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Azilut: You don't want to spread yourself too thin, but by using a few tricks I was able to master four tech disciplines by game-end, and dabble in three others, while still having decent stats. Here are a few helpful things to know:
-Each level you buy in a tech discipline does two things. One, it gives you the schematic for that level, allowing you to craft that item. Two, it increases your "expertise" in that discipline by about 10-15 points, which is necessary to craft more advanced items. However, you can also boost your expertise by buying the appropriate manuals from Tarant university, and multiple manuals stack the bonus. This means that the only reason why you would ever need to put points in a tech discipline is if you want the schematics that come with them - buying ranks just to boost your expertise is a waste of points.
-In order to buy ranks in tech disciplines, you need a certain intelligence level. However, potions of intelligence will temporarily give you a massive boost to this stat, I think it's by 10 points. Since you need 19 Int to unlock the highest levels of the tech disciplines, you could in theory have as little as 9 int and still unlock any tech level you want - just down a potion, spend your character points, and when the potion wears off you will still have the schematics. Your "expertise" will drop to the level your normal Int can support, but you can boost it back up with manuals, or by drinking another potion of intelligence.
I currently have 8 intelligence so I guess I only need 9 if I can live on intelligence potions. I think I've found one or two, will I be able to buy them later and are they expensive? Also, how long is the duration?

Bah, I forgot. I'll have to increase it anyway if I'm to build more advanced grenades. I should have stopped playing when I was level 5-6 and I had just learned about Molotov, I should have restarted as a grenadier.


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Azilut: Another source of stat boosts is the Arcanum Gods Quest. You've probably run into some altars to various Gods scattered around Arcanum? If you present the appropriate offering, you will gain that God's blessing, usually a boost to one or several stats or skills. The trick is finding out which order to do it in so that the other Gods don't curse you.
Yes, I found Torg Altar on the way to Tarant and I already gave it a Ruby and I received 1+ Con I think. I guess that was a wrong move, that man in the University talked about some old elf that thought the gods were interconnected and I assume that has something to do with the order.


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Azilut: There is a necklace you can steal off an Elf in Stillwater that gives +2 Beauty and +1 Cha. There are also two quests that give you a permanent +1 Cha bonus (Madame Toussade's crystal ball in Tarant, and restoring the Statue of Geshtianna in Stillwater). Plus, some of the Gods in the aforementioned Gods Quest will give you Cha buffs.
Stealing that necklace is probably going to require pickpocket or? I've done the quest for Madam Toussade but I'm not sure I received any Charisma. I gave the crystal ball to Delores and then she died from what I assume was a curse but I still have it, I put in a chest in Tarant in case I would need it.


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Azilut: Firearms hit rate is dependent on a number of other factors too, including your Perception stat, your distance to the target, the light level, whether there are any obstacles between you, etc. Expert training in Firearms does not improve your hit rate, it just reduces the penalty for making called shots.
About the light level, anything I can do there? I kept a lamp in my other hand but I noticed that increased thre strength requirement of my current revolver so I took I gave it to a follower instead.


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Azilut: You can only use shovels on certain graves - you will know because they will have a mound of dirt over them, will light up when you hover the mouse, and if you click on them it will say something like "you try to dig in the dirt with your hands, but you don't get anywhere". I think there are only 2 or 3 diggable graves in the game, all near the end of the game, so feel free to drop that shovel in a crate somewhere and pick it up later.
Thanks, I'll drop it off in a chest.

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Azilut: Manuals improve your expertise, allowing you to craft more advanced items. However, they do not improve the quality of the items crafted - you can either make them or you can't.
OK.

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Azilut: There are three craftable items that can be sold for a pretty substantial profit: flash grenades, explosive grenades, and eyegear. The components can be readily bought in shops, and if no-one else will take them, the junk dealer at the docks will still buy them off you for a hefty sum.
I can make flash grenades now but I haven't found a single magnesium in a while. Anywhere in Shrouded Hills, Dernholm, Black Root or Tarant I can purchase it?


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Azilut: Yes. Bashing open doors or chests with weapons damages those weapons. Axes are mostly resistant to this, though, so if you have an axe, use it to do your bashing. (And by the way, if you're a technologist, keep checking the stores for the "Pyrotechnic Axe" schematic. It's bad-ass.)
Ah, interesting. I actually found that schematic not long ago but I haven't found any lightweight axe or whatever it was called.


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capn_tucker: A good place to farm XP is the cemetery in Ashbury. It is infested with zombies who continuously respawn. You can go up a ton of levels in this way. Just don't complete the quest associated with the cemetery; once it's done no more zombies..
Thanks, I'll definitely write that down.

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Gazoinks: I never really saw much of a need for farming. There are so many quests, it's not really necessary. I got up to lv. 21 on my Gunslinger via questing before I even went to the Black Mountain Mines.
I'm currently level 16 and I think I still have 3 quests, one about the weird portal in the first west of Black Root and digging up 2 siamese skulls. Speaking of the weird portal, is there any more hints of where it is other than the journal of Liam Cameron? I don't want to know where it is, just if there's any other way to find it other than blindly looking for it.

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Waltorious: If so, it's better to pick the lock if you have the means. Virgil has a little lockpicking sklil, if you still have him around... just try to pick it yourself and he'll volunteer to do it instead if his skill is higher than yours.
Currently Virgil is level 16 like my main character and I think he has 3 SPs in Lockpicking but he's only been able to open 2 doors and 2 chests, he almost always fail and critically fail on the second or third try. I gather I can't ask an apprentice to teach him..

About pick locking, if I have more than one item that gives bonus X+ % bonus to picklocking will they add up together or is it only the one I use? I have two that gives 5%.

About chests, is it safe to store items in them? I have stored some stuff in the one that is the room of Virgil's friend in the Inn in Shrouded Hills and in one in P.Schuyler's cellar. (I didn't kill them).
Post edited December 05, 2012 by Nirth
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Nirth: I currently have 8 intelligence so I guess I only need 9 if I can live on intelligence potions. I think I've found one or two, will I be able to buy them later and are they expensive? Also, how long is the duration?
You can buy them from gypsies. They only carry one at a time, but it refreshes each day, so if you want to stockpile them you can just stand nearby hitting "advance time one day" and buying another. There are an unlimited number, and they cost around $100-150 a pop (which will be chump change by the time you're in a position to build the most advanced items anyway.)

Bah, I forgot. I'll have to increase it anyway if I'm to build more advanced grenades. I should have stopped playing when I was level 5-6 and I had just learned about Molotov, I should have restarted as a grenadier.
You don't need to boost it further; just use manuals.

Yes, I found Torg Altar on the way to Tarant and I already gave it a Ruby and I received 1+ Con I think. I guess that was a wrong move, that man in the University talked about some old elf that thought the gods were interconnected and I assume that has something to do with the order.
Yeah, the book that guy gives you, combined with the illustration hanging on his wall, give you all the information you need about how to solve the Gods Quest. But if you started with Torg, I don't think there's any way to finish it properly. You can still get a few select buffs, but some of them might result in curses as well. It's not like the Gods Quest is essential to finishing the game or anything, though; just a neat perk.

Stealing that necklace is probably going to require pickpocket or? I've done the quest for Madam Toussade but I'm not sure I received any Charisma. I gave the crystal ball to Delores and then she died from what I assume was a curse but I still have it, I put in a chest in Tarant in case I would need it.
You can get a one-time 100% success rate on pick pocket if you're willing to spend a fate point to do it. Frankly, I consider it one of the better uses of a fate point if you're not playing a thief.

As for Madame Toussade... did you go back to see her after Dolores died? If you did, she should have given you a +1 CHA blessing as a reward. (Unless you haven't solved the painting theft quest yet, in which case I think she just tells you where the painting is. So be sure to finish that quest first.)

About the light level, anything I can do there? I kept a lamp in my other hand but I noticed that increased thre strength requirement of my current revolver so I took I gave it to a follower instead.
There are a few options here. One, hold a lantern (or the superior electric light, if you can craft it.) Two, wear a miner's helmet (you can earn one as a quest reward in the Wheel Clan, or you can find a schematic and build one.) Third, you can train up to "expert" in melee, at which point light penalties no longer affect you (though I don't think this helps with firearms. For that matter, I'm not sure if lanterns help with firearms either, since the pool of light they create is somewhat limited.)

I can make flash grenades now but I haven't found a single magnesium in a while. Anywhere in Shrouded Hills, Dernholm, Black Root or Tarant I can purchase it?
I'm pretty sure the tech shop in Tarant carries magnesium (he's in the same room as the herbalist). He might not have it every day though, so if he doesn't have it, head outside, advance time to the next day, and try again.

Ah, interesting. I actually found that schematic not long ago but I haven't found any lightweight axe or whatever it was called.
You can build your own featherweight axes if you take Smithy level... two, I think? Maybe three? I forget. But there are also plenty of them available in the game world. I'm pretty sure there's a dwarf in the bar in Black Root who has one (sometimes he'll pick a fight with you and you can kill him for it, if not you can pick his pocket for it), and later in the game you can buy them from several shops.

I'm currently level 16 and I think I still have 3 quests, one about the weird portal in the first west of Black Root and digging up 2 siamese skulls. Speaking of the weird portal, is there any more hints of where it is other than the journal of Liam Cameron? I don't want to know where it is, just if there's any other way to find it other than blindly looking for it.
There's a trail leading away from Liam's cabin; just follow it and you'll come to the portal in short order.

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Waltorious: About pick locking, if I have more than one item that gives bonus X+ % bonus to picklocking will they add up together or is it only the one I use? I have two that gives 5%.
Not sure about that, but I don't think they stack.

About chests, is it safe to store items in them? I have stored some stuff in the one that is the room of Virgil's friend in the Inn in Shrouded Hills and in one in P.Schuyler's cellar. (I didn't kill them).
It's safe to store items in pretty much anything except trash cans - those get emptied on a daily basis. There's a warehouse in tarant where the owner will ask you to clear out the rat infestation, and while you're doing it you can find a key that opens all the locked chests and crates in there. This makes it an ideal location to store all your crap, as there's tons of storage space and it's right next to the junk shop and the docks (making it easy to access by ship).
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Azilut: You can get a one-time 100% success rate on pick pocket if you're willing to spend a fate point to do it. Frankly, I consider it one of the better uses of a fate point if you're not playing a thief.

As for Madame Toussade... did you go back to see her after Dolores died? If you did, she should have given you a +1 CHA blessing as a reward. (Unless you haven't solved the painting theft quest yet, in which case I think she just tells you where the painting is. So be sure to finish that quest first.)
Yeah, I was wondering when I was going to use those fate points. Interesting concept but it feels like I'll wait till end of the game so I don't waste them.

I've finished that quest but I never returned to her, I'll do that now though.

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capn_tucker: Not sure about that, but I don't think they stack.
I've only found two so far it's rather hard to check, two 5% items stacking is only going to add total ~5.25%, I'll need higher percentage to test if they stack.


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capn_tucker: It's safe to store items in pretty much anything except trash cans - those get emptied on a daily basis. There's a warehouse in tarant where the owner will ask you to clear out the rat infestation, and while you're doing it you can find a key that opens all the locked chests and crates in there. This makes it an ideal location to store all your crap, as there's tons of storage space and it's right next to the junk shop and the docks (making it easy to access by ship).
I assumed as much regarding the trash bins. Smart idea about the warehouse, I'll move the items there.

Another thing that has alured me since I started playing but I forgot to ask: my followers keep dropping their weapons which I thought had something to do with them critically fail or enemies critically hit. How do I counter this? With 3 followers it's really annoying have to check that they don't drop their weapons after every battle. I guess it's a good thing that auto-pick so I don't lose the weapons at least. All of them meet their MSR respectively too.

I've given Virgil 4 items that require magic and they all give him 50% available power but it seems he heals less often now but it could more of a glitch but I thought I should mention it.
Post edited December 05, 2012 by Nirth
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Nirth: Yeah, I was wondering when I was going to use those fate points. Interesting concept but it feels like I'll wait till end of the game so I don't waste them.
Not using fate points is a common mistake. Don't just hang on to them until the end; you'll end up not using any of them (which is exactly what happened to me in my first game). If you really need to pickpocket something or do another action that is beyond you, go ahead and use a fate point. You'll get more as you continue through the story.

Oh also when you say Virgil heals less often now, do you mean he heals you less often? His healing spells will get less and less effective when cast on you because your character is building up tech aptitude. It will be worth grabbing some healing salves (tech-based healing items) to have on hand for your main character, because later on Virgil won't be able to heal you with magic at all.
Post edited December 05, 2012 by Waltorious
Is it the supposed to crash this often? I'm currently level 19, I've played perhaps 20 hours or so and it has crashed 10 times. I have UAP, admin rights and currently using compatibility mode for XP SP2.
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Nirth: Is it the supposed to crash this often? I'm currently level 19, I've played perhaps 20 hours or so and it has crashed 10 times. I have UAP, admin rights and currently using compatibility mode for XP SP2.
I never had any crashing problems, but I was using XP when I played. Anyone else know about Windows 7 stability?
Extremely stable on my windows 7 here.
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ewmarch: Extremely stable on my windows 7 here.
32-bit or 64-bit?

I use 64-bit.

I'm currently in Bedookan Village and I'm trying to pursuade Kan Kerai to not fight the 'warm-bloods' or attack the poachers because I want Waroman to join me but I've tried all the conversations so far, no luck. Currently I've 3 SPs in Pursuasion and Expert training. I also tried drinking a Pursuasion potion made by Jayna to get 4 SPs but it didn't help.

Something else I need to do? I noticed that the leader of the poaches carries an Elephant Gun which might suit my failing Gunslinger but it requires 10 Strength and I've only 5 so I think I'll get Waroman on my team instead of pursuing a combat orientiation on my main character.

Nevermind, seems I missed one line to follow.
Post edited December 07, 2012 by Nirth
I've a problem. I let Waroman and Jormund wait in the warehouse in Tarant because I was going to the Dark Elves in Tsen-Ang and on the way pick up Raven and Jayna. I had left Jayna in the Bedookan Village but of course she wasn't there and then after leaving the Dark Elves Virgil left but at least he said he went to Caladon and that's where I'm going anyway.

Now Jayna, Jormund and Waroman is gone? Where do I find them? I asked them to wait, not to leave the group if that makes any difference.

Also, about Jormund and Raven. Both of these have many spells but they prefer to use a weapon and that's very annoying. How do I make them use spells? I guess I could lave their hands free but I'm not sure if that will work.

Edit: Ugh..I had to travel to the places where you recruit each one to gather them again...That was annoying.

Still, I can't get Raven or Jormund to use their spells. What gives?
Post edited December 11, 2012 by Nirth
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Nirth: Edit: Ugh..I had to travel to the places where you recruit each one to gather them again...That was annoying.

Still, I can't get Raven or Jormund to use their spells. What gives?
I'm glad you found them again!

About magic: the most annoying part of this game, in my mind, is that the AI is mind-numbingly dumb about using magic in combat (or at all). Mages, if they have "Body of ... " spells will use those (so Jormund, when he gets the Body of Fire spell actually can be sort of useful, but Raven who gets the Body of Water spell is really not). Mages are ok at using buffing spells (mostly healing), and using the Body of ... spells, but not anything else.

So they are sort of a waste actually except for dialogue and flavor. :(

I would assume that the game was rushed a bit (as most Troika games ended up being) and in the push out the door the devs were not able to fix/create all the AI spellcaster code.
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Nirth: Still, I can't get Raven or Jormund to use their spells. What gives?
Oh, that's just the beginning, my friend.

Once, Virgil was low on HP like less than half but with full fatigue. And he's about to be attacked by a bludgeoner which can reduce a full HP to about quarter. Virgil at this point have learned a spell that replenish a lot of HP, plus I gave him 15 Morgana's tears. What do you think he do?

He stand there, raised his sword (10-15HD) and start chipping away at the armour of the bludgeoner who still have 75% of HP. Suddenly, when he almost finished his turn, he used a potion of haste on himself. "Whew!" I sighed with relief, this time he will definitely use Morgana's tear or spell... but no, he used the extra moves to deal more pathetic damage.
I have Chukka, Mead-Mogg and Dog with me. 3 fighters that can deal REAL DAMAGE. But Virgil being the peasant that he is, never learned anything about delegation and forced me to press the quickload button.

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SheBear: I would assume that the game was rushed a bit (as most Troika games ended up being) and in the push out the door the devs were not able to fix/create all the AI spellcaster code.
They still managed to put multiplayer into the game which I never ever used. From what I read, multiplayer development takes a lot of resources. I think you can see where I'm going with this.
Yeah, it's a pity about AI or no precise way of issue commands.

I noticed a while back (and a while after I had been first to Ashbury) that apparently I hadn't been able to save Dog, I found mutless wretch lying somewhere. I didn't know at the time but I read some NPC guide recently. I wonder if I could go back and use a resurrection scroll in case his body is still there? I think I'll try it since he doesn't take up a follower spot.

After playing a few hours today I noticed that if I meet more enemies it seems like Jormund or Raven enjoys throwing more spells but it was very weird, they just throw randomly. Jormund enjoyed wasting his fatigue by transforming himself to a fire elemental then slowly walking around in the messy battle until he would faint and Raven would rather fight her bare hands then throw spells until I meet a bunch of enemies and then throw up her rain water spell somewhere but that's it.

The idea that they put stamine and mana in the same bar as fatigue was a poor attempt to try and separate from other RPGs. I enjoy the idea of fainting, that's unusual but they should have separated them into two distinct meters.

I just recruited Franklin Payne, cool fella and nice to see a gun that actually cause damage for a change. Pity that he lacks the MSR of his Elephant Gun.
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Nirth: Now Jayna, Jormund and Waroman is gone? Where do I find them? I asked them to wait, not to leave the group if that makes any difference.
Followers will only wait for you for a limited amount of time before taking off. How long they wait depends on various factors - I don't know exactly how it works, but I'm pretty sure it's affected by your Charisma, Beauty, possibly alignment, and their overall 'reaction' to you.

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Nirth: I just recruited Franklin Payne, cool fella and nice to see a gun that actually cause damage for a change. Pity that he lacks the MSR of his Elephant Gun.
If you can get him a suit of machined plate, it should bump his STR up enough to be able to use the gun effectively. Alternately, you could jab him with a Muscle Maker (he doesn't need his brains anyway), though I'm not sure how that affects the auto-levelling scheme.
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Nirth: Raven would rather fight her bare hands then throw spells until I meet a bunch of enemies and then throw up her rain water spell somewhere but that's it.
Give Raven a bow and arrows - she's useful that way.
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Azilut: If you can get him a suit of machined plate, it should bump his STR up enough to be able to use the gun effectively. Alternately, you could jab him with a Muscle Maker (he doesn't need his brains anyway), though I'm not sure how that affects the auto-levelling scheme.
Good to know.

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SheBear: Give Raven a bow and arrows - she's useful that way.
I would but I tend to run the game in real-time because after I began to pick up multiple followers combat has been a breeze and in real-time she will shoot them like a machine gun and probably miss half them and they aren't exactly cheap. I gave her a Staff that has Major Healing instead because of her magic aptitude.