AhButThen · 7
When you have dumpster tier stats like Preston, you need to rely on money pumps, Auto-Successes or fail-but-still-get-something survivor cards. Here's how we are going to do it.
Investigation:
2 shroud or less areas: Use Flashlight and pass on any non-tentacle token.
3 shroud areas: Use Lantern and reduce it to 2 shroud, then use "Look what I found!".
4 shroud+ areas: Use the Gravedigger's Shovel/Intel Report to bypass the chaos bag completely.
While it is possible for Preston to fight with a Fire Axe, monster killing is best left to someone else. He's much better just spending resources to evade with Streetwise and doing investigation. If you really must however(probably in solo), put in Fire Axe and Sneak Attack to do some damage. If your team's beatstick manages to leave a monster at 1 you can always toss your Lantern to finish the job.
Get Drawing Thin into play and get whatever cash you can from Family inheritance. Once you have built up a sizeable stash of resources, testing will become easier. Cards like Money Talks, Well Connected, Cunning (and High Roller once you have some xp) start to come online.
Treachery Defense is mostly down to "You handle this one!", try to save it for really bad conditions.
You really want Streetwise after the first scenario to guarantee a money sink for all those resources. It allows you to take Investigation and Evade checks with ease. After that you probably want Charisma and Lola Santiago. Lola helps you get auto clues and even works with Flashlight!
Once you have those cards, the core of the deck is set and you can feel free to pick up any of the higher xp rogue cards. Stuff like The Gold Pocket Watch, The Skeleton Key, Hot Streak, Sure Gamble, Borrowed Time and even Lucky Dice. Mix and Match according to what your playgroup needs.