Wizardry Wizardry 8 - first time playing

[Darth Canoli]

It's a damn shame we can't play ratkins.
And some non starter races should have better bonuses, like T'rang, the NPC samurai is way underpowered but i still take him along most of my runs anyway.

As for the rest, freeze flesh and freeze all casted from a faery mage (full INT) works very well, it never failed me, of course, you have to adapt your strategy to the enemies you're facing but it does the job for a good part of the game up until you can go with something else.

 

[Zboj Lamignat]

The bad part about the ff instrument is that you get it kinda late and that's one of the reasons mage is my favorite pure caster, but the fa instrument i use until the end of the game regularly.

Paralysis is just way too good compared to other status effects - it shuts enemy down completely (no maybe it will do smth, maybe not), they don't run around like tards and there's no other irritating shite connected to it (looking at you, hypnotic lure) and you can chop the critter up super quick due to massive bonus dmg. It doesn't need to stick a lot to be gr8.

 

[Snufkin]

The best Wizardry 8 party:

Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Hobbit Bard (Swords - Use Bloodlust sword and use instruments, main thing here is instrument that gives Haste spell so you dont have to put more then 55 speed on all characters)
Hobbit Ranger (Bows or Trippleshot Crossbow, Ranged Critical shots can even kill bosses like Nessie, can use alchemy to make potions, also active Search)
Dracon Priest (Mostly uses healing and restoration spells and bufffs, can use dracon breath or pray for miracle when low on mana)
Gnome Mage (Some of the Mage buffs are essential also blasting)

 

[luj1]

Valkyries are amazing front liners

 

[Snufkin]

Valkyries are amazing front liners

But cant compete vs Fighter berserk. Cleric is best dedicated for those heals and restorations. If you take Valkyrie you will have this schizo char that does healing when should be attacking.

 

[cvv]

Valkyries are amazing front liners

But cant compete vs Fighter berserk.

This. Lords and valks have no crit, no berserk, spells suck, level slowly. No good.

I still prefer samurais to fighters tho, crits are just so good.

 

[anvi]

Are there fun battles in the later game? I always get bored about half way.

 

[Snufkin]

Are there fun battles in the later game? I always get bored about half way.

Unholy Cathedral.

 

[Gregz]

The best Wizardry 8 party:

Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Hobbit Bard (Swords - Use Bloodlust sword and use instruments, main thing here is instrument that gives Haste spell so you dont have to put more then 55 speed on all characters)
Hobbit Ranger (Bows or Trippleshot Crossbow, Ranged Critical shots can even kill bosses like Nessie, can use alchemy to make potions, also active Search)
Dracon Priest (Mostly uses healing and restoration spells and bufffs, can use dracon breath or pray for miracle when low on mana)
Gnome Mage (Some of the Mage buffs are essential also blasting)

It's been a long time since I replayed Wiz 8. Do you fill the 2 NPC slots or keep them open? Why spears on the fighters as opposed to swords? How do you allocate attributes at chargen? At endgame are your fighters using bows almost exclusively? Why a Hobbit Ranger as opposed to a Mook Ranger?

 

[luj1]

Valkyries are amazing front liners

But cant compete vs Fighter berserk.

Maybe in damage, but when tanking Valk is better. They literally have 50% chance to self-resurrect, which is insane. Plus better resistances. Not to mention

Spoiler

the "Ebon" stuff you find in Deep Sea Caves is crazy good for Valkyrie and female-only

 

[Snufkin]

The best Wizardry 8 party:

Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Dracon Fighter (Spears, later train Bows)
Hobbit Bard (Swords - Use Bloodlust sword and use instruments, main thing here is instrument that gives Haste spell so you dont have to put more then 55 speed on all characters)
Hobbit Ranger (Bows or Trippleshot Crossbow, Ranged Critical shots can even kill bosses like Nessie, can use alchemy to make potions, also active Search)
Dracon Priest (Mostly uses healing and restoration spells and bufffs, can use dracon breath or pray for miracle when low on mana)
Gnome Mage (Some of the Mage buffs are essential also blasting)

It's been a long time since I replayed Wiz 8. Do you fill the 2 NPC slots or keep them open? Why spears on the fighters as opposed to swords? How do you allocate attributes at chargen? At endgame are your fighters using bows almost exclusively? Why a Hobbit Ranger as opposed to a Mook Ranger?

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.
2. Spears have extended range and great weapon progression. You can start with 2 Valkyries, remove equipment, disband them and make 2 Dracon Fighters who now will have spears from the start.
3. For Fighters, Bard and Ranger STR + DEX max asap untill maxed, then 55 Speed, and then I pump INT to 50 (for ranged/close combat progression.. if you dont put those points it will level up slow) and start putting all my points into SENSES. Priest/Mage INT+Piety is most important for those spell skills to grow fast you want that, then 55 Speed and start putting points into STR so your carry weight will be better.
4. In endgame your fighters will have option to use ranged weapons. Early on you will put all your points into Polearm, Close combat and Bow. Then when those are at 75 you will be able to increase them but not on level ups but with training. So you want to put at that point your points into Ranged combat, Power Strike and Reflection skill.
5. Only reason to go Mook is to use that Giant sword, which I am not a fan off. Burns stamina to quick and is HEAVY.

 

[cvv]

Do you fill the 2 NPC slots or keep them open?

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.

Ya he's good. I also always take the Umpani and T'Rang NPCs, they're really, really good so I always sweep as much content with them as possible before the game makes me give them back.

 

[Desiderius]

Crits suck with full party. You only overcome the big death resistance bonus by being overleveled, which full party won’t be.

Ranger is good in general but hybrids are hard for beginners to get the most out of. Scouting though is a must for newbs and it lets you avoid fights which also must for newbs, especially combined with camouflage.

Priest is good for newbs because it gets buffs up much earlier. Gadge is fine early if played well. Train up Modern Weapons on lvl up and soft targets and it will be fine (go to Umpani and load up on Impaling Stones). Buy Duct Tape (it’s cheap) and make some Noisemakers for tough fights. Once you get Lava Lamp you’re good. Gadge also has good stats for Locks and Traps.

Put Fighter in front rank to tank and get Shield leveled up. If front is occupied rear is safe even from reach.

Magic damage is doable on Normal even with non-dedicated casters. Bishop cover Psi (good vs Rapax) and Wizardry should be fine on normal.

 

[coldcrow]

Everyone can crit with the right weapon. Choosing a hybrid and investing in critical strike is trading an enjoyable experience for a few lucky shots and a mythical endgame dominance, which a non-hybrid party will achieve anyways. 100 Critical strike is 5% crit rate. Ranger is the only good hybrid.

Edit: Ninja'ed.

 

[jackofshadows]

Cleric is best dedicated for those heals and restorations.

Priest you mean? The worst class in the game if you ask me. Great for newcomers tho.

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.

It can be bypassed by draining their stamina before entering an area which they don't like... but that's pretty tedious won't lie. However judging by their following replies it's almost as if an indented feature. Fucking insane devs. By the way, fuck me if I wasn't entertained by SPARKLE. She's something else.

 

[Darth Canoli]

You can also edit characters so they follow you everywhere.
The NPC shenanigans are only fun on your first playthrough.

 

[Desiderius]

Other benefit of Priest is getting Web superearly. Webbed dudes are easy pickings for weapon skill level-ups.

 

[Snufkin]

Cleric is best dedicated for those heals and restorations.

Priest you mean? The worst class in the game if you ask me. Great for newcomers tho.

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.

It can be bypassed by draining their stamina before entering an area which they don't like... but that's pretty tedious won't lie. However judging by their following replies it's almost as if an indented feature. Fucking insane devs. By the way, fuck me if I wasn't entertained by SPARKLE. She's something else.

Priest is very good. Like I said Dracon for breaths and pray for miracle to preserve mana when not casting. Never ever use any weapon with your Priest.

 

[Desiderius]

Everyone can crit with the right weapon. Choosing a hybrid and investing in critical strike is trading an enjoyable experience for a few lucky shots and a mythical endgame dominance, which a non-hybrid party will achieve anyways. 100 Critical strike is 5% crit rate. Ranger is the only good hybrid.

Edit: Ninja'ed.

All the hybrids can be good to great if you know what you’re doing, but yeah crit strike is mainly there to help small parties get big groups cleared out faster.

Biggest downside of Monk is the availability of Robot, but Robot is also a real kill stealer so can be worth it to take a pass if you have any other melee, especially Samurai that needs to hit in melee back-to-back to trigger Lightning Strike.

Zone limitations add some flavor to the game and can be managed. Myles can be leveled in secret dungeons for the Rift/Pickpocketing or whatever. Saxx can be your Throwing specialist for the Peak.

 

[Desiderius]

Cleric is best dedicated for those heals and restorations.

Priest you mean? The worst class in the game if you ask me. Great for newcomers tho.

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.

It can be bypassed by draining their stamina before entering an area which they don't like... but that's pretty tedious won't lie. However judging by their following replies it's almost as if an indented feature. Fucking insane devs. By the way, fuck me if I wasn't entertained by SPARKLE. She's something else.

Priest is very good. Like I said Dracon for breaths and pray for miracle to preserve mana when not casting. Never ever use any weapon with your Priest.

Worth looking up how Pray for Miracle works. It’s a good ability.

 

[Desiderius]

Cleric is best dedicated for those heals and restorations.

Priest you mean? The worst class in the game if you ask me. Great for newcomers tho.

1. Only Robot monk can follow you in most places. So I usually just recruited him.

It can be bypassed by draining their stamina before entering an area which they don't like... but that's pretty tedious won't lie. However judging by their following replies it's almost as if an indented feature. Fucking insane devs. By the way, fuck me if I wasn't entertained by SPARKLE. She's something else.

Priest is very good. Like I said Dracon for breaths and pray for miracle to preserve mana when not casting. Never ever use any weapon with your Priest.

Trying to remember what’s weak to Water. AoE damage is better than it looks, but Dracon Priest is going to have some rough stats.

Humans (Higardi Bandits) are weak to Air (Poet’s Lute, Noisemakers, Port o Potty) and Savant Troops are weak to Earth. Web owns in Arnika.

 

[xuerebx]

Christ, nearly 5 years already!

 

[Desiderius]

Don’t facepalm me, dumbass.

Pwned this game so hard I can’t even make myself play it now even though my boys love it.

Suck less

 

[jackofshadows]

Priest is very good. Like I said Dracon for breaths and pray for miracle to preserve mana when not casting. Never ever use any weapon with your Priest.

It's like saying don't (consciously) use sling with your casters in BG. Duh. I'm not saying it's useless but the problem with priest it is only good in early game then it gets outperformed by any hybrid with divine magic if raised right. End of story. You can also use bishop(s).

 

[jackofshadows]

Desiderius what's your worst class then?