John Savage
Posts: 198
11/25/2015
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So I have the requirements to pick up the "Enforcer" profession, but I need the right faction card to do it, if I understand correctly. Do I need to be drawing cards somewhere in particular to get the card I need, or just wait until it pops? I can't "arrange a meeting" because I lack Favourable Circumstances.
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If at first you don't succeed, shoot it again.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/John~Savage
Scandal and suspicion! Suspicion and scandal! I miss the old days when only blood mattered.
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Guest
11/25/2015
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I'll say that the goal of going to a higher Profession to get more misses the point that the stats need to be high enough to progress to better story and wealth options. if you don't have access to The Flit, The Shuttered Palace, The Forgotten Quarter and Wolfstack Docks, you aren't really ready to worry about progressing to a T2 profession, as you lack the Fundamentals in other stats/acquiring items to access higher-tier things a T2+ profession is meant for. Some of these "basic next step" locations require thousands of base materials such as rostygold, whispered hints or rats on a string.
By staying in the base professions and acquiring as much basic wealth (as well as upping its related stat to at least 71 this way, more on that later,) as you can (and minimally selling those resources instead saving them up or upconverting them for better materials) you gain that stuff that would have seemed enormously hard to grind if you started at 0 when needed for some entry into the next step.
While in ye olde days, getting from stats 72-100 was a pain to do (often only a Patron could help you past slow grinding which still is an option,) completing "Making your Name" in all four Stats now should easily raise said stats, which open many more story and (especially) location options (and eventually PoSi which is sort of the start of the second tier of this game's progressing.) This includes giving you access to some high-end locations such as The Labyrinth of Tigers, the University, and so forth (more on an example later below.)
Pretty much, if you progress to the pinnacle of every making your Name rank, the end reward includes the top-tier location as well as a huge boost to stats along the way as stat bonuses and a free +4 stat item. You may need to have a modified stat of 97-100 or higher, but by the time you can successfully make the checks to do the high-end multiple successes to get to the Rank 5 of those end-quest tasks, it should be there. For instance, my Brute recently finished all of "A Name Scrawled in Blood" for Dangerous's Making Your Name, and he was not only easily above Modified (with Equipment) 100 by several points, he was granted access to and a Season Pass for The Labyrinth, then had his Wounds Menace wiped for that accomplishment (when starting the new storyette while in there.) Also, accomplishing Making your Name's goal (as mentioned above) also gives you CP to bump that stat several points in each section of its progression (and also gives you a relevant item that adds +4 to the stat when equipped which is a lot nicer than having to spend 28-62 Echoes for a similar item! Quirks will go up or down depending on how you associate your character with a style or no style but their own unique method. )
So long paragraphs short, complete all the Making your Name Stat goals. it will not be quick, but will absolutely keep you occupied, gain you a lot (and I do mean a lot based on what a pre-PoSI can normally earn) of resources and unlock a lot of new locations directly or give you the stats and resources to do so in the Your Lodgings (don't forget to also check the Gossip Lodgings site after you have the Route as going that way also gains you yet even more resources as long as you don't use Fate on the Main areas. feel free to unlock the Fate-locked stories as you so wish without any missed reward however.)
To summarize what has been posted here before by other users:
- Stay in a base profession until your base (without equipment modifiers) is 71 or higher, then resign/switch to a new base profession and repeat. When all of your stats are 71 or higher, then is the time to up your Profession. You also as a bonus get a lot of useful components weekly you absolutely will need in other things (besides what locations I mentioned above) like Expeditions and PoSI-related quests.
- Invest in the basic stat-boosting equipment. This also includes the basic pets up to 12.80 Echoes (which should be gotten ASAP) such as the Lucky Weasel, Reprehensible Lizard, Sulky Bat, Arabay Fighting Weasel, Deshrieked mandrake, Fairly Tame Sorrow Spider, and Dazed Raven Advisor (after you upgrade this to a higher Watchful and Shadowy form respectively, you can decide if it's worth buying another one at base level or not. But eventually buying two to upgrade to better Watchful and Shadowly pets is absolutely suggested.) Always have at least one pet if some options take you to zero (and those often cost 40 pence of an Echo to buy one.) If you can't afford the 28-echo (or higher) for on-average a +5 stat boosting item on all Stats/all slots, at least save up and get one for your decided main stat as many times as you can for each slot. (Selling some of the for-you-high-end 12.50 Echoes when sold items is fine when starting out as what's key is getting better equipment to boost those stats, especially above 100 Modified to start so you can begin your PoSI stage. If you find you have a card or path that needs one of those items specifically, then sell other 12.50 Echo sold tier items instead.)
- Use Storyettes and cards that when failed, don't Give Menaces. You can repeatedly use those to boost your stats.
- Use the Talkative Rattus Faber to grind those basic stories again! Should you get something that easily progresses you without risk, equipping this fellow decreases all your stats by 25, allowing you to get more progression change points (or cp) on a success or access stories on locations/cards you previously were too high to use. This absolutely should be a purchase. Just remember to un-equip when done of course! (And also, if you can get a skill check to 90% but not higher, you get more cp than if it were 91-100, just a FYI.)
- Be social! Make contacts, send cards out to the regular responders, and use their help to lower Menaces/grind Second Chances to turn in at your Lodgings for Stat Bumps around a random 1-50 cp reward each time.
- Going Insane and like the Dream Qualities? Get a Memory of Light! It will send you to the Mirror Marches which can also bump up stats and only lower Is Somebody There Dreams (instead of the Hotel's lowering stats and all Dream qualities.) Having at least 1 Memory of Light guarantees this trip, and you can gain them from several cards/storyetts such as owning the Reprehensible Lizard pet and feeding it, or directly upconverting Compromising Documents on the Myself tab for the latter.
- Sign up with others to get Christmas cards! Not only does it super-boost the related stat each card is related to, the Second Chances you get from the cards are uncapped and can go way above 20 in inventory, which you can then turn in at your lodgings in lots of 5 for even more stat-increasing CP goodness! The link in this section will guide to where you can sign up with a group solely focused on doing so if interested, (or just read the thread for how Sackmass Cards work and go your own way!)
- Just Have Fun! Don't like what was posted here or by others? Just enjoy the game, do it your own way, and stop stressing over it. It's a game! Even Death doesn't stop these characters. Find your own style, but we'll always be there to help you from our own experiences.
I hope these words helped (or apologies if you are more stressed  !) If you have further questions, and you are not getting the answers you feel you need here, feel free to send me a PM.
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Sestina Valdis
Posts: 210
11/25/2015
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If you are learning very little from successes, then I'd advise keeping things at "low risk" difficulty (81-90% I believe). That gives 2 CP per success at a relatively high probability.
If you need to reduce your stats to hit that, then get a Talkative Rattus Faber and mix and match gear until you hit the desired stat level.
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Sestina Valdis, the Saccharine Satirist.
Appearance and Misc. Accoutrements
A Past Scattered Across Discarded Stockings
Fei Xue, the Artful Assassin.
Self
Edward de Riere, the Barebones Baron.
Avatar by Daniel Ilinca.
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dov
Posts: 2580
11/25/2015
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No, all faction cards can appear in all locations. With patience, you'll get it.
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 Want a sip of Hesperidean Cider? Send me a request in-game. Here's an_ocelot's guide how.
(Most social actions are welcome. Please no requests to Loiter Suspiciously and no investigations of the Affluent Photographer)
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Parelle
Posts: 1084
11/25/2015
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I've gotten caught in that slog to - and I also switched to a Tier 2 profession as early as posdible. So I completely sympathize with being impatient with the system of Tier 1 options. I've only ever gone straight upwards (Watcher-Agent-Midnighter) on my professions so while it may not be efficient it's not going to hamper you in the longest run. I've played the game for a little over a year now, and discounting the strange effects of the new trackers, my stats are all in the 160's or higher and I've not bought that much equipment.
It may be worth seeing if you can find a storylet you can safely fail without gaining menaces. I remember that for me, there was a great situation where 1) I had an almost impossible chance of succeeding on a Dangerous check (since at that point I had almost not increased my dangerous at all) and 2)the story's granted actual cash on the fail result. I gained a ton of CP and some cash until I succeeded at it.
Lastly, have you considered sending out menace rediction requests? I'd be happy to repay the favors done to me.
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Parelle, Lady Joseph Marlen. The Singular Librarian. A Midnighter, a Player of the Marvelous.
pages from a dusty bookshop: a badly updated FL changelog | Useful Guidance and Explanations
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Charlotte_de_Witte
Posts: 360
11/25/2015
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I'm very sorry to hear that John, I hope things get much better soon.
Recurring dream cards are good though aren't they? For things like Stormy-eyed- they're a lot of fun to read anyway. (Well not so much the one on the boat where my hands burnt off...)
Again it depends very much on your out-look and why you are playing. For me the story and setting is the most important and to try my best to role-play with some amazing people. All the Menace +8 locations look so much fun to read and a of lot work must have gone into making them. So I'm happy to spend my actions there. Bring on Parabola Base-Camp! - and only Newgate is permanently bad game-play-wise to visit to much - correct? Its not a game you can lose, which as my Sunless Sea captains will tell you, is very fortuitous 
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"Do one thing for me, Sredni Vashtar."
Social actions welcome. Only, send me dupes if you need help with the Affluent Photographer please, I like the bats! [And boxed kitties, and extreme gardening]- Thank-you!
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Charlotte%20de%20Witte
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Sestina Valdis
Posts: 210
11/25/2015
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There are options to trade in your dream qualities for yummies later on! (Mostly after you become a PoSI, though.) Some options on the dream cards also actually reduce nightmares rather than increase them... Uh, if one is lucky, at least. (If you need any nightmare reduction, feel free to contact me too.) Also, I too enjoy reading the cards!
I think there are some good items that are worth investing in. Some of the cheaper pieces are actually best-in-slot for some stats. The Pair of Masterwork Dancing Slippers immediately come to mind. Also, some items are needed for future storylets: an Exceptional Hat and Battered Grey Overcoat will be handy in Polythreme, for example, if one is a completionist.
edited by Sestina Valdis on 11/25/2015
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Sestina Valdis, the Saccharine Satirist.
Appearance and Misc. Accoutrements
A Past Scattered Across Discarded Stockings
Fei Xue, the Artful Assassin.
Self
Edward de Riere, the Barebones Baron.
Avatar by Daniel Ilinca.
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Parelle
Posts: 1084
11/25/2015
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I'll be honest. I didn't pursue dream cards until I was a POSI and certainly not when they didn't autofire (You do know that the autofire cards are red, and they won't cost an action if you're at 0 actions, right? I didn't know that for a really really long time). I learned that the hard way early on, when about half of your deck is nightmare and you've no easy way to deal with them (Oh hey, she left me a goldfish! It's the greatest thing! It's just what I needed! Waaaaay more excitement about this than I care to admit now)
10 rostygold to the Church and siding with the Urchins can help with nightmares. And you can always play Roulette with the refreshment tent.
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Parelle, Lady Joseph Marlen. The Singular Librarian. A Midnighter, a Player of the Marvelous.
pages from a dusty bookshop: a badly updated FL changelog | Useful Guidance and Explanations
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malthaussen
Posts: 1060
11/25/2015
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Are all your stats at 70 or better? If not, it is well to keep a training profession to raise any stat lacking. For this check, equipment does NOT apply.
I found out recently, btw, that so long as you don't cash in your Earnest of Payment, it will apply to the profession you have at the time you do cash it, which effectively gives you a bit south of two weeks to change professions (the Earnests don't stack).
-- Mal
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"Of two choices, I always take the third."
Will do all socials except Loitering or Private Evenings (all my Free Evenings are accounted for), and Affluent Photographer Betrayals only, please. I am not currently accepting calling cards.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/malthaussen
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malthaussen
Posts: 1060
11/25/2015
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But the cards you draw and the stories you can play are based on your stats, not your profession. So all you can do is keep plugging away at the stories. The second-tier areas (Flit, Shuttered Palace, etc) have more lucrative stories than the starting ones, but of course the stat checks are harder as well.
How is your equipment? A little +15 worth of stuff (it all stacks) can make life easier.
Got Nightmares? In addition to asking other players to help out, if you can access the Shuttered Palace, taking some art lessons will lower them (of course, you still have to pass the stat check). Buy and equip a Cheerful Goldfish to drop them one point (the card that starts turning up at 5 Nightmares is a pain in the butt).
You can change your Training profession at will in your Lodgings. Write a letter to resign, then you'll have the option to pick another.
And it is pretty much exactly the opposite of "log in and ignore the game." It's more "Log in and grind every day." Yeah, you will repeat the same things over and over... and over, but there is always something new and cool around the corner.
-- Mal
edited by malthaussen on 11/25/2015
edited by malthaussen on 11/25/2015
--
"Of two choices, I always take the third."
Will do all socials except Loitering or Private Evenings (all my Free Evenings are accounted for), and Affluent Photographer Betrayals only, please. I am not currently accepting calling cards.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/malthaussen
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John Savage
Posts: 198
11/25/2015
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malthaussen wrote:
But the cards you draw and the stories you can play are based on your stats, not your profession. So all you can do is keep plugging away at the stories. The second-tier areas (Flit, Shuttered Palace, etc) have more lucrative stories than the starting ones, but of course the stat checks are harder as well.
How is your equipment? A little +15 worth of stuff (it all stacks) can make life easier.
Got Nightmares? In addition to asking other players to help out, if you can access the Shuttered Palace, taking some art lessons will lower them (of course, you still have to pass the stat check). Buy and equip a Cheerful Goldfish to drop them one point (the card that starts turning up at 5 Nightmares is a pain in the butt).
You can change your Training profession at will in your Lodgings. Write a letter to resign, then you'll have the option to pick another.
And it is pretty much exactly the opposite of "log in and ignore the game." It's more "Log in and grind every day." Yeah, you will repeat the same things over and over... and over, but there is always something new and cool around the corner.
-- Mal
edited by malthaussen on 11/25/2015
edited by malthaussen on 11/25/2015
No access to Shuttered Palace.... and I don't have much in the way of equipment.... a few things I've found... and a few purchased.... but I don't know what it's OK to sell.... and have frequently been advised not to buy... 
It's just that RL has been so overwhelming stressful over the past few months (and the holidays are a stress-doubler), so I need a RELAXING game.... struggling to find one....
But I still don't see the real advantage to the starter professions..... what do they do other than give a weekly bonus?
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If at first you don't succeed, shoot it again.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/John~Savage
Scandal and suspicion! Suspicion and scandal! I miss the old days when only blood mattered.
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Estelle Knoht
Posts: 1751
11/25/2015
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John Savage wrote:
At this point I get cards that pay off at a pittance, cards I can't actually use, and nightmares.... LOTS of nightmares.... currently have 5 different recurring dreams going at once.....
The game tend to slow down around 70~100 - consider finding some partners to power level your stats with social actions and ignore the story if you really don't enjoy managing menaces.
Christmas should helps a lot with the power boost you gain from Christmas cards, too.
The beginning professions all give 250 points of stats - while a patron can grant you 70 points per lesson, so it is just something to push you through lower levels.
edited by Estelle Knoht on 11/25/2015
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Estelle Knoht, a juvenile, unreliable and respectable lady.
I currently do not accept any catbox, cider, suppers, calling cards or proteges.
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