Recruiting prisioners: does it worth the hassle?

[alfn86]

Do you think recruiting prisioners worth the work involved to get it?

[zAcEz]

Only one: Wrongdoers.

Also, you can throw away earlier recruits because catching them at higher levels has more base stats.

Best use for prisoners is to man the camp production.

[Dies Fourth]

Every time i put a prisoner on the tanning rack and give him a haircut and toothpaste in 2 rests he takes off, hoe do i get them to stay and keep working ?

[zAcEz]

surround him with at least 4 other of your units & animals. You'll need him injured so you can drop the escape chance to 0. Otherwise its 20% chance with 4 or more units.
It doesnt have to be adjacent, up to 1 tile away is fine & 1 unit can "detain" more than 1 prisoner.

[BigFatJuicyMonkeys]

Originally posted by Dies Fourth:

Every time i put a prisoner on the tanning rack and give him a haircut and toothpaste in 2 rests he takes off, hoe do i get them to stay and keep working ?

In addition to what zAcEz said, check their status screen to see their escape chance.

Originally posted by zAcEz:

Only one: Wrongdoers.

Also, you can throw away earlier recruits because catching them at higher levels has more base stats.

Best use for prisoners is to man the camp production.

Unless if you want to catch them all like pokemon. I need more bench slots...

[alfn86]

Originally posted by BigFatJuicyMonkeys:

Originally posted by Dies Fourth:

Every time i put a prisoner on the tanning rack and give him a haircut and toothpaste in 2 rests he takes off, hoe do i get them to stay and keep working ?

In addition to what zAcEz said, check their status screen to see their escape chance.

Originally posted by zAcEz:

Only one: Wrongdoers.

Also, you can throw away earlier recruits because catching them at higher levels has more base stats.

Best use for prisoners is to man the camp production.

Unless if you want to catch them all like pokemon. I need more bench slots...

I see

So, after managing to recruit them they will develop like a normal companion or do they differ somehow?

[zaphod]

Originally posted by alfn86:

...
So, after managing to recruit them they will develop like a normal companion or do they differ somehow?

The recruited prisoner will never have a skill tree (or he will only have two fixed skills that you see at lvl 5 and 8).
Recruiting non-Wrongdoers prisoners is pointless for the reason that normal mercs can simply always be better (and even recruiting Wrongdoers is definitely not something that is worthwhile for everyone).
If it is worth having prisoners, I say unequivocally yes (for work in the camp and later as carriers). The recruit itself is not difficult at all, and if you understand the principle and have the right conditions, it can be done in a few sleeps.

[Dies Fourth]

If you have to surround them to keep them working dont the real mercs lose valor points or become unhappy for standing up all night ?

[zaphod]

Originally posted by Dies Fourth:

If you have to surround them to keep them working dont the real mercs lose valor points or become unhappy for standing up all night ?

Your soldiers can also do any work at night. It's just that the soldier's slot and the prisoner's slot must be at a small enough distance. The soldier can sleep in the tent, but if his slot (the green one below him that you see in the camp when you move him) is next to the prisoner, he is still guarding him.

[Click2Kill]

Originally posted by zAcEz:

Only one: Wrongdoers.

I would say there are a handful, such as tacticians, renegades, and arrows. Some factions also have good traits that you can use.

They are also cheaper to upkeep. The true downside to recruiting prisoners is they don't have access to a valor-generating trait, which is very useful in making a ruthless mercenary,

[zaphod]

Originally posted by Click2Kill:

Originally posted by zAcEz:

Only one: Wrongdoers.

I would say there are a handful, such as tacticians, renegades, and arrows. Some factions also have good traits that you can use.

They are also cheaper to upkeep. The true downside to recruiting prisoners is they don't have access to a valor-generating trait, which is very useful in making a ruthless mercenary,

Well, I don't quite agree with this.
Maintenance is a problem (if at all) in the early stages of the game. Getting money in the mid/late game is relatively easy. I wouldn't really consider that a significant advantage.
You can generate VP on the weapon (so it's not necessarily a disadvantage).
The main difference is the number of skills that you can get with a normal merc, you have 5 levels for this and some of them have upgradable skills (you basically get 2-in-1 abilities)...you choose these skills according to your needs and play style. With prisoners, you only have two and and clearly predetermined. Yes, the skills are good for some, and overall you will always build a better build with a normal character.

[Parder]

Don't use animals as guards. Did that once and the prisoner was unhappy/mad at "us" because he felt humiliated being guarded by a bear/animal. Later you can craft a stock witch will allow you to detain up to 4 prisoners with 0% chance to escape.
However, NEVER chain a prisoner to the stock if you want to recruit him, they do not like it at all. To recruit one he needs to like your band. So, after capturing him, heal his wound, give him a haircut, put him to work guarded and hope for the "best".
Lastly, you can "sell" CRIMINAL prisoners to the jail, getting some renown(or how its called)with a skill and also with a skill, loose 20 suspicion per prisoner sold.
As mentioned above, if you do not want a certain prisoner skill, even chained to the stock, they raise your weight/carry limit.
Others then that, as far your mercs go, it does not matter at all if thery work or sit at the camp fire etc. Only effect next to, 4 example the cook who reduces food intake if he/she mans the cooking pot, you can place your men/women next to each other helping them either getting a good relation ship or a bonus on happiness if they are best friends/couple when they spend the rest next to each other.