A Mystery about the Mystery Method

[AntoniousIV]

So I'e been reading about Mystery (the guy from The Pickup Artist on VH1), and his whole system of A1–A3 (attract, comfort, seduction), opinion openers, negs, DHVs, etc. On paper it looks like a solid framework — basically a “map” to move from stranger → attraction → isolation → escalation.

But at the same time, I keep hearing people say that it’s outdated, too scripted, and comes off try-hard if you don’t own it. Like, I can see how routines might help if you’re totally new and need training wheels, but in 2025 women have seen all kinds of “game.”

So I’m wondering:

Has anyone here actually used The Mystery Method in the real world?

Does it still work, or does it just make you look like you’re running lines?

Is it better to just internalize the principles (social proof, preselection, group dynamics) instead of memorizing routines?

I’m curious if it’s still worth studying as a foundation, or if I should skip it and just focus on being social + outcome-independent confidence.

Would love to hear from guys who actually tried it.

 

[SW15]

Has anyone here actually used The Mystery Method in the real world?

Would love to hear from guys who actually tried it.

I've read Mystery Method and used parts of it in the real world.

I found Roosh's Bang and Day Bang much easier to implement in the real world. The basis of my night game for many years was straight from Bang. I started to get into daygame in 2011 right around when Roosh published Day Bang. The framework from Day Bang was the basis of my day game for many years until I got strong enough at non-bar approaching to improvise.

I found the Mystery Method more complicated.

The London Daygame Model is based on Mystery Method. Some non-bar approachers running around the streets of London, England wanted to test one line in Mystery Method. In the book, Mystery claims Mystery Method is applicable in non-bar venues but doesn't go into any major detail on how it would work outside of a nightlife venue. That's where Nick Krauser and Tom Torero went with the London Daygame Model.

 

[Desdinova]

The best thing I got from the Mystery Method was how he breaks down conversation. It was really helpful in building my ability to converse with strangers.

 

[AntoniousIV]

I've read Mystery Method and used parts of it in the real world.

I found Roosh's Bang and Day Bang much easier to implement in the real world. The basis of my night game for many years was straight from Bang. I started to get into daygame in 2011 right around when Roosh published Day Bang. The framework from Day Bang was the basis of my day game for many years until I got strong enough at non-bar approaching to improvise.

I found the Mystery Method more complicated.

The London Daygame Model is based on Mystery Method. Some non-bar approachers running around the streets of London, England wanted to test one line in Mystery Method. In the book, Mystery claims Mystery Method is applicable in non-bar venues but doesn't go into any major detail on how it would work outside of a nightlife venue. That's where Nick Krauser and Tom Torero went with the London Daygame Model.

Is bang and day bang for cold approaches during the day? Like mall game?
I'm very fond of bars and clubs yet.

 

[SW15]

Is bang and day bang for cold approaches during the day? Like mall game?
I'm very fond of bars and clubs yet.

Bang and Day Bang are now out of print.

Bang (published 2007) was the night game focused manual.

Day Bang (published 2011) was a day game focused manual. Day Bang covered approaching in nearly every common non-bar scenario. Day Bang had separate chapters on malls, grocery stores, bookstores, coffee shops, and outdoor game.

 

[Bokanovsky]

There is no "mystery" to the Mystery Method. His three-step formula (attraction - comfort - seduction) is actually quite basic and intuitive.

 

[BaronOfHair]

Has anyone here actually used The Mystery Method in the real world?

Aspects of it, sure. All these systems and philosophies are similar to Stanivslaski and it's spin-offs, I.E. Meisner, Chubbuck, Morris, etc etc, in that:


-Their similarities far exceed their variations

-Taking them TOO seriously/mistaking them for Gospel Truth willl result in you ending up a Grade A pain the rectum, whom everyone avoids more assiduously than a hot tub filled with pig excrement

Just as successful thespians have to adapt to their circumstances(You won't have weeks or months to prepare for a role on TV, even an 8-10 episode gig on streaming, ergo not everything learned in drama school will be applicable), we have to do likewise in the realm of dating and mating

 

[characternote]

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[Bingo-Player]

Society in general was not as "switched on" in the early 2000's the concept of pickup and the routines / lines were still pretty underground nobody was as paranoid about being put on a TikTok or instagram reel as they are today

Now you have guys running around metro areas filming these pick up attempts day in day out , women know what to expect and are mostly trained to shut canned routines and openers down the fvckboy radar in most women these days is very very strong

I mean look at dating apps every guy on these tries the same routine

The flake / ghost rate on these apps is something criminal like 90%

in 2025 natural and normal are the only two things that are going to get you a positive response you have to fly under the fvckboy radar

 

[Travel memoir21]

HIs stuff is very common sense but not so common lol. His stuff just says you need to do some Sort of attraction routine first, then establish rapport - connection and build trust and then go take her wherever you want her etc. Lol, that's the basis of all human connection whether it be a friendship or romantic. Humor or Magic and the ability to bond and connect goes a long way.

 

[Mike32ct]

I did not get into it back in the day. I found it too complicated, but the lair guys I was out with kept trying to use it.

I was at a club in New Haven in 2005. Opened with something like “Looks like the party’s over here.” Got a conversation going. Starting dancing/grinding with a 21 yo. Then asked, “Would you like to kiss me?” She jammed her tongue down my throat without hesitation.

TLDR: I employed two random Mystery lines (not his whole system) and still had a good night. Like anything else, pick and choose what works for you.

 

[Travel memoir21]

I did not get into it back in the day. I found it too complicated, but the lair guys I was out with kept trying to use it.

I was at a club in New Haven in 2005. Opened with something like “Looks like the party’s over here.” Got a conversation going. Starting dancing/grinding with a 21 yo. Then asked, “Would you like to kiss me?” She jammed her tongue down my throat without hesitation.

TLDR: I employed two random Mystery lines (not his whole system) and still had a good night. Like anything else, pick and choose what works for you.

Just get a hair piece bro....make it grey and make it rock like George Clooney or Pierce Brosnan or something and you'll be back rolling again lol

 

[SW15]

I did not get into it back in the day. I found it too complicated,

I read both Mystery Method and Bang. Both of these books were published in 2007. Bang is far less complicated than Mystery Method.

 

[Cheeky_James]

Antonious
Yes I used it back in the day.
Via firstly Strauss’ book and then Mystery’s original book.
It help me get quite a lot of one night stands and better looking women (as a % of the group of lays)
I think it’s an awesome primer on how to do pickup,
I’ve studied many, many pickup methods and materials ( too many) since but none were as step by step or gave me the results as MM tbh. It has some down sides though mainly too many years spent in bars and clubs, and taking on an ‘alternate persona’ or identity, but I think that can be shed after a while to align more with who you actually are as a person, but keep the basic framework to attract and seduce.

also an important point - I dropped the magic tricks /NLP tests and that kooky stuff and when I used it I delivered all the material in a disingenuous or absurd way. As if I was taking the piss. I let the woman know it was all just bull**** to get in her pants if you follow.

Ps a caveat for me - I am a pretty good looking guy. About medium height (< 6foot tall)
Just did not know how to approach indirectly, banter / handle tests from women.
Good luck!

Pps - there were SO many charlatans , fakes , frauds and weirdos who came after Mystery and Style to make mega cash from PUA . You can skip all of those copycats and con artists. I do believe Mystery/Erik was quite good in his heyday and Strauss too probably, by all accounts.