Problem Sleuth's special attacks

Over the course of Problem Sleuth, Problem Sleuth uses a number of battle techniques, combat operandi, and other special attacks to defeat his enemies. As a running gag, most of his techniques have names that imply a peaceful, non-violent resolution, but prove to be anything but.

Battle techniques[]

Sleuth Diplomacy[]

Required Character Rating	DAPPER SWAIN
Elf Tears	1	Weasel Snot	0
Hog Slop	0	Pie Filling	0
Attack Power	33	Brutal Affront	2%	Savage Upbraid	1.3%

Description	Allows you to acquaint recipient with your brand of diplomacy.
Learned after	Defeating a beast

Sleuth Diplomacy is Problem Sleuth's most frequently used battle technique. The attack is leveled up at several times throughout the story; levels that are used by PS in combat include:

Level 1 - The basic version of the attack. PS shoots his enemies with the tommy gun. Used against a pair of thugs.
Level 2 - PS shoots his enemies with the tommy gun while smoking a cigarette. Used against a large group of thugs.
Level 5: Impromptu Caucus - As PS opens fire on his target, the two Ace Dicks join in and fire their machine guns. Used against Morthol Dryax.
Level 10: Ceasefire - PS calls for a laying down of arms and drops his gun, then runs up to his targets and fights them in hand-to-hand combat. Used against the Cultural Rainbow.

Two more versions of the attack, Level 98 and Level 99, can only be used while PS has Sepulchritude active.

Fair Shake[]

Learned after

Drafting a treaty between the Four Kingdoms

Fair Shake is a cooperative attack involving Problem Sleuth and one of the Ace Dicks. When attacking a group of enemies, PS uses one hand to fire the tommy gun and the other to hold a skylight towards the targets. AD positions his machine gun through the other skylight and fires, shooting at PS's enemies without actually being in the same room as PS. Used against a group of thugs and beasts.

Brass Tacks[]

Learned after	Drafting a treaty between the Four Kingdoms
Spondulicks Levied	3000

By paying the required fee, Problem Sleuth can summon the three legendary jazz musicians: Blind Willie "Buttermilk" Stubbs, Father "Blind Pappy" Ramblin' Jackson, and Earl Stokes "Can't-see-a-damn" Molasses Fatts. The musicians attack PS's enemies by raining musical instruments down upon them. Used against Morthol Dryax.

Summon Henry Clay[]

Required Character Rating	PICAROON'S SCOURGE
Elf Tears	0	Weasel Snot	1
Hog Slop	0	Pie Filling	3
Attack Power	-	Spondulicks Levied	3500

Description

The Great Compromiser wheels and deals on your behalf, for a fee.

By paying his asking fee, Problem Sleuth can summon Henry Clay, the 19th century Kentucky politician who represented in the state in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Great Compromiser will proceed to unleash his own battle technique, Pacify, and violently tear PS's enemies apart with his bare hands. Used against a group of beasts.

Unused[]

Three additional battle techniques are shown in Problem Sleuth's Battle Menu , but they are never used at any point in the adventure.

Compromise
Pax
Unconditional Surrender

Combat operandi[]

Armistyx[]

Learned after	Defeating Fluthlu
Required ingredients	1 Elf Tear, 3 Hog Slop, 2 Pie Filling

Using Armistyx, Problem Sleuth can instantly summon Death to his location. PS can then make a deal with Death to acquire more combat power. When used during the fight against Demonhead Mobster Kingpin, Death agrees to give PS his scythe.

Sepulchritude[]

For the chapter with the same name, see Problem Sleuth: Volume 5#Chapter 22.

Required Character Rating	GROOM TO THE HABERDASHER'S DAUGHTER
Elf Tears	36	Weasel Snot	12
Hog Slop	18	Pie Filling	29
Attack Power	480,000	Dire Animadversion	100%

Description	Righteous fire of charisma. Consumes recipient, host, and all who surround in scathing cyclone of personal charm.
Additional requirements	Level 8 Impetus Comb, Tectrixcalibur, Ink of Squid Pro Quo
Learned after	Drafting a treaty between the Four Kingdoms

Sepulchritude is the ultimate Comb Rave and the single most devastating attack in Problem Sleuth's arsenal. After refraining from using it several times , he finally unleashes its awesome power in the final phase of the Demonhead Mobster Kingpin fight.

Sepulchritude is a major power-up that turns PS into the Chosen Arbitor and gives him access to a number of diplomacy-themed attacks. This state lasts until his supply of Ink of Squid Pro Quo is totally depleted, at which point he is reverted back to his normal state. Initiating Sepulchritude is an act of self-sacrifice; once PS is turned back to normal, he will die unless someone can give him the will to live.

Its attack name is probably a play on Pulchritude and Sepulchre, a tomb, reflecting the fact that using a sacrificial attack usually means you'll end up in a tomb.

Likewise, it can also be seen as a play on the words Pulchritude and Seppuku, a Japanese form of suicide, since it is a self-destructive attack.

Attacks and effects[]

Simply initiating Sepulchritude causes PS's body to radiate the righteous fires of charisma, instantly destroying DMK's defensive Brier of Cruelty.
Righteous Aggression - PS attacks his target with the Tectrixcalibur, writes and ratifies treaties, and slashes them in half in front of the enemy. This attack is capable of eliminating one of DMK's health bars.
As the Chosen Arbitor, PS can receive the Smith Corona Blotspitter and an ink ribbon cartridge as a boon from the Demimonde Semigoddess.
Level 98 Sleuth Diplomacy: Poison Pen Letter - Using the Blotspitter's typewriter mode, PS can type up a strongly worded unpleasant note directed at his enemy. The enemy's Sick Burn levels receive a critical spike.
Level 99 Sleuth Diplomacy: Pax Probliscum - After loading the unpleasant note into the Blotspitter, PS fires a number of devastating shots at his enemy. This attack is capable of eliminating one of DMK's health bars. The name of this attack is presumably a portmanteu of "problem" with the Latin phrase "pax vobiscum", which means "peace be with you".
Final Flip Out - The Weasel King communes with PS, giving him the power to Flip the Fuck Out and do severe damage to the enemy. This attack is capable of destroying multiple DMK health bars.
Once the Ink of Squid Pro Quo runs out, a final wave of holy charisma is unleashed and spreads across the entire universe. This effect wipes out the rest of DMK's health.

Parliament Uproar!: Trusty Knives[]

After Hysterical Dame falls in combat, Problem Sleuth's spiritual connection to her allows him to perform the Parliament Uproar! Trusty Knives. He opens his coat to reveal a variety of knives that he grabs and throws at his opponent. Used against Fluthlu.