We haven't really discussed No Lynching in a long time, mostly because there hasn't been an occasion since the idea's been raised where I thought it useful to point out the flaws in the reasoning behind it. I think I've even joked via NB to a few people about how it was based on flawed reasoning.

No lynching on Day 1, as a regular policy, is a bad idea. But there are occasions where it can be tactically wise, and yes I specifically mean on Day 1. I've previously supported it or not objected to it because I was either the mod or a DF, or on the two occasions since we started this policy that I've been a townie, I thought we had good day 1 candidates, this is vindicated since on both those occasions we lynched a DF on Day 1.

If nothing else, we should explain why it is a good/bad policy since we have newer players and frankly it's been around a year since we last discussed this policy in any detail

Here are my assertions:

1. In any game where you have strong reason to believe the scum are not a single united faction, a day 1 No Lynch or stretch to the deadline is a pro-town tactic and a pro-game tactic, so long as the majority of players are still willing to lynch anyone who appears significantly more prob-scum then random and are still willing to threaten lynch on those who do not cooperate with day-time investigations. Insofar as the reason to vote no lynch instead of waiting for the deadline is to avoid wasting time and shedding bored players, our tendency to use flexible deadlines that kick in on post-slumps eliminates many of the useful purposes of a no lynch, but not all.

2. A day 1 near-random lynch is less likely to get a townie than a purely random lynch is, and a purely random lynch is anti-town unless used strictly as a threat with teeth against post-slumpage and lurking.

3. Never Lynch anyone who isn't either A) Viewed as significantly more likely to be a scummer than random, B) Behaving in an anti-town or anti-game fashion.

Note: For those wondering, anti-town is behavior which - even if produced by a townie - is against the town's best interests. Anti-game behavior is anything which damages the game itself. In case you're curious, I view the latter as worse, even when I'm town, the former obviously doesn't bug me if I'm mod, DF, or 3rd party. A regular tendency to no lynch on Day 1 is not anti-town, though it can be - it is very anti-game.

Individual day 1 no lynches can be profitable for the Town, it just depends on the circumstances, only regular usage without restriction is anti-town or anti-game. A Day 1 Lynch of anyone who has not exhibited anti-town or scummer behavior is never a good idea, unless specifically being used to prevent weak defenses, lurking, or a failure to press cases and investigate... however, those are all anti-town behaviors, and thus do not actually represent exceptions.