Too difficult... what's wrong with me?

[Palog]

At this point using the lore spell was enough. I paid training to level 3 and had sandals +2 Medecine (yes there's no +5 pendant ) and with lore spell level 3 I could identify everything I had but one recent object. But as drop quality is linked to character level, the lore spell will be rapidly not enough if I don't want invest points in Medecine. I think I saw one loremaster ring but at a price I couldn't afford and anyway I wasn't sure if that was a good option. I'll keep that option in mind.

[Palog]

Ok it's done, very good RPG. Thanks for all advices they helped a lot to go over some difficult points of the game.

[Caaw]

I didn't want to start a new thread so Im digging up this 8 day old one.

I'm totally frustrated with this game at the moment. Same issues that Palog had, essentially. While I was able to beat the bee-cave, I'm sometimes completely overmatched against lesser smaller mobs. I can't play for more then 30 minutes before I quit in anger.

Agnostic Ranger, level 7
Str: 16 Int: 13
Dex: 20 Wis: 12
End: 16 Per: 16
Speed: 16 Con: 21

Bow: 5, Swords: 5 Light Armor: 5
Survival 2, Spot Hidden 3, Pick Locks 3, Cartography 6 (got the book for the +3)
Alchemy: 1 (got te +3 ring)

Anyway. Probably a horrible character, I have no idea--- and why should I? I dont recall any documentation describing how leveling works, max points in any skill etc. Just went with my guts after 15 years of crpgs.

Look... I love you guys for making this game, really. It's awesome. Bought it without hesitation.

But... Im really frustrated. Progress is slow and my character feels pathetic/gimped.

I came here to look for advice and the advice the veterans give is... to cheat?

Seriously?

You guys made this awesome wilderness crpg experience and... thats how we're supposed to play it? by cheating? (ok so maybe im a little more then frustrated, and kinda a bit mad)

In the "Eschelon challenge games" thread, it's suggested that people can play a non-magic game for more difficulty. Well. Im playing a non-magic game by choice from the beginning... so. Im screwed basically? The game isn't balanced for magic/non-magic characters? Whats up guys?

Im a casual gamer, I dont want to restart. I want a hard game, but sometimes combat mechanics just feel... broken. The standard answer here seems to be that its just complicated, not broken. If I spend enough time researching/trial and error'ing on my character, then I'll understand and things will get better. Well screw that. Im not 15 anymore, I can't spend all day figuring out your unique CRPG system. Give me a manual please.

I think i might have hit a wall here.

Great game--- BUT.

... I know there isnt much to respond to here, I'm probably coming across as a troll. tbh I'm actually a bit angry with this game. I thought it might have been the holy grail I've been looking for.

I read this in the unofficial FAQ: "The Players Manual that comes with the game is full of useful information. At the back of the manual you will find numerous hints. Read it."

Ok, well, I bought the game through the demo-prompt. Where do I go for my players manual? I'm on a Mac. No installation directory was created, no manual, nothing. Just a zip file that extracts the Book I.app

Reaaaaaally starting to feel burned here, even though I know you guys are independent and I should just love you for that.

[Unclever title]

Best advice I can probably give you for the moment is to get hide in shadows, the first level is weak in terms of hiding out in the open at night but pretty much along the wall or right next to trees it's good for hiding when necessary to give you more turns to fight on your own terms and to control your battles.

Hide in shadows IS overpowered and easily exploitable with torches but perhaps the best compromise for some fighting assistance. Not to mention useful to hide in darkness fire an arrow at an opponent and if he spots you to move to a new hiding place as needed.

Hide in shadows does require patience and may not be all that helpful in frustration, but it does help.

And of course make full use of your terrain whenever you have the chance. I can't tell you how helpful funneling your opponents is. I greatly recommend Demon Oil it's what allowed me as a level 5 rogue to take out the ambush party without dying (and with 3 bonus skill points in swords on top of a base skill of 0 as I was still trying to use daggers at that point)

[Randomizer]

When faced with a swarm, retreat and fire your bow. As long as they can't close to do damage you can wear them down. So take advantage of terrain and the fact that the game's AI doesn't move monsters by the shortest path to build up a lead on them when they close.

Hide in Shadows at level 4 is great for most dark places. It can give you a breather while your foes move away to give you room. You won't be able to hit as well, but quickly turning the torch on and off will give you a shot while ruining their chances.

[Turtle]

Ok, well, I bought the game through the demo-prompt. Where do I go for my players manual? I'm on a Mac. No installation directory was created, no manual, nothing. Just a zip file that extracts the Book I.app

I had the same problem. Right-click on the game icon and select "Show Package Contents". Select "Contents", then "Resources". The manual's in there. Don't ask me why it has to be that hard to find.

[Kreador Freeaxe]

Caaw,

Your build looks a lot like my first run-through, though I added Hide In Shadows, which helped. The important thing is to get used to having to run away sometimes, and other times "creatively retreat" so that you can cut off some enemies and snipe at them. With your build, you're not going to want to run headlong into a lot of fights. Also, if you want to avoid magic use entirely, remember to pick up Predator Sight potions whenever you see them. They will save you in some tough spots. It's much better than Cat's Eyes, but unfortunately there's no recipe for it.

Also, remember that you NEVER want to get up close and personal with Acid Grubs or Bomb Thugs. Learn to use things you find in the environment to help, if you aren't already. Goblins are dumb enough to step on their own traps, and guys standing near TNT kegs don't realize the impact of a single rock until you hit the keg with it.

[CrazyBernie]

You might also want to start gratuitiously dumping every stat point into Dexterity. You can't have balanced stats if you're going the no-magic route. Dexterity, Strength, and Endurance are your friends. Bump that Dex and watch your +hit and +ranged damage and +armor start to climb...

Also, you might not want to hear this, but sometimes when you're having that much trouble with a character it's best to just re-roll one... I went through several builds before I ended up with my godlike rogue... With a better equipped char you'll notice the next play through tends to be a lot quicker.

Personally, I don't see the no-magic route as being a "challenge game." If there were difficulty levels, using magic would be "Easy" and not using magic would be "Normal." "Difficult" would be playing through the game in your underwear with a fork.

AHA!! I vote that a fork be implemented as a usable weapon in Book II!!

[Dragonlady]

Ok, well, I bought the game through the demo-prompt. Where do I go for my players manual? I'm on a Mac. No installation directory was created, no manual, nothing. Just a zip file that extracts the Book I.app

I have a Mac too. There is a manuel when you get the game, even just the demo part. Unfortunately it is not seen when you click on the game file icon..at least not at first. Why? Because it ends up at the very bottom. Do a "view" , "Arrange by" "kind" on the file when its open and suddenly everything can be seen. Or, just move the side bar downwards. When I first got the demo/beta version I was flummoxed too until I discovered the manuel in the file. Having no magic doesn't mean you can't have a good time, though you should take advantage of potions for sale if you have the (in game) cash to buy them. If not, it just takes longer.

Oh, also, things that are a puzzle at first will be revealed later or even later. To loosely quote the book "Dune" (or movies), "plans within plans" or 'story within story..'

[Caaw]

Thanks guys for the replies, great community here obviously.

I'll definitely be using the advice, thanks. Sorry for the tone of my post, too.

Hey, re: the manual--- unfortunately when I opened 'show package contents' \resources etc, I don't appear to have a manual in my wrapped app. Could show a screenshot but trust me, it's not there. App.dat, arcade.dat, channel.dat, channel.id, custom.icns. English.lproj\backround.jpg, buttons, infoplist.strings. main.nib\classes.nib, info.nib, objects.xib... etc. no manual.

Thanks again though.