every night — predictable, and Mafia will alternate targets. Sometimes self-protection is right, especially after a near-miss.

If you saved someone, don't announce it. Survival info is gold for the Mafia — they realize you're the Doctor and kill you next. Hint subtly instead.

Key rule

Protect players who threaten the Mafia — the Seer, active accusers, known strong players.

This role in Mafia de los Muertos

In our game the Doctor analog is the Widow. Same mechanism: pick a player to protect each night, no repeats. Different name, different theme (City of the Dead — Widow avenges her dead husband), but functionally the same role.

See also:

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