Just bought Arcanum...

[Azael]

...for about $9, figured it would be worth it. The thing is though that it was a cheaper 'Bestseller' version, in a jewel case, so the manual isn't much to cheer for. Anyway, I'm looking for some tips on what kind of character to go for in my first game. Are diplomatic characters a viable route in this game, and should I favor magery or technology?

 

[Zogg]

I never ran a diplomatic character - mainly because the strategy they use is to have a lot of NPCs (which are hard to control) join them and do the killing for them. I'm sure some of the NPCs are cool, I just never had the patience to deal with them.

I personally ran a half-orc mage who made a "Deal with the Devil" for a magic bonus...kinda the opposite of a diplomatic character, as everyone hated him before they even learned his name. Magic is overpowered in Arcanum - particularly the "harm" spell. So if you want an easy ride, a solo mage with a specialty in that field would serve you well. The teleport spell will also alleviate the tedium of marching across the big map, so you may want to shoot for that as well.

Going the tech route can be fun for replayability purposes, but I never really enjoyed the scavenger hunts required to build the devices.

The environment of Arcanum is well done, but be wary of the bugs. Be sure the latest patch is installed.

 

[Zetor]

First off, I haven't completed the game yet (stopped at around 65% due to frustration), but here are my impressions anyway...

My suggestion would be to go for a mage character first. As long as you have Harm and Heal, you're set. [Later on, Disintegrate is even better, combine it with Haste for uber unbalancing action] This leaves you with a bucketload of character points, so spend 'em at will. [max out Dex first] A diplomat/mage is a quite viable path, though diplomacy alone won't get you past uber-long dungeons like the BMC. *mumble mumble*
Technology is definitely not the way to go for a 1st character, unless you are masochistic. Gun using technologists [or just gunslinger chars] are very frustrating to play, as well.
Also, I'd suggest downloading some mods, especially Otto Krupp's all-in-one mod that makes guns [slightly] more viable and chrisbeddoes' Arcanum expansion.. not for the faint of heart. Both are available at Terra Arcanum.

Also, a heads up... sometimes it might be worthwhile to switch to realtime (Ore Golems / uber zombies come to mind), esp. if you're using a ranged weapon; the baddies will reach you in one turn otherwise. Thankfully, the story and quests mostly make up for the deficiencies of the combat / character systems.

-- Z.

 

[Araanor]

There's a lot of fun to be had with diplomacy.

The EASY route is just picking melee and pumping all the stats that help. Technology is underbalanced.

 

[Jed]

My first character was a gunslinger/gunsmith with a healthy dose of diplomacy, to save bullets where possible. Second character was a throwing expert with skill in explosives. Quite unbalanced, but also quite fun.

 

[chrisbeddoes]

If you want it easy make a mage.

For medium make a melee fighter.

For hard make a techie.

 

[triCritical]

A quick take on the unbalancing, it had to be intentional. Afterall the manual tells you that if you play a half-ogre melee specialist you will be the UBER-HULK, and kind of look like him. Anyhow, the gunslinger/diplomatic character is very k3wl and fits a good part of the theme. The mage can be powerful or weak so watch out. Just keep in mind that your character does not need to be tough, there are some NPC's that can just kick the crap out of everything no spoilers.

I will say that there are so many different kinds of characters, and the game does truly change depending on the character you are playing that its hard to finish one game, especially if you do not have a lot of time like me.

 

[Vault Dweller]

I will say that there are so many different kinds of characters, and the game does truly change depending on the character you are playing

That is very true, and should be kept in mind when choosing a character. Unlike way too many other games that have "the right" characters and "the wrong" characters, Arcanum supports whatever you pick and manages to make it an interesting and unique experience. The game is huge and that's the only reason why I did not try as many different characters as I'd like.

I like techie characters, I like tinker with stuff. Sure there are issues, balance, problems with ranged combat, but it's not really that hard.

 

[Elwro]

Technology is definitely not the way to go for a 1st character, unless you are masochistic. Gun using technologists [or just gunslinger chars] are very frustrating to play, as well.
.

Well, my first character to beat the game (being my first character at all) was a dwarven gunslinger & technologist with NO diplomacy and almost no melee skills, just dodge. [I have a deja vu that I'm talking about such things every 2 months or sth on one forum or another]. It sure was tricky at times, but the most frustrating (and just plain stupid) challenge was perhaps one of the first. I played the game at medium difficulty setting and had real pleasure - those very small doses of frustration were always overweighed by fantastic plot and dialogues. You have to think hard how to advance your character - which technological disciplines to choose. Another vital thing is to construct object (ie weapons) usable by your followers - imo it was essential to give some good melee weapons to my followers.
Recently I've been playing a mage and I would definitely call Harm cheating, I got so used to gunslingers.

 

[Jarinor]

I preferred tech characters myself, I liked the idea more. Only played two mages, one evil, one good, and they were fun, but most of the time I preferred tech. Nothing like automatons to ensure that you don't need followers :D.

 

[Azael]

OK, some quick thoughts about the game:

The setting and story is pretty kick arse so far, very good dialogue and many interesting characters. Combat is the weakest point though, it's simply not very fun, both in turn based and real-time and ranged combat is fairly pointless since most opponents can close the distance in a single turn anyway. So far I'm really enjoying myself though.

I went for a half-elf mage/diplomat, BTW. Seems like a fairly good choice so far, and thanks to some strong followers I get by in most situations.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Yeah it's a shame about combat. I expected at least Fallout-grade combat from Arcanum, but luckily the story, dialogues, and the setting make up for any other shortcomings. Enjoy the game :D

 

[Azael]

Need some help with the Stillwater giant. I need to get his pelt in order for the elf in Stillwater to reveal the location of the elves capital, and I've caught the bunny for the semi-crazed scientist, but now what? Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if it was an actual bunny and this whole thing was just a wild goose chase.

 

[HanoverF]

Just go off looking for trouble, and trouble will likely find you.
If you want a bigger spoler...










While traveling you should stumble across the real giant.
or...
if you're good and persuasive there is a rather dubious giant pelt on display you might try and get.

 

[Azael]

Ah, travelling. Guess I'm getting to fond of Ye Olde Teleport...

 

[Azael]

Umm, where exactly should I travel? I've travelled around in circles in the Stillwater area for quite some time now, with no result. Is there something else that needs to be done first? I'm fairly sure that I've followed the rabbit trail for as long as possible (went to Tarant and got laughed at by the local zoologist).

 

[Vault Dweller]

if you're good and persuasive there is a rather dubious giant pelt on display you might try and get.

I've never met the real giant, in fact I did not even know it's possible, but the route involving the pelt HanoverF mentioned is very interesting and gives you some good choices if you are persuasive enough.

EDIT: you don't need to be very persuasive to be able to complete the quest.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Umm, where exactly should I travel?

Tarrant. Since you can't find the real thing, go for the fake one.

 

[Azael]

Ach, I have already taken the pelt and have no idea where I've put/sold it. I didn't really think it would prove useful, guess that shows me. I hope there's another way of finding the elven city.

 

[Vault Dweller]

There are other ways. I think you can pickpocket the elf in Stillwater, if you don't have the skill, use one of those fate points, I'm sure you have at least one after dealing with Lucan. Or try to talk to the elf, SPOILER BELOW....













His quest is a practical joke, sort of. He does not expect you to find the giant, and will agree to give you the location after you've suffered enough. I don't recall when that happens, but try to talk to him now, after you captured the rabbit and talked to the zoologist.

 

[DrattedTin]

Want to have some fun with this quest? Put a point into "Conjure Spirit" and beat up the elf. You can raise his spirit and get the information out of him that way. Very satisfying.

 

[Jarinor]

Okay, so, spoilers ahead...










After you catch the rabbit, you're 'supposed' to go to Tarant, find out that the dude there won't back the experiments, so you steal the pelt from H.T. Parnells, and take it back to the elf. If you're persuasive, you can convince him it's the real thing (which leaves him impressed with you) or you can admit it's fake, and he'll congratulate you. Then you should walk to the pass, and on the way you're supposed to meet a genuine Stillwater giant, which actually is a blue bunny, and killing it will get you a fate point. It's a rather enjoyable encounter, but hard depending on your party.

 

[Elwro]

Yes, I also think that it's impossible to finish the quest via killing the real giant and getting his pelt. You can only meet him after finishing your affairs with the elf.

 

[Azael]

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Virgil went AWOL on me after some time, going to Caladon. I figured I still had use of him, and made the connection with the tombstone that he was admiring earlier in the game so I went to the Hall of Records in Tarant and figured out that it was Virgil's brother taking a dirt nap and that he had been murdered, but I can't seem to be able to find Virgil. Any pointers?

Oh, I managed to find Quintara (and its Dark Elven counterpart), although I must say that pick pocketing the elf and bringing the amulet back to the herbalist in Shrouded Hills isn't exactly the first thing that would have come to mind.

 

[HanoverF]

If I remember correctly (which as you can see by the stillwater giant post isn't always the case ) theres a basement in the Caladon tavern where shady individuals hang out.