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Aug-13-2013 16:31

Well, let's do some math.

Charm gives you flirting. I understand flirting gives +20% with opposite sex. I understand Townies are evenly divided among genders.

Pugilism gives +10% on tough rolls with everyone.

On an infinitely large number of cases, all other things being equal, these two are identically good.

Contacts, however, can nudge that balance.

A charming detective that were to selectively get all contacts of the same gender they are, would get the advantage of having to deal with only one same gender PE townie (and WE, but that matters less). Conversely, one whose contacts were all of the opposite gender, would have both harder ones unfriended and is at a disadvantage vs a purely tough detective.

Add to that Hypnotism, which works better in charm gear and saves an average 2-4 questions per game in charm gear

Surveillacne depends on smarts and thus is equally working whether you are tough or charming, depending on your smarts. I am assuming that the possible combinations of items don't statistically sway either tough+smart or smart+charm gear generation significantly.

I am unclear on one point: does your archetype affect your questioning skills %, as in a charming guy gets an intrinsic bonus on charm, etc? I assume not.

Tough needs a skill to balance it out: how about some sort of surveillance-like ability for townies, that works better the tougher you are. A totally clammed townie will give you one more answer if sucessful.

The idea is, detectives know all sorta filth in town, who wouldn't hesitate to do a favour for the right price...

your townie's shop gets burgled, or their cat kidnapped, or their compromising diary stolen... and in exchange for the detective's... protection and help in ensuring a swift resolution of the issue... well, a little cooperation goes a long way, if you catch my drift.

The Cosa Nostra could teach it... I don't know, call it Threathen?

Aug-14-2013 05:17

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=15882

This is an old thread about tough vs charm from 2006 (really?!), but still relevant.

Aug-14-2013 06:46

Excellent, this confirms my assumptions :)

Is there any way to reset your contacts? I feel I'm at a disadvantage here, having most townie contacts of opposite gender on a charming type :p

Aug-14-2013 08:32

Take a look at my Contacts...the Barber in London -- really?!?!?!!

Aug-18-2013 00:11

I'd certainly try and get contacts of the same sex if you have flirting. Jus to minimise the pain as much as possible. I didn't know this when I first started and went 'doh' about half way through the process. I'd love to be able to resent some of my contatcs, but nothere isn't. However most people will probably say its not that much of a drama as you play the game more.

Oct-20-2013 14:14

@Greldon Silverhand: The only way currently to reset contacts is to get enough False Accusations to retire your character - that comes with some other negative consequences as well.

Back in 2007 Ben DID seem inclined to be able to pay a fee to dump a contact.

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=25345

Reading back through the thread I particularly like SS's steadily increasing but capped payment suggestion on page three.

Oct-20-2013 18:23

You make it sound like you have some sort of control over the contacts you get. Isn't it random? I did a few favors and then the Banker was all, "Let's be besties!" I had no control over getting the Banker, the game just did it.

Or is there something I am missing?!

Oct-20-2013 20:05

Favors are random (supposedly - ardent treasure hunters have many theories to the contrary). Whether a favor results is a contact is also random.

The way you control who your contacts are is by simply quitting any favors for townies you don't want as contacts. This GREATLY increases the amount of time it takes to round out your contacts, but it's doable.

Oct-21-2013 02:46

It'll just drive you mad; and I think we all agree we have more than enough of that :)

Oct-21-2013 08:09

Well, Mr. Hunter, I guess that is true. I for one HATE quiting cases, I only do it when I must. So, I didn't even think about doing that.