Newbie in need for some assistance.

[AmericanNinja]

Hey, just got the game but it didnt come with a manual so Im fumbling a bit in the dark at times in this game. Im going for a rogue\thief character and need some help with basic stuff.

First off: How do I use backstab? I cant seem to find any button for the skill.. I have put one point in it and also carry a dagger, so I guess I meet the pre-requisites.

Is there any command to keep Virgil away, to just have him stand in one specific spot? Whenever I use the F5 command "back off"(?) he just keep following me.

To Lockpick, is there a specific skill button or do I just _use_ the lockpick set?

When pick pocketing, do I have to pay attention to the surrounding NPCs(can they spot me?) or just the NPC that Im stealing from?

Any other helpful hints\tips for a noob thief?

[Mr. Pastorius]

First of all, welcome to Gamebanshee.

Backstab is a passive skill, but to use is with highest efficiency, you must attack a target that doesn't consider you as a threat from the back.

Just initiate a dialogue with him and use the options "I'd like you to do something for me" -> "Wait here for a while".

You just need to use the lockpick set, the easiest way is to drag it in one of the hotkey slots.

Not as far as I know, but you should pay attention to pickpocket the target from the back, that will decrease your chances of getting caught.

As for other hints, I can't think of any more at the moment (probably because I just woke up ), so you might try to browse through some of the threads that you think might prove useful.

[AmericanNinja]

Thanks for the quick reply
So it is possible to backstab when not in Prowling mode? When Im standing behind a NPC, dagger ready in hand, but not in Prowling mode, am I considered a threat then?

[Mr. Pastorius]

Originally Posted by AmericanNinja

Thanks for the quick reply
So it is possible to backstab when not in Prowling mode? When Im standing behind a NPC, dagger ready in hand, but not in Prowling mode, am I considered a threat then?

As long as the NPC's reaction isnt 0 or lower (ie. hatred), nope.
Also, if I recall correctly, if you can make your enemy lose track of you during combat (this is only possible for a master prowler, though), you can also get an 'unaware' backstab damage bonus.

Oh, and, you're welcome.

[AmericanNinja]

Thanks man! Very much appreciated.

[AmericanNinja]

You seem like a guy who knows alot about this game so Ill just keep throwing some more q's at you if its ok

My thief is getting to be a wee bit evil and Im planning on killing Rizette(?) in Shrouded Hills for some easy dineros. I tried it and, very reasonable, I got the guards on my ass after a little while, so I reloaded. If I kill him and flee the town fast, will they still be looking for me if I return later in the game? Also, I thought it was strange that they automaticly knew that it was me..

What do you say?

[galraen]

When pick pocketing, do I have to pay attention to the surrounding NPCs(can they spot me?) or just the NPC that Im stealing from?

Yes, you do have to pay attention to others, especially guards. Guards evidently have X-Ray vision 'cos they can see through walls! So make sure there are none about when committing your nefarious deeds.

Killing Ristezze is a bad idea IMHO, even after you've completed his Bessy Toon quest (Don't give him the camera whatever you do!). He's a useful shopkeeper, and is one of the few that will give you decent money for things like geodes. You shouldn't really need too much money early in the game, and you can usually get by until you get to Tarant.

Once you get to Tarant you can make easy money, get your electrical skill up to the point were you can make Flow spectrometers (level 3, 111 Int needed) and Shocking Staffs (level 4, 13 Int needed), you can buy the components from the general store and Technical traders (like Riztezze) and sell them to scrap dealers (the Junk dealer in Tarrant, or Riztezze again) for a nice profit.

There are other tech items you can make that you can profit from as well, in fact most of them.

Two very useful spells to get early on are Agility of Fire and Strength of Earth.

Prowling, as I suspect you may have already sussed is rather difficult when you have followers, not only are they terrible at it, they also have the annoying habit of charging in and blowing your cover, and also depriving you of experience points! I've found followers a right pain in the derriere in Arcanum, necessary as walking backpacks, but constantly getting in the way, thank god for F5!

Backstab mostly only works if you're successfully prowling, and you have to be an expert in it (prowling) to have much chance of succeeding.

Spoiler highlight to read: Once you get to Tarrant, visit the Panaari Temole, there's a very useful amulet in the chest, but you'll have to kill the priest to get it, and he can e tough if you let him get a spell off. End of Spoiler

Finally be aware that a lot of follwers will get annoyed and will trun against you and attack you if you attack 'innocents'. Virgil and Sof Mead-Mug won't care who you attack, but Magnus, Jayna and several others will.

[AmericanNinja]

Thanks a bunch for helpful answers! And by answering my questions, you promted some new ones

So I HAVE to be Prowling to land a backstab? and; When successfully backstabbing a target, do any special text appear, or do I just notice the severe reduction in the opponents life bar? (this backstab business is really puzzling )

I never had much love for followers in these kinda games(Im more into lone wolf style of gaming instead of rolling as a Band of Merry Men), so I really want to get rid of Virgil, but it seems like a bad idea because he can heal and me and carry stuff too, and the game probably gets very hard to beat without any assistance..

When Virgil is told to "back off", will he heal me when Im fighting? Also, concerning Virgil, as he levels up his healing spells getting better yeah?

[galraen]

So I HAVE to be Prowling to land a backstab? and; When successfully backstabbing a target, do any special text appear, or do I just notice the severe reduction in the opponents life bar? (this backstab business is really puzzling )

I'm not too sure about this, I got very frustrated when I tried going that rout (because of the follower problem) and didn't pursue it very far. When I did succeed I think (it's a while ago so I could be mis-remembering) it was mostly the excessive damage that I noticed. However by the time I got to the point where I was having success prowling I was using a weapon that demolished anything I fought, back-stab or no.

Virgil can only be relied on to heal you if you tell him to back off. Otherwise he just flails away futilely and frequently doesn't even heal himself properly. Keeping him alive through the early going after first leaving Shrouded Hills can be a chore, especilly if you head towards Dernholm (as you should do).

However, if your main character becomes too technical (about 15 points or more) then he will become more and more reluctant to try to heal you, and eventually will only try if you ask him to, not very useful in combat. His healing ability doesn't get much better after about 5th/6th level as I recall,a nd although he does get other spells, like force shield, he hardly ever uses them. Most frustrating is when you know he has resurrection, but there's no way to get him to cast it, and he will never cast it of his own volition.

All in all I'm not a fan of Whining Virgil, I much prefer Sog Mead Mug. Sog can be found in the tavern, but you need 9 points in persuasion to get him to join. Nice strong dude who can carry a lot, deosn't bitch, and will happily bash away at locked chests and doors no matter how much it hurts.

To bash a door or chest press R to enter combat mode, then hold down Alt and target the chest/door. Your followers will wade in as well, so either make sure they aren't carrying any worthwhile weapons, or F5 before attacking yourself. If you want Sog to bash it, give him an iron pipe or two plus maybe some railroad spikes, and having pressed F5 right click on Sog's icon, and selet attack, then select the door or chest.

[Mr. Pastorius]

Originally Posted by galraen

I'm not too sure about this, I got very frustrated when I tried going that rout (because of the follower problem) and didn't pursue it very far. When I did succeed I think (it's a while ago so I could be mis-remembering) it was mostly the excessive damage that I noticed. However by the time I got to the point where I was having success prowling I was using a weapon that demolished anything I fought, back-stab or no.

I've finished the game once as a thief with backstab and prowling mastery,(among other skills) but I can't recall that prowling increased my chances of dealing extra damage with backstab. I just placed myself behind the target, attacked and, depending on the target's state of awareness, dealt 60-90 damage with the pyro axe.

[Kree]

He is a very useful NPC and trader especially if you are a thief hehe. Picking his pockets for his key and then every two weeks or so he will have another two thousand dollars in his trunk and if you steal his most expensive stuff you can just resell it to him for the money he holds instead of putting it in a trunk - easy money mate was set for almost the rest of the game with a few rests (im a patient fellow)

Good luck - with a thief you'll need it lol

[galraen]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pastorius

I've finished the game once as a thief with backstab and prowling mastery,(among other skills) but I can't recall that prowling increased my chances of dealing extra damage with backstab. I just placed myself behind the target, attacked and, depending on the target's state of awareness, dealt 60-90 damage with the pyro axe.

That's about the sort of damage I'm used to getting with the Pyro axe with 20 strength. Do you get any messages that the back-stab did extra damage?

[AmericanNinja]

Aha, so you can right click the followers icon, did not know that.

Getting Sog Mead seems like a good idea, he would fit my scheme better. Only problem then is that Ill be missing Virgils healing abilities, but seeing as they're not all that, Ill rather go for Sog.

I tried pick pocketing Riztezze but failed everytime, guess Ill just have to put more points in it. Good to know that his loot respawns

Thanks again for answers!

[Mr. Pastorius]

Originally Posted by galraen

That's about the sort of damage I'm used to getting with the Pyro axe with 20 strength. Do you get any messages that the back-stab did extra damage?

Nope, nothing, not even a 'critical hit' if I recall correctly. Just 30-100% more damage. By the way, my character's strength was 9.

Anyway, I just might replay the game as an evil thief again, it can be really fun at times. spoiler - When I just think of Caladon guards chasing me through the entire city after I assassinated the king... Ah, memories. - spoiler end

[AmericanNinja]

Reading around on Gamefaqs, it seems as long as you have the backstab skill you B\S whenever your behind the opponent, even in the midst of battle. It can be wrong ofcourse, but it sounds right, at least to a D&D freak like me.

Ive been looking over the equipment available in Arcanum and I find it hard to figure out whats appropriate wear for a thief.. Of course the usual leather armor works fine, but later in the game, what should armor should I aim for?

Oh, one more thing :P What is the difference between the Total Armor and Total defense values and what is Damage resistance really?

Im pestering you with questions, I know, but I hate playing a game without the manual and only to find out after finishing it that I couldve had a twice as good character and had twice as much fun