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Jan-18-2010 02:32

Is stress detection worth it? or should I just wait till after I get lockpicking? thanks!

BTW, I'm a smart and tough build.

Jan-18-2010 03:25

Personally i'd definitely go for lockpicking, because it actually help you find more motives or alibi without using up questions on the suspect.

Jan-18-2010 04:39

I agree - I'd go for lockpicking first.

I do like stress detection, because knowing how many questions I've got left helps me plan my strategy of what to ask, especially with PE townies. But I'd make sure I had all the PE skills, research, lockpicking, and all the appropriate questioning skills for your archetype first.

Jan-21-2010 19:27

I don't think that stress detection worth it. To tell you the truth, I don't see the advantage in this skill. If someone's gonna clam up, he'll clam up, and I don't remember a case it could have come in handy for me.

As Cordelia said herself - you should get before that almost every other skill there's out there.
Lock picking is good, and I'd also recommend the hair & thread analysis and at least intermediate sweet talking and advanced rule bending.

Jan-21-2010 22:13

I love stress detection, but I recommend lock picking first. Any skill that lets you reduce the total number of questions you need to ask is top priority in my book (Lock Picking, PE Skills, Research).

I'd recommend stress detection after the above, but before cross training your tough/charm persuasion skills.

Feb-2-2010 19:35

NO, stress detection is not worth it in my opinion. If a person wants to clam up, that person will simply clam up. Of course you can just question other suspects and people, such as the priest and waitress, especially your contacts.

Feb-3-2010 01:40

An example of when stress detection is helpful:

I had a case the other day where there was a note from a right-handed person and a note from a left-handed person. It was a case where there were four pieces of evidence and the minimum number of suspects, so I knew that every person with a real alibi would also have a piece of evidence pointing to them.

Because of the stress detection skill, I knew that I only had one question remaining with the Librarian (she really wasn't feeling helpful!). Knowing that I only had one question helped me to plan where that one question would be most useful, and work out the odds. I calculated that I had the best chance of ruling out the most number of people by asking if the left-handed note belonged to the one left-handed suspect with a real alibi. It didn't, which meant that it belonged to one of the two remaining left-handed suspects, neither of whom had an alibi. So that meant I only had two suspects to ask for WE on, and I solved the case.

If I hadn't known I only had the one question, I'd have calculated I had a better chance of eliminating suspects by asking about suspects with no alibis instead.

So no, stress detection doesn't stop people clamming up, but it does help you work out the best odds for getting a lucky result in tricky situations.

Feb-3-2010 10:02

Cordelia, that's a perfect example of when stress detection is useful with townies. It's a strategy related skill which is also useful with suspects. As I go down the list looking for motives and alibis I try to leave each suspect with at least one question left. That way I know I can still eliminate one last suspect through WE should my PE investigation stall out. I can't count the number of times a successful case has come down those remaining questions.

I still wouldn't recommend it as an early purchase, but will never hesitate to argue that it should be picked up before cross training from tough to charm or vice versa. Stress Detection is a relatively cheap (esp for tough detectives) and immediate way to get the most use out of your current skill set - as opposed to the long process of pumping dozens of points into interviewing skills that rarely make a difference even when maxed out.

Feb-3-2010 23:45

"I still wouldn't recommend it as an early purchase, but will never hesitate to argue that it should be picked up before cross training from tough to charm or vice versa."

Agree completely!

Feb-22-2010 17:18

I thought it was a mistake to pick it up, but for an absolutely newbie like myself, it actually has proven useful. Especially as I have no useful talents, most of my accusations are based on the testimony of fellow witnesses, so it helps to know how many questions I have left, especially when I end up with 2 or 3 people who all have 'no alibi' or a false alibi. And I'm glad I bothered quizzing everyone, as it turns out people prevaricate for no apparent reason.

Based on what other people have read, it has little value to experienced players who have other tips and resources at their disposal, but for me, an absolutely newbie, it has proven useful.

Feb-22-2010 20:14

Actually, I know plenty of experienced players who have plenty of tips and resources at their disposal (including me) who make use of Stress Detection all the time.

Everyone has their own style of play, and so some people don't see a point in this particular skill, but I often depend on it.