Posted June 04, 2013
I'm new to this series, and so far really loving W8, but how do I identify items? Do I get some spell a bit later or what?
This question / problem has been solved by Garran
Stebsis
New User
Registered: May 2011
From Finland
Garran
max 50 chars
Registered: Jul 2011
From Canada
Posted June 04, 2013
Your characters will automatically attempt to identify something when you first acquire it. (The best Artifacts skill in the party determines success, but every character has a chance to improve their skill.)
If they are unable to do so then it will remain unidentified with a big question mark over the icon. There are two ways to identify it at that point:
Use an Identify spell, which is occasionally found on scrolls, but can also be learned by characters with Divinity or Psionics - you'll be able to buy books of that spell in Arnika, among other places, if you don't take it at level-up. You need a minimum skill level and it can use a lot of magic points (Mental), so this option can be difficult (or at least time consuming) until the caster has trained those skills up a bit.
Wait until your characters' Artifacts skill has improved. If you right click an unidentified item to examine it, it will re-test your Artifacts skill to see whether the item can now be identified. (You won't get any skill-ups this way - that only happens when an item is first acquired.)
If they are unable to do so then it will remain unidentified with a big question mark over the icon. There are two ways to identify it at that point:
Use an Identify spell, which is occasionally found on scrolls, but can also be learned by characters with Divinity or Psionics - you'll be able to buy books of that spell in Arnika, among other places, if you don't take it at level-up. You need a minimum skill level and it can use a lot of magic points (Mental), so this option can be difficult (or at least time consuming) until the caster has trained those skills up a bit.
Wait until your characters' Artifacts skill has improved. If you right click an unidentified item to examine it, it will re-test your Artifacts skill to see whether the item can now be identified. (You won't get any skill-ups this way - that only happens when an item is first acquired.)
Post edited June 04, 2013 by Garran
bevinator
Yep.
Registered: Mar 2011
From United States
Posted June 04, 2013
Also note that Identify scrolls are only power 4, making them unable to identify most of the stuff you'd want to use them on. If you don't have a character who can actually cast Identify, it can be pretty difficult to get stuff identified without using thousands of Icicle Stix to get your Artifacts up. Some of the musical instruments require over 100 Artifacts skill to assay, too, which means you'll need Artifacts-boosting equipment like the Philosopher's Shield.
Personally, I just used the Cosmic Forge game editor to make the Identify scrolls cast at level 7.
Personally, I just used the Cosmic Forge game editor to make the Identify scrolls cast at level 7.
Charon121
Gray Eminence
Registered: May 2011
From Croatia
Posted June 04, 2013
It's a pity vendors can't identify items for a fee. I've got half a dozen unindentified expensive spellbooks sitting in my party inventory because none of my characters is skilled in Mental magic.
Garran
max 50 chars
Registered: Jul 2011
From Canada
Posted June 05, 2013
If your characters can't identify the spellbooks via Artifacts then there's a good chance that they can't learn the spells inside anyway (they'll be level 5-7 ones).
Minor Spoiler: Several of them are probably Set/Return to Portal, since you'll tend to collect those in and around the Trynton and Marten's Bluff areas.
Minor Spoiler: Several of them are probably Set/Return to Portal, since you'll tend to collect those in and around the Trynton and Marten's Bluff areas.
bofferbrauer
The Boff Buff
Registered: Jun 2009
From Luxembourg
Posted June 05, 2013
If you have someone in your team with alchemy skill, you can also train your artefacts skill (an make a shitload of money!)
Just buy light healt and moderate health potions and mix them together (a skill of 15 in alchemy is needed) ONE BY ONE, and identitfy also ONE BY ONE simply by right clicking on them. Every time you do identify an item, there is a possibility the skill of some your party Members in that skill will rise.
By the way, you'll get Heavy health potions by mixing them, which are more valuable then both of the ingredients together, so it's also a nice way to make yourself as much money as you need
Just buy light healt and moderate health potions and mix them together (a skill of 15 in alchemy is needed) ONE BY ONE, and identitfy also ONE BY ONE simply by right clicking on them. Every time you do identify an item, there is a possibility the skill of some your party Members in that skill will rise.
By the way, you'll get Heavy health potions by mixing them, which are more valuable then both of the ingredients together, so it's also a nice way to make yourself as much money as you need