Roles and Personas

Roles and Personas

In Capitalism: The Ruthless Pursuit of Stuff, every player takes on a Primary Role and an optional Secondary Role. These roles shape your strategy, alliances, abilities, and—of course—your scandals.

Primary Roles

There can only be one of each Primary Role per game.

Banker (1 per game)

• Acts as the host and central point of the economy
• Controls cash flow, tax collection, and scandal resolution
• Has privileged knowledge and slight game influence
• Can be targeted by other players for being “too powerful”

Lawyer

• Excels at blocking scandals, navigating bureaucracy, and protecting assets
• Can use Favor cards more effectively in legal contexts
• Can partner with the Banker or act as a watchdog

Politician

• Draws extra Political cards
• Can influence the People Meter more directly
• May pass special legislation (game modifiers) in longer versions

CEO

• Gains bonus value from Industry assets
• Can convert Favor into Capital more efficiently
• Often draws attention—both admiration and scandal

Activist

• Can manipulate the People Meter
• Starts with low cash but high favor
• Wins in unconventional ways (e.g., zero-scandal victories)

Consultant

• Has flexible abilities: can “borrow” traits from others once per year
• Can charge for advice (Favor economy role)
• Slippery, strategic, hard to pin down

Grifter

• Can pull extra Scandal cards—but might profit from them
• Thrives in chaos, especially when others suffer
• Great for unpredictable players

Influencer

• Doubles the impact of short-form plays (quick gains, PR moves)
• Can rise fast but fall hard if scandal hits
• Gets rewarded for trending (mini-event triggers)

Secondary Roles

Players choose one Secondary Role OR are assigned at random. Multiple players can hold the same secondary.

• Lobbyist: Gain extra influence in Political outcomes
• Journalist: Expose others for scandals (earn cash)
• Crony: Gain bonus when supporting the Banker
• Philanthropist: Reduce People Meter at no cost
• Intern: Extra action per year, but low income
• Shadow Donor: Secretly bankrolls another player (or sabotages them)

Role Dynamics

• The Banker has unique power but also paints a target
• Politician + Lawyer combo can create power blocks
• Grifter + Influencer can cause chaos and go viral
• Secret alliances between roles create layered strategy

NPC Role: The People

• A non-player force that reacts to public unrest
• Triggers Uprisings, Scandals, Charity Drives
• Can be manipulated but never fully controlled

Gameplay Tip

Some roles thrive early. Others build late. Watch how your Primary and Secondary synergize—and don’t be afraid to pivot alliances mid-game.

See Also

• How to Play the Game
• Card Index
• The People Meter
• Dev Hub