Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Dec-11-2006 16:06

I have all the smart skills, including some smart faction skills (OK my interpersonal skills need a little work); I am wearing smart gear total value 12 smarts and I am still getting some crimescene information like 'thread' or 'note'. What can I do to improve the detail I am getting? Thanks.

Dec-11-2006 16:13

You'll need smarter gear. The "best" outfit available (not taking gear from AVH's into account) is +23 smarts. This ups your chances considerably, I'd say something like 90% of the time you'll get all the detailed PE.

Also: As I see you're in an agency, I thought I'd let you know that the best way to use your smart gear is *only* when searching crime scenes. Once you've done that, change into your tough or charming outfit (depending on which questioning tack you've chosen), in order to get the most answers out of your suspects. Smarts are important, but all the PE in the world won't help you if no one will answer your questions.

Dec-11-2006 16:48

That's good info, AraLives many thanks. I will aim for +23. I haven't been offered gear that adds to that yet, but I have looked at stuff that other detectives are kitted out with and I can see there must be booty to be had for favours etc. Also I will check out the faction gear more seriously- now I know why people are willing to pay so much for it. Your tip about changing gear mid-case explains why all those items with minus points are in circulation - I couldn't work out why someone would keep a minus number for tough/charm. Thanks again.

Dec-12-2006 01:50

Well Dale, if you want to travel, all of the gear that is high in smarts and one interrogation method will have a minus. It evens things out.
I used to not like having minuses but all the best gear has at least 1 minus so its kind of a give/take relationship.

Dec-12-2006 01:54

Most of the agencies keep a smart outfit in locker for their agents to change to while searching the scene. The only other instance you will want to dress smart is when using surv. skill.

Other than that its always better to dress charm or tough, according to skills you use.

If you are not in an agency and cant use locker, you have to find a balanced outfit. Same for agency ppl when they travel.

Dec-18-2006 20:15

Thanks for this you guys, also for the tip about surveillance: I'd been wondering why it worked in the beginning and had become unreliable. I'm in an agency now with very good smarts gear. Can you tell me if surveillance always works if you have enough gear or is it one of these random skills like hypnotism, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't?

Dec-18-2006 20:18

Its about 50-50 at best Dale, unfortunately. Hypnotism is more reliable than surveillance, since its used on every suspect, not just once like surv.

Dec-19-2006 12:07

Thanks biggie528, I won't depend on it in that case, just look on it as an added bonus.

Dec-19-2006 14:08

you can actually get up to 29 smart with special gear from avh and you will get all the info nearly all of the time at that

May-10-2012 21:21

Holy crap! These are newbie tips? I guess I have a long way to go...

May-15-2012 13:40

Hi birchbeer. Any "I need a little help" or "How do I...." type questions go in the Newbie Questions forum, so as to not clutter up the other forums with people asking for assistance. I've posted questions here after playing for years. So don't feel overwhelmed. :-)