Seeking Answers

Seeking Answers

It's 2 XP. but it's better than Working a Hunch (except in Joe) and less complicated than either version of Extensive Research. The ability to grab clues from more than one location is gold in Solo. It's cheaper than Working a Hunch, and will find a comfortable home in Roland, assuming he isn't spending all his XP on weapons.....

LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
It’s not really better than Working a Hunch I dont think, in the hunch deck. You can always just WaH whichever location is more problematic. It is a good hunch though, and is much better than the level 0 version. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
Don't underestimate the power of an actionless, testless clue, especially on higher difficulties. — TheDoc37 · 468
No doubt, it's a good card, though not technically actionless or testless. But the ability to investigate any one location and grab the two most troublesome clues nearby will saves you actions almost always. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
@StyxBeuford I'm pretty sure TheDoc37 was referring to WaH in their comment. — Death by Chocolate · 1485

"I've got a plan!"

"I've got a plan!"

Like the 0-level version, this is a bit situational, but the extra may be worth it, as a protection for high combat enemies (plus the 2 vs 3 Resources cost). It's a possible replacement for Strange Solution, although it's a bit more expensive, resource-wise, and only one-use. On the other hand, 8 XP for the the Solution is also a lot that could be spent elsewhere, if you only need a hit or two.

LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
I think the -1 cost is actually pretty huge, but it probably depends on the deck. — Zinjanthropus · 229
For 2 XP you get several upgrades here. -1 cost, +2 Intellect to the test, and +1 Intellect pip if committed. If you needed a plan anyway, I think it's a great upgrade (especially if you found it useful, but hard to make hit). And if you didn't pack the level 0 version and regretted it, might as well spend 1 more XP to buy this instead of backfilling the level 0. OTOH, if you've got a plan already and aren't finding it useful, or it's useful but don't think you need the boost, the XP might be better spent elsewhere. — Yenreb · 15
Please note that the plan is cheap enough that Joe can act on his gut with this plan with no additional costs! — ironbrw · 17
It's also cheap enough for using the 2 resources to pay from either Sleuther (being a Tactic) or Crafty (beging an Insight) if you're out of resources. Probably you don't need the 2 Uses for boosting your skill because this card does it by itself. — Miroque · 25
Question about the wording ”intellect instead of might”, is that just new wording that stems from a newer card pack (old Dunwich cycle vs Harvey Walters), or does it have any meaningful application to use? — legobil · 4

Cryptic Writings

Cryptic Writings

This is very nice, but mostly in Big Hand decks. Harvey probably finds the XP worth it, but I think a lot of other investigators prefer the Level-0 version, unless they find themselves with XP to burn.

On editing (mysteriously, fixing a display error took me under 200 characters): The Reaction ability is a pretty interesting mechanic (as opposed, say, to just making the card Fast), and very thematic for Harvey or any other Big Draw investigator. It's very rare an investigator wouldn't want to get 2-4 resources during their turn, but are their other actions where this would be fun or interesting? Probably not Fight or Evade, but maybe a card that triggers an Investigation, Draw, or Play?

LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
Disagree, this is just pure gravy in any deck that has lots of draw, not just big hand, which is basically any Seeker and will definitely include the Rogue 5, Seeker 2 Trish Scarborough. Lucky Cig Case and All In plus this = perfect engine. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
That's assuming that XP ois infinite. 2 XP gets a lot of great stuff in every class, so you want to make sure you are landing 4 resources every time. There are plenty of Seekers who end uo with fairly thin hands. — LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
2XP to effectively thin your deck by a card and 3 resources you otherwise wouldnt (actionless!) is ridiculously powerful. I think if you reliably trigger the original, you take the upgrade every time. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
I dunno; do most investigators prefer this to, say, the upgraded version of Deduction? Maybe if you play Solo all the time.... — LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
I dont understand why the two are at odds. Deduction 2 is probably taken before this in 3-4 player, probably not 2 and def not 1. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
I think the conflict is with Crack the Case, which is pretty easy for most Seekers to pull off for at least 3 resources and never costs an action. This costs 2 XP and runs the risk of being drawn during upkeep or post-mulligan, turning into an Emergency Cache or couple of icons. I think it's a bit terrible at 2 XP, really. — housh · 171
I'm actually mistaken in thinking it thins your deck since you still draw it instead of another card, so it's not like Astounding Rev. You're right, CtC competes really heavily with this. Still I think a very strong card and worth looking at if CtC gets taboo'd or if you need more resources. — StyxTBeuford · 13028

Whitton Greene

Whitton Greene

Pretty much what they said about Whitton Greene (0), but more so. Who likes this? Ursula, Daisy, and Luke, maybe Harvey, assuming he's running tomes. Joe or Rex could use the boost, but, unless they are running tomes and/or relics, not so great. On the other hand, I am probably going to try and cram Dream Diary into every deck I can, Whitton is a damn sight better than (although more expensive than) Research Librarian. Warning. You probably want to pack Pathfinder and/or Shortcut to make sure you trigger her ability.

LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
Note that Enchanted Blade is a relic, and that is one of Joe’s best weapons. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
Excellent point. Also Tooth of Extli. — LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
It's really good in Luke! Whitton's ability triggers every time he Gate Boxes, and Gate Box also triggers her boosts. The wp boost is obviously useful, and the int boost makes him more likely to succeed at a test with Enraptured committed. — Zinjanthropus · 229
Trish Scarborough with Charon's Obol, or even Crystallizer or Celano fragments, says hi. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
Concur that Trish really likes this card. — KillerShrike · 1

Esoteric Atlas

Esoteric Atlas

For 1 XP, this makes a very nice upgrade, if you have a Seeker (or Seeker-adjacent) investigator who absolutely, positively has to get there. Much as I love my "2 Pathfinders in play" Seekers, this lets you skip the intervening locations and their pestilent enemies. I am slightly giddy imagining this plus Arcane Enlightenment in Roland. What elese is he doing with his Arcane slots?

LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
That seems very expensive for Roland compared to just using Pathfinder or Safeguard, since you have to set up this plus the Enlightenment to use it. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
The advantage is the ability to skip the intervening locations, which would be very useful in "The House Always Wins" or "The Unspeakable Oath." — LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
I suppose, but if you’re Roland that shouldn’t be that much of an issue to you. Roland wants to kill enemies anyway. — StyxTBeuford · 13028
Not if you are running for the Resign point. — LivefromBenefitSt · 1067
That’s very expensive tech for scenarios that Roland is already predisposed well to. — StyxTBeuford · 13028