Mafia Wars Tips and Strategy Blog » Mafia Wars Moscow

Moscow Mastery – The Ultimate Mafia Wars Moscow Guide

Phillip Scott — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:30:28 +0000

Today I’ve got something that should help you out immensely with getting through Moscow as quick as possible. I’ve decided to write this complete guide to Moscow which you can keep as your own personal aid and refer back to whenever you don’t know what to do next or just want to get through the game as quick as possible.

I had originally planned to sell this guide for $30 or so but I felt I’d serve everyone a lot better to just give it away for free, as I love to see others having so much fun playing Mafia Wars, winning fights with ease and blasting past their friends in leveling speed.

Without further ado, here’s the guide…

Getting to Moscow

First things first so let’s learn how to get to Moscow in the first place.

The minimum level requirement for travel to Moscow is level 70. If you are under this level you can technically travel there but all you will see is the greeting screen. You will not get the achievement for going there or be awarded your first business.

If you meet the minimum level requirement then you simply mouseover the travel menu at the top center of the page and click on Moscow.

Earning R$

Moscow is just like the Cuba expansion in that your New York American Dollars do not carry over and you must earn pesos (C$) while on the island. Russia uses Rubles (R$) and works exactly the same as in Cuba.

Upon arrival you will be given your first business:

Unlicensed Taxi Stand

Capacity: 800
Output: 100 every 3 hours

To begin earning R$ you must complete jobs and / or fight other players.

Game Play

Mafia Wars Moscow has the exact same game play mechanics as both the original game and the Cuba expansion. The big difference is in how progression works.

In New York and Cuba you can skip around job tiers as long as you meet the level requirements for each tier. It does not work that way in Moscow. Moscow progression is a linear path, you must complete one episode before you can begin another.

A new feature in Moscow that I am quite impressed with is the ability to ask for help on certain jobs. This differs from New York and Cuba in that not only will you gain experience by asking for help those who answer the call actually help you complete the job mastery bar. When many respond you can nearly complete the mastery level in one or 2 clicks.

Moscow Businesses

As I stated above when you arrive in Moscow you will be given an Unlicensed Taxi Stand to start your business enterprises. More businesses become available as you progress through the episodes. These Include

Cigarette Smuggling Ring
Black-Market Car Lot
Munitions Trading Camp
Trafficking Operation
And Others

One thing that you will notice rather quickly is that Moscow businesses are very expensive to upgrade. This is much like it was back in Cuba but money is a bit more plentiful in Moscow. Even though money is bigger it will still be very tight for quite some time since the items that you need for jobs are much more expensive as well.

Consumables Needed for Jobs

Moscow is no different than any other part of Mafia Wars…you will need consumables and lots of them. Here is a list of some of the consumables that you will need in Moscow

Untraceable Cell Phone (New York Item but also drop from Moscow Jobs)Moscow Jobs:
Episode 1 – Arrange A Drug Shipment for the Mafiya
Concealable Camera (See above)Moscow Jobs:
Episode 1 – Smuggle Consumer Electronics for the Vory
Dossier on Dimitri
Set of Photos of Karpov

If you have not reached level 70 yet you might want to start building up a good supply of untraceable cell phones and concealable cameras in New York with any spare energy that you have. It will make life a bit easier in the great white north.

Moscow Collections

Collections are a big part of the game and since Zynga has given us the ability to re-vault items for boosts they are even more important.

Here are some screen shots of the collections from the Moscow Expansion. Since they are screenshots they are copyright Zynga.

Vault = 6 Defense

Re-Vault = Temporary Tattoo (+42 Fight Defense Skill)

Vault = 7 Energy

Re-Vault = Hidden Matryoshka (-20 Job Energy Cost)

Vault = 4 Attack Skill

Re-Vault = Political Favor (+60 Robbing Defense Skill)

Vault = 4 Stamina

Re-Vault = Liquid Courage (+44 Attack Skill)

Vault = 10 Health

Re-Vault = Berlin Wall Section (+46 Fight Defense Skill)

Vault = 8 Energy

Re-Vault = Faberge hen (-24 Job Energy Costs)

Picking a Side in Moscow

Unlike Cuba or New York you will have to pick a side in Moscow. There are two competing factions, the Vory V Zakone and the Mafiya. Each group has their own history and advantages and disadvantages.

Vory V Zakone

Mafia Wars Moscow is the new expansion from Zynga and is one of the hottest new releases in the gaming industry. While gaming on social networks may not receive the massive publicity and attention that MMO (Massively Multi-Player Online) games benefit from, they are none the less one of the most popular types of games in the world today.

The Moscow expansion presents the player with access to Russia but forces them to choose sides between the Russian Mafiya and the Vory V Zakone. I was always taught to make an informed choice and I am passing that on to you by offering a bit of detail on each group. Yesterday we learned about the Mafiya and today I will give you some background on the Vory V Zakone.

Vory V Zakone translates into “Thieves in Law”, and organization that is arguably the elite of the Russian organized crime world.

There have been criminals in areas of Russia and the former USSR for centuries, but during the Russian Revolution of 1917 these criminal elements became more powerful and were known collectively as vorovskoy mir or “thieves’ world”.

After the revolution of 1917 the Soviet Union was brought back into order and the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs or NKVD nearly brought the criminal element to its knees by imprisoning or killing most of them. However those who were sent into the Russian gulag became galvanized and arose as what we now know as the vory v zakone.

Like their cousins the Mafiya, vory v zakone flourished following the breakup of the Soviet Union by infiltrating the top political and economic areas of Russia and the post-Soviet countries. Members of the group are given title by other members and in order to remain in their appointed position of power must abide by the code. The penalty for ignoring the code can be at best mutilation and at worst death.

The Thief’s Code

1.) Forsake his relatives–mother, father, brothers, sisters.
2.) Not have a family of his own — no wife, no children; this does not however, preclude him from having a lover.
3.) Never, under any circumstances work, no matter how much difficulty this brings-, live only on means gleaned from thievery.
4.) Help other thieves — both by moral and material support, utilizing the commune of thieves.
5.) Keep secret information about the whereabouts of accomplices (i.e. dens, districts, hideouts, safe apartments, etc.).
6.) In unavoidable situations (if a thief is under investigation) to take the blame for someone else’s crime; this buys the other person time of freedom.
7.) Demand convocation of inquiry for the purpose of resolving disputes in the event of a conflict between oneself and other thieves, or between thieves.
8.) If necessary, participate in such inquiries.
9.) Carry out the punishment of the offending thief as decided by the convocation.
10.) Not resist carrying out the decision of punishing the offending thief who is found guilty, with punishment determined by the convocation.
11.) Have good command of the thieves’ jargon (”Fehnay”).
12.) Not gamble without being ability to cover losses.
13.) Teach the trade to young beginners.
14.) Have, if possible, informants from the rank and file of thieves.
15.) Not lose your reasoning ability when using alcohol.
16.) Have nothing to do with the authorities (particularly with the ITU, Correctional Labor Authority), not participate in public activities, nor join any community organizations.
17.) Not take weapons from the hands of authorities; not serve in the military.
18.) Make good on promises given to other thieves.

The vory v zakone live and die by the code.

The vory v zakone have been in existence since the early 20th century but criminal activity has been distributed throughout the Russia and the regions, countries, and territories which made up the former USSR for centuries. These elements became the vory v zakone following the revolution of 1917 and began in the Soviet gulag system. The vory live and die by the Thief’s Code.

The Russian Mafiya

When venturing to new and exciting areas is it always best to learn a bit about the area and the major players who are vying for control before diving in. Today we will learn a bit about the Mafiya.

In Russia the terms Russkaya Mafiya, Krasnaya Mafiya, and Bravata are often translated as Mafiya. These three organized crime syndicates all originate in the old USSR and since its collapse in the fall of 1991 they have amassed considerable influence and a worldwide power base.

Organized crime has been part of Russian history since the time of Imperial Russia and the Tsars. During the early days they criminal aspect was made up of bandits and thieves known as Vory v Zakone or “Thieves in Law” (more on them later in this article series).

In the 1990’s during the fall of the Soviet Union the country was economically devastated and thus the criminal element flourished. KGB agents, war veterans, and others found themselves in high demand. They had knowledge in areas that proved very useful in criminal organizations.

In the late 90’s the now “westernized” criminal element was solidified by Semion Mogilevich into what we now know as the Mafiya. Gone was the code of honor that had been the foundation of Russian organized crime and tradition was set aside. The Russian Mafiya was all but a clone of its western counterpart, though a quite vicious clone it was.

Semion Mogilevich was a very powerful and dangerous man. In fact the FBI considered him the “Boss of all Bosses” controlling most of the Russian Mafiya syndicates world wide, and the most powerful crime boss in the world. More powerful even than those from the Sicilian, New York, Triad, and all other world wide gangs.

As criminal organizations go it would seem that the Russian Mafiya has its fingers in just about any criminal activity that one might imagine. Arms trafficking, blackmailing, bombings, charity fraud, computer hacking, identity theft, murder, extortion, and prostitution are but a few of these activities.

The Mafiya is made up of criminal elements from the KGB, Soviet Military, and many other areas of the former Soviet Union. The new Mafiya differs from its counterpart the Vory v Zakone in that it does not honor the old traditions and codes of honor and conduct for its members. The Mafiya is as cold blooded as they come and are much like its western counterparts.

Who Should You Join?

The choice that must be made is between joining the modern Russian Mafiya or the more traditional Vory v Zakone. The big question that all players seem to have is which faction is better? This is a question that Zynga is very little help on since there really is not any detailed information about either. After reading this article you will be a bit more informed and will be able to use the knowledge to make a more informed choice.

Many people have said that it makes no difference which faction you choose however there are differences between them. Once forced to choose a side players discover that many things are different. Rewards, loot, and experience vs. energy ratio are the important things.

Purely going off the loot you receive for each faction here are the sides I’d pick for each episode:

Episode 1 – Baklany – Mafiya – They have the Molotok Pistol which is better than the Cherepakha in defense and the Cherepakha is outclassed by most vehicles in Cuba.

Episode 2 – Boets – Mafiya – The loot is pretty similar but the Vory need 40 more concealable cameras to get through their missions (which takes a while).

Episode 3 – Brigadir – Mafiya – The Volk Luxury Sedan has half decent defense and is only -8 points less defense than the best defensive vehicle in the game. While the Vory’s loot is the Taiga Combat Shotgun whose attack is -11 less than the best attacking weapon in the game.

Episode 4 – Avtoritet – Vory – The Shturmovik is currently the best offensive armor in the game and the Mafiya require 62 more untraceable cell phones.

Episode 5 – Vor – Either – The Ubijca Assault Rifle which is a vor only weapon is currently the best weapon in the game but is only +1 attack over TNT / Canonazo. The Klyk-9 is +8 more defense than the current best defensive weapon but is bested by the Zmeya Carbon Blade in episode 6.

Episode 6 – Go the opposite to Episode 5 – The Zmeya Carbon Blade is fantastic if you picked Vor in Episode 5 and missed out on the Klyk-9. If you picked Mafiya in Episode 5 go Vor as the Konstantin Cargo Carrier is currently the best vehicle in the game and there is little point in getting the Blade as it is only slightly better than the Klyk-9 from episode 5.

Moscow Job Guide

Episode 1 – Baklany

Baklany – Episode 1 – Chapter 1

Job	Payout	Energy	Experience	Ratio
Smuggle Consumer Electronics for the Vory	R$74,060	40	71	1.78


Loot – Concealable Camera

Arrange a Drug Shipment for the Mafiya	R$64,400	35	62	1.78


Loot – Untraceable Cell Phone

Fight Off An Ultra-National Gang	R$108,192	99	134	1.35


Loot – None

Baklany – Episode 1 – Chapter 2

Kidnap A Local Gang Leader for the Vory	R$76,670	41	73	1.78


Loot – None

Kill a Local Gang Leader for the Mafiya	R$76,670	41	73	1.78


Loot – None

Vory V Zakone Path
Collect the Ransom	R$40,250	44	74	1.68


Loot – Cherepakha Compct

Receive Vory Intel on Dimitri	R$64,400	35	63	1.80


Loot – Dossier on Dimitri

Mafiya Path
Collect the Hit Payoff	R$45,080	49	84	1.71


Loot – Molotok Pistol

Buy Mafiya Intel on Dimitri	R$83,720	46	82	1.78


Loot – Dossier on Dimitri

Baklany – Episode 1 – Chapter 3

Threaten A Gang’s Supplier	R$93,380	51	92	1.80


Loot – None

Hijack An Arms Shipment From A Militant Gang	R$53,935	59	105	1.78


Loot – RU-7 .45 Pistol

Baklany – Episode 1 – Finale

Hospitalize Some Nationalists	R$122,360	71	120	1.69


Loot – None

Confront Gang Leader Dimitri Leonov	R$1,150,000	67	120	1.79


Loot – None

Episode 2 – Boets

Boets – Episode 2 – Chapter 2

Fix A Local Election for the Vory	R$189,750	58	106	1.82


Loot – None

Abduct A Candidate’s Wife for the Mafiya	R$189,750	58	103	1.77


Loot – None

Vory V Zakone Path
Extract A Favor From the Winner	R$167,325	89	148	1.66


Loot – Severnyy Olen Snowbike

Catch Karpov Accepting a Bribe	R$221,375	68	122	1.79


Loot – Set of Photos of Karpov

Mafiya Path
Convince The Candidate to Withdraw	R$155,250	80	139	1.74


Loot – RAS-15

Kill An Investigative Reporter	R$215,625	66	118	1.78


Loot – Set of Photos of Karpov

Boets – Episode 2 – Chapter 3

Pay Of the Port Authority in Arkhangelisk	R$163,875	50	89	1.78


Loot – None

Re-route An Equipment Shipment	R$138,000	71	123	1.73


Loot – PNV

Boets – Episode 2 – Finale

Circulate Damaging Photos	R$284,625	88	159	1.80


Loot – None

Take Down Party Boss Karpov	R$1,150,000	67	120	1.79


Loot – None

Episode 3 – Bragidir

Bragidir – Episode 3 – Chapter 2

Take A Guard Hostage During Your Escape	R$367,770	72	130	1.80


Loot – None

Execute A Bank Guard Druing Your Escape	R$367,770	72	130	1.80


Loot – None

Vory V Zakone Path
Use the Guard’s Keys To Access the Bank Armory	R$313,950	93	163	1.75


Loot – Taiga Combat Shotgun

Borrow The Guard’s Uniform After Releasing Him	R$394,680	78	136	1.74


Loot – Bank Guard Uniform

Mafiya Path
Steal the Bank President’s Car keys	R$296,010	88	154	1.75


Loot – Volk Luxury Sedan

Strip A Uniform Off the Corpse	R$408,135	80	140	1.75


Loot – Bank Guard uniform

Bragidir – Episode 3 – Chapter 3

Blackmail A Secretary For An Exec’s Ininerary	R$430,560	85	149	1.75


Loot – None

Dispose of a RossijaBanc Exec At Sea	R$266,110	79	137	1.73


Loot – Shchuka Speed Boat

Bragidir – Episode 3 – Finale

Replace a Guard With Your Own Man	R$525,230	105	192	1.83


Loot – None

Fire Bank President Gregor Belikov	R$1,150,000	67	120	1.79


Loot – None

Episode 4 – Avtoritet

Avtoritet – Episode 4 – Chapter 1

Job		Payout	Energy	Experience	Ratio
Manage An Escort Service Catering to Soldiers		R$714,840	98	176	1.79


Loot – None

Support The Habit of A Procurement Officer	R$575,000		111	198	1.78


Loot – RU-78 Heavy Machine Gun

Ransack A Defense Contractor’s Office		R$765,072	176	245	1.39


Loot – None

Avtoritet – Episode 4 – Chapter 2

Fly to The Siberian Military District		R$759,920	105	187	1.78


Loot – None

Tavel to The Volga Military District		R$759,920	105	187	1.78


Loot – None

Vory V Zakone Path
Rob a Troop Convoy		R$496,980	96	166	1.73


Loot – Shturmovik

Intercept The Base’s Pay Shipment		R$676,200	93	166	1.78


Loot – Officer Corps Paycheck

Mafiya Path
Arrange The Sale of Weapons-Grade Explosives		R$547,400	105	184	1.75


Loot -Orel Armered Helicopter

Capitalize On An Officer’s Gambling Problem		R$689,080	95	169	1.78


Loot – Officer Corps Paycheck

Avtoritet – Episode 4 – Chapter 3

Make Connections With An Arms Dealer		R$792,120	109	195	1.79


Loot – None

Transport Some Stolen Military Hardware		R$575,000	111	192	1.73


Loot – None

Avtoritet – Episode 4 – Finale

Buy Off the General’s Command Team		R$862,960	119	218	1.83


Loot – None

Forcibly Demote General Osipov		R$1,150,000	67	120	1.79


Loot – None

Episode 5 – Vor

Vor – Episode 5 – Chapter 1

Job	Payout	Energy	Experience	Ratio
Stop A Terrorist Attack In Moscow	R$1,013,840	103	185	1.80


Loot – None

Discover Who Was Responsible	R$812,820	110	198	1.80


Loot – Arkticheskij Gus

hunt Down a Ural Liberation Front Contact	R$1,127,460	191	268	1.40


Loot – None

Vor – Episode 5 – Chapter 2

Infiltrate The ULF Cell	R$1,153,680	117	210	1.79


Loot – None
Note: Choose Vory with this job

Discover The Location Of The Next ULF Attack	R$1,153,680	117	210	1.79


Loot – None
Note: Choose Mafiya with this job

Vory V Zakone Path
Help Plan The Next Attack	R$793,155	107	186	1.74


Ubijca Assault Rifle

Sabotage The Plan Form the Inside	R$1,109,980	113	203	1.80


Stick Of Dynamite

Mafiya Path
Kill A Lookout	R$839,040	113	198	1.75


Klyk-9 Machine Pistol

Stop the ULF Attack	R$1,144,940	116	209	1.80


Stick of Dynamite

Vor – Episode 5 – Chapter 3

Torture A ULF Lieutenant	R$1,048,800	106	190	1.79


Loot – None

Look For The Boss’ Mountain Hideout	R$994,925	120	209	1.74


Osa 17 Snowmobile

Vor – Episode 5 – Finale

Start An Avalanche Above The Terrorist Camp	R$1,267300	129	238	1.84


Loot – None

Battle Sonya The Wolf Bassinov

Episode 6 – Pakhan

Pakhan – Episode 6 – Chapter 1

Job	Payout	Energy	Experience	Ratio
Foil The Sabotage Of Your Moacow Holdings	R$1,644,500	115	209	1.82


Loot – None

Acquire Classified Files On Crime Syndicates	R$1,234,640	108	196	1.81


Executive Overcoat

Gun Down Some Russian Muscle	R$1,806,420	211	299	1.42


Loot – None

Pakhan – Episode 6 – Chapter 2

Attack A Mafiya Business	R$1,720,400	121	218	1.80


Loot – None
Note: Choose this Job for Vory Faction

Burn Down A Vory Safehouse	R$1,720,400	121	218	1.80


Loot – None
Note: Choose this Job for Mafiya Faction

Vory V Zakone Path
Hijack A Mafiya Cargo	R$1,356,080	119	208	1.75


Loot – Konstantin Cargo Carrier

Threaten A Mafiya Moneyman’s Family	R$1,606,550	113	205	1.81


Loot – Mansion Details

Mafiya Path
Hit A Vory Nightclub	R$1,295,360	113	199	1.76


Loot -Zemeya Carbon Blade

Break Into An Architect’s Office	R$1,295,360	119	215	1.80


Loot – Mansion Details

Pakhan – Episode 6 – Chapter 3

Take Over A West-Bound Trafficking Pipeline	R$1,771,000	124	226	1.82


Loot – None

Ship Black-Market Caviar To London	R$1,386,440	121	219	1.81


Loot – Zoloto Sports Car

Pakhan – Episode 6 – Finale

Assault the Mansion Walls	R$1,872,200	131	246	1.88


Loot – None

Forcibly Demote General Osipov

Moscow Loot

Loot is an important aspect of Mafia Wars in all of its aspects so here is a list with the loot from Moscow.

Mafia Wars Moscow Loot
Episode 1 – Baklany
	Name			Attack		Defense
	RU-7 .45 Pistol			25		23
	Barsuk SUV			36		52

Episode 2 – Boets
	Name			Attack		Defense
	Ballistic Knife			20		28
	Boss Karpov’s Pistol			50		38
	PNV			21		31

Episode 3 – Bragidir
	Name			Attack		Defense
	Armored Briefcase			25		36
	Ex-KGB Bodyguard			48		30
	Shchuka Speed Boat			36		22

Episode 4 – Avtoritet
	Name			Attack		Defense
	Razoritel Grenade Launcher			34		15
	RU-78 Heavy Machine Gun			36		12
	Cossack Armored Vest			18		48

Episode 5 – Vor
		Name	Attack		Defense
		ZPR Palemut	29		64
		Arkticheskij Gus’	22		42
		Osa 17 Snowmobile	38		24

Episode 6 – Pakhan
		Name	Attack		Defense
		Executive Overcoat	22		45
		The Drakon	54		22
Vory V Zakone Loot
		Name	Attack		Defense
		Cherepakha Compact (Baklany)	18		25
		Severnyy Clan Snowbike (Boets)	32		20
		Taiga Combat Shotgun	32		20
		Shturmovik (Avtoritet)	45		28
		Ubijca Assault Rifle (Vor)	43		18
		Konstantin Cargo Carrier (Pakhan)	18		44

Mafiya Loot
		Name	Attack		Defense
		Molotok Pistol	22		26
		RAS -15	30		18
		Volk Luxury Sedan (Brigadir)	24		36
		Orel Armored Helicopter	24		40
		Klyk-9 Machine Pistol	21		43
		Zmeya Carbon Blade	28		44

Conclusion

My goal in this guide was not to take you by the hand and lead you through the snow in Moscow. It was to give you solid information that will give you the ability to make informed decisions on your own.

I hope this guide has helped you immensely and feel free to share it around by clicking the share buttons below or telling a friend or two who is struggling to get through Moscow right now

How To Save Money And Lower Bribe Penalties In Moscow

Phillip Scott — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:54:36 +0000

We all know that Rubles are hard to come by in Moscow and that the items needed for jobs are WAY over priced ..I mean who ever heard of a riot helmet costing millions? In this article I will give you the low down on how you can save money by dumping the items that you were forced to purchase along the way and in some cases doing this will lower your bribe penalty and allow you to keep more of what you worked so hard to earn.

Each of the items listed below can be sold as soon as you master the episode.

Episode 1 – Baklany

The big item to dump in this episode is the Dubina. You are required to buy 6 of them and that is a big chunk of change and you will lose $R1.5 Million on the sale but in the process you will cut your bribe penalty by 3%. While that might not sound like much it will pay off in the long run by letting you keep R$50 million in the long run simply by eliminating some of the penalty.

The downside to this is that Dubina’s are once again required in Episode 5 but by selling them now you will earn more money and be able to purchase them again later with ease.

Episode 2 – Boets

You can sell off 6 taksi and the Dvinas that you had to purchase for this episode. Once again selling off the Dvinas will lower your bribe penalty allowing you to keep more of what you earn.

You can also sell off all of the Pistolet Besshumnyj that you have acquired unless you feel really attached to them.

Episode 3 – Bragadir

Dvina, balaclava, and motorsykl are the items that can get the heave ho this time. Selling off the dvinas lower your bribe penalty and more money is important in Moscow.

If you go vory from a min/max perspective which most players do you may want to hold on to the Shturmovik and Ubijca Assault rifle because they are the best attack items so far.

Episode 4 – Avtoritet

When you complete this episode you can sell off the track suits and forest camo suits as they are no longer needed and not required to finish the remaining episodes of Moscow.

Episode 5 – Vor

At the conclusion of the Vor episode you might want to dump the Lisitsa 32 sedans, bronezhilets, riot helmets, KRZ8, forest camo suits, Shturmovavy Vintovka, BYK-922, Boevy Nozh, RAS-28 Sub Machine Gun and once again Dubinas.

Get your bribe penalty as low as you can and start stuffing that bank account with Rubles because episode 6, like all of Moscow is expensive.

One important thing to do is stock up on consumables BEFORE selling this equipment off.

Episode 6 – Pakhan

You can sell off everything from this episode except the Sokel Helicopters they are used for farming loot.

All of this is subjective to how you play. You may want to hold on to some items for any number of reasons and that is completely your call. This is just an example of how I did it with one of my characters.

A Note of Caution: I advise the selling of these items as a way to lower your bribe penalty and keep more money in your account since as it stands the items with the exception of Dubinas are no longer needed to complete the rest of the episodes but there is always a chance that Zynga will surprise us with added episodes as they did tiers in Cuba, so use at your own risk.

Moscow Episode 1 – 4 Collections Guide

Phillip Scott — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:01:08 +0000

When Zynga delivered Mafia Wars Moscow to us not so long ago along with it came the inevitable collections. Collections are nice in that they give bonuses to a number of stats that help increase the enjoyment of the game. More energy, stamina, attack, and Defense is always a good thing.

Not long ago the concept of “re-vaulting” was introduced as well. Re-vaulting enables players to have a use to the mountain of collections items that are amassed simply by playing the game. Instead of sitting on 500 or more ace of clubs they can now be used to give one time use bonuses.

Moscow provides some interesting collections for players to gather and use including prison tattoos, matryoshka dolls, Russian leader medals, and vodka drinks. Take a look at the collections below and you will be up to speed on the Moscow offering as it stands at this time.

Baklany Episode – Prison Tattoos

Vault Bonus: 6 Defense
Boost (Re-Vaulting): Temporary Tattoo – (+42 Fight Defense skill)

Items In Collection

Rose Tattoo
Church Tattoo
Star Tattoo
Spider Tattoo
Tiger Tattoo
Skull Tattoo
Crucifix Tattoo

Boets Episode – Matryoshka Dolls

Vault Bonus: 7 Energy
Boost (Re-Vaulting): Hidden Matryoshka – (-20 job energy cost)

Items In Collection

Natalya’s Doll
Olga’s Doll
Oksana’s Doll
Svetlana’s Doll
Tatyana’s Doll
Anastasiya’s Doll
Ekaterina’s Doll

Brigadir Episode – Russian Leaders Collection

Vault Bonus: 4 Attack
Boost (Re-Vaulting): Political Favor (+60 robbing defense skill)

Items In Collection

Medal of Gorbachev
Medal of Yeltsin
Medal of Brezhnev
Medal of Kruschev
Medal of Putin
Medal of Stalin
Medal of Lenin

Avoritet Episode – Vodka Drinks Collection

Vault Bonus: 4 Stamina
Boost (Re-Vaulting): Liquid Courage (+44 attack skill)

Items In Collection

Cosmopolitan
Screwdriver
Sex on the Beach
Bloody Mary
Black Russian
White Russian
Soviet

Thus far only four episodes have been revealed for Mafia Wars Moscow and there are at least two more to go so visit this blog often for updated Moscow collection information.

With other Mafia Wars locations in the works there is no doubt that collection will continue to be part of the game.

Russian Criminal Tattoos are Not Just a Collection in Mafia Wars

Phillip Scott — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:05:56 +0000

Tattoos are more than just body art to the Russians. They are a complicated language that is used in the criminal underworld and in the prison system and can symbolize many things. Some are given to symbolize rank and accomplishments within a criminal organization while others are given in prison and are symbols of rebellion, anarchy, and belief.

When a prisoner enters the Gulag or prison system their tattoos tell their history and where they fit in within the complicated rank system. For those who are initiated and understand the hidden language the entire life accomplishments of an individual may be learned without every asking a question.

In Mafia Wars tattoos are just a collection in the Moscow Expansion but in the real world of the Russian criminal they are a language of their own. Here you will find the meanings of both the tattoos that are used in the game for a collection and a few others of note.

Mafia Wars Moscow Collection Tattoos

Rose Tattoo

The rose is the initiation tattoo that is given when a person joins the gang and is usually placed on the chest.

Church Tattoo

This type of tattoo is most often found on the chest or back and may not only be a church. Other structures such as monasteries, castles, cathedrals, and fortresses also share the same meaning. This tattoo is used to show the number of times that the wearer has been imprisoned. The number of towers or spires represents either the number of years that the wearer has been imprisoned or the number of times.

Star Tattoo

Stars can be found usually on the shoulders or knees of a criminal. Stars that appear on the shoulders symbolizes the dignity of the person wearing them and that they live by the code and tradition. On the knees stars on the knees are usually awarded when a member attains the rank of Capitan and symbolize that the owner will never be brought to their knees or kneel to anyone. Each point on the star represents a year in prison.

Spider Tattoo

This tattoo can have two meanings. A spider within a web can signify drug addiction. The spider can also denote that the wearer is a thief. There is also meaning within meaning, for instance a thief who wears a spider climbing up is still active while those who wear it facing backward or moving down either intends to or has already given up the life of a thief.

Tiger Tattoo

The tiger signifies aggression toward police and other authorities.

Skull Tattoo

A criminal wearing a skull alone or incorporated into shoulder epaulets is a known murderer.

Crucifix Tattoo

The crucifix tattoo is most often found on the chest of the wearer and is a symbol that shows all who understand the complex tattoo language of the Russian prison system that the wearer is a thief. The tattoo is highly honored and respected since it symbolizes the “King of Thieves”.

Other Russian Prisoner Tattoos

Barbed Wire

Barbed wire worn across the forehead signifies that the wearer has a life sentence.

Finger Tattoos

Most Russian criminals wear tattoos on their fingers. Usually the name of the wearer is spelled out in Cyrillic characters, but other symbols are also used.

Epaulets

Epaulets are tattoos that cover the shoulder of the wearer and most often symbolize accomplishments outside of the law. Accomplishments may include skulls, fighting in the Russian Revolution, status before incarceration, SS insignia, and many others.

Cats

The cat is a representation of a past life as a thief. One cat demonstrates that the wearer acted alone while several indicate that the wearer was a member of a gang of thieves. The head of a tomcat is a good luck symbol. Cats can also symbolize that one should not provoke the wearer.

Birds Flying on the Horizon

This tattoo means simply “I was born free and should be free.”

Russian tattoos serve the purpose of allowing all to know the history and attitudes of the wearer. They are painfully applied using ink concocted of urine, shampoo, and soot. Soot is often obtained by burning a boot heel. Infections are very common and death is not unheard of.

Mafia Wars Moscow – Mafiya or Vory v Zakone?

Phillip Scott — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:20:45 +0000

Moscow is the latest expansion from Zynga for their hit social network game, Mafia Wars. After reaching level 70 players are given access and discover rather quickly that they must make a choice between two rival factions that are in control of the area.

The choice that must be made is between joining the modern Russian Mafiya or the more traditional vory v zakone. The big question that all players seem to have is which faction is better? This is a question that Zynga is very little help on since there really is not any detailed information about either. After reading this article you will be a bit more informed and will be able to use the knowledge to make a more informed choice.

Episode 1

In the first episode there really is no difference in choosing mafiya or vory. The attack and defense of special loot for completing the episode are so close that it does not matter. The only advantage that we see is that the mafiya has a slightly better cash payout and experience to energy ratio.

Special loot:

Vory – Vehicle

Mafiya – Weapon

Episode 2

This episode is much the same as the first one. The Mafia enjoys a slight advantage experience, energy, and cash earned while the vory have an advantage in lower job requirements. Mafia are required to purchase a $3.2 million Davina while the vory only need a concealable camera.

Special loot:

Vory – Vehicle

Mafiya – Weapon

Episode 3

Again a very close episode in the form of special loot and the cash payout is very close as well. Once again the mafiya enjoys a slight advantage in experience and energy; however the gap in job requirements is getting larger in favor of the vory.

Special loot:

Vory – Weapon

Mafiya – Vehicle

Choosing a faction with little information made available by the game developer is difficult but while we have not broken down every episode in Mafia Wars Moscow it seems that both sides are very close in most aspects and that should continue throughout the episodes.

Mafiya seem to have a slight advantage in experience/energy ratio, as well as cash paid for jobs completed while the vory have a distinct advantage in the cost of required items for jobs.

With the two factions being so close in many areas it comes down to the fact that there really seems to be no difference in the two in the long run. Our advice is to read the posts that we have made on each faction and decide which you fit into. Are you a traditional type of player who values a code or do you favor a more western approach to your criminal activities?

The Rise of Vory V Zakone

Phillip Scott — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:48:25 +0000

Vory V Zakone translates into “Thieves in Law”, an organization that is arguably the elite of the Russian organized crime world.

The Thief’s Code

1.) Forsake his relatives–mother, father, brothers, sisters.

2.) Not have a family of his own — no wife, no children; this does not however, preclude him from having a lover.

3.) Never, under any circumstances work, no matter how much difficulty this brings-, live only on means gleaned from thievery.

4.) Help other thieves — both by moral and material support, utilizing the commune of thieves.

5.) Keep secret information about the whereabouts of accomplices (i.e. dens, districts, hideouts, safe apartments, etc.).

6.) In unavoidable situations (if a thief is under investigation) to take the blame for someone else’s crime; this buys the other person time of freedom.

7.) Demand convocation of inquiry for the purpose of resolving disputes in the event of a conflict between oneself and other thieves, or between thieves.

8.) If necessary, participate in such inquiries.

9.) Carry out the punishment of the offending thief as decided by the convocation.

10.) Not resist carrying out the decision of punishing the offending thief who is found guilty, with punishment determined by the convocation.

11.) Have good command of the thieves’ jargon (”Fehnay”).

12.) Not gamble without being ability to cover losses.

13.) Teach the trade to young beginners.

14.) Have, if possible, informants from the rank and file of thieves.

15.) Not lose your reasoning ability when using alcohol.

16.) Have nothing to do with the authorities (particularly with the ITU, Correctional Labor Authority), not participate in public activities, nor join any community organizations.

17.) Not take weapons from the hands of authorities; not serve in the military.

18.) Make good on promises given to other thieves.

The vory v zakone live and die by the code.

Putting the Mafiya in Mafia Wars

Phillip Scott — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:22:16 +0000

Moscow is the latest expansion in Zynga’s Mafia Wars social network game and beginning with this article we will begin to dissect the expansion and learn everything that we can about it. We will learn a bit about the history of the competing factions along with an in depth look at the economy as well as the best, but perhaps not the easiest ways to progress through the expansion.

When venturing to new and exciting areas is it always best to learn a bit about the area and the major players who are vying for control before diving in. Today we will learn a bit about the Mafiya.

Mafia Wars – The Moscow Expansion

Phillip Scott — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:42:08 +0000

Recently Zynga announced the imminent introduction of the Mafia Wars Moscow expansion. This announcement comes as a welcome relief to those of us who have been playing Mafia Wars for a long period of time. Many have migrated away from the game because there is only so much fun that one can derive from completing missions over and over after reaching the top.

What will our passage into the old Soviet Block bring to the mix? Zynga gave us our first introduction to the Moscow expansion on Wednesday, August 26th in the form of a celebration message. This message told us that we needed to collect 8 items by doing any missions in the current game to find 8 special Moscow items. When we found all 8 we would unlock an exclusive item.

Here is a list of the 8 Moscow expansion items and the exclusive reward for getting them all.

Weapons

.45 ACP Pistol (18 attack, 12 defense)
Dragunov – (36 attack, 14 defense)
Grach (20 attack, 10 defense)
IZH-35m (28 attack, 15 defense)
PPSH 41 Submachine Gun (22 attack, 8 defense)
VSK-94 Sniper Rifle (28 attack, 12 defense)

Armor

Ushanka (10 attack, 20 defense)

Vehicles

Impression (15 attack, 35 defense)

Exclusive Item Reward

Shturmovik – Armor (45 attack, 28 defense)

While I am sure that other found all 8 items, I had no luck. After easily finding 7 of 8 on the first day of the celebration on all of my accounts I tried in vain up until midnight of August 31st to find the last one. Maybe it was dumb luck but I did not find the last item on any of my accounts. I did as many missions as possible by dropping down to the Thug tier and doing the “Collect Protection Money” job over and over.

Like I said it was probably dumb luck and I would love to hear some comments from you on the subject. Maybe there was someone as unlucky as myself.

I do like the way Zynga incorporated real world loot items.

The Dragunov is actually a real world sniper rifle (dragunov.net).

Grach is one of the newest standard issue military side arms.

IZH-35m is a .22 cal. Target pistol originally introduced to the market in 1979 (imzcorp.com).

PPSH 41 Submachine Gun is real Soviet weapon (ppsh41.com)

VSK-94 Sniper Rifle is a 9 mm silenced rifle that was a low cost alternative and is based on the 9A-91 assault rifle.

Ushanka is the typical fur lined hat worn by the Soviet military.

When the Moscow expansion goes live property owners will most likely get a break from robberies as most players will be busy with new jobs and gobbling up the new loot rewards. Personally I am looking forward to the expansion. Mafia Wars was starting to get boring doing the same thing over and over. The new expansion will breathe some life into the game for me. I hope that you all enjoy it as well.