#manual

istperson:

This manual is part of a series of guides originated by @intpboard!

Congratulations!

You have just selected an entirely new disease that will probably stay with you for the rest of your life. Good for you! Having an ISTP around with you 24/7 will make your life effortlessly hard to live, and more so with the near death experiences. But there are good points, because none of your enemies will bother you ever again! In fact, nobody ever will! As your guide, we’ll be droning through all the sorts of bullshit your ISTP will stir up, and guide you along for coping with them. Be careful though, they tend disappear in the first few stages, but after that, they’ll cling on to you like superglue (will probably do the same damage if you try to peel them off too). What are you waiting for? Get started right now!

Your ISTP will come with the following:

• (10) or more books according to your ISTP’s hobbies and interests
• (1) bag of salt (to ward them off if they get too heated)
• (3) boxes of Kibble
• (1) Bomb-making set (comes with a bomb shelter)
• (10) Fire extinguishers (trust me, you’ll definitely need more)
• (5) Black, (5) randomly-coloured shirts
• (4) pairs of shorts
• (2) pairs of jeans/pants
• (1) charger and software downloader cable (2 in 1) +extra 
• (2) boxes of assorted video games to your ISTP’s choosing
• (1) ethernet cable
• (1) Computer 
• ***(1) Toolbox with assorted tools
• Random sharp things they picked up from the forest
• Optional: (1) or more musical instrument(s) with accompanying music scores
  

Software

Your ISTP comes pre-programmed with the following traits;

Ti: Your ISTP is very sensitive to logical discrepancies and any kind of system, and will most likely respond by studying and mimicking it into their daily lives. They solve problems as if it were a puzzle, and are often good at troubleshooting. Your ISTP will be very quiet mainly because of this function, as they tend to have a rich inner world. You may allow free space for your ISTP to roam and explore, and you will not need to help develop this function, as their natural curiosity and drive for competency is enough for this function to grow.

Se: This trait is probably why you need the fire extinguishers. Se comes into action (as always) and helps the ISTP with dexterity and flow of movement. ISTPs are often observant, aware, physically capable and competent. Be sure to give your ISTP enough stimulation to keep them entertained and let their energy burn off, but not too much otherwise your ISTP will be rapidly drained and turned grouchy.

Ni: Ni, in all its confusing definitions, helps focus your ISTP. This takes time to nurture as the ISTP realises that not all the shit they do will result in a minor scrape or cut. However, most ISTPs develop this quite early due to Ti, and as such, this trait helps them zoom out and interpret the small details they picked up with Se. By helping the ISTP zoom out and summarise, they can better understand the hidden meanings behind things and allow them to make more common sense decisions (most of the time). 

Fe: This helps your ISTP be more gentle and nice. Granted it’s definitely the last thing to show up, but if you nurture your bond with the ISTP and treat it with respect, it will slowly learn to reciprocate your feelings and chameleon to you and possibly other people accordingly.

Getting Started

1. Plug your ISTP into their charger and software downloader cable
2. Connect the cable to the computer
3. Let your ISTP charge and download data for at least 24 hours
4. Disconnect the charger
5. Entice them with their bomb-making set*
6. By this time, your ISTP would be roaming about with their unfinished bomb to try and find the last piece to make the bomb. By now, you should be prepared with a fire extinguisher.
7. Throw the missing piece into the bomb shelter, and lock it.
8. The bomb shelter will come with an unsolvable lock, hence you can start to interact with your ISTP as it tries to solve the door lock. Great, you’re good to go!
9. At the event your ISTP manages to break in, call the police.

*By step 5, if your ISTP refuses to activate, hug it. Warning: The ISTP might see through your manoeuvre, and attempt to pickpocket the missing bomb piece. If so, spritz them with water and firmly say “no”. 

Modes

Chill Mode(default): By now, you should be familiarised with the ISTP stereotype of being the most chill of all the 16 MBTI types. They commonly display careless nonchalance and indifference, although internally they might either be screaming or silently contemplating about their problems. Is literally the emoji when in this mode.

Badass Mode (default): Is probably one of the epic things ISTPs do. This is when your ISTP’s hard work and perseverance pays off with badassery and mastery of any particular skill they’ve attained. 

Problem-solving Mode (default): This is less visible than the previous two modes, nonetheless the ISTP will show it often once you get to know them. It is often shown through their curiosity and is mainly Ti and Ni when they silently sit there and think, and then experiment with Se. It is most often displayed when learning a new skill, be it academics, instrumental or physical.

Joker Mode: This mode will appear once the ISTP starts to acknowledge your presence and that you’ll be bugging them for quite a while. This will be the first stage of friendship most of the time, with the ISTP silently judging your comebacks. With more sensitive ISTPs, they’ll start to learn your joke style.

Manic Explosive Mode: Probably something you wouldn’t want to see under your bed (no shit). May be prone to temper tantrums if you start asking too many questions or you continue answering dumbly at the wrong time. The ISTP is most likely under too much pressure and stimulation- basically it’s overheating. To cool them down, offer an ice pack and do nothing else, as the ISTP will probably refuse your help but there’s a 99% chance they’ll take the ice pack (I dunno why but they just do). In the rare case when your ISTP unit goes too far and gets too emotional, sprinkle some salt and they’ll calm down after backing into a corner.

Sad Bunny Mode: The cutest mode. Some ISTPs might not ever show this but when they show this vulnerable side it means they trust you. The frequency of this mode is mostly dependent on the amount of stress they’ve built up internally. Some might rant while some will sit in silence, but your ISTP will most likely pick themselves up and move on after a while, and sometimes ending on an optimistic and cheerful note (rarest but cutest part).

Relationships with Other Units

NF:Tolerable but may come off as overbearing from a distance due to emotional commitment. Might take an interest in your ISTP unit.

NT:Clicks well and is respected by your ISTP unit. However, be sure to supervise as the combination of ideas and action might not always go well.

SJ:Generally respected for this unit’s tendency to be dutiful and hardworking. Might not click due to risk of having your ISTP unit’s freedom breached.

SP:Most relatable and happy with. MUST supervise and even then you might not be able to prevent a few explosions from happening.

Feeding

Generally likes energy drinks and drugs sugar, however you might need to clear their table and put down a bowl of greens for them from time to time. Might know how to cook well but should generally be avoided due to the risk of being experimented on.

Grooming

Most ISTPs will have an acceptable hygiene with regular, daily showering. However, when under stress or loop, it might be necessary to remind them and even help them from time to time (Except showering. Do not shower your ISTP unless specified).

Sleeping

Will probably sleep late and wake up late due to their night owl tendency. If it aggravates to a dangerous lack of sleep, turn off all electrical appliances and nicely ask them to sleep. If too much sleep is the problem, offer them a new puzzle to solve, and they’ll most likely spring back to normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my ISTP unit talk?
During the early stages of getting to know someone, your ISTP unit would rather detach and observe your behaviour than say anything worth noting. You could try encouraging your ISTP unit, but if they do not get the habit at first, roll with it patiently and you will get results once your ISTP unit is comfortable.

Why won’t my ISTP unit commit to anything?
This is deemed as unhealthy even for your ISTP unit, and is most likely due to being in a loop or grip. One of the common reasons is that the ISTP feels that there is a breach to their freedom, hence they withdraw from commitment. To solve this problem, offer them more space as this type needs more privacy and freedom than other types. Task your ISTP with something to do and help them stick to it. This will help get your ISTP unit’s mind off things. 

Is it normal for my ISTP unit to be emotional?
Even if your ISTP unit leads with Ti, they are still human, therefore they still need to show emotion and receive affirmation even if they deny that they do. With Introverted Thinking and iNtuition, it is common that your ISTP has a rich internal world, which might lead to constant pessimism and outbursts of inferior Fe if your ISTP unit starts off as unhealthy. Try coaxing your ISTP to vent either by talking to you or by doing something that will help take their mind off things.

How do I bond with my ISTP unit?
It depends on your ISTP unit’s interests and hobbies. Once they are comfortable enough working on their hobbies around you, take an interest and appreciate what they have achieved so far. You could encourage them or just generally start talking to them. After that, you can try doing activities with them such as going outdoors to theme parks or walks in the forest. Remember that your ISTP unit primarily bonds by doing activities that interest them with people, hence try to offer as much variety as possible.

Great! You’re ready to get started! Have fun with your ISTP unit!