Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Newbie Questions

Sep-15-2016 09:10

Hello,
I already got the following skills, being a smart/charming sleuth:
Hand Writing Analysis
Footprint Analysis
Research
Stress Detection
Sweet Talking
Lock Picking
Interrogation
Judge of Character
Rule Bending
Advanced Thread Analysis
Advanced Hair Analysis
Flirting

Should I save enough points to get Hypnotism, or should I get something else earlier?

Thanks in advance :)

Oct-1-2016 04:33

I'd prefer hypnotism over UC.
When a suspect goes into hiding, UC automatically brings the person out of hiding without you having to ask a townie any question. But this is only once per case, and that too only in IH cases and above.

Now when you ask suspects to tell your about other people who may have had motives, you usually get around two to three names.
Hypnotism is performed automatically on each suspect, but may or may not work.
Your chances of hypnotism working are greatly increased by the +Charm gear you wear. It works for me on almost 7 out 10 suspects, which saves you a LOT of questions. That way, you complete your suspect list much more faster, which leaves you with more questions remaining per suspect.

I'd definitely buy hypnotism much before UC. That was, in fact, the first Faction Skill I purchased.

Oct-1-2016 07:41

Since you're a charming guy, Hypnotism may benefit you more than it did me. I wear tough gear when questioning suspects, so although hypnotism still works for me to some extent, I consider it basically useless. I can tell you, however, it gets really old having to go to the Townies each and every game and try to chase down a suspect who has gone into hiding. And, as Yeti pointed out, you may have to quit a case if you can't flush that suspect out because the Townie who can lure him out is clammed from previous questioning.

Oct-1-2016 19:21

I'd recommend that your highest priority be moving up the ladder of rule bending and sweet talking (if you haven't already, but you didn't have the advanced versions listed in your skill set). Those upgrades will pay dividends with EVERY suspect and townie.

Only then would I worry about Hypnotism - which potentially saves you questions in every case (YMMV).

After that if you have access to a change of smart clothing I'd say you strongly consider Surveillance before Underworld Connections. Surveillance gives to a chance to ask any suspect of your choosing a few more questions. UC lets you gain access to a suspect not of your choosing but grants no extra questions - they return clammed. You can get the same effect by using Stress Detection to make sure that each townie has one question remaining until late in the case.