I don't consider Godfather to be arbitrary results interference as results are only interfered concerning the Godfather. It isn't Normal, but it isn't strategically bastard.
Investigatives not being self-aware of their targets is something I consider strategically bastard as that basically makes every redirection role also an arbitrary results interference role.
Strategically bastard games can make bad strategies winning ones, however strategically bastard likely won't have a toggle as it's nebulous and idk the demand for Themes that are specifically not strategically bastard.
Strategically bastard usually isn't considered bastard.
There is zero overlap between strategically bastard and Normal. Nothing Normal is strategically bastard, and if there is, something needs to be done about it.
Things that probably are strategically bastard:
Arbitrary results interference (roles like
Framer,
Jammer, and
Psychotrooper that can alter results not concerning that player.)
Action redirection (even if investigatives are self-aware of their actual targets, this still can cause massive WIFOM)
Random resolution / RNG (having to rely on luck isn't a good strategy)
Anything which significantly affects the core mechanic of majority/plurality eliminations (such as Governor, Kingmaker, or Diplomat)
Divulged non-randomness (if a game is a uPick for example, it is strategically bastard)
Known holes in information that should be known (Janitor and Mysterious Conduit are examples)
Heavy "Flavor Matters" (you need to know the flavor to play well type deals)
Roles/Mechanics that punish normally good play (the heart of strategic bastardy imo. This includes stuff like Jester, Beloved Princess, and Super Saint)
Mechanically bastard is when the game starts to not be trustworthy. Forget not trusting "playing Mafia like you normally would", a mechanically bastard game will make you not trust even the frame work of the game. Mechanically bastard also includes mechanics that are widely considered to be unfair to the players. A sure sign of a game being mechanically bastard is when you start to doubt the moderator's trustworthiness or fairness.
The only thing you can trust in a mechanically bastard game is that the moderator follows their script, so to speak.
Things that probably are mechanically bastard:
Mid-game alignment changes (Cults for example)
Moderator dishonesty (Non-Reliable anything, Death Miller, false Role PMs, false setup info, you name it)
Anything which significantly affects the core mechanic of posting (post restrictions, lie detectors, and "posting matters" roles)
Secret win conditions (even if it's a known hole in information, the wincon is needed to play properly)
Game-ending otherwise benign 3Ps (losing because of a Jester is bad, and it counts as a secret win con to not let the Jester get eliminated)
Fundamentally bastard is when the moderator crosses the red line. The moderator is no longer a neutral arbiter and facilitator of the game, but now has their hands in the game. Never trust anything in a fundamentally bastard game.
A fundamentally bastard game takes the basic expectation of trust and smashes it with a hammer. Fundamentally bastard games are ruled entirely by a moderator's whims.
Things that are fundamentally bastard:
Direct mod influence (this is when the moderator exerts undue influence on the game. Stuff like giving players advice, fudging night action resolution, the mod acting as a player, the mod giving info that shouldn't be given out, the mod abusing moderator tools, etc.)
Undivulged non-randomness (is equivalent to direct mod influence)
Ways to discuss the game outside its threads (violates the basic expectation that you aren't allowed to discuss ongoing games)
Adding players midgame (if mod picks players, this is equivalent to direct mod influence)
Non-players directly influencing the game (violates the basic expectation that people are not to affect games they aren't in)
