# Detective: Signature Series – Petty Officers ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2021 - **BGG Rating**: 6.3 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 90-120 min - **Weight**: 1.80 / 5 - **Designers**: Liz Spain, Mike Selinker, Skylar Woodies - **Artists**: Mateusz Kopacz - **Publishers**: Portal Games, GaGa Games, IELLO, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele, Pendragon Game Studio - **Categories**: Deduction, Expansion for Base-game, Murder / Mystery - **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Solo / Solitaire Game, Storytelling ## Verdict For mystery lovers who want some four-legged backup on the case!Fun new animal assistantsImmersive and engaging storytellingGreat expansion for the base gameRequires the base gameRequires digital device usageRECOMMENDED ## Description Get your badge ready and maybe some treats too, because this case just got wild! Petty Officers is the second major entry in the Detective Signature Series, and this time, the investigation isn't just about pure logic—it's about scent. The setting? A bizarre attack at a circus where a tiger is the prime suspect after an incident involving its handler. But, as with any good mystery, appearances are deceiving, and what looks like an animal attack might hide a much more human and sinister plot. The big standout in this expansion is that you aren't walking the beat alone anymore. Forget the classic lone detective trope; now, you have the help of five new animal assistants (yes, your pets!) who bring unique skills to complement your investigations. These new companions add an extra layer of strategy and support as you navigate through evidence and interrogate witnesses via the game's digital system. Keep in mind that to dive into this investigation, you must already own the Detective base game. This expansion expands the narrative universe, offering a fresh, challenging, and fully immersive case. If you love games that make you feel like you're actually inside a suspense movie, where every clue could change everything, Petty Officers will keep you hooked from start to finish. It's a cooperative experience that requires great teamwork (or great synergy between you and your new four-legged assistant) to ensure the truth doesn't slip through your fingers! ## How to Play Game Objective In Petty Officers, you and your team of investigators are dealing with an exotic case during "Bring Your Pet to Work" week at Antares HQ. The objective is to deduce the answers to a 36-card case (1 Cover and 35 Clue cards) using the available information. To win, you must complete the investigation and submit the Final Report through the Antares database to verify your score. Preparation (Setup) To start playing, follow these steps: Prepare the game following the base game rules: position the board, choose the Investigators, and receive the Skill tokens as usual. Open the Case Deck of Petty Officers and place it within reach of all players. IMPORTANT: Do not read any of the Pet cards until instructed to do so. Take the InvestigaPets Card, which features the five Pets that will accompany the team throughout the case. Place the 5 special tokens (numbered 01 to 05) from the base game on the InvestigaPets Card; these are your Pet tokens. Place the Day marker on Day 1 and the Time marker on the 11:00 AM space. Start with 3 in the Token reserve. When instructed to place cards in the Inspection pile, place them to the right of the Time Track. Game Flow The investigation has a set time: it begins at 11:00 AM on the first Day and ends when the Time marker reaches the 12:00 PM space on the fifth Day. The game uses the Antares database for the beginning and end of the investigation. To start, choose the case on the Antares website and read the Introduction. To conclude, you must submit the Final Report by answering the case questions on the website. Actions and How to Play During the game, you will follow the Clue cards and use the Antares database. The main mechanics are: Time: Examining the front of a Clue card takes 1 to 3 hours (with some exceptions of 0 hours). If you decide to Delve Deeper, the back of the card will indicate the additional Time cost (which will never exceed 1 hour). Choose Now!: Some cards present this option, which will always have at least two choices. You must choose one immediately before continuing any other action. Some options may generate Supplementary Clues, which should be noted to be followed later. Using Pet Tokens: Any Investigator can spend a Pet token at any time for two purposes: Remove Stress: Use a Pet token to remove 1 Stress from the Investigator who plays with the animal. Perform a Pet Task: Identified by the paw symbol on the front of some Clue cards. Pets have talents such as sniffing out clues, intimidating, picking up small objects, or repeating what they hear. Some tasks specifically require Pet tokens (or Wildcard tokens as if they were Pet tokens), while others allow the use of Skill tokens. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when the Time marker reaches the 12:00 PM space on the fifth Day. To find out your score, you must submit the Final Report (answering the questions related to the Case) through the Antares website. Tips for Winning Consult the manual for details on this section. ## FAQ ### Can I play Petty Officers solo? Yes! The game supports a solo mode, perfect for those who want to investigate at their own pace. ### Do I need the base game? Absolutely. This is an expansion for the Signature Series and cannot be played without the Detective base game. ### Does the game use an app? Yes, it is a digital hybrid that uses an app/website to drive the story and provide clues. ### How difficult is it? The weight is moderate (1.8/5), but the real challenge lies in the deduction and paying attention to story details. ### How many players can participate? It supports 1 to 5 players, whether in cooperative or solo mode. ### Is the game in English? The game relies heavily on the digital interface, which is typically in English. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Amazon**: R$ 102,04 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B09HN9B7KR?tag=bgbot26b-20&linkCode=as2) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/detective-signature-series-petty-officers ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 7.26 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6836851&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 7.96 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3918008&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 10.33 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3361957&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 10.47 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4809423&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 10.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3226117&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 11.86 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3359712&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 11.94 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3287439&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 12.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6720051&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 12.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3360987&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 13.64 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3289305&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/40725/detective-signature-series-petty-officers?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com