Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Jan-29-2006 20:28

If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. My detective is Very Smart, and has the following skills:
Interrogation
Intimidation
Footprint Analysis
Research
Advanced Thread Analysis
Advanced Hair Analysis
Hair Analysis
Thread Analysis

I have 8 points right now that I've been saving up. I want to start doing Hard mysteries (still slumming it with Intermediate). What skill should I go for next? I really don't know how useful Intermediate Intimidation or Interrogation is. I was thinking about going to Lock Picking next. My biggest problem so far is suspects and witnesses not answering enough questions.

What do you guys think? Thanks.

Jan-29-2006 21:56

Personally, I think the stress detection skill is useless, but I know other detectives that love it. I'd still suggest getting your interview skills first. Skill points start to become pretty scarce, if you hadn't already noticed. :)

And you are most welcome, Mrs. Sugarcoat.

Jan-29-2006 22:38

There's a point at which you will want to get Judge of Character and some charm skills. I tend to rely on my charm and have mostly charm enhancers, but I still find suspects and witnesses that will only talk if I am tough. I expect that a large percentage of those that won't talk to you would open up with some sweet talk... provided you know when to apply it.

You also might want to join an agency and get access to their equipment locker too, you have some good stuff but most agencies will have better supplies laying around. A few extra toughness points will probably help you out a lot!

Jan-29-2006 23:06

The most important that i found was to chose a type either tougth or charming and go with it. Then concentrate on your smart skills. I used a combination when I was on the road to create my detective.

A few times, I took some points off to get a few charm skills and it turned out that I never had any use for. That I could have used for a better skill for my detective type.

Good luck.

Jan-30-2006 00:55

I agree with cfm. Upgrade your interview skills first before any other skill.

Jan-30-2006 01:08

Thanks again for the help.

Feb-2-2006 06:25

I'm still a new newbie but I wouldn't agree with cfm (although I realize that your experience is utterly amazing compared to mine) when talking about stress detection. I find it an extremely useful skill. For instance, when I'm looking for motives, if I know I only have one question to ask before having to unclam a suspect, I can go to another suspect and check whether I can ask more than one or even two questions. To me, stress detection is a way not to waste questions (and you definitely don't want to do that!)

Feb-2-2006 06:57

While I completely understand and respect that there are detectives that love that skill. I still stresss the importance of a full set of interview skills, either tough or charm, as being the most important thing you can aquire. Three things musts as far as I'm concerned.

1.Research
2.Thread/Hair
3.Full interview skills, tough OR charm.

Then start messing with the rest of the skills. If you have decent interview skills, you'll find the suspects answer more questions. Plus, as you improve your technique you won't be asking unecessary questions anyway.

Feb-2-2006 23:41

Also in higher levels suspect might die or run away in second visit. So if you go to them and decide you better go and ask someone else, cause of stress skill, you might be sorry to find them gone if you still need them later.