diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
index d78afcdeb7..6d4d09f7cb 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ class ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec
 
   import ClientDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 4
-
   "Client of a 4 node cluster" must {
 
     "be able to DOWN a node that is UNREACHABLE (killed)" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpSpec.scala
index 5f778c25d1..db00438c9e 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpSpec.scala
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ class ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpSpec
 
   import ClientDowningNodeThatIsUpMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 4
-
   "Client of a 4 node cluster" must {
 
     "be able to DOWN a node that is UP (healthy and available)" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
index a7e5712cfa..9963903b90 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@ abstract class ConvergenceSpec
   with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
   import ConvergenceMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 4
-
   "A cluster of 3 members" must {
 
     "reach initial convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
index 9df3e20d68..f75ca3b058 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ abstract class GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorSpec extends MultiNodeSpec(Gossipi
   with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
   import GossipingAccrualFailureDetectorMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
index e01839684a..e86602949f 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@ abstract class JoinTwoClustersSpec
 
   import JoinTwoClustersMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 6
-
   lazy val a1Address = node(a1).address
   lazy val b1Address = node(b1).address
   lazy val c1Address = node(c1).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
index ffbd4eb287..616c412556 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec.scala
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@ class LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableSpec
 
   import LeaderDowningNodeThatIsUnreachableMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 4
-
   "The Leader in a 4 node cluster" must {
 
     "be able to DOWN a 'last' node that is UNREACHABLE" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderElectionSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderElectionSpec.scala
index ce4d5a8042..43f0fc19eb 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderElectionSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/LeaderElectionSpec.scala
@@ -31,10 +31,8 @@ abstract class LeaderElectionSpec
 
   import LeaderElectionMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 5
-
   // sorted in the order used by the cluster
-  lazy val roles = Seq(first, second, third, fourth).sorted
+  lazy val sortedRoles = Seq(first, second, third, fourth).sorted
 
   "A cluster of four nodes" must {
 
@@ -42,15 +40,15 @@ abstract class LeaderElectionSpec
       awaitClusterUp(first, second, third, fourth)
 
       if (myself != controller) {
-        cluster.isLeader must be(myself == roles.head)
-        assertLeaderIn(roles)
+        cluster.isLeader must be(myself == sortedRoles.head)
+        assertLeaderIn(sortedRoles)
       }
 
       testConductor.enter("after")
     }
 
     def shutdownLeaderAndVerifyNewLeader(alreadyShutdown: Int): Unit = {
-      val currentRoles = roles.drop(alreadyShutdown)
+      val currentRoles = sortedRoles.drop(alreadyShutdown)
       currentRoles.size must be >= (2)
       val leader = currentRoles.head
       val aUser = currentRoles.last
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
index cdf809187a..d76c3cf689 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@ abstract class MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec
 
   import MembershipChangeListenerExitingMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerJoinSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerJoinSpec.scala
index c07ec19f77..bdf8f7d44d 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerJoinSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerJoinSpec.scala
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ abstract class MembershipChangeListenerJoinSpec
 
   import MembershipChangeListenerJoinMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 2
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
index 41b69ce7b4..1ff11465bb 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ abstract class MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec
 
   import MembershipChangeListenerLeavingMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerSpec.scala
index 9e190050f9..c48727b1cd 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerSpec.scala
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ abstract class MembershipChangeListenerSpec extends MultiNodeSpec(MembershipChan
   with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
   import MembershipChangeListenerMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerUpSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerUpSpec.scala
index 7709e9854a..3e22dd456d 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerUpSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerUpSpec.scala
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ abstract class MembershipChangeListenerUpSpec
 
   import MembershipChangeListenerUpMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 2
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
index 7f7d60fcdc..b185067ab0 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ object MultiNodeClusterSpec {
 
 trait MultiNodeClusterSpec { self: MultiNodeSpec ⇒
 
+  override def initialParticipants = roles.size
+
   /**
    * Get or create a cluster node using 'Cluster(system)' extension.
    */
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeJoinSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeJoinSpec.scala
index 0d6a50b82a..066e86aae6 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeJoinSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeJoinSpec.scala
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@ abstract class NodeJoinSpec
 
   import NodeJoinMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 2
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedSpec.scala
index a974930d0a..8e274be311 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedSpec.scala
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ abstract class NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedSpec
 
   import NodeLeavingAndExitingAndBeingRemovedMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
index 3773ccbd5d..79fff4770f 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
@@ -36,8 +36,6 @@ abstract class NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec
 
   import NodeLeavingAndExitingMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingSpec.scala
index 96876cf4cb..b834492045 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingSpec.scala
@@ -30,8 +30,6 @@ abstract class NodeLeavingSpec extends MultiNodeSpec(NodeLeavingMultiJvmSpec)
   with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
   import NodeLeavingMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeMembershipSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeMembershipSpec.scala
index edd3e44121..ef65cefd0f 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeMembershipSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeMembershipSpec.scala
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ abstract class NodeMembershipSpec
 
   import NodeMembershipMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 3
-
   lazy val firstAddress = node(first).address
   lazy val secondAddress = node(second).address
   lazy val thirdAddress = node(third).address
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeShutdownSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeShutdownSpec.scala
index b54c0c1b39..4dc90a5b89 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeShutdownSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeShutdownSpec.scala
@@ -30,8 +30,6 @@ class NodeShutdownMultiJvmNode2 extends NodeShutdownSpec
 abstract class NodeShutdownSpec extends MultiNodeSpec(NodeShutdownMultiJvmSpec) with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
   import NodeShutdownMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 2
-
   "A cluster of 2 nodes" must {
 
     "not be singleton cluster when joined" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeUpSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeUpSpec.scala
index f8d0a1f6e2..6cb8bf9e07 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeUpSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeUpSpec.scala
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ abstract class NodeUpSpec
 
   import NodeUpMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = 2
-
   "A cluster node that is joining another cluster" must {
     "be moved to UP by the leader after a convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
index f4f42f0117..c2f8e8d3f5 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ abstract class SunnyWeatherSpec
 
   import SunnyWeatherMultiJvmSpec._
 
-  override def initialParticipants = roles.size
-
   "A normal cluster" must {
     "be healthy" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
 
diff --git a/akka-remote-tests/src/test/scala/akka/remote/testkit/MultiNodeSpec.scala b/akka-remote-tests/src/test/scala/akka/remote/testkit/MultiNodeSpec.scala
index a0d7d5eac4..faaab5cdc4 100644
--- a/akka-remote-tests/src/test/scala/akka/remote/testkit/MultiNodeSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote-tests/src/test/scala/akka/remote/testkit/MultiNodeSpec.scala
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ abstract class MultiNodeConfig {
 
   private[testkit] def deployments(node: RoleName): Seq[String] = (_deployments get node getOrElse Nil) ++ _allDeploy
 
-  def roles: Seq[RoleName] = _roles
+  private[testkit] def roles: Seq[RoleName] = _roles
 
 }
 
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ object MultiNodeSpec {
  * `AskTimeoutException: sending to terminated ref breaks promises`. Using lazy
  * val is fine.
  */
-abstract class MultiNodeSpec(val myself: RoleName, _system: ActorSystem, roles: Seq[RoleName], deployments: RoleName ⇒ Seq[String])
+abstract class MultiNodeSpec(val myself: RoleName, _system: ActorSystem, _roles: Seq[RoleName], deployments: RoleName ⇒ Seq[String])
   extends AkkaSpec(_system) {
 
   import MultiNodeSpec._
@@ -143,6 +143,11 @@ abstract class MultiNodeSpec(val myself: RoleName, _system: ActorSystem, roles:
    * Test Class Interface
    */
 
+  /**
+   * All registered roles
+   */
+  def roles: Seq[RoleName] = _roles
+
   /**
    * TO BE DEFINED BY USER: Defines the number of participants required for starting the test. This
    * might not be equals to the number of nodes available to the test.