More often than not metagaming is a scummy way to trick someone into admitting they're a hacker, and even worse - if you've played the game long enough it's going to have no effect whatsoever: yet some blindly trust based on these 'tests'.

However, in some cases metagaming has ended up being an integral part of Mindnight with general acceptance of strategies like hacker protocol, anticlockwise proposals, and the :p test.

For those that keep catching you out, this guide contains an agent UI reference, common metagaming tactics, and tips on how others might try to gain an advantage.

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Guide Version 1.3
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1.3 - More changes to the wording of the guide
1.2 - Reworded things to be less pretentious
1.1 - Added hacker protocol, grouped Agent UI into single section
1.0 - Initial release

Screenshot:

Transcription:

Note:
'X' represents the amount of nodes remaining on your team.
Even when only 1 node remains, the 's' on 'Nodes' is not dropped.


Example Screenshot:


Transcription:

Note:
The agent icon contains the letters NTF, standing for Node Task Force.
The red text below your identity only appears on agents.


Screenshot:

Transcription:

Since MINDNIGHT is free, new players are fairly common, but experienced hackers wearing the default skin (on the left here) can play so badly on purpose - accepting out of node, making random accusations, proposing known hacked nodes etc - that everyone just thinks they're a new agent.

One way that people can find the difference between a faker and a real newbie is to ask them this:

This is called the :p test, and it's because text emotes are replaced by MINDNIGHT's own emojis when you obtain them. The :p emoji is awarded to players at level 5, so you can tell if someone's new to the game, or a noobfaker.

Are both you and your hacker buddy in a node? No idea whether to secure or hack? Don't panic! There's ways to make sure only one person hacks it:


However, what if both hackers aren't the one who proposed the node? That's where the terms 'Alpha' and 'Beta' hacker come in. If a hacker has secured (Beta) or hacked (Alpha) first in a previous node, they repeat that action. The other does the opposite. Alphas are the ones who will take priority when hacking; the other is a Beta. So:


But what if you've both never been in a node before? You can't straight up tell the other person to hack, but you can be more discreet:


If you think your buddy is going to pick up on it, you could try to signal a keyword or emote, but I wouldn't rely on it 100% of the time.

If you're unsure whether your buddy is aware of protocol (most are), then don't hack. 2 hacks in the same node is a death sentence for hackers in 5 or 6 man games - it's always better to play it safe unless you absolutely have to hack.

To combat protocol and get more information, agents could propose nodes without themselves in, and where noone has been in a node previously. This is only possible in the first 2 nodes.

(yes, this is a screenshot of the player's Agent UI)





Hall of shame will be expanded on as I encounter more salty Level 30s in the wild.
If there's any other tactics you want me to add to the guide, just ask.

Stay safe, and remember kids... - snowmen are always hackers.

...always.