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Aug-22-2010 02:24

I was reading some of the old threads about Cairo, and I gathered that you must choose between these two skills (i.e. you can only get one or the other). Is this correct? Do things work differently with these two faction skills, as in there is no going back once you've picked one. If this is the case, is there a consensus on which skill is more helpful?

I realize the answer may contain spoiler information...If it does, just PM the answer if possible.

Thanks,

Serena

Aug-22-2010 17:18

heh. I should do a bit of post dredging - which I might.

Yes once you choose there is no going back.

Things do work differently. It's not a spoiler to say you have a choice between Trap Detection (Tigers) and Hostage Negotiation (Tea Steepers)

Trap detection will help you with a range of nasty surprises in catacombs / mazes. Hostage Negotiation will get you through the Pirates at no cost every time, regardless of where you are going.

Both have their merits. The general consensus of opinion might be that Trap Detection is more valuable right now, if you are just trying to burn through the content. When there was some serious Villain Hunting going on, I would have said Hostage Negotiation was worth its weight in gold. It's still quite valuable if you are doing a lot of travel, but not so much as it used to be since it was slightly modifed a while back so that there was less of a penalty when meeting (and indeed less chance of meeting) the pirates.

Aug-22-2010 21:31

I have Hostage Negotiation. It is helpful in Arch Villian hunts. However, I wish that I could go back and get Trap Detection instead. There seems to be more places where Trap Detection would be greatly appreciated.

But that is just my opinion.

Aug-23-2010 01:52

Hmmm...I guess I'm going to have to think long and hard on this one.

Thanks for the opinions SS and Keira, if anyone else wants to put in their two cents I would appreciate it.

Serena

Aug-23-2010 06:59

I agree with Keira Ann. I too wish that I could switch to Trap Detection. Early on in Sleuth, pirates were the scourge of the frequent travellers. Not only did you lose cases but money as well, hence the viability of Hostage Negotiation. With the changes made to Hostage Negotiation the pirates are now so far and few between, with no loss of money involved, that it makes this skill almost obsolete. I have taken up a new detective and have chosen Trap Detection which I absolutely love. Exploring the pyramids and the Sleuthetania cargo hold without fear of losing my map makes the experience much more enjoyable. Everyone knows how tedious and time consuming it is just to acquire the map and then losing it after only three tries, if you are unlucky which I am, is very frustrating and disappointing.

So, there you are. My two cents worth :-D

Aug-23-2010 07:22

Hmmm I think I'd still chose HN if I had to start all over again. Call me crazy...I know lol.
I travel a lot, and I know that it was tweaked, but I can't tell you how many times my agency has been on a TH and the ones that dont have HN get pirated EVERY time, more than once a day too. It's frustrating for them.

You can still lose the map after 3 tries with TD, but it does give you a sense when a trap is near. I guess I seem to be pretty lucky in that sense, as yes I have hit and misses in the Catacombs, but it's not too difficult for me. I just make a little map of sorts everytime I go in. I've managed to get all the female shoes too.

Anyways, that's just my opinion. :)

Aug-23-2010 08:10

I'm curious Lady Jas. How can you lose your map after 3 tries with TD? I know that once you have found your artifact, secret plans or journal pages then yes your map becomes useless and you must get a new one, but this after you have found something. Where as with HN you can lose your map before you find anything.

Btw, I too make a map everytime I enter the pyramids or cargo hold but to no avail. I still get trapped more often than not :-( I wish some of your luck would rub off on me, lol.

Aug-23-2010 18:49

TD, from the times I've tried going in the catacombs for one of my agents who has TD, I have found that it only senses when a trap is near. You can still fall into 3 traps and lose the map just like you can with HN.

Aug-23-2010 20:24

I'm impatient to get to these levels- sounds fun!

I did some reading earlier and thought that trap avoidance seemed to have the highest advantages but I think again, some of this comes down to personality and temperment?

Aug-23-2010 20:55

Yes peach, it does. :)

I love Hostage Neg. because I travel all the time for TH's and for Villian Hunts and for other missions so it makes it nice not having to worry. But each person has to do what they feel is the best route for their detective.

Aug-23-2010 22:35

Thanks for the advice everyone, it is really giving me some things to consider :)