How to get somehwat decent leaders for science councils

[timariot]

It seems almost every civilian, junior, senior or talented nation strategem gives me the most useless people for the job. Investigation is always high on the list of attributes that come up, which is one of the least useful stats. Rarely do i ever get someone that has even some stats in technician, inventor or science. I once got a recruit corporate science stragem, though they are rare. How i increase the likelihood of getting those cards?

Also which type of nation stragem is most likely to give me a leader with science rolls?

Final question does having a higher Intellect, Charisma or War stat make it easier to learn those related skill even if they have zero point in them?

[Twotribes]

If the skill falls under the stat yes it helps not always a lot but say 31 char I have seen 4 points in charisma skills with no skill otherwise.

[Twotribes]

Being in good with a Corporation can get you corporation leaders which I believe includes scientists, the only down side is to the negs corps bring.

[border10]

I'm seeing a similar problem. Before 1.03 I was getting mostly cap IIs and IIIs with an occasional cap I and IV. I got a cap V once. Since 1.03, and I went back to saves to get these numbers, I get about 65% cap I, 30% cap II, and 5% cap III. Their stats are also quit low. I feel lucky when I get a cap II with two stats in the 30s. I used to think that was quit mediocre. Now they're among the best. These characters are from faction events and from the recruit strat cards you mentioned, and the 65/30/5 ratio is for one 1.03 game in which I've hired about 40 characters. I started the game on 1.03, then updated to beta 5.

I've not paid enough attention to the skill numbers, so I can't comment there.

One other observation. New games start with descent characters as in previous versions. It's just the new hires that seem to have dropped in quality.

It's probably a good idea I start a new game using the latest beta and see what happens. What version are you on?

As to your questions...
1st question: I've never seen a recruit science card.
2nd: I haven't seen any particular card that tended to give me more science characters than others.
3rd: I don't think so. I believe skills are increased by gaining experience with skill usage. Then the character decides which skill to increase, and usually decides to increase the one used. However, a higher cap level will increase the experience and therefore the skill faster than a lower cap level.

[EuchreJack]

I've been wondering if the Mind profile gives "smarter" leaders. On those games where I've started with a high Mind profile, I get leaders with both high intelligence and the Technician trait. I almost feel that Fist might give War leaders and Heart may give Charismatic leaders, with some skill in that tree also. Dunno if the other profiles do anything in this regard, or if I'm just seeing things.

[GodwinW]

Now that you say that.. I've noticed that as well. But is it a coincidence? Would be rather cool if true

Focused on Fist and Autocracy and Enforcement once and had a surprising amount of leaders with war skills as unclassed skills.
And 1 SHQ with 9 intelligence. Cap I of course. Lowest I've ever seen :s