Your numbers are actually out in the opposite direction from usual, here; Face Paint doesn’t do anything in most circumstances because the effect wears off as Richardo leaves the room it’s in (it would let him bypass Denizens in his current room, but a Crossbow does that more powerfully and directly), and starting at 1 will only matter if someone puts an Ingress (which is hit) next to a room that already has a Denizen.

I think that if you want this mechanic to have any relevance at all, both Face Paint and the Shadow Cloak should make Richardo a bit sneakier than they do at present.

Meanwhile, I’m against the current version of this not because it nerfs Denizens, but because it buffs Denizens; if someone is building up a hive of tiny Industrious Denizens, making Richardo sneaky would in effect be a way to protect the Denizens from him (as he sneaks past them rather than fighting them). Perhaps it would be better designed as an armour that prevents Richardo being damaged by Denizens (meaning that he’s still capable of killing them if he rolls high enough, but nothing happens if he rolls low)?

Fair point about the numbers immediately wearing off (though finding facepaint would let you sneak by non-observant denizens which is a plus). Originally had the wearing off at the start of the run and so never adjusted the items.

But yes, making Richardo sneaky serving a double purpose of using it to keep him alive but also if you want you can try and use it to protect your Denizens was an intentional design.

I think we’re overcorrecting a bit here, we already have two proposals to weaken Denziens already.

Not strongly against, but I think this adds extra complexity that isn’t going to get used.

because I’m confused

I feel like it’ll get used. Its a nice way to protect against Denizens hurting Richardo on the first few steps. Might even be able to drop the “no denizens in the room next to the entrance” rule if we get this in.