Which Skills to Choose?

dnamertz · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 10:04 PM

I am just starting Fallout 2 (and I never played Fallout 1). I just moved up to level 2 and I'm not sure which skills to use my points on. The character I'm using is Narg...are there certain skills I should focus on for Narg that would be better than others?

Xandax · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 11:41 PM

Well - I'd never really recommend starting the game with a pre-made character for a first timer, but ....

I can't remember which skills are "tagged" for "Narg", but when leveling in the early stages then you should always put some skill points into the tagged combat skills.
Especially small guns if that is a skill - otherwise put some points into that one as well. Much of this game has combat in it - and it will be frustrating hard withouth a decent small guns.
Some points in the early game into either meele or hand to hand if either of these skills are tagged (which I think they are for that character) can also help.

Other then that - it is pretty much how you wish your character to be, because some like to focus on lockpicking, speech, doctor/first aid, repair etc. It is rather individual.

Just remember that "tagged" skills grow doublely as fast as un-tagged, meaning that you gain 2 skill points per point added (from leveling) when below 100 skill points, and 1 per 1 above. Whereas with untagged you get 1 per 1 below and 1 per 2 above 100.

Malta Soron · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 01:50 AM

Most adviced for a (non pre-made) character are speech (useful in quests), lockpicking (f.e. looting lockers) and a combat skill for which weapons will be available early in the game: small guns, melee and unarmed.

dnamertz · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 02:04 PM

XANDAX,

Why do you not recommend using a pre-made character? There are so many skills and abilities in Fallout that I had no idea where to start when creating my own character so I went with Narg.

Xandax · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 04:38 PM

Well - mostly because I find them impersonal - and as I recall, rather poorly created in the skill/statisic department.
In my view - one of the fun things about RPGs is the creation of characters. Thus I'd never personally choose any premade character in any RPG

Also - because as I recall it Narg has meele or hand to hand as one of his tagged skills - possible even thrown or something similar, and allthough it can be a fun path - I wouldn't recommend it to a newcommer to the game.

But it all comes down to preference and mine is against premade characters

dnamertz · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 06:19 PM

Well now I am considering starting over since I'm not that far into the game.

By the way, what skills would you recommend for a newcommer? There are a lot of skills compared to other games I've played, but I am imagining you can get through the game withour focusin too much on some skills...is this true?

I would like to know what skills other people think makes the game more interesting. Are there some skills that make it difficult to complete the game without? Are there some that are a waste to pursue?

Xandax · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 06:34 PM

As Malta Soron suggested - and I agree with some - Speech is always nice, because it can open up for extra dialogoptions. Small Guns is in my view the best combat skill for the start to mid game.
The third tagged skill is rather random in my games, and could go to for instance lock picking, first aid or doctor, sicence or what you like.
But remember - all skills can be leveled - it is just that the tagged skills grow faster (as mentioned in an ealier post).

But I suggest playing around with what you like, so you find your own preferences. The game is not terrible difficult combat-wise (once you get the hang of combat that is), so you should be able to take pretty much any type of character through the game.

Deadalready · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 09:18 PM

Nah he's still a first timer, most of the time you don't realise there's that many quests or side quests in my opinion. I suggest staying with Narg any way since you'll be doing much more killing than talking in my opinion.

Hell I can remember 101 situations where I ended up killing dozens of people in my first time through by accident. For your first few levels I suggest using melee weapons like the spear to make the first part easy, then start using small guns untill you find a good big gun that you can sustain using.

Once you've gotten an idea what skills do what what things need improving or what you liked doing you can easily make adjustments for your next character.

~

As a side note I used Mingan the first time through the game and I started playing Fallout 2 before I got Fallout 1, also I royally fubared the game

but that's how you play!

dnamertz · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2005, 11:09 PM

Wow, now I see the difference. I started over with a more balanced character and the temple was much harder. Where Narg was clobering the ants and scorpions, my new guy was taking a lot of damage and was having a hard time hitting with a the spear. How far into the game do I have to rely on melee weapons before I start to get guns?

Xandax · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnamertz

Wow, now I see the difference. I started over with a more balanced character and the temple was much harder. Where Narg was clobering the ants and scorpions, my new guy was taking a lot of damage and was having a hard time hitting with a the spear. How far into the game do I have to rely on melee weapons before I start to get guns?

Withouth spoiling anything .... not very far. You should be able to pick up at least one okay gun in the first town you visit.

But a tip for combat - now I don't know what you agility is, but for combat in the early stages you should do hit n' runs when the enemy is "meele opponents". Don't just stand around and take the blows.
For instance, see how far you opponent can walk each round.
Then let him get close so you can hit him the next round. Then try to hit him once and run out of range. This will make the opponent use some of his Action Points (AP) on getting close to you again, and if you have enough AP yourself and timed it correct it is possible doing much meele action withouth ever getting hit

This tactic should make your low level "bad at combat" life much easier.

Once you get your first couple of weapons you can do the same, but a little easier - and this can be done untill you are comfetable enough in your weapon and skills to start developing another way to do combat with your character.