Character advice

ShadowFighter88 · Post by **ShadowFighter88** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:27 pm

Just got Arcanum off GOG.com and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on a good character to use for my first run. Ideally something with enough social skills to talk their way out of a lot of things.

I tried a human gunslinger earlier but he was missing that much that I couldn't afford better armour because I kept having to buy more bullets.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:28 pm

Try a magic based character. They are significantly easier than the techies.

Having high intellect will give unlock a good ammount of dialog options. As for talking your way out, you'd want charisma.

As a talker, you'd want to mainly rely on your companions (which you'll have a ton of) for protection in fights, since Charisma doesn't help at all in battles.

ShadowFighter88 · Post by **ShadowFighter88** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:08 pm

I may be spreading myself a bit thin with this new character, but I went with an elven mage/swordsman. Sunk a few points into Persuasion (and recently got Expert training in it) and I'm doing pretty well so far. Except for part of the Ancient Ruins near Ashbury - Virgil, Dog and Magnus keep charging into one room on their own (it's the one marked 2 on [url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/arcanum/walkthrough/ancienttemple.php"]this page[/url] - I've cleared everything else out apart from the bit marked 1) and get slaughtered by stuff in there. I can't remember what level I'm at, but Magnus and Dog are a fair way behind me and Virgil (I took Educator for the background so I have one less follower than normal - it was a while before my Charisma was high enough to recruit Magnus).

I'm tempted to go back to get Sogg Mead-Mug now that I can have three followers (Expert Persuasion training) but I'm worried he might be way too far behind the rest of us in level. Anyone else I could recruit who'd be closer to us? I think my character's level is about mid-late 20s and Magnus is either on or around 20.

TwoHandedSword · Post by **TwoHandedSword** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:46 pm

First, I'm sorry to say, the Educator background is a waste. It only works for skills you and your followers have in common, which is generally Melee and possibly Dodge. If you're going charismatic, it's not worth losing one follower for.

Second, Sogg will follow you right from the start; all you need is a Persuasion of 9. IIRC, Magnus will join you once you reach level 8; you just have to talk to him about the goings-on within P. Schuyler & Sons, and don't try to bargain with them in front of him. Dog is a free follower (meaning he doesn't eat a follower slot) and will eventually gain melee mastery even without your Educator bonus.

Third, did you remember to use your persuasiveness to convince the thieves at the Shrouded Hills bridge that you were one of them? Not only is it money plus a Fate point (two, if you convince them and THEN kill them!*) but it's one of your tickets to joining the Thieves Underground once you get to Tarant. Being a thief is both interesting roleplay and a good way for a charismatic and nonviolent person to earn XP.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Sogg. There are more interesting characters to add to your party, including two elves (one evil, one good) later on. And keep in mind that your actions and alignment determine whether your followers stay with you; only Virgil and Dog are there for the long haul no matter what.

Also, IMO Throwing is better than Melee. You can power-shop any of the wise women for a mystical chakram, which'll do until you can get Azram's Star as part of the Throwing mastery quest. (

Spoiler

Which, BTW, you turn over to the Throwing master to complete your quest, and then pickpocket back using a Fate point.

)

*Assuming you haven't installed Drog Black Tooth's bugfix, you get a Fate point for bargaining with the thieves, and/or one for killing them. So if you're quick on the draw, you can do both.

ShadowFighter88 · Post by **ShadowFighter88** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:37 am

Well I'm already well past the thieves (ended up killing them since I kept messing up the persuasion attempts). Also, my character's turned out less as a charisma monkey and more of a magic swordsman with some social skills.

And while I had a charisma of 9 when I first spoke to Sogg, Educator meant he wouldn't join the group. Same deal with Magnus, had to boost my Charisma a bit before my Max Followers stat went up to 2 and I could grab him. That's since gone up to three thanks to Expert Persuasion training so I can grab another follower (got Dog already). I didn't bother with the Thieves Underground since I figured it'd involve a lot of sneaking, lockpicking and pickpocketing and I don't have any points in any of those.

So I've got Magnus, Virgil and Dog, room for another follower and I'm more combat oriented than originally planned but I've still got a bit of persuasive ability (convinced the guy in the P. Schyler & Sons foyer that I was from the authorities - almost did the same with the Toone mine but clicked on the wrong response and had to pay for it). As for where I'm up to in the main quest; I'm just back from the Isle of Despair and (eventually) going to go find the Wheel Clan. Gonna do a bit more exploring and levelling first.

EDIT: Might leave that last Follower slot open for now and just leave the Ancient Temple for a while. Might try to get Loghaire.

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:54 am

Get some security up fast to open the blacksmiths chest in the first village you visit, other than that it's just smooth sailing with any char

TwoHandedSword · Post by **TwoHandedSword** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:11 pm

Loghaire's another good one. And IIRC, there's an interesting dialog between him and Magnus if you take them both to the end of the Durin Stone quest.