Planescape: Torment advice please!

[krunchyfrogg]

After reading all of the positive remarks about this game in a recent thread, I've decided to give this game a go. I tried it many years ago, didn't get too far, and never picked it up again.

Anyway, I know I need high INT and WIS to open up a lot of options in this game, so I was thinking these stats point me in the direction of a pretty good wizard. Then I was thinking: Do I really need to be a wizard? Would I be better off concentrating on Fighter or even Thief, even if my physical stats kinda stink?

I also plan on having an above average CHA to talk to people and stuff.

I'm really looking forward to unlocking the secrets of the Nameless One!

 

[Zappo]

You're right in taking high mental stats. INT, WIS and CHA will open up the most interesting dialogue options.

From what I remember, the majority of fights aren't very hard (and - being the Nameless One - you can die without much consequence). You should be fine one way or another. Various fights that are hard can be made easier if you roleplay smartly; sometimes you can persuade someone to help you, other times certain dialogue paths will lead to the enemy being weaker. Some times you can avoid the fight entirely, bluffing the monster or even persuading him that suicide is a good option, all things considered.

Additionally, high mental stats allow you to more easily get loads of bonus XP from discovering secrets about yourself and others. Which means you gain levels faster. Which offsets the problem of low physical stats a bit.

That said, I suggest playing a wizard, 'cause the spells in that game rock.

 

[Wycen]

It has been a while since I played, 1999/2000 in fact, but I remember the game because it was so awesome.

There is a way in the game to switch between fighter, mage and thief and then back to mage, thief or fighter. Those are the only 3 "classes" you can choose from, but for various reason you are far better than an equivalent person in those classes.

Personally, I'd go with the high mental stats and charisma, because I watched my friend play the dumb stronge fighter and his game was far different from my intelligent friendly wizard. And being a wizard you get to see some AWESOME spell animations.

 

[krunchyfrogg]

I know this isn't a powergaming game, but I really want to make sure I get as much out of it as I can (I'm really, really bad at replaying games and always put them down). my intent here is to build the best TNO possible, and I've peeked at a few websites to avoid building useless characters and to get a feel for the mechanics of the game (avoiding all spoilers I can).

Here's my best attempt at an awesome mage build:

ftr 6
mage 7
ftr 9
thf 10
mage12
ftr 13
mage X

This would maximize hit points (ftr to level 9, thf at level 10), while still allowing the special mage class bonuses at levels 7 & 12. The ftr then advances to level 13 for the extra 1/2 ApR, and you should have +++ in Knife for the best mage weapon. As for stats, I want to start off with an 18 wisdom, 15 or 16 intelligence and a 13 in charisma and dexterity if I can.

 

[Welverin]

My suggestion, max out your Wisdom at character creation and put all of the points you get for level gains into it until it's maxed out, you get an xp bonus for a high wisdom, thus increasing the speed you level.

Then focus on Int and Cha, there are numerous stat boosters to cover the other stats.

You start out as a fighter, in order to switch you need to talk to the appropriate person to for the class you want, I switched to wizard and ended up thinking it a waste (though casting high level spells is still fun).

So I suggest just sticking with fighter, unless you really want to be something else, in which case you should do so as quickly as possible, so check a faq to find out how.

 

[der_kluge]

I would agree with those who suggest going as a wizard. Keep in mind that this game will take you to 20th level.


That said, a 20th level wizard at the end just rocks the world. Find the Hag early and begin studying magic. She's in a junkyard, IIRC.

There's just nothing cooler than watching the animation for the Meteor Swarm spell. That alone makes it all worth it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

This post contains some spoilers


1) Building a character

STR, DEX, and CON have uses, but they are not useful.
INT, WIS, and CHA are all very important.

INT and WIS should start at 18, dump everything else in CHA. A high (20+) WIS will give you bonuses to exp. INT, WIS, and CHA will all unlock dialogue options. Actually, pretty much everything will unlock a dialogue option but INT, WIS, and CHA will open up more than most.

At this point everything depends on personal preference. Some people say max WIS as high as possible as soon as you can. Some people say max INT as high as possible as soon as you can. Getting CHA to 16 is good. You don't need it higher because you can cast the friends spell as a mage, switch to fighter or rogue if needed (you'll have companions by then who will help with this) and that'll pretty much handle 95% of all dialogue.

2) Classes

Yes, mage is very good to be in as much as possible. However....

Your hit points increase based on what class hits the highest level number first. So if you are a fighter/mage/thief of 4/4/4 and you become a fighter 5, then you go up 10 or so hit points and thereafter you only get one hit point for going up as a theif or mage. So leveling up as a fighter is important.

Levels 7 and 12 are very important in the game. If you become a 7th level fighter before anything else, you'll get fighter-y bonuses. If you become a 12th level mage before anything else you'll get mage-y bonuses. If you become 7th and 12th first in the same class you get some very small, but potentially critical, dialogue options. I actually reccomend hitting 7 and 12 as a thief. You'll get a DEX bonus that you really won't use, but if you're playing a mage, odds are strong that INT bonus won't be of much use to you anyway. Especially by level 12 when your INT will probably be 25 anyway.

So, Biggus suggests getting to level 5 as a fighter then leveling up as a mage or a theif, making sure to hit level 7 and 12 in thief before you hit it in mage. If it were me, I'd do level 6 as a fighter, but I've played the game a million times and have a better idea where all the quests are.

3) Annah

People have gone nuts trying to get her in the party as soon as they see her. You can't. Wait for it.

4) Dak'kon

If it's your first time playing I suggest picking him up as soon as you bump into him. He's my favorite NPC in gaming and he'll leech some exp off of you, but as it's your first time you'll need the extra firepower.

5) Good or evil?

I'd go with lawful good. This is not an obvious selection but it helps in some key areas. If you're evil you can pooch yourself in a couple of places if you are not careful. Now, alignment is dictated by your actions, so it's up to you to make promises, keep them, and be a nice guy.

6) Finally

Remember in this game, dialogue options can get you killed. Combat is something you can survive. I can not think of a circumstance where Nameless dying is bad, though it can be darn inconvient. In one case you actually have to die to solve a puzzle. I mention this as I was screaming at my monitor with rage at 2am because I kept reloading the game after I died at that point and it took me awhile to catch on. I can be slow.

Anyway, welcome to my favorite CRPG!

 

[Wycen]

There is one place where death will screw you up. I wont spoil it, mostly because I can't anymore, but there is a point in Sigil where talking to somebody very powerful, and I don't mean the Lady of Pain, where you'll suddenly die if you choose the wrong dialogue option. And if you haven't saved in a while, too bad for you because this is the "game over" death scene.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Intersting note about Chr, if you max it out at the begining you can get through the game by only getting in like a handful of fights. You can litterally talk your way out of anything.

 

[Chorn]

If you become 7th and 12th first in the same class you get some very small, but potentially critical, dialogue options. I actually reccomend hitting 7 and 12 as a thief. You'll get a DEX bonus that you really won't use, but if you're playing a mage, odds are strong that INT bonus won't be of much use to you anyway. Especially by level 12 when your INT will probably be 25 anyway.

I very much disagree here. If you're playing a mage, then you'll want to specialize as a mage despite the less useful stat bonus. In addition to the specialization bonus, specializing will also unlock the very powerful class tatoos from Fell. The second mage tatoo is the one you want since it will DOUBLE your 1st and 2nd level spells for the day.