This is worse than 'Unexpected Courage' as a standalone card. You just can't consistently time important checks to get that extra '?' icon. It isn't hard to use it with two icons though, so it's not that much worse.

But unlike 'Unexpected Courage', 'Prophesy' can be tutored by 'Practice Makes Perfect.' An investigator with access to just the seeker and mystic pools has a pretty shallow pool of practiced skills with 'Perception' and 'Deduction' as the obvious standouts.

With 4 targets in a 30-something card deck, the odds of missing a search with PMP are significant—especially if you've already played PMP once. So if you want to be sure you won't waste that card and possibly fail the skill test, 'Prophesy' is a reasonable addition. For my part, I've done this in a Mandy Thompson deck and have not been disappointed.

I wouldn't look at this card in any other situation though.

Listen, and understand. Stella Clark is out there, she can't be bargained with, she can't be reasoned with, she doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear, and she absolutely will not die............EVER.

If for some reason you feel like 3 copies of this aren't enough, upgrade into Grisly Totem (3) and become the immovable object.

The soak ally. He soaks for you, he soaks for others. The willpower doesn't hurt, but he's honestly too expensive for that and the ally slot without charisma too valuable. You should try Police Badge and Bandolier before playing xavier for the +1

If you want to aggressively keep the map free from enemies, you should look for allies in the local police station.

As a defensive card in a slot important for the offensive, he is probably preferred over Beat Cop(2) only by Diana Stanley and Carolyn Fern, who likely do not want the +1.

Hatchet Man is useful in two scenarios not listed here: you have Delilah O’Rourke, or your fellow investigators include Rita Young. Card might as well say “for 0 actions, your pal does plus one damage.” Not essential, but in a combat heavy scenario this can help. You could also boost your sneak attack. Perhaps the greatest beneficiary would be Winifred , who already has the dexterity to evade things and loves adding skill cards to tests. And only a daredevil would have the guts to lather up an O’Bannion.

This is like doping but it's legal.

For this skill card, is the minimum. And all it asks of you is to be utterly screwed, which is like the core mechanic of the game. If you are really out of your element, it gives you

Say, a guardian friend is about to Teamwork all his possessions away, drench himself in ketchup and throw himself at the abominable monstrosities to buy your team one or 2 more turns. Now you're a low combat survivor with a Shotgun. Enter this card. You're at least 5 over the next fight test. 2 above the enemies fight value from rise of the occasion and 3 more from the shotgun itself(Well in theory. Who plays teamwork and shotgun?)

Either way, if you played Arkham and lost a scenario or three, you'll know what it's like when the situation goes totally out of control. Last clue location got Obscuring Fog; Vast Expanse threatens to drive you insane; one enemy too many spawned and needs to be exhausted with evasion; when the situation goes tits up, you just have Rise to the Occasion.