This and Mysterious Raven need to be reconsidered with Charlie Kane. The biggest knock against this card (takes up an Ally slot for a one-time use) is not an issue, as Charlie has 4 slots. And unlike other investigators, Charlie can still use Art Student after it's played as a +2 boost. Furthermore, there is no opportunity cost for doing so—unlike say Lola Santiago where if you exhaust her for the boost, you can't use her ability.

The other consideration is that Art Student and Raven are cheap. As much as I'd like to dream of an all-star Gené/Grete/Lola/Peter lineup, that's a lot of resources and Charlie's going to need some cheap allies in his deck to balance (and shield) the more expensive ones. For that purpose, an ally that automatically picks up a clue when played isn't bad. And nothing says "Politician" more than a person who uses interns to do his dirty work (and as shields against monsters attacking him).

Just a quick heads up from the rules for visibility:

(Added in FAQ, section 'Game Play', point 1.18) If 1 or more cards are forcibly removed from an investigator’s deck and returned to the collection (such as when a card is exiled, or when a campaign effect forces an investigator to remove cards from their deck), that investigator must purchase cards so that a legal deck size is maintained. When purchasing cards in this manner, that investigator may purchase level 0 cards at 0 experience cost until a legal deck size is reached.

This rule also applies if an effect alters an investigator’s deck size, deckbuilding restrictions, or deckbuilding options such that 1 or more cards must be removed from or added to their deck as a result.

"Well now, we had a deal. You get to sing songs sweeter than ice tea on a summers day and I...I get you."

A weakness that is true to the character, a deal that seems amazing (you get Mystifying Song) that turns out to be not even close the price of purchase. Mystifying song, in a vacuum is an extremely powerful signature card, especially paired with arcane initiate but by god, is Baron a DEVASTATING weakness.

I would be so bold as too say that he has to be one of if not the WORST personal weaknesses amongst investigators to the point that he has played a large role in Marie's lack of play-ability. The jankery you need to include and draw in your deck to handle this weakness is absurd. If your lucky (scenario pending) you can handle this in the first 3-4 turns, if not...You're screwed.

The selling point of this boy bad is that seekers can also take it. For mystics, Norman Withers (yes, he is a true mystics) especially likes this card. As it allows Norman to use his high intellect instead of using his slightly lower will power to investigate. Pairing Divination with True Magick, a card which Norman can and should take, enable him to nab 3 clues in an action each round and sprint through the scenario quickly. This simple strategy also off-set the main limitation of Divination, which is that it only had 6 charges to nab 6 clues.

Here are a few cards you may be interested to look at if you wanna slam around this bad boy:

• Relentless that can be recurred by Yorick to turn all these silly damages into resources, that you can spend with Scrapper to boost the smaller attack, or in Plucky (3) to investigate when there are no other enemies. Keen Eye covers for both in .

• Safeguard (2) so that you can save all the moving actions, and simply spend your turns eradicating everything that you collected on behalf of your teammates.

• Drawing Thin to turn the ridiculous +5 into resources/card draw.

• Live and Learn and Oops! as mentioned, especially paired with Drawing Thin to one-shot big bosses. It was correctly mentioned that you can use 2 Live and Learn on the same failed test, and even use Resourceful while doing the new test of Live and Learn to get it back and so on.

• Well Prepared for a +4 +1 damage, ammo-free weapon. You can also use it on Plucky (3) is you took it too for a good capacity to discover clues on empty turns.

• Riot Whistle to engage the enemies that your teammates draw and still have the 3 available to kill the threat without risking the 360--No-Scope on your partner in crime.

• Police Badge for the extra 2 actions that allow you to use the big hit and still have 2 actions to play. Also helps you with Well Prepared against tests.

• Nightmare Bauble and Eucatastrophe can also give you a little safety net against friendly fire.

• Jury-Rig for the 1 attack.

• Prepared for the Worst of course to find it.

• Nine of Rods to find more enemies to turn into jam

• Brand of Cthugha potentially for 1 hp attacks.

• Unrelenting to get 2 cards since you don't mind cancelling the better tokens

• Brute Force as a safety weapon for 3 health enemies when you have only one action.

• Galvanize that you can use on a Beat Cop (2) to get an extra action for an extra attack and an extra testless damage, resulting in 10 damages in 1 turn.

• Scavenging so that you can play the first one that you draw and commit the second one on the small attack, and get it back to your hand whenever you would succeed an investigation by 2 or more.

Off colour:

• Lucky Cigarette Case (0) of course, and if your teammate is Bob Jenkins, Lucky Cigarette Case (3).

• Shortcut/Pathfinder to move and hit

• Some succeed by shenanigans like Gregory Gry, "Watch this!" or All In that you can commit on your mate that is playing the Sledgehammer (4).

Feel free to tell me in the comments other good synergies and I'll update that review!