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Feb-3-2005 16:44

What exactly does this do?

The safe cracking skill is only useful for treasure hunts, so I have read. Since my character is not amongst the most charming, it seems logical not to get the hypnosis skill. Between pocket picking and hypnosis, which one is better, anyhow? What do either of these skills do specifically. I have not found the answers to these questions posted, although I did not peruse through all of the newbie questions; as it seems that there maybe no end to them.

Feb-3-2005 16:50

Pick Pocketing allows you to get your money from a guilty client. Hypnosis is useful, but not as useful as some of the other skills. Your interview skills, whether tough or charming, and your basic hair and thread are pretty much staples of good detective building, in my opinion.

The big debate I have noticed is when to get research. I like to have it after basic interview skills, but before the intermediate and advanced levels. (I know I will hear many arguments for getting it later!) It just eleviates a lot of the stress. I am a backward thinker though. (I can't solve a maze from start finish to save my life, have to start at the end.) :)

Feb-3-2005 17:05

Much appreciated. Pick pocketing sounds the best. Grabbing extra funds sounds great.

However, you have not said what hypnosis does specifically.

I like research as well, however that is not a special skill given by an faction.

Feb-3-2005 17:12

Hypnosis will help you solve cases. Pick-pocketing will get you more money IF you solve the case.

Research is a very good skill to get. Get research before the faction skills is what I would recommend.

Feb-3-2005 17:18

Solving cases is more important than getting the funds from the odd guilty client. How does it help you solve cases specifically? Does it just get you motives like lock picking, or does it actually give you anything more useful than that?

Feb-3-2005 17:22

I intend to get the research skill prior to the faction skill, however I need to plan in advance which faction to join and build up points in. Therefore, elaborate on the hypnosis skill, if you will.

Feb-3-2005 19:11

Hypnosis gives you a few extra motives from some of the suspects...
I found it kind of useless. I can get all the suspects just as easy with advanced interview skills and lock pick.

I would suggest getting your Interview skills and basic smart skills Then get research then Lock pick..

Feb-3-2005 19:14

Hypnosis will make a suspect give up an extra motive now and then. You ask if they suspect anyone who had a motive, and then give you one or two, then you hypnotize them, and they sometimes remember someone else. You get your suspect list completed a little faster.

Feb-3-2005 19:14

If you are a Tough Detective you will probally want to join LCN they have all of the tough equipment for sell. Skill points wise I wouldn't worry about those till I had the others I mentioned and advance smarts. Skill pts. get really tough to come by. You will get a lot within the first 15,000 exp. points then it slacks off.

Feb-4-2005 04:16

the "special skills" at the factions are not that special. I would suggest to concentrate on other skills first.
Pick pocket will only help if u accuse (corectly) your client. Instead of earning nothing you will get money for the case. But since your client is not always the guilty one, it seems to me that you better buy this skill when u have all others and need to spend skill points on something.

Feb-4-2005 04:31

Indeed, it sounds like all the factions skills are special in the sense that they are relatively useless. So, then you choose the faction according to what equipment you want to buy. Well, I am already in LCn so maybe I will stay. Who needs special skills. Thanks to all who have helpfully responded.