first time though

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu Dec 20, 2001 8:56 am

Survery, poll, ideas, whatever...

Just curious how most of you went through the game the first time. did you use a scripted development for allotment of CP's or did you just wing it and assign character points as you see fit.

You see, I was on way through the game for the first time and wound up quitting. I made a dwarf and started out with points in melee, bow, etc...

It seems I was way too jumbled and wound up assigning CP's in areas I never needed them. e.g., I initially put a point into bow and have still after 10 hours of gaming have never used a bow.

So, again, on your first time through did you use one of the pre generated characters and/or scripted development or did you wing it.

I think my mistakes I made early in the game really turned me off combined with the fact that at sixth level, my dwarf totally sucked a**.

I'd really appreciate some honest replies here with detail as I was so psyched about this game when it first came out but the character I made really turned me off. I would like to get back into the game and start anew. thanks

Skinbeard · Post by **Skinbeard** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 9:57 am

Having gone through the game a few times now, I find it is usually a good idea to "specialize" your character. Try to get a general idea of how you want him or her to end up and build it from the ground up. For example, go for either technology or magic exclusively. While doing a bit of both can work, you'll find that your character is a bit weak at the later levels.

My first character was an elven magician. I specialized in 2 colleges of magic (conveyance and force) and had 2-3 level 1 spells to boost him as well as some points in throwing. Then it's a matter of boosting good mage stats like willpower and such.

My second character was a dwarf technologist. I concentrated on firearms and explosives. Much more challenging, especially at the beginning, I found it more fun. The mage became very powerful too fast for my taste.

I then tried a character with no combat skills whatsoever. Went for a lot of charisma, followers and master of persuasion. That one was the most fun I had. Some situations you can't talk yourself out of then but then again, that's what followers are for

My last time through, I went with a half-ogre melee fighter. Made him quite dumb to get the funny dialogue options. Had an easy time with him too, although you'll miss out on a few quests because of your low intelligence.

All in all, I figure it's a question of specializing a bit. Don't try to be a jack of all trades or you'll end up being good at nothing and that hurts in this game. Especially towards the end against tougher foes or quests. The pre-generated characters do that for you somewhat, but you miss on the fun of really building a character of your own.

Don't give up on this game. Once you get past it's few mistakes, it's really enjoyable.

Cheers.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 11:46 am

skinbeard, thanks for your response. much appreciated. My first time through I was going for a dwarf technologist. When I started, I don't remember how many cp's you start with but I think I went melee, bow, haggle, hp's, and dx. Obviously the bow and haggle cost me and I'm having a real tough at fifth level getting anything done. Most opponents are too tough.

Also, how long does it take you to get through a game. I'm under the impression that depending on how you build your character there are certain quests you'll be drawn to and certain quests you should stay away from. yes or no. thanks

Skinbeard · Post by **Skinbeard** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 1:09 pm

Yep, you're right. The game gives you access to different quests based on many factors including; Race, Skills, Gender, allignment and wether you are favoring technology or magic. The 5 CP's you start with are not much. It might be a good idea to invest in dodge and melee at least 1 each to survive to the later levels. Most quests can be solved differently. Experiment, it's very rare to be completely stuck in this game.

If you know your way around and keep to the main storyline, you could probably go through the whole game in about 25-30 hours but if you try to do as much as you can, expect something in the 100+ hour range.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 1:20 pm

I tend to try to completely devour the game. Right now I'm stuck, can't seem to get anything completed in dernholm or black root. Looking for the knife the thieves have in black root. I went north of the train and looked for them but couldn't find them. Also, back in shrouded hills, I tried to give the ghost in the mines boot (Bessie Toone???) to the guy in the antiques??? shop for info and it wasn't working out. Now I'm just pleading for help, I know, but your posts have given me a little kick to get back into the game. It truly seems amazing that no two games will be the same as long as you choose different paths of advancement.

Skinbeard · Post by **Skinbeard** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 1:55 pm

Well, to get the thieves camp and the knife, go north just past the train, cross the river (there should be a place where you can) and follow the trail on the ground. They can be tricky to find since they are not marked on the town map.

If you already found the location of the city of Tarant by another way, giving the boot to the shopkeep will do nothing.

Good luck.

Slight Spoiler:
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Look around in Tarant. You can still get a bit of coin for the boot if you sell it to the right person. Say, a person interested in odd objects and things...

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Fri Dec 21, 2001 2:25 pm

skinbeard,

thanks again for taking an interest. Will probably update things here after a short while. see how I do when I get back into it.