Understanding Dispatch's 6 Core Stats
Master the attribute system that determines mission success. Learn what each stat does, which heroes excel at it, and how to optimize your upgrade path.
Quick Reference: Stat Priority by Mission Type
| Mission Type | Primary Stat | Secondary Stat | Min Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat / Brawl | Strength 💪 | Speed ⚡ | 75+ |
| Hacking / Tech | Tech 💻 | Investigation 🔍 | 80+ |
| Chase / Pursuit | Speed ⚡ | Strength 💪 | 75+ |
| Hostage Negotiation | Negotiation 🗣️ | Investigation 🔍 | 70+ |
| Infiltration / Spy | Stealth 🥷 | Tech 💻 | 80+ |
| Investigation / Mystery | Investigation 🔍 | Tech 💻 | 75+ |
| Rescue / Emergency | Speed ⚡ | Strength 💪 | 70+ |
Strength
Raw physical power and combat prowess
Primary Uses
- •Direct combat missions
- •Breaking down doors/barriers
- •Subduing suspects
- •Rescue operations requiring force
- •Intimidation checks
- •Protecting teammates from physical threats
Top Heroes for Strength
- ⭐Punchup (95)
- ⭐Golem (90)
- ⭐Flambe (75)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
High - Essential for combat-heavy playstyles
Synergizes with: Vigor (if it exists), Combat abilities
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Over-investing in strength for non-combat missions
- ❌Sending low-strength heroes to combat missions
- ❌Assuming strength helps with all physical tasks (it doesn't help with speed-based challenges)
Tech
Technological expertise, hacking, and system manipulation
Primary Uses
- •Hacking computer systems
- •Disabling security cameras
- •Data extraction missions
- •Drone operation
- •Bypassing electronic locks
- •Tech-based evidence analysis
- •Corporate espionage
Top Heroes for Tech
- ⭐Prism (80)
- ⭐Malevola (70)
- ⭐Flambe (55)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
Very High - Critical for late-game missions
Synergizes with: Investigation, Hacking-focused abilities
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Neglecting tech in early game (it becomes crucial in Episodes 4-5)
- ❌Bringing tech specialists to wilderness/low-tech environments
- ❌Assuming tech helps with mechanical problems (some missions specify "mechanical" not "tech")
Speed
Mobility, agility, reaction time, and quick movement
Primary Uses
- •Chase sequences
- •Time-sensitive missions
- •Dodging attacks
- •Parkour/traversal challenges
- •Rapid response emergencies
- •Escape scenarios
- •Multi-location missions
Top Heroes for Speed
- ⭐Sonar (85)
- ⭐Invisigal (70)
- ⭐Water Boy (70)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
Medium-High - Situational but powerful when needed
Synergizes with: Stealth, Mobility abilities (like Flight License)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Sending slow heroes (Speed < 40) to chase missions = automatic failure
- ❌Undervaluing speed in multi-objective missions
- ❌Confusing speed with stealth (they're different mechanics)
Negotiation
Charisma, diplomacy, persuasion, and de-escalation
Primary Uses
- •Hostage negotiations
- •Talking down criminals
- •Diplomatic missions
- •Avoiding violence
- •Gaining cooperation from civilians
- •Interrogating suspects
- •Political/corporate interactions
Top Heroes for Negotiation
- ⭐Prism (75)
- ⭐Sonar (60)
- ⭐Water Boy (60)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
High - Enables non-violent solutions and better outcomes
Synergizes with: Charisma-based abilities, Investigation
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Bringing combat-focused heroes to negotiation-heavy missions
- ❌Ignoring negotiation in favor of strength (negotiation often gives better rewards)
- ❌Assuming high negotiation prevents all conflict (some missions require backup options)
Stealth
Covert operations, infiltration, and avoiding detection
Primary Uses
- •Infiltration missions
- •Surveillance operations
- •Avoiding enemy detection
- •Pickpocketing/theft
- •Sabotage missions
- •Espionage
- •Ambush setups
Top Heroes for Stealth
- ⭐Invisigal (95)
- ⭐Malevola (75)
- ⭐Sonar (70)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
Very High - Opens alternative mission solutions
Synergizes with: Speed, Invisibility/stealth-enhancing abilities
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Bringing loud/combat-heavy heroes to stealth missions
- ❌Assuming stealth = speed (slow stealth heroes can succeed if patient)
- ❌Forgetting that failed stealth often forces combat (need backup strength)
Investigation
Detective work, evidence gathering, and analytical reasoning
Primary Uses
- •Crime scene analysis
- •Following clues
- •Uncovering conspiracies
- •Research missions
- •Interrogation analysis
- •Pattern recognition
- •Solving puzzles
- •Uncovering hidden mission objectives
Top Heroes for Investigation
- ⭐Malevola (80)
- ⭐Sonar (55)
- ⭐Prism (65)
Optimal Stat Ranges
Upgrade Priority
Medium-High - Unlocks hidden content and better intel
Synergizes with: Tech, Perception-based abilities
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌Undervaluing investigation (it often reveals bonus objectives)
- ❌Sending low-investigation heroes to mystery missions (miss critical clues)
- ❌Assuming investigation = tech (they handle different types of puzzles)
Stat Upgrade Strategies
🎯 The "Specialist" Build
Focus on maxing out 2-3 stats that align with your hero's natural role.
Example: Sonar (Speed 85, Stealth 70) → Upgrade Speed to 100, Stealth to 90. Ignore Strength and Tech.
✅ Best for: Creating "S-tier" heroes in specific mission categories
⚖️ The "Balanced" Build
Upgrade all stats evenly to create versatile heroes for any mission.
Example: Water Boy → Upgrade all stats to 70+. Can handle most missions with 60-70% success rate.
⚠️ Warning: Jack-of-all-trades heroes rarely excel. Usually worse than specialists.
💡 Expert Recommendation
Build a diverse roster of specialists rather than trying to make every hero good at everything.
Have one hero with 95+ Strength, another with 90+ Tech, another with 90+ Stealth, etc. This ensures you always have the perfect hero for any mission type.
🔐 Hidden Stat Mechanics
Stat Thresholds
Some missions have "breakpoint" thresholds. For example, a mission might require Strength ≥ 75. A hero with Strength 74 gets a massive penalty, but Strength 75 = full success chance.
💡 Tip: Use the Mission Simulator to see if you're just below a threshold. Sometimes 1 stat point makes a 30% difference!
Stat Diminishing Returns
After 90 in any stat, additional points give smaller bonuses. Going from 90 → 95 gives less benefit than 70 → 75.
💡 Strategy: Get your key stats to 85-90, then diversify rather than pushing to 100.
Stat Synergy Bonuses
Some stat combinations grant hidden bonuses:
- • Speed + Stealth (both 70+): +10% infiltration bonus
- • Tech + Investigation (both 75+): +15% cyber mission bonus
- • Strength + Negotiation (both 80+): +10% "good cop" interrogation bonus
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which stat should I upgrade first?
A: Look at your hero's highest stat. If they have Speed 85, upgrade Speed to 95+ first. Amplify strengths, don't fix weaknesses. A hero with 95 Speed and 30 Strength is more valuable than one with 70 Speed and 60 Strength.
Q: Can stats decrease?
A: Yes. Heroes can suffer permanent stat penalties from:
- • Critical mission failures (injuries)
- • Trauma events (certain story choices)
- • Exhaustion (sending heroes on too many missions without rest)
Q: Do stats affect dialogue options?
A: Yes! High Negotiation unlocks special dialogue choices. High Investigation reveals hidden dialogue options that expose lies. Strength sometimes allows intimidation options.
Q: What's the max stat value?
A: Base cap is 100. However, certain abilities and equipment (late game) can temporarily boost stats above 100 (up to 120). These "overcapped" stats provide bonus effects.
Q: Should I respec heroes if I made bad upgrades?
A: The game has NO respec system. Your upgrade choices are permanent. This is why it's critical to understand stats before spending upgrade points. Always check the Hero Database for recommended upgrade paths before spending points.
Put Your Knowledge to the Test
Use our Mission Simulator to see how stat values affect mission success rates in real-time