Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Jun-10-2007 12:59

Hi I'm and unsubscribed player and i JUST came across these forums, but i wish i had come across them sooner because i had no idea about the "four basic skills"

Im talking about Footprint Analysis, Hair Analysis, Thread Analysis, and Handwriting Analysis

My detective is Smart and Tough, so I started out with both Footprint and Handwriing, and had noooo idea i needed hair and thread because i was gettin through all my cases without them.

I'm already playing the Really Reallys bout to go on to the next level when i spotted the boards saying i should get the basics. But i also read that Research is a really good skill to get. Its getting harder to get skill points because my experience is gettin higher, so I don't know if i should carry on without the basics and go for research, or forget about research for now and go for my basics.

Right now i have:
Footprint Analysis
Handwriting Analysis
Advanced Interrogation
Advanced Rule Bending
Stress Detection
Lock Picking

I think thats about it. I have about 6 points right now so thats enough to get either basic skill, and i know most people here will tell me its worth it to get it. But if I've alreay gotten this far without them do i REALLY NEED IT?? Plus, i read that even if i get the basic skills, to not get the Advanced ones till i get my PE contact... so if thats true the basics arent even going to help me! I'll just know theres a hair or a thread, and that's it....

Jun-10-2007 15:06

In your Bio you have a list of skills you need. I think the order is pretty good with a few changes. I think you need to get basic hair and thread now. Without these two skills, you will never find hair or thread at the crime scene thus making PE matches impossible. Crime scenes have 2-4 pieces of evidence. Once you have the basic hair and thread, you will always find all the evidence, but may not identify the advanced properties without very smart gear on too.

Titus is correct about "Having a contact or not having a contact has no impact on detecting (male/female thread, or just a thread). Having a contact makes finding an owner of a thread/print/note/hair easier because your contact will never clam. "

I was going to suggest you get intimidation soon because you need it to talk to the townies, BUT you have advanced Rule Bending which does the same thing. The only thing you have to worry about it having a outfit that balances enough to be able to use the tough interview skill with the suspects and the charming interview skill with the townies. If you were subbed you would be able to change clothes in the locker depending on what you need (charming or tough).


The skills you need in the order I would get them:

Hair Analysis
Thread Analysis

Research

Advanced Hair Analysis
Advanced Thread Analysis

Hypnosis
Flirting

Intimidation
Advanced Intimidation
Sweet Talking
Intermediate Sweet Talking
Advanced Sweet Talking
Judge Of Character

Jun-10-2007 15:45

Thanks for all the feedback guys!! I guess i will get the basics before i branch of into research.

But id also like to add that i DID read somewhere on this message board that waiting until you get your PE contact is good before purchasing Advanced Thread/Hair Analysis... but only for unsubscribed people

Because what if you get advanced thread and then the tailor is your PE contact? Doesn't make that much of a difference subscribed member, because you can use your advanced skills wherever, but it feels like a waste of skill points if you are unsubsribed

I'll do it anyways tho, lol

Jun-12-2007 11:48

Jenissa, that is a very good point. If you are going to stay unsubbed, you do not need to purchase the advanced skill. If you get the barber as a contact, it will not matter if you know if the hair is curly or straight. BUT, you still need to buy the basic hair and thread skills so you can find those at the crime scene. You start out with the ability to find basic notes and footprints.