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Nov-26-2006 20:36

Hey All!

Looking for opinions between Surveillance and Hypnotism - what do you think is better?

I have all my tough except Stress Det, all my smarts, and all Factions except Surv., Hyp, and Safe-cracking.

I am not interested in Charm skills at all.

What do you all think?

Nov-27-2006 09:19

Like others have said - you can't really go wrong :)

That aside, I'd get hypnotism first. It might be different for you given your smartypants archtype, but I find that surveillance doesn't really work as well/often as I'd like, even if I run back and forth changing into smart gear. Pretty much 50/50 -- whereas, like you, I'm in very UNcharming gear most of the time, and find that I can usually count on hypnotism to shorten the time it takes me get the full suspect list by at least a question or two. Plus, for the time being you can get someone else in the agency to do your spying for you, which isn't true of hypnotism - i.e. I think it's a better solo skill.

haha and leave the safe-cracking to biggie ... she's got that spork and stuff...

Nov-28-2006 01:52

I agree with crunch. Hypnotism can get your suspect list much faster. surveillance doesnt always work and mostly I can finish the cases without it.
That said, Im charming and wear charm gear. Im not sure how Hypno would work if you wear tough.

Nov-28-2006 04:25

mmm I'd go hypno. I can bump up to 25 in smarts and surveillance still doesn't always work all the time. Great when it does but it's too hit and miss.

Nov-28-2006 07:44

Hmm ironically Crunch, I don't have safecracking :)

Ranier, as one of the toughest wenches out there, I have both. I find hypnotism to be FAR more useful, and it made not a bit of difference that I could tell by switching to charm equipment.

Surveillance is cool but I use it so rarely, since it only works about half the time, even with the PITA system of switching equipment.

Nov-28-2006 07:45

oh and forget safecracking, we've got plenty of that :)

Nov-28-2006 11:29

I find that WHO you use Surv. on is more important than the gear you use. I know that everyone says it feels like a 50/50 chance, but I seem to have closer to a 70% rate of success and I never change my gear.

Nov-28-2006 12:44

Well, it sounds like Hyp is in.

RAn, how do you know who to use Surv on?

Nov-28-2006 12:44

And thanks for all your thoughts everyone!!!

Nov-28-2006 14:40

Mmm the one thing about surveillance I've noticed is that when there aren't any options open to you - ie all your suspects have clammed, THEN it invariably works. If you just use it when your first suspect clams and you have a list of 4 left to question it doesn't seem to like you as much.

Nov-28-2006 17:27

SS has one thing to look for. The other one I look for is when someone clams who should not have. You have a 90% chance and the clam without answering any questions.

I tend to use it right away during the motive/alibi questioning rather than holding off to wait and see if I need it later.