Probably Stolen best starting perks and scenario comparison

All 9 starting scenarios in Probably Stolen 1.0 compared

In version 1.0, players can choose from nine starting professions: Apprentice (the generalist beginner path), Water Merchant (testing, purifying, and bottling water), Fence (moving stolen goods fast), Gunsmith (starting with a Class 1 weapon permit, firearms, and ammo), Chemist (guarded chemical recipes and lab gear), Hydroponic Farmer (growing compact crops and genetically modified breeds), Aquafarmer (breeding Tilapia, eels, and sturgeons in recirculating tanks), Rat Wrangler (raising 2x3 rats), and Rock Bottom (starting from absolute scratch).

If you are new to the game, start with Apprentice, Water Merchant, or Aquafarmer. The developers note that Aquafarming is slower-paced, requires less maintenance, and is much more beginner-friendly than Rat Ranching. Save Rock Bottom for a second playthrough after you understand rent scaling.

The best positive perks after the Update 049 balance pass

Two perks received substantial buffs in Update 049 and stand out as the strongest point investments in 1.0: Intimidating and Model Citizen. Intimidating had its evidence generation reduction buffed from 25% to 33% while its starting point cost was lowered from 3 points to 2, making it mandatory for Fencing, Gunsmithing, or smuggling runs.

Model Citizen had its credit bonus for reporting criminal customers to Security increased from 20% to 50%. Because Update 049 and Hotfix 1.0.0.1 also fixed Diplomatic (so it no longer amplifies reputation losses) and ensured reporting Lou to Security no longer drops Black Market reputation, law-leaning or hybrid builds earn massive early cash from bounties.

Sawyer's Crew and Underground Exchange head starts

Taking the Sawyer's Crew starting perk gives you an early foothold with station smugglers. Update 049 fixed an issue where Sawyer failed to hand over the Underground Exchange Directive when Sawyer's Crew was selected without Skip Intro mode enabled, so the perk now reliably accelerates your access to the Underground Exchange on standard campaign starts.

Addiction perks and challenge perks to avoid on your first run

Be very careful when taking negative Addiction perks for extra perk points. Update 049 increased the trading penalty from Addiction perks from 5% to 8%, and withdrawal now begins immediately on Day 1—though you do start with one dose of your addiction substance that you can consume immediately or save for a critical trade.

Note that Gambling Addiction automatically buys scratch tickets (including full stacks when affordable). Above all, heed the developer's explicit warning in the 1.0 overview: do not enable Sentinel Collapse Disorder on your first run.