-=AGENCY GUIDE=-

Here you can find some starting information and tips regarding the 5 agencies of silencer. Additional information on agency background is available in the silencer.txt file, and you can find additional information in the silencerguide.doc file (Both are included with silencer, check the directory where it is installed.) ALL NEW PLAYERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ BOTH FILES BEFORE PLAYING ONLINE!

And of course, all agencies want you to get them 3 secrets.
Name	Bonus / Item	How to maximize agency credits
NOXIS	+3 Endurance +5 Jump Health Pack	First off, die as little as possible. (Replacement bodies expensive) Kill your enemies, but don't focus just on killing. Use lasers and rockets. Don't kill civilians (customers)! Don't use poison items if you find them (considered pollutant). Accuracy is measured and graded.
LAZARUS	Resurrection Lazarus Tract*	Use the agency item, Lazarus Tracts (seen as gaining converts). Lazarus is unique, in that they want you to die a couple of times. (Spiritual Release)
CALIBER	+3 Contacts Security Pass	Avoid dying. Kill your enemies. Collect lots of files! Use laser turrets, but place them well. Dont kill using blaster weapon (too cheap).
STATIC	+3 Hacking Satellite Spy Virus*	Avoid dying, but they don't mark off too much if you do. Killing is secondary to collecting data. Use the virus item, especially to disable your enemy's base. Also use remote detonators. Stealing secrets is rewarded, the more the better.
BLACK ROSE	+2 Shield Stealth Poison Items*	Avoid death at all costs. (Bodies leave traces) Use Poison items, and compliment that with the flamer weapon. Kill as many enemies as possible, but not guards. Don't use laser turrets, and don't carpet bomb. Stealing secrets is especially good.

Levels are awarded as follows:

Level 1 - 210

Level 2 - 500

Level 3 - 960

Level 4 - 1650

Level 5 - 2660

Level 6 - 4080

Level 7 - 5970

Level 8 - 8420

Level 9 - 11520

Level 10 - 15330

Level 11 - 19940

Level 12 - 25440

Level 13 - 31880

Level 14 - 39380

Level 15 - 48000

Level 16 - 57800

Level 17 - 68900

Level 18 - 81360

Level 19 - 95240

Level 20 - 110660
Thanks, Silent Rain!

Once you gain a level, how best to invest your skill points?
The best stats to raise depends on your agency and the kind of character you normally play. Do you play as the master hacker, or the Harrassin Assassin?

Endurance: +20 Health
Health is your last defense once your shields are down. Also, given that there are a few items that bypass or quickly disable shields, many people prefer investing in health instead.

Hacking: Faster access to the secret
The primary goal in each conflict is to steal 3 secrets, and with this bonus you will be able to do so faster.

Contacts: +10% bonus for delivering files.
Contacts lets you make money faster. If you use a lot of inventory items this will help you purchase them quicker. Also lets you see how soon large terminals will be ready for hacking.

Shield: +20 Shield
Shields can last a longer time than health versus explosions and blaster rounds, but are vulnerable to lasers and emp bombs.

Jetpack: More jetpack fuel
Having more jetpack fuel allows you to go higher and fly longer. Useful in large and open maps.

Inventory: +1 tech slot (MAX 8)
Every inventory item takes up so many tech slots, and additional slots allows you to carry more different items. The neutron bomb item requires haveing the maximum tech slots.

I generally go for inventory slots, then get hacking and health. Throw in a +1 to contacts, maybe some shields later on, jetpack eventually, and you're in good shape.
Different agencies start with different stat bonuses so there is that to consider too. For example, with Noxis giving you +3 Endurance from the start, you can probably invest your level-up points elsewhere.

Fellow forum memeber Guillaume777 offers this advice:
After experimenting a bit i'd say that stats should be raised in this order :
Hacking - Quick hacking means better access to secret
Tech Slot - Extra technology such as Det Pack, Base Defense, Flamer, etc. means more options
Endurance - To survive. Protects you against flamers, poison, emp bomb, etc. making it way better than shield.
Jetpack/Contacts - More jetpack fuel can be a drawback as you need to wait more before being completely refilled. Contacts don't have much impact (10% more cash for files, not applicable to the 1000 bonus from Secret capture) either.
Shield - Easily nullified by Emp, bypassed by flamer and poison, and destroyed without much trouble by laser (60 damage per hit). I find this only shines when you get the Super Shield item, as it double your max shield for a total of up to 400 (!).

This page is still under construction. This information is based off personal observations, the silencer messages file, and information off the community forums. Please do not copy without permission.