Jack of all trades game style..?

[Trajanus Ulpius]

Hey Folks,

I love this game! It takes me right back to the those feelings of mystery, pure exploration and not knowing what will happen next. I started with Space Quest and Kings quest...remember those?

My daughter, now six, played with me the other night. The expression on her face as the my character engaged with other entities....she fully immersed in the world you created.

Back to my post. I am currently trying to play a Jack of all trades game strategy. From what I read in the forum most players prefer a very defined character, and builds those skills and attributes through the levels.

Will this dilute the enjoyment I get from the game, or will it actually allow me to experience all the various attributes and strong skills.

If this style does not work, I'd rather start from scratch.

Thanks Basilisk - I really love your games.

J

[Randomizer]

You need to specialize in one fighting style. either a weapon type or magic, in order to gain the ability to hit later monsters and do more damage. You can use trainers and books to get a decent ability in the others.

You can use a Jack of all trades to complement you main fighting style. Spells can enhance weapon skills with better chances to hit, increased damage, and seeing in the dark. Alchemy can do the same as some spells.

[Trajanus Ulpius]

Thanks Randomizer.

Yip - I'll go with the Bow and Sword combination and specialise on that.

J

[Kreador Freeaxe]

The main issue that many people have with the jack-of-all-trades style is the "master of none" part. You have to personally be a master of tactics and be patient in your battle plans. It can very much work, though. I had fun with a character where I got every weapon skill to 10 so I had every possible feat. I would then use them all, swapping weapons as I fought. It was tricky, but a lot of fun. More work than a straight-up character focused on a single weapon and a few complementary skills.

It's not what I'd generally recommend for a first run-through, but if you're comfortable with basic cRPG mechanics, you can certainly make it work. As long as you're having fun, that's the point.

[Painted Lady]

The closest standard build to jack-of-all-trades is probably a rogue-like character with Hide in Shadows, Move Silently, etc. However even that guy will need to focus points in melee (Piercing or Unarmed Combat) plus a ranged weapon (Fireball anyone?).

[mwindsong]

I unintentionally did my first run through as a jack of all trades. It was my first time playing an RPG of any kind and I really liked it. I found out with my second run through that jack of all trades is my default choice unless I make a conscious effort to do otherwise. It did make it so I could use whatever weapon I wanted without penalties, but also less skilled in all but swords as that is what I focused on. The best strategy in terms of level up point uses is to go pay for training as much as possible first using the level up points for things no one will train you in … like mercantile, a beginning in foraging and cartography are a big help even though you can pay for further training in them later. Also a start in repair is nice for keeping your stuff with you. The books are great because you can get 1 or 2 levels of experience by reading them… even after you max out the trainers at level 8. That makes it so you can get to level 10 and capture the "feat" for that skill if there is one. I had a great time… and then thought I would focus on a specific character build on my second run, but I automatically went jack of all trades again. I kind of grumped around a bit over that one. I'm gonna try another run and actually THINK about how I use my level up points so I can specialize more. lol.

[Randomizer]

You don't need a range attack if you use invisibility (spell or potion) to close with monsters using unarmed combat as a melee attack. Other weapons with enough armor can go into Parry mode.

[Vroqren]

Hmm, this brings up an interesting thought:

The master merchant. Quite the opposite of the jack of all trades.
Every single skill point goes to mercantile, while every attribute point goes into strength. Basic fighting necessities from trainers/books. The main goal of this build would be to get the absolute most out of Fathamurk (As in everything, and selling for ridicules prices).

[Randomizer]

My last run through of Fathamurk with an unarmed and unarmored rogue got everything out except an 18 pound iron tower shield. I used ogre strength potions and 2 might rings for 48 strength at the end. I think though this was a low for heavy loot items.

Half my weight going in was torches.

[Vroqren]

That's another thing I try to avoid:
Torches are completely useless with +20% or so on the brightness modifier. All they do is draw monsters attention, and increase their chance to hit you. And if you have too many, you can't get rid of them!

[Kreador Freeaxe]

That's another thing I try to avoid:
Torches are completely useless with +20% or so on the brightness modifier. All they do is draw monsters attention, and increase their chance to hit you. And if you have too many, you can't get rid of them!

Actually, in Book II you can drop torches, I believe. My brain is blanking the key combination right now, though.

[Lord_P]

Oh nooooo... the torches! No wonder my starting encumbrance was so high. I feel like a complete dummy.

[mwindsong]

I have to say that my favorite is the cat's eye brew from alchemy, or even better the combination cat's eye and gravedigger flame from magic sector… no need for torches. Yippeeeee.

[Trajanus Ulpius]

Guys; you are the best Thanks for the advice.

I tell you; I am currently operating with a druidic ranger, focussed on bow's. I only added spot hidden, lock picking and foraging....I know, probably already to eclectic!

I can feel a complete change in my effectiveness. I'm taking its slower, soaking up the exploration.

Gravedigger's flame...hmmmmm...now you see, already I am thinking, just adding that one little skill...

[Morgan Terror]

Adding magic skills actually comes recommended. Just make sure to purchase all those skill levels with money, not points. You should be able to get it up to 10 from gold alone, but i'd recommend putting a point into it after you reach 10 so you can cast 2nd tier spells at third potency. Get that 11th point through items, perhaps?

Really, as a general rule, don't put skillpoints into it if you can just spend some money.