: Players can "spend" points from an ability's pool to gain "special" clues—extra information that isn't required to solve the case but provides significant advantages or deeper narrative flavor.
: Players can spend points from their general ability pools before rolling to add a +1 bonus per point spent to their result. Popular GUMSHOE Games Based on the GUMSHOE System by Robin D. Laws
: These work automatically . If a character has the relevant ability (e.g., Forensic Accounting, Cop Talk) and is in a scene with a "core clue," they find it without rolling dice. : Players can "spend" points from an ability's
: Used for action-oriented tasks where the outcome is uncertain, such as combat, athletic feats, or driving. such as combat
The system is used across various genres and settings, primarily published by Pelgrane Press :