GameBanshee Forums

There's a little button that has two walking figures on it which tells the companion to stay or follow. That should be at the bottom of the screen.
If you tell the companion to stay it will stop in that area unless it sees an enemy. Also, if you enter a new area (when the game loads up a new area) your companion will appear beside you.
If there are lots of enemies or you're going to a new area where you know you're going to be attacked, talk to the companion and get it to leave the party temporarily. When it's safe again, you can always return and get it back.

I've never noticed that button. Only the conversation options. I'll go check it out. Thanks!

Did you find the button?

Some more of my character stats...
Demokin
Level 27- Current XP 354487
208 HP
528 Mana

Fighting 444
Unarmed- 43
One-Handed Melee- 87
Two-Handed Melee (Tagged)- 160
Ranged (Tagged)- 85
Evasion- 69

Thieving 278
Find Traps- 94
Pick Locks- 93
Sneak- 21
Diplomacy- 70- Barter- 105
Speech- 125

Divine Magic 235
Divine Favour- 88
Fortitude (Tagged)- 90
Smite 57
Protective 0

I haven't shown the rest because they're all under 10.
I'm currently starting level 3 of the Crypt, having cleared out all of it so far. Including all the sarchophagi with multiple Revenants. Normally I end up having to avoid most of them, but I'm managing to cope so far.

Yes, thanks, I found it right away. My eyes must have looked at it a million times, but my brain (what brain?!) never registered it. Duh!

Well done with the Crypt! Killing all the Revenants, too! Wow! You must be feeling very pleased with yourself.
You know what I hate? Those disemboweled things that look like the ghost of Captain Morales, but they explode.
My char has just arrived outside the Crypt. I could have continued on in, last night, but I had just completed Nostrodamus and I (not my char, ME) felt exhausted! It wasn't that the Caverns of Nostrodamus were so difficult in themselves - though the first one, Clan of the Hand was a bit tricky until I figured there were places it was deeply unwise to use aggressive magic - but I had very few healing potions, and by the time I got to Nostrodamus I had none at all. As a consequence those last 3 opponents kept killing me no matter what I did. In the end, 5 barrels of gunpowder dropped all in one go almost got the two weaker ones, and Exorcism finished them off; then it was a matter of run and shoot Celestial Smite at the armoured guy before he got me. I had been doing this before, but he always got me first. The last time worked, though I only had 2 health points left, lol! Oh, for just ONE potion of Extra Healing! It would have made it easy! :laugh: Now I'm outside the Crypt with a miserable few potions (went back to Barcelona) and 3 kegs.

My char is now level 24. I will post her Fighting, Thieving and Magic totals as you have done, when I copy them out.

I see you chose Two-hand melee, Ranged and Fortitude. Considering we both have Demokins, they couldn't be more different! Don't you find Two-hand slow? Heh! Seems to be working for you anyway, lol!

Here are her stats (some are enhanced by equipped items, and, like yourself, I only show significant totals):

Race: Demokin
Level: 24 Current XP: 281058
HP: 155
Mana: 944
Crit Chance: 12

Fighting Aggregate: 214

Ranged 142 - Tagged
Evasion 35

Thieving Aggregate: 251

Find Traps/Secret Doors 85
Locks 85
Sneak 21
Diplomacy 60
...... Speech 120
...... Barter 115

Divine Magic Aggregate: 263
Fortitude 128 - Tagged
Smite 128 - Tagged

Thought Aggregate: 74

Electrical 34
Ice 30

Tribal Aggregate 73

Nature's Fury 44

You are more sensible when allocating skill points than I am. I tend to spread them around a bit...
The last perk I took was Increased Rate of Fire. In future games I will take that MUCH earlier. It is very good - when the game remembers I have it.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]
You know what I hate? Those disemboweled things that look like the ghost of Captain Morales, but they explode. [/QUOTE]

I just shoot those from a distance. If you kill them they're worth 100+ XP and sometimes you can avoid getting injured when they explode. Otherwise just retreat to a place and Heal after they blow up.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale] As a consequence those last 3 opponents kept killing me no matter what I did. In the end, 5 barrels of gunpowder dropped all in one go almost got the two weaker ones, and Exorcism finished them off; then it was a matter of run and shoot Celestial Smite at the armoured guy before he got me. I had been doing this before, but he always got me first.[/QUOTE]

That's one of the toughest battles in the game as you can't retreat. But that's what I always do, drop a bunch of barrels and use lots of healing potions. By now, I have over 20 stockpiled. They're cheap and light to carry, so definitely worth buying at any opportunity.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]The last time worked, though I only had 2 health points left, lol! Oh, for just ONE potion of Extra Healing! It would have made it easy! :laugh: Now I'm outside the Crypt with a miserable few potions (went back to Barcelona) and 3 kegs. [/QUOTE]

Well, I've done the opposite. I cleared out the Crypt and I'm about halfway through the Clan of the Hand cave. It's proving easier than usual, must be the two-handed weapons. And the Amulet of Crushing Carnage.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]I see you chose Two-hand melee, Ranged and Fortitude. Considering we both have Demokins, they couldn't be more different! Don't you find Two-hand slow? Heh! Seems to be working for you anyway, lol![/QUOTE]

This is the first time I decided to focus on two-handed rather than one-handed weapons. It's working out well though. The Everlasting does a lot of damage (even to non-goblins) and adds 15 points to the 2-handed weapons. The damage done counters for the slower speed and when combined with Weaken Enemies a crushing weapon does even more damage.

Your character has 900 Mana?! :speech:
Wow, mine has just under 600, I think it depends partly on the points put into Magic skills. It seemed to increase when I equipped a weapon with a spell bonus.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]The last perk I took was Increased Rate of Fire. In future games I will take that MUCH earlier. It is very good - when the game remembers I have it.[/QUOTE]

I think that has high requirements. Level 24 and 8 Agility, I looked at the manual to see if there were any perks I should take that would lead to better ones. There are a couple of good ranged ones (including Rate of Fire) but they require 8 Agility and/or Perception, so I decided to increase my agility. It's still only 7 though. Maybe when I equip a weapon that adds a further point to Agility it will help, but I doubt it.
As for the game 'forgetting' you have the ability it might just look that way or you could have been slowed by a spell. Secondary effects of spells cast by Hujark Acolytes/Shamans and Artic Sucubbus for example.

Yes, Mana seems to depend to some extent on equipped items. I was surprised at the level myself, and waited a good five minutes to see if it was going down before recording it, but it stayed at that level. It is VERY useful having so much Mana, since I use high-mana spells a lot.

Yes, I thought it might be due to slowing, but there was no icon at any time indicating that. I think it might be a game glitch, but not sure. It seems to not always kick in when I load up the game, though it was working perfectly before I exited. Then, for no reason I can figure, it kicks in again. *shrugs* It works most of the time.

I have completed the top level of the Crypt and got Mace of Divinity and the Blade of the Berserker (VERY fancy handle, lol!) - not that I can use either.
I'm now on the Doomed Plateau, and I have done a fair bit of it. I have located, but not yet spoken to Jehane D'Arc, because I want to finish the area first.
I am also managing to do all the coffins. This char is much better than the one I tried with previously. I am beginning to have confidence in her. I hope it is mot misplaced!

Bonus Rate of Fire (it's not called Increased rate, as I posted) is available at level 14, with Ranged at 50, 7 Agility, 6 Intelligence.

Yes, I've found the Disemboweled Ganglers are best killed using the shoot, run, shoot method. I still don't like 'em. But Screaming Terrors are worse, because wearing full plate armour, as my char is, gives you a minus value on Electrical resistance. I depend heavily on scrolls and the Greater Resistance spell. Did you realise that pretty much the only electrical resistance items are shields? And you can't use shields with Ranged. I HAVE found other Electrical resistance items, but they seem to be rare, and they are usually not much good otherwise - I found leather armour, once. Not much good in the Crypt. :laugh:

My char is now level 28 and I'm pondering which of 4 Perks to take at level 29:
Bonus Ranged Damage 2
Disease Ward (but I have spells and potions)
Gain Endurance (Endurance is only 5, so low HP for level)
Deadly Accuracy (but skill is already about 150 now, and requires 2 skill to add 1 point. Not sure if I will get the 20 bonus or if it will be halved to 10. and is it worth it anyway?)

In the end, I expect I will just choose on impulse!

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]Yes, Mana seems to depend to some extent on equipped items.[/QUOTE]

I think your high mana may be due to all the points you placed in spells. In my case a weapon increased a spell by 22 points and through that increased my Mana.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]I have located, but not yet spoken to Jehane D'Arc, because I want to finish the area first.[/QUOTE]

There's still quite a bit left after you talk to her. Including a complete floor or two.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]But Screaming Terrors are worse, because wearing full plate armour, as my char is, gives you a minus value on Electrical resistance. I depend heavily on scrolls and the Greater Resistance spell. Did you realise that pretty much the only electrical resistance items are shields? And you can't use shields with Ranged. I HAVE found other Electrical resistance items, but they seem to be rare, and they are usually not much good otherwise - I found leather armour, once. Not much good in the Crypt. :laugh: [/QUOTE]

I didn't have as much trouble with them as usual, a few hits from the Everlasting destroyed them. And I was using Hauberk and Plate Armour (mainly because I haven't found any really good plate/full plate armours). One funny thing happened in one of the small Crypts off the main route. Two Screaming Terrors were behind a barrier firing their electrical missiles. I had the Lightning WarGolem as a companion. I postioned it near them and they kept firing away the whole time. Not only was the Golem immune, but the spells actually healed it! :laugh:
Mostly I lured them around a corridor and killed them in 4 hits.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]My char is now level 28 and I'm pondering which of 4 Perks to take at level 29:
Bonus Ranged Damage 2
Disease Ward (but I have spells and potions)
Gain Endurance (Endurance is only 5, so low HP for level)
Deadly Accuracy (but skill is already about 150 now, and requires 2 skill to add 1 point. Not sure if I will get the 20 bonus or if it will be halved to 10. and is it worth it anyway?)
[/QUOTE]

Have you got the trading perks yet, such as Master Trader. Those are very beneficial.
As for Deadly Accuracy, perks like that I leave to the very end, when you need 3 or 4 points to advance it. And they don't get halved. So it's the equivalent of you putting in 60 or 80 points.
And the bonus means you hit more creatures more often, unfortunately the game doesn't show the armour rating of enemies or the hit bonuses you receive but they definitely exist.

EDIT: My character is Sylvant, not Demokin as I originally posted.
How's the Crypt going? Once you finish it, you'll lose access to most of the previous quests, merchants and companions, so be warned.
A tip so you know whereabouts that is - If you find the little teleporters on the ground. They appear as small grey circles with four blue gems in those (should be on the 3rd level down) you'll be very close to the end of the Crypt. Then you might want to go back to Bacelona and Montaillou to restock before the lose the opportunity.

[QUOTE=Ravager] I think your high mana may be due to all the points you placed in spells. In my case a weapon increased a spell by 22 points and through that increased my Mana.[/quote]

Yes, that's true. But equipped items also have an effect, such as the one that give 50 extra mana.



[QUOTE=Ravager]There's still quite a bit left after you talk to her. Including a complete floor or two.

I didn't have as much trouble with them as usual, a few hits from the Everlasting destroyed them. And I was using Hauberk and Plate Armour (mainly because I haven't found any really good plate/full plate armours). One funny thing happened in one of the small Crypts off the main route. Two Screaming Terrors were behind a barrier firing their electrical missiles. I had the Lightning WarGolem as a companion. I postioned it near them and they kept firing away the whole time. Not only was the Golem immune, but the spells actually healed it! :laugh:
Mostly I lured them around a corridor and killed them in 4 hits. [/quote]

Yes, my char is now level 30 and on the next level down. I have found one teleporter and gone to that area.
I tried to take Jehanne with me to that level, but the game crashed every time. It is fine without her, but crashes if I try to take her through the door. *shrugs* Annoying, but I usually fight alone anyway. Easier that taking care of followers!
Yes, I know the bit with the screamers behind the fence. Good thing I saved, because they killed Jehanne first time. So I dropped her off where she couldn't see them and dealt with them using Ranged. Ranged and spells go through places melee don't.

[QUOTE=Ravager]Have you got the trading perks yet, such as Master Trader. Those are very beneficial.[/quote]
No. I'm not that fussed about getting lots of gold. I have concentrated on Perks to put up XP, Extra skill points, Combat and Magic. After all, you can find a lot of good stuff, so I don't feel I need to buy much apart from potions and scrolls.

[QUOTE=Ravager]As for Deadly Accuracy, perks like that I leave to the very end, when you need 3 or 4 points to advance it. And they don't get halved. So it's the equivalent of you putting in 60 or 80 points.
And the bonus means you hit more creatures more often, unfortunately the game doesn't show the armour rating of enemies or the hit bonuses you receive but they definitely exist.[/quote]

This was an interesting experiment. I had Ranged wanting 2 (or maybe 3) skill points to level 1. So, when I leveled up, I saved game, noted that the manual said Deadly Accuracy gave +20 points to Ranged, and the game itself said 15 points. And, as you know, I wondered if I would get the full amount whichever it was. So I saved game before allocating the Perk, allocated it, and noted that I was given 12 points. So I reloaded and selected Gain Endurance instead. Which put up my HP nicely. I might take Deadly Accuracy another time.

[QUOTE=Ravager]EDIT: My character is Sylvant, not Demokin as I originally posted.
How's the Crypt going? Once you finish it, you'll lose access to most of the previous quests, merchants and companions, so be warned.
A tip so you know whereabouts that is - If you find the little teleporters on the ground. They appear as small grey circles with four blue gems in those (should be on the 3rd level down) you'll be very close to the end of the Crypt. Then you might want to go back to Bacelona and Montaillou to restock before the lose the opportunity.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip! But are you saying I should go back to Barcelona before I complete the Crypt? Or right afterwards?

I haven't been able to play much over the past couple of days - even us retired people get to be busy sometimes.

A question or two:

1. Do you multiloot chests and things to try to ensure getting good items? Or do you see it as cheating?

2. Have you ever tried starting a character and taking it so farthrough the early stages of the game - say to level 4 or 7 (just before leveling up to 5/8), then saving the char to use in a new game, effectively giving the char a head start? I'm considering doing it next time to see how effective it is - or if it it just evens out by the time you get to the Crypt or wherever

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]Yes, that's true. But equipped items also have an effect, such as the one that give 50 extra mana. [/QUOTE]

True. Buying or finding some Boots of Spirit Regeneration may help. They're supposed to increase the Mana regen. rate. Useful if you have 900 points worth.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]I tried to take Jehanne with me to that level, but the game crashed every time. It is fine without her, but crashes if I try to take her through the door. *shrugs* Annoying, but I usually fight alone anyway. Easier that taking care of followers! [/QUOTE]

Hmm, I haven't had that problem before. Pity you can't get the game patch. That might contain a fix for it.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]No. I'm not that fussed about getting lots of gold. I have concentrated on Perks to put up XP, Extra skill points, Combat and Magic. After all, you can find a lot of good stuff, so I don't feel I need to buy much apart from potions and scrolls.[/QUOTE]

Having high Barter not only decreases the prices the merchants sell at and increase the buying rate, but some merchants have an inventory of much better items only accessible if you have sufficient Barter. Alvaro at the Crossroads for instance. Plus, their normal stock is still available, so you get to choose from both sets.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]Thanks for the tip! But are you saying I should go back to Barcelona before I complete the Crypt? Or right afterwards?[/QUOTE]

Before. After you complete the area, the game will change substantially and it might be a while before you get to sell anything again, so you might want to create some space in your inventory so you can hold some of the equipment gained before the next chance to sell things.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]1. Do you multiloot chests and things to try to ensure getting good items? Or do you see it as cheating? [/QUOTE]

I don't normally do that. Occasionly I have reloaded the ethereal encounters (the random encounters from the crystals) as that treasure seems to change every time it is revealed. Also when I loot sarcophagi in the Crypt that have encounters tougher than I had expected/prepared for and so had to reload (also changing the treasure gained). It feels like cheating though, even more so than trying to trigger random encounters to get high-level treasure and XP.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]2. Have you ever tried starting a character and taking it so farthrough the early stages of the game - say to level 4 or 7 (just before leveling up to 5/8), then saving the char to use in a new game, effectively giving the char a head start? I'm considering doing it next time to see how effective it is - or if it it just evens out by the time you get to the Crypt or wherever[/QUOTE]

AFAIK the XP gained off encounters and quests remains constant and doesn't decrease as the character level increases.
I haven't tried that before though. I expect you would stay at least slightly ahead of a character starting at level 1 though.
Maybe even the equipment you gathered before you export a character would stay with you but I doubt it.
I might look into it myself at some point.

[QUOTE=Ravager]

Hmm, I haven't had that problem before. Pity you can't get the game patch. That might contain a fix for it.[/quote]
Ah, well. At least it only crashed for Jehanne, not for my char.

[QUOTE=Ravager]Having high Barter not only decreases the prices the merchants sell at and increase the buying rate, but some merchants have an inventory of much better items only accessible if you have sufficient Barter. Alvaro at the Crossroads for instance. Plus, their normal stock is still available, so you get to choose from both sets. [/quote]

Erm.. he always seems to have two lots of stock - and often, the 'regular' stock is better than the 'special' stock. I didn't realise it was Barter-based. I've never had a char with a particularly high Barter skill.

[QUOTE=Ravager]Before. After you complete the area, the game will change substantially and it might be a while before you get to sell anything again, so you might want to create some space in your inventory so you can hold some of the equipment gained before the next chance to sell things.[/quote]
Ah. I guess my girl will go take a trip to Barcelona before she goes much further. I have stuff dumped by the exits from each level...

[QUOTE=Ravager]I don't normally do that. Occasionly I have reloaded the ethereal encounters (the random encounters from the crystals) as that treasure seems to change every time it is revealed. Also when I loot sarcophagi in the Crypt that have encounters tougher than I had expected/prepared for and so had to reload (also changing the treasure gained). It feels like cheating though, even more so than trying to trigger random encounters to get high-level treasure and XP.[/quote]

Yes, it does feel like cheating, doesn't it? I don't do it all the time, but when I'm looking for something specific - like an item of Electrical Resistance or am seriously in need of Healing potions - then I do.

[QUOTE=Ravager]AFAIK the XP gained off encounters and quests remains constant and doesn't decrease as the character level increases.
I haven't tried that before though. I expect you would stay at least slightly ahead of a character starting at level 1 though.
Maybe even the equipment you gathered before you export a character would stay with you but I doubt it.
I might look into it myself at some point.[/QUOTE]

I would doubt the equipment would remain. But the Perks would have to, I think, so you didn't get them again. I'm thinking of Stargazer, which you get early on. It would be unfair to get it twice. Nice, but unfair! :laugh:
I'm not sure if it would be worth trying, but I may, when I've finished the current game.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]Erm.. he always seems to have two lots of stock - and often, the 'regular' stock is better than the 'special' stock. I didn't realise it was Barter-based. I've never had a char with a particularly high Barter skill.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, he normally does for me too. Not with my Sylvant character though.
I think Raymondo, a bowyer within Barcelona Gate District can be persuaded to trade magical supplies, that may be related to barter. Anything that is reliant on the skill should be marked by the two green arrows pointing in opposite diections symbol next to the dialogue option.

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]But the Perks would have to, I think, so you didn't get them again. I'm thinking of Stargazer, which you get early on. It would be unfair to get it twice. Nice, but unfair! :laugh:
I'm not sure if it would be worth trying, but I may, when I've finished the current game.[/QUOTE]

I doubt you'd get the perks twice. More likely the one fom the exported character will apply and once you get it again, it will just overlap the first (so, no extra benefit). That, or it could crash.

But who knows what could happen?

EDIT: I had a look, importing my level 30 character just to see wht would happen. No equipment but all the other abilities and perks. Wish I had the chance to go after the assassins when it started. Unfortunately the locks were above my ability (around 80 IIRC- it 's probably impossible to unlock them).
I suspect the perks already taken couldn't be retaken, it would just work in the same fashion as it would normally with perks unlocking other perks etc.
The merchants would probably have the lower-level equipment, but I only tested the character import at the very start of the game.

Heh! Yes, it would have been nice to get the Assassins right at the start with your level 30 char! I doubt if you could, though, regardless of level or abilities.

Good that you did that import, though. Very informative.

Anyway, I have another question. My char is now back in Barcelona. I have cleared the English (even though I am on their side as me!) from the Temple area, and am a bit into the Gate District; but the quest book (while I was in Temple) said I had to fight my way through to the English Teleporter to 'get to the other side'. Now, on the MAP of the area, I can see what seems to be a teleporter in the Temple District, not very far from the side door of the Inquisition. But there is nothing there on the play screen. I have had my char walk all over the location of it.
So: Is there a glitch in my game? Is it not supposed to be there?
Or is it supposed not to show up until I've cleared all of Barcelona?

BTW, Mana level is now 1018!! She is level 33.

Ah, you're onto the unpatriotic part, eh? Killing off the English army single-handedly.
The portal you're seeing on the map is the entrance to the area that disappears as soon as you enter Barcelona. The portal you're looking for is in the Crossroads, so you have a bit more figthing to do yet.
AFAIK, the goal is just to get to that portal, it doesn't matter how many soldiers you kill (though the more the better for the extra XP gained).

Thanks, Ravager!

Why didn't I realise it was where I came in? Duh!

I was tricked by it too at first. It's probably because the map stays the same even if events happen onscreen (apart from exploration). That wouldn't make too much difference normally though as enemies aren't shown.
How are you finding attacking the soldiers? Are they easy enough to hit? The first time I went up against them I was forced to rely on an Inquisitor to hit them while I just stood my ground, healing myself. I couldn't hit them despite using Weaken Enemies.

Not having too many problems, so far. Montaillou was more difficult. I'm used to 'em now! But it IS nice to have Inquisitors and Templars helping out! I don't think I would have got through the Temple District without them. Well... yes, I would, but it would have required different tactics - such as I had to use at Montaillu - and more Extra Healing potions than I possess! Having the Templars and Inquisitors meant I could be a bit bolder.
I am still only just into the Gate District - haven't had time to play much over the last few days - but I hope to complete it today and move on to the next area. I'm hoping Quinn is still there, as Eduardo is, but I suspect not, since I was able to buy a few potions from Eduardo. And Choi should be there. I still haven't completed his book collection!

AFAIK, Quinn won't be around anymore, but Choi definitely is. Alvaro in the Crossroads will also be gone but you'll meet another merchant in the area just after the Crossroads, after that you'll be in enemy territory so you won't get too much help, but by then you should be used to destroying the English Army.
I don't think the book quest will be completable at the point you're at (you can check your Active Quests to be sure though).

No, Quinn isn't available. But I have found the other merchant you mentioned.
Am now level 38 - I never imagined the game was so long! I have completed two levels of the Druid's place, and have made my way into one of the lower areas. Don't want to say too much since there are now other people in this forum who may not have played before. My main problem is keeping Sir Roger Templeton safe! I have reloaded twice now because he got killed - does it affect the game if he does? I wouldn't have taken him with me - I like to work alone - but there were only unchivalrous options to reject him, lol, and it seemed a bit unkind... sheesh! being kind to pixels!

Where is your character currently?

Templeton is just another henchman, he doesn't affect the plot in any way. So, if you want to get rid of him, there won't be any consequences.

If you want to write something particularly spoiler-ish you could write it in black (when writing the post it's one of the options at the top of the post window - the Capital A - just highlight the text, choose a colour and the text should show in that colour once you've posted).

I'm still in the Clan of the Skull caverns about halfway through.
I'm shooting all the Snakebreed Vipers with my crossbow which is turning out useful, before I don't think I've had enough points to hit them enough times to be useful (still under 100 points though). Now, all of the Snakebreed creatures have serious problems trying to hit me.

Oh good! I can just abandon him then.

Yes, Ranged is excellent! And your tip about tagging Divine:Fortitude means they don't hurt you much anyway.

You know you said Ranged was essential in one area? Have I got there yet?

Yes, I know how to change colour of text, but thanks anyway.
Erm... but why write spoilish stuff in black? People can still read it and be spoiled...I've tried several possibles... but they all show clearly!:laugh: Maybe I should just do this?

Probably the best bet is if I just write SPOILER in large capitals?

I must say that playing this game so far has made me realise, as never before, the importance of getting as many skill points as possible! I was always keen on getting as many as I could, but now I realise that you eventually have to spend 2, 3, or even 4 (or more) skill points to raise a skill ONE miserable point! GRRR!!!