A question about stats and what they really effect

[sirchet]

First, let me get my Fanboy stuff out of the way.

Great job on book 2 folks and thanks for the email saying book 2 was released!!

My question is what exactly does strength effect?
Is strength primarily for wearing heavier armor and carrying more loot?
My character has 22 strength now at level 3 and I've seen no real change in the damage or to-hit stats.
It says concentration effects to-hit, but maybe I'm just old school about stats. I think a stronger character is going to hit you harder than a weak character.

In short, what are the best stats to focus on for doing the most damage and not missing your foe?
Would the classic strength dexterity and constitution build be a good route?

Did I mention I liked the new options at start up? They're almost as if someone was listening to the players posting.

[CrazyBernie]

Dexterity and Concentration are the big ToHit boosters.

[Randomizer]

Strength affects melee and thrown weapon damage and carrying capacity.
Dexterity affects to hit, armor rating,bow damage, and pick locks.
Speed affects armor rating and melee weapon damage.
Concentration affects to hit, bow damage,remove traps and carrying capacity.

Some things need several points in stats before you see a change.

[Slarty]

In the first game, almost all stat effects would only increment every 5 or 10 points, and the only really significant one was Perception for MP gain/regen. Has this changed? Doesn't seem to have at a glance.

Level 1 spells you need 15 Int/Wis for, 31 for level 3, I assume that means you need 23 for level 2.

[sirchet]

Thanks everyone for offering up a few answers.

I've come to realize the biggest benefit for melee is to keep upgrading the skill that effects the preferred weapon.

Once I got my first melee feat, well ... the to-hit worries faded.

Having a lot of fun, almost feels like a trip down memory lane with a little better graphics and much better sound.

The only bad part is I think I've become addicted like I did to Book 1.