Rhetoric is inZOI's social influence skill. Where Charm Skill governs romantic success, Rhetoric covers the broader domain of persuasion, debate, conversation quality, and general social effectiveness. A high Rhetoric level makes a Zoi more persuasive and socially compelling, allowing them to shift other Zois' moods, successfully deliver advice, win arguments, and project confidence in social settings.
How to Level Up Rhetoric
Rhetoric increases through any activity involving verbal communication and social exchange:
Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
Talking to other Zois | The primary method: every conversation contributes XP. This happens automatically during socializing. |
Practicing speaking in front of a mirror | A fast, repeatable solo action using a mirror at home. Each practice session builds Rhetoric without requiring another Zoi. |
Giving advice | The 'Give Advice' social interaction provides Rhetoric XP and has a positive relationship effect when successful. |
Discussing business matters | Business-related conversation topics contribute to Rhetoric XP. |
Debates and arguments | Heated conversations and deliberate argument interactions contribute significantly. |
Reading speech books | Titles such as 'How to Communicate with the World' and 'Power of Persuasion That Changes the World' are available at bookshelves and libraries. Slower than active socializing but useful when no other Zoi is available. |
Mirror practice is one of the most efficient solo Rhetoric leveling methods; it can be done repeatedly without needing another Zoi present, making it ideal for off-peak hours or when managing a busy multi-Zoi household.
What Rhetoric Unlocks
Low levels (1–3): Basic conversation options. Modest success rate on persuasion attempts. Slightly improved relationship gains from standard chat.
Mid levels (4–6): More persuasive arguments and advice. Ability to successfully influence a Zoi's emotional state through conversation. Expanded debate topics. Improved journalist interview options.
High levels (7–10): High-impact persuasion interactions. Ability to significantly shift another Zoi's opinion or mood through conversation. Command of the room in group settings. Access to powerful rhetorical moves that can instantly warm up a Neutral-status relationship.
A high Rhetoric level makes it much easier to maintain and repair Relationships. When a friendship is strained, a high-Rhetoric Zoi can repair it through a single well-executed apology or meaningful conversation, while a low-Rhetoric Zoi might need multiple interactions over several days.
Rhetoric and Careers
Career | Connection |
|---|---|
Journalist at Mirror of the Times (Dowon) | Rhetoric is a primary recommended skill for journalism. Interview quality and story impact depend on how effectively a Zoi can extract information from sources. |
Journalist at Bliss Bay Times (Bliss Bay) | Same as the Dowon journalism track. Both journalism organizations benefit from high Rhetoric for career promotion. |
Lawyer at Justitia and Themis & Jones | Critical Thinking is the primary skill for law careers, but Rhetoric supports the courtroom argument component of legal work. |
Professor careers | Instruction and academic debate are Rhetoric-adjacent activities that appear in the academic career track. |
Social Activist-aligned careers | Zois with the Social Activist trait whose career involves advocacy or community organizing benefit from high Rhetoric. |
Rhetoric and the Crime System
Rhetoric is one of the supporting skills for the Crime skill's Scammer path. Scammer interactions (particularly at higher Crime Skill levels such as fake charity solicitation and bogus investment seminars) use Rhetoric as a modifier to increase the success rate of the scam. A Zoi with both a high Crime skill and high Rhetoric executes scams significantly more effectively than one relying on Crime alone.
Rhetoric and Emotions
The Emotions system interacts with Rhetoric in both directions. A Zoi who is Focused or Confident performs social interactions more effectively, and these emotions accelerate Rhetoric skill gain during conversations. Conversely, a Bored or Uncomfortable Zoi will struggle with social exchanges, slowing Rhetoric progression.
Some traits naturally generate emotions that support Rhetoric learning. Explorers are frequently Curious, which helps in debate situations. Leaders are frequently Confident, one of the strongest buffs for rhetoric-based interactions. Social Activists are frequently Focused, supporting systematic conversation chains.
Traits Most Aligned With Rhetoric
Trait | Why Rhetoric Comes Naturally |
|---|---|
Leader | Confident disposition and decisive communication style create natural aptitude for debate and persuasion. |
Social Activist | Driven by justice and change; Rhetoric is the natural vehicle for their reform-oriented discussions. |
Charmer | Highly social and comfort-seeking, though Charm is their primary skill; Rhetoric develops alongside it. |
Entertainer | Natural talker who seeks stimulation through social interaction, providing constant opportunities to level Rhetoric. |
Tips
Combine Rhetoric leveling with relationship maintenance tasks. Chatting with established friends and family counts toward Rhetoric XP while also keeping relationship meters high.
Starting a Zoi's teen years with a focus on Rhetoric gives them a powerful social toolkit entering Young Adult life, when career requirements and romantic pursuits both benefit from it.
The Focused emotion buff notably accelerates Rhetoric gains. Studying or completing work tasks before a long socializing session can sometimes yield this buff.
For scammer criminal Zois, leveling Rhetoric alongside the Crime skill is more efficient than leveling them sequentially; practice conversations between crime attempts keeps both skills climbing.