The Drunken Lizard Pub

I have decided to re-start. I am the type of player who explores every nook and cranny. I play to enjoy, not for the rankings at the end.

I have a bunch of questions. I plan to play an overall 'pure' mage. I envision roleplaying a character who relies almost exclusively on magic to get things done (if possible).

Questions:

1) What is the maximum level you can expect to get your character to? I don't want to be a Jack of All Trades Master of None type character

I plan on taking Perception, Intelligence, Elemental, Divination, Meditation - but have questions about the rest:

2) Is Light Armor necessary (1 pt?) to wear robes ? I never found robes in the game - do they exist? I prefer to travel light - I like to be self-sufficient with my magic if possible.

3) Lock Picking - I destroyed locked items with my magic in the first game - does this destroy items in chests? If not, I may stick with this tactic rather than take another skill slot up

4) Lore - what is a tolerable lore level? I've decided this is probably a necessity (didn't have it the first game) because I was very, very poor and I want to be able to identify things to sell

5) I found gold to be very scarce in the game especially given the prices of spells - do people take mercantile? I am open but only if the end level of a character is sufficiently high to branch out - again, don't want to be a "Jack" instead of a "Master"

6) Finally, is Cartography a needed skill? What if I simply kept a simple hand drawn map ? Or is it a must in people's opinions as the game progresses?

Thanks for the feedback!

1- You should be ready for the end game about level 19-21. Max is 31.
2- I did run across some non-armor clothes but didn't equip them. You'll likely run across a book for light armor, and if a merchant sells it, it isn't expensive.
3- You can smash open locked chests with no damage to the contents.
4- For Lore, I found a few levels of Lore helpful, but you will come across magic items for +1 or +2 Lore. You can also have a merchant identify items you know you won't want (weapons) and then sell them for gold. If your Mercantile is high enough, it's cheap to identify items and worthwhile to sell them.
5- I had great fun with a character with very high Mercantile. Makes gold much more available because you can buy low and sell high.
6- Personal preference. I enjoy high cartography. There is a book, a trainer, and some magic item to boost cartography.

There are many ways to play the game, none are 'right' or 'wrong' and all can be fun. Just remember to save often

revjwh wrote:I have decided to re-start. I am the type of player who explores every nook and cranny. I play to enjoy, not for the rankings at the end.

A man after my own heart

Questions:

revjwh wrote: 1) What is the maximum level you can expect to get your character to? I don't want to be a Jack of All Trades Master of None type character

1) i am probably at a third of the game and i am level 13 exploring everything, though

revjwh wrote: I plan on taking Perception, Intelligence, Elemental, Divination, Meditation - but have questions about the rest:

i think you need 20 wisdom for higher level scrolls, high perception and meditation is a must, if you dont want to spend all your time camping
i am regenerating 2 mana per turn with and gaining 8 mana per level with 38 perception and 12 meditation , this probably would give you an idea

revjwh wrote: 2) Is Light Armor necessary (1 pt?) to wear robes ? I never found robes in the game - do they exist? I prefer to travel light - I like to be self-sufficient with my magic if possible.

2) i bought one point at the start and left it at that, i tend to get not hit most of the time, since combat is pretty simple and easy...

revjwh wrote: 4) Lore - what is a tolerable lore level? I've decided this is probably a necessity (didn't have it the first game) because I was very, very poor and I want to be able to identify things to sell

4 Divination spell works better imho

revjwh wrote: 5) I found gold to be very scarce in the game especially given the prices of spells - do people take mercantile? I am open but only if the end level of a character is sufficiently high to branch out - again, don't want to be a "Jack" instead of a "Master"

5) got no mercantile, but i am good on money just found a axe with a value of 4000 gold, the most wealthy merchant i saw(yet), had 2500 gold in his inventory. got more than enough money, i am throwing them at trainers atm

revjwh wrote: 6) Finally, is Cartography a needed skill? What if I simply kept a simple hand drawn map ? Or is it a must in people's opinions as the game progresses?

6) well it helps you see where you explored or not yet, so assume it's okay, i have 5 cartograpy from the trainer, and i tihnk that'd be enough

revjwh wrote: Thanks for the feedback!

You're welcome

revjwh wrote:1) What is the maximum level you can expect to get your character to? I don't want to be a Jack of All Trades Master of None type character

Expect 19-20 levels for the end. Hardcore and picking all locks and removing most traps can get you to level 22.

2) Is Light Armor necessary (1 pt?) to wear robes ? I never found robes in the game - do they exist? I prefer to travel light - I like to be self-sufficient with my magic if possible.

The only penalty a mage faces without light armor is not getting the full base armor benefit, you are at 30% less base armor. No robes, but there are common breeches and peasant blouses and shirts.

3) Lock Picking - I destroyed locked items with my magic in the first game - does this destroy items in chests? If not, I may stick with this tactic rather than take another skill slot up

You can't destroy items in the chest.

4) Lore - what is a tolerable lore level? I've decided this is probably a necessity (didn't have it the first game) because I was very, very poor and I want to be able to identify things to sell

Lore of 15 should identify almost everything. Elder's rings give +2 lore.

6) Finally, is Cartography a needed skill? What if I simply kept a simple hand drawn map ? Or is it a must in people's opinions as the game progresses?

Cartography is very helpful in keeping track of where you've been. As a mage you could just keep casting reveal map spell, but when it's done you will lose automap information. Also reveal map will raise your cartography to the point that you see monsters and NPCs on your automap.