LML wrote:What is the play next night? Should the mafia target the cop? or someone who they get a "doctor tell" from?
These questions offer a limited strategy set, and any scum worth their salt will have created other options.
The most obvious strategy -the fingered scum should claim a protective role before the lynch- is too common to effectively flush out the doc. However, there are other options...
Sullying the cop's reputation can dissuade protection, especially if you can paint a realistic fake-claim-bus scenario without seeming like you believe it yourself. Presenting other protection options is also a viable strategy. Vig fake-claims come to mind.
If the scum have a gf, he should get himself investigated and claim a protective role within the next night/day cycle, probably better if the claim comes before the investigation. Non gfs need to keep themselves clean to keep the cop away from them.
I've had a lot of luck buddying to the cop. The thing about keeping a cop alive is that you know the town will follow him, so it makes the game predictable. If you can keep his investigations on those who will come up innocent and then NK his confirmed innocents, you can keep the playing field even until the doc is flushed or until it is determined that there is no protective role.
All you need is a day or two to push for mass-claim, and the game is in the bag.
The cop has to be killed before endgame, but targeting him that night is a risky move that is likely to cripple your team no matter who he investigates.