Problem Sleuth

	"Mature Content"
	This character or verse has mature themes and concepts, thus those of young age are ill-advised to look through these.

“	You are one of the top Problem Sleuths in the city. Solicitations for your service are numerous in quantity. Compensation, adequate. It is a balmy summer evening. You are feeling particularly hard boiled tonight. What will you do?	„
	~ First Appearance

“	Pose as a team. The world is real.	„
	~ Epilogue of Problem Sleuth

“

PS: What Pumpkin? THIS FUCKING PUMPKIN.

„

“

Using one of your TRUSTY KNIVES, you carve your favorite SPOOK SCHEMATIC into your pumpkin. Terrifying GAMBIT AETHERS flow from the supernatural gourd and permeate your ARTIFICE AMBIENT. You undergo an incredible transformation.''

„

“

PS:SEPULCHRITUDE. Righteous fires of charisma wipe out the brier. The resplendent light of divine PULCHRITUDE consumes your spirit.

„

“	DMK you smell bad and you suck. God do you even know how lame you are? What is with all these heads and where do you get off being so impossible anyway. We spent more than half the game fighting you. If ugly retards were turds you would be the one that smells the worse	„
	~ Problem Sleuth's unpleasant note to DMK

PS SEPULCHRITUDE

“	You are undeniably the top Problem Sleuth in the city. Solicitations for your service are overwhelming in quantity. Compensation, spectacular. It is a cold winter evening. You are feeling particularly hard boiled tonight. What will you do?	„
	~ Introduction in HS^2

Problem Sleuth Title Theme

Background

Problem Sleuth is the hard-boiled protagonist of the Problem Sleuth adventure. He is purportedly one of many Problem Sleuths in the city.

Problem Sleuth tends to see himself as a hard-boiled prohibition-era detective, getting calls from Hysterical Dames while lazing about on his desk. He's has a penchant for monologuing in old 30's noir style at times, and it's a bit difficult to figure out what he's talking about occasionally. Initially in the beginning of the game, Problem Sleuth has trouble doing simple tasks, and tends to spend a lot of time doing absurd things such as stubbing his toe on cinder blocks, wrapping himself up in recording tape as a mummy, throwing his phone out the window, peeing on clown paintings, building Forts, committing suicide, and is seemingly inept at accomplishing anything meaningful. He is very jealous of Ace Dick, as Ace Dick is able to get all the "good cases". This is most likely due to Problem Sleuth's own inability, or more probable that it's just because he's locked in his own office. When you first start playing Problem Sleuth it is quite obvious that Problem Sleuth isn't nearly as capable as he believes he is or just a guy who has a fairly decent imagination.

General Information

Name: Problem Sleuth

Origin: Problem Sleuth

Sex: Male

Age: Unknown

Classification: Hard-boiled Detective

Codex Statistics

Key: Base | Candy Corn Vampire | Chosen Arbiter/Sepulchritude

Tier: High 8-C. At least 2-C likely 2-A+ via Summoning | 2-C, likely 2-A+ | At least 2-C, likely 2-A+

Cardinality: Finite | ℵ0, likely ℵ1 | ℵ0, likely ℵ1

Dimensionality: 3-D

Attack Potency: Large Building level (Should be comparable to his female counterpart, who briefly harmed and eventually defeated Mobster Kingpin. Has a greater VIM stat than Pickle Inspector. Defeated Fluthlu, who can harm Ace Dick). At least Universe level, likely Multiverse level+ via Summoning (Able to summon the Weasel King and Part-Pickles for assistance in battle, who can both harm DMK) | Universe level, likely Multiverse level+ (Dealt significant damage to Demonhead Mobster Kingpin's second face) | At least Universe level, likely Multiverse level+ (Fodderized Demonhead Mobster Kingpin's final face in only a few attacks)

Durability: Large Building level (Should be comparable to his female counterpart, who endured a beating from Mobster Kingpin) | Universe level, likely Multiverse level+ (Survived hits from one of DMK's summons. Tanked a blast from DMK) | Universe level, likely Multiverse level+

Striking Strength: Large Building class | Universe Class, likely Multiverse Class+ | Universe Class, likely Multiverse Class+

Lifting Strength: Unknown | Unknown | Universal (Should possess comparable if not greater amounts of VIM than FAD)

Travel Speed: Unknown | Extra-Temporal (Comparable to DMK) | Extra-Temporal (Destroyed the entirety of the infinitely extending Ladder to Hell in a fraction of a second. Blitzed Demonhead Mobster Kingpin's Final Face, who could effortlessly resist the pull of Black Hole Mobster Kingpin, who was condensing time and all future events of the universe with his pull)

Combat Speed: Faster Than Light (Able to contend against Fluthlu and other stronger opponents) | Extra-Temporal | Extra-Temporal (Destroyed the entirety of the infinitely extending Ladder to Hell in a fraction of a second)

Reaction Speed: Faster Than Light (Deflected Fluthlu's Disconcerting Ogle using a shard of glass) | Extra-Temporal (Able to swiftly dodge DMK's attacks) | Extra-Temporal

Stamina: Superhuman+ (His journey lasted months and hasn't shown to be needing things such as food and sleep)

Range: Standard Melee. Hundreds of meters with weapons. Universal, likely Multiversal+ via IMAGINATION | Standard Melee. Hundreds of meters with weapons. Universal, likely Multiversal+ via IMAGINATION | Universal, likely Multiversal+

Intelligence: Genius (Is a hard-boiled detective with a knack for creativity and problem solving, having decent amount of IMAGINATION in which it roughly correlates to the intellect of the character. Despite his goofy nature, he's incredibly good at influencing others, with it making him the de facto leader of the team. Was successful with a political negotiation between four previously conflicting kingdoms, and established peace around the land. Is adept at hand to hand combat, and is a quick thinker in combat along with being skilled within it)

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Powers and Techniques

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Genius Intelligence, Stealth Mastery, Adept at hand to hand combat, Weapon Usage, Non-Standard Interaction (Can interact with others within the Imaginary Universe, which is a realm where ideas and imagination are conceptualized and take form), Abstract Existence and Incorporeality within the Imaginary Universe (Type 1; Exist as a mere idea outside of the physical plane of reality), Information Analysis (Can see the HP bar of an opponent and other stats alike), Divine Protection, Supernatural Luck, and Plot Manipulation (Plot Armor; Is watched and guided by Andrew Hussie; being given commands by him that follows his narrative structure throughout the story, helping Problem Sleuth through his adventures. Implied to be guided by GPI. Somehow was unaffected by the fabric of Space-Time being ripped apart as the attack missed him completely), Time Manipulation via the MSPA Reader (The MSPA reader, like Andrew Hussie, is an entity watching over the characters by following AH's narrative and assisting the heroes by turning back a page to avoid an undesirable outcome. The MSPA reader also has the ability to save and load back to a previous page), Power Nullification (The Author would always prevent Problem Sleuth from activating SEPULCHRITUDE until it was the right moment. Can possibly break battle menus as displayed by Bro), Reality Warping, Matter Manipulation, Space-Time Manipulation, Creation, Subjective Reality, Perspective Manipulation, Metaphysics Manipulation (Logic Manipulation; Like every character, Problem Sleuth can enter the Imaginary Universe, allowing him to do anything he pleases in it. Using one's imagination, the characters can control matter, space, time and logic of the imaginary world and can even create things such as weapons to use in combat. Problem Sleuth's capabilities of using IMAGINATION is fairly decent), Portal Creation and Size Manipulation (Has a window that allows him to physically travel in the world of Imagination, and some portals have size altering properties that can either turn you large or small), Statistics Amplification (By drinking alcohol, he can increase his IMAGINATION. Can increase his PULCHRITUDE stat by eating candy corn. Can increase his VIM by drinking coffee. Eating something or drinking certain beverages in general seems to have an effect on his stats), Dimensional Travel (Can create a fort to enter the world of Imagination), Social Influencing (Has a high PULCHRITUDE stat, which allows him to influence others, get the dames, and generally be a hard-boiled fellow. Since his stats are high, he is considered to be the de facto leader of the team), Limited BFR (Has the ability to unsummon allies, returning them back to their respective place), Transformation (Has a handgun that can transform into keys. Also via Gambit Schema and COMBAT OPERANDI -> SEPULCHRITUDE, which transforms him into the Candy Corn Vampire and the Chosen Arbiter), Resurrection (Self-Resurrection, Resurrection of the Deceased; All Problem Sleuth characters will go to the underworld upon death, where they can get out if Death is distracted or if they beat Death in a game), Limited Resurrection and Self-BFR (Has three "Imaginary Lives", where losing one will bring you back to the physical plane), Instinctive Reaction (via AUTO-PARRY), Law Manipulation (Engaging with enemies will initiate a turn-based RPG styled battle, with characters having entire battle menus; a multi-purpose interface used by Team Sleuth with commands that'll assist them in combat. A similar mechanic can be seen in Homestuck), Accelerated Development (Can level up from battles, increasing his stats and power overall), Breaking the Fourth Wall and Limited BFR (As shown here. Can send you to the Ctrl-Alt-Del website. Can look up a walkthrough of his own series when he was stuck in a sticky and unsolvable situation), Summoning (By opening his COMBAT OPERANDI and expending 3 ELF TEARS, Problem Sleuth can summon the WEASEL EMISSARY. Able to summon one of John's main weapon: Warhammer of Zillyhoo. Once summoned and hired the Midnight Crew in a non-canonical part in the story. Can summon Ace Dick and PFPI for assistance in battle. Has other technique's that can summon certain people. See notable attacks and technique for more information), Curtain Fire (via BATTLE TECHNIQUE -> BRASS TACKS, which rains musical instruments down on the opponent), Telepathy (By using ANIMAL COMMUNION, Problem Sleuth can communicate with animal characters such as weasels), Empathic Manipulation (By changing his ALLIGENCE, he can pacify a previously agitated elves with his gesture of good will), Duplication/Multiple Personalities (Created a female alter ego of himself after accidentally knocking himself out. This female counterpart is sepearate from PS), Limited Plot Manipulation (Narrative Manipulation; Traditional; By summoning Henry Clay, the style of the comic changes while he proceeds to fodderize his enemies), Cartoon Physics (Was able to board a ship and adjust to the space around him completely forgetting that the Universe was up-side down), Time Stop (Can pause reality around him), Invulnerability negation (Can harm Mobster Kingpin), Self-Sustenance (Type 1; Can breathe in Space), Erasure (Physical Erasure; There is an ongoing gag throughout the MSPA stories where pumpkins are always refused to be acknowledged to have ever existed in the first place, sometimes disappearing in most cases where a pumpkin is brought up because of the authors refusal to believe in something had ever existed. This denial has gotten to the point where the author had rejected the idea that a pumpkin had ever existed in any parts of the MSPA storylines for the simple matter that pumpkins had never existed at all, and you are quite certain that there will never be one on this wiki, ever. Erased DMK by throwing his Candy corns at him, finishing him off for good, although it's likely he could have used any other attacks that would cause harm to DMK. In other words, finishing off an opponent would at times erase them), Resurrection Negation (Erased DMK for good to the point where he couldn't resurrect through Death's door), Transmutation (Should scale to Ace Dick as it's through defeating an enemy, similarly to how he defeated DMK), Sound Manipulation (Can mute people by turning off "protips"), Minor Regeneration and Healing negation, Irreversible Damage (Destroying a health meter in battle negates regeneration and healing capabilities, making it so you are unable to bring it back for any further use. This can be shown during the battle with DMK) Limited Resistance to Mind Manipulation, Possession, Conceptual Manipulation, and Plot Manipulation (Narrative Manipulation; Author Authority; Can ignore Andrew Hussie's influence occasionally), Space-Time Manipulation (Is completely fine after Space-Time was ripped apart by DMK), Perspective Manipulation (Unaffected by Ace Dick's incapability of using IMAGINATION, which as a results turns the universe around him into a non-sentient messed up and poorly drawn world)

Same as before, plus Enhanced Speed, Death Manipulation, Empathic Manipulation, Explosion Manipulation and Transformation via Death's Scythe. Minor Regeneration and Healing negation, Irreversible Damage (By destroying DMK's second health meter, he can no longer use it to regenerate), Enhanced Invulnerability negation (Can harm DMK, who had previously cured himself of his weaknesses)

Same as before minus the abilities from the Death Scythe, True-Flight, Higher-Dimensional Manipulation, Forcefield Negation (Sliced through DMK's impenetrable defensive barrier casually), Spatial Manipulation (Should be comparable to FAD, who can physically flip the universe upside down), Aura and Shockwave Creation (Demonstrated here), Rage Power (Can Flip the fuck out), Statistics Reduction (Weakened DMK's defenses by writing an unpleasant note), Text Manipulation and Energy Projection (Shown here), Fusionism and Metaphysics Manipulation (Soul Manipulation; Merged his soul with the Weasel King), Healing, Accelerated Development, Invulnerability, Life Manipulation, and Regeneration negation, Irreversible Damage (Sliced through DMK's infinitely extending health meters, negating any chances of regeneration, growing more health meters, and DMK's improved invulnerability), Explosion Manipulation and Deconstruction (Shown here and here) Resistance to Gravity Manipulation, Space-Time Manipulation, Reality Warping, Nothingness Manipulation, and Absorption (Unaffected by the pull of BHMK), Social Influencing (Was not affected by DMK's latter to hell, which made the MSPA reader want to commit suicide)

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Equipment

Four pieces of Candy corn that he keeps under his hat. Used to wield a handgun/Key, but usually carries around a Tommy Gun/Ring of keys. | Death's Scythe | Smith Corona Blotspitter/Typewriter

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Notable Techniques

Problem Sleuth's Battle Menu.

• AGGRESS: A physical attack using whatever weapons are on hand. Aggressing is a basic attack, and requires no special items or extra equipment. Any character may Aggress with anything they have on them, including guns, makeup, cleaning supplies, paint, scythes, tea, childhood toys or just their fists.
• ABSCOND: Abscond is a technique used to leave a battle. If the incoming assault from your enemies is too tough to handle, choosing Abscond may be your only viable option. Abscond is not foolproof, and can sometimes fail in specific battles.
• BATTLE TECHNIQUE:

Sleuth Diplomacy

RequiredCharacter 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

Level 2 Sleuth Diplomacy

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

RequiredCharacter 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.

Parliament Uproar!: Trusty Knives

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

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.

Gambit Schema: The Gambit Schema is a special transforming maneuver, which can be activated by carving the necessary pattern into the Schema Pumpkin. It increases a character's power, and changes their stats of Vim, Pulchritude, and Imagination and introduces Speed, Defense, Flicker, and Ripeness.

Flicker: This meter represents how much damage the character could take while in their Gambit Schema.

Ripeness: This meter represents how rotten the Schema Pumpkin is and thus how much time remains of that characters Gambit Schema until it expires.

• Candy Corn Vampire: Candy Corn Vampire Problem Sleuth is an alter ego of Problem Sleuth that appears when Problem Sleuth uses his Gambit Schema. Conveniently posted on October 31, Problem Sleuth, Ace Dick and Pickle Inspector acquired a Schema Pumpkin and carved their Gambit Schemas into its mysterious flesh. Problem Sleuth transformed into the Candy Corn Vampire and received an incredible Speed boost that allowed him to move as a blur, easily evading DMK's embarrassing flagella (though a barrage of Clown shoes were enough to make contact). This came at a cost to his Defense, which was slightly below average compared to his sturdy companions. The Candy Corn Vampire gave Problem Sleuth access to the Armistyx technique, allowing him temporary use of Death's beloved Scythe. The following onslaught of attacks were kick-ass enough to destroy one of DMK's health bars single-handedly, as well as demolishing the weapon he was using in the process. Unfortunately, DMK's Vexatious Glower caught Problem Sleuth unawares, and the Candy Corn Vampire was no more. However, had Problem Sleuth not used the Teaspoon Scythe, the battle against DMK wouldn't have taken so incredibly long.

Sepulchritude

RequiredCharacter 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 being initiated.

Sepulchritude is the ultimate Comb Rave and the single most devastating attack in Problem Sleuth's arsenal. After refraining from using 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.

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Other

Weaknesses: Risks himself of suffering through hangovers if he drinks alcohol beverages to increase his IMAGINATION. Will be transported back to the real world if his alcoholic boost runs out. Will be brought back to the physical plane if he loses an Imaginary life. Cannot enter the physical plane as your imaginary self. | Gambit Schema is a temporary form that does not last forever. Should the time expire, PS will lose his Vampire swiftness. The Death Scythe can break | Like Gambit Schema, it is a temporary form that does not last that long as it runs on INK. Should that INK expire, he will revert back to his base form

Note: Major credits to the MSPA wiki for the variety of information, scans, and necessary items to construct the notable attacks/techniques used for these profiles.

Battle Records

None.

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