The civilian opening playbook: your first 3 minutes

Civilian teams don't usually lose to Michael's mechanics — they lose to three wasted opening minutes. While he's still building Stalk on NPCs, you have a window where the map is nearly safe. Spend it like this and the rest of the night gets dramatically easier.

Minute one: the phone call

Getting the police called is the single highest-value action in the opening, and NPC calls are reliable — your job is often just getting an NPC to a working phone. Warn residents as you move; a warned NPC heading to safety is progress even when you're doing something else. If Michael is cutting phone lines early, that's information too: he's telling you which block he's working.

Minute two: lights and doors

Light is the anti-Michael resource — it drains Bloodthirst and restricts Shape Jump. As you sweep houses:

• Flip lights on in rooms you clear, especially around Special Targets.
• Lock doors behind you. A locked, lit house forces Michael to make noise to enter.
• Don't barricade yourself away from your own exits — the goal is slowing him, not trapping you.

The full defensive system has its own guide: lights, doors & noise.

Minute three: split the roles

Four players, three jobs. Say them out loud in the lobby:

1. 01

   Escort — finds and moves Special Targets toward safety. Your best awareness player (Laurie, if you have one).

2. 02

   Loot — sweeps for keys, tools, gas, and fuses so escape routes open on schedule. See escape routes & required items.

3. 03

   Prep — works the chosen escape route itself and keeps the police-call state moving.

The fourth player floats to whichever job is behind — or shadows the escort once Michael starts hunting players.

What not to do

• Don't loot the same house as a teammate; coverage beats company early.
• Don't fight Michael in the opening. Even a won fight feeds him time; the opening is for setup.
• Don't ignore NPCs to rush items — residents saved (especially Special Targets) are how you win, not just personal survival.