Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Aug-29-2006 23:48

Hey everyone... so I know I'm not a newbie anymore =( but this probably fits best here....

I'm wondering about mixing tough and charming skills - does this significantly help solve the almost impossibles? what are you opinions?

i have all the tough and all the smart skills, save most of the faction stuff and stress det., and I am slowly gaining new skill points.

I'm at a loss as to what to buy next! I was considering stress detection, just cause I think it's handy (my old detective had it, so I know what it does) but then I wonder if I should start on my Charm stuff... I am at a -8 in Charm Gear though, and hunting villains, so I can't change equipment...

I'm lost! Help! Lol.

PS, I do have pugilism, and am not terribly interested in the rest of the faction stuff at this point.

Aug-30-2006 04:47

Yes to be successful on your own in solving AI cases I think you need a balance of gear and skills.

If you have all the Tough and Smart skills, I would say that Underworld Connections is your best choice of the faction skills. Then round out with the rest of the charm skills.

My gear that seems to work the best gives me:
Adjustments
Toughness: 17
Smarts: -1
Charm: 7

So with the balance in an AI case:

Base Interrogation Chance: 23
Tough Equipment Adjustment: 17
Advanced Skill Bonus: 35
Pugilism Bonus: 10
Adjusted Interrogation Chance: 85

Base Sweet Talking Chance: 57
Charming Equipment Adjustment: 7
Advanced Skill Bonus: 35
Flirting Bonus: 20
Adjusted Sweet Talking Chance: 119

To me those are reasonable odds for asking a question and getting an answer.

Aug-30-2006 17:31

I also use a mix, but I always start with charm (have a bit more charm than tough). The suspects/townies that are better with though I save for last. then I go back to locker change cloths and go tough them up.

When traveling I use a balanced outfit, so I can use both skill fields.

Im not sure if this is better or not, since I always had mixed skills. But I know I can solve most AI's without any help. Also I dont have many faction skills, so I know its ok to do AI's without them.

Aug-31-2006 07:45

I'm a private investigator so I barley have enough money to buy food. ( speaking of locker... ) I use smarts a lot and no one seems to care about me. When I ask something, everyone is turning they're back on me. But with a small bribe in my pocket and a lot of evidences to analize I finish the case pretty well....So I guess if you know how to handle your skills and stuff, you can do well with any skill...And maby mixing skills would be a verry good choise....

Aug-31-2006 07:55

Rufus, having a very smart outfit on will help you find evidence, but it will not help you get questions answered. For that you need your Interview skills and either Charm or Tough outfit to match your skills.

Bribery is a last resort and for most cases should not be needed, especially when you have a good set of Interview skills.

Aug-31-2006 07:56

Smart Gear is for analyzing the crime scene and works with Surviellance (faction gear).

Aug-31-2006 10:39

I know, and I just said that....:)

Aug-31-2006 13:18

which faction has the underworld connections skill?

Aug-31-2006 13:23

Eastern Triads

Aug-31-2006 13:58

Stick you need to be subscribed to travel so Underworld is not avialbe to you.

I personally think it is worth the price of subscription just for that skill.

Aug-31-2006 17:48

really? why is underworld connections so good? i haven't had trouble yet finding a fled suspect... or does it do something else?