Does anyone know what triggers the dark savants first appearance?
the one where he drops the fake ! I allready talk to the Don awhile back
but he didnt appear by the sign in the swamp. I went to see the Don a he said he
hasnt got the real one yet! I'm ready to vist the mook but i want the fake first
so i can pull the switcharoo. Otherwise I might have to kill them all!!!!

Thanks in advance.

just approach closely any of the gas vents or scorched spots in the Swamp.

Yeah, just dance carefully around the edge of any gas hole. No need to switch from one to another, just keep at it and he shows up. Usually takes very little time for my parties.

<center>Nightowl2</center>

He once appeared for me before I actually talked to the Mafia Rat [img]tongue.gif[/img] . I never actually knew that could happen before, but eh well.

You don't have to see Barlone first. I forgot to mention in my earlier post that these days, I always get the fake before going to Trynton, so only have to make one trip. Yeah I know, you can kill Barlone and get the real AD even if you haven't met Savvy in the swamp, but that's not my way.

<cenetr>Nightowl2</center>

I ve done all that. Ive been to the vent hole 4
times. Also I saw the Don a long time ago. After I
saw him I took the long way to the swamp. Went to
Martens Bluff did 2 T'Rang missions, Got the Idol,
killed the frog! How long does it take to steal
the dam thing. When he didnt show up the first time
I saw the Don and he said they had not gotten it
yet. So I did the idol thing and got the S. Helm
then went back to the swamp and he did not show up
again. so I went to the beach and picked up the
items there and came back. This time I will let
myself get gassed! he better show up soon or there
is going to be some dead mooks!!

Got the fake finally. had to get real close to the
vent. every other game I just had to be in front of the sign!

As for retail version 1.2.4:

In both games I have played so far I got the Dark Savant in the same exact spot. It was not a gas spot but the crack just southwest of the bridge. I.e., if you go south along the bridge, then follow the shore to the west, very soon you will see a gap. Trying to cross this gap always triggers the DS for me.

That is a gas vent. If you continue accross it after the DS fades, you'll get gassed.