Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Dec-22-2006 04:16

I just picked up Stress Detection, and I'm a little concerned how it *knows* that you've only got one question left? I always thought that it was a crapshoot that was determined when you asked the question (unless you were still above 100% chance).

Did it always already know the last question beforehand, but it just doesn't tell you unless you have stress detection skill? Or does the skill alter where the chance is determined?

Dec-22-2006 23:34

I don't know this for sure, but I believe that as soon as you open a case, all the factors about that case are pre-determined from that point on. As you click through the options are revealed.

The cases are considered random because all the data is compiled only when you hit that button to open a case. When you open it, the program draws randomly from tons of other choices already stored to compile 1 unique case. There are no cases that have already been determined before you open a case. (Except, of course, featured mysteries, which are scripted.)

I don't know any of this for sure, but it is what I always assumed, from the practically nothing i know about programming.

Dec-22-2006 23:37

I don't really know how it works when you change gear and stuff during your case.

Anyone else?

Dec-23-2006 13:15

I have a memory that Ben said the first time you ask a suspect a question it evaluates your status (eg. charm level and skills plus gear) and then - within that range -I think it picks a random value. That's why judge of character is so useful, because you can see for a suspect BEFORE you ask, what the base prob. of their answering is for smart and charm, plus how much your gear and skills add on to that.

That is only helpful if you have access (via agency) to other gear or players with other skills. Once you have asked the first question, though, its not going to change again, even if you hand it to a different agent or change your gear.

Dec-23-2006 13:23

So, with Judge of Character, if you visit a suspect and see the odds but dont ask a question will it change if you leave and come back with different gear on?

Dec-23-2006 14:28

I have not left - changed gear - then come back but I have looked in, found the percentage chances - left - then come back later to ask my questions.

I can verify that once you visit someone that first time the base chance of them answering your question does not change. I would think that if you see what your chances are with your current gear and you feel switching gear would be more advantageous then you could do so.

I am not sure if the chances are fixed at the point when you open a case or when you first talk to the suspect but it is fixed at some point before you start asking your questions.

So to clarify for Hob, you get the one roll of the dice to see how many more questions will be answered, not a new roll for each question. At least that is the observed behaviour.

Dec-23-2006 14:32

Yep - their base number doesn't change, nor does the bonus you get for your interviewing skills, but the adjustment you get for your gear does, for sure. I rarely do this, but in those freak occasions when even despite the fact that my tough skills far outweigh my meager charms, a suspect's base charm chance is SO much higher than their base tough chance that switching to all charm gear gives me better odds.

I'm pretty lazy though; I've probably done it like once, while on a villain hunt.

I'd been working with the same assumption as Ranier, that all the random data is calculated once a case is opened and not as you encounter suspects.

Couple other relevant things here, straight from the man himself (& courtesy of Dogberta's mod picks):

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=12039

"...when making those skill tests, the game has a concept of super successes. In the case of a cooperation skill, if a test is passed by a small margin, the suspect will only answer one additional question. If the test is passed by a larger margin, they will answer more than one extra question. So, higher numbers are always better, even when you're talking over 100.

Also, there are a couple of factors that aren't currently taken into account in that Judge of Character report. For instance, the "status" rating of your agency's headquarter does effect these tests but currently that isn't taken into account by Judge of Character. There is also another secret adjustment that I'll keep my mouth shut about. These tend to be small adjustments however, so Judge of Character is very useful to people with duplicated Tough and Charming skills."

Dec-24-2006 02:18

suppose a detective has neither tough or charming in their character? then what? or is it based on just the skills and the outfit/adjustments?

Dec-24-2006 06:37

Tough or Charming as part ofyour archtype is just how your detective starts out Lil.

You always use either Tough or Charming skills to questions suspects.

Rule Bending and Sweet talking are the charm side.

Interrogation and Itimidation are the tough side.

The smart skills such as hair analysis help you at the crime scene to find and identify things, but you will need to be either tough or charming when questioning suspects and townies.

Dec-24-2006 07:24

I'd add that tough, smart and charming in your archtype only affect how many points you pay for a skill, not how well you use them. A detective who is very smart will pay max skill points for both charm and tough skills, but will get a double discount on smart skills.

Once you have the skill, however, all archtypes use it the same, and its only affected by gear you wear.