1. Start with the easiest clue anchors
In a franchise mode, you already know the series, so your first job is to recognize a few characters with clear year or visual identities. Those anchors make the rest of the pool much easier to separate.
2. Use contrast instead of repetition
If your first guess is dark-haired and modern, your next guess should ideally widen the board with a different era or clearer visual contrast. Repeating similar profiles too early usually slows down the solve.
3. Review the pool after each game
Franchise modes improve quickly because the pool is small. After each round, review the character list or recent answers so the next puzzle feels more familiar than the last one.