Your playthough always with an imp?

[Arkite]

Do you conduct your playthrough always with an IMP?

[Rookie-31st]

I'm yet to buy the full game, but in demo (as well as in JA2) I've always played with an IMP - he/she is free, and can be made to be either all-rounder or specialized based on the choice of other mercs. It would be unwise to ignore IMP, I think. Free gun is always good.

[mr_oluap]

so far yes and it's my best character too

[SkyRiderJM]

I agree. Pay 7k just once and the rest of the journey is free with that wonderful IMP.

[Bozzemoggel]

I did my first without IMP... and usually just used one as a trainer for the others since

[Furio]

Yes, it's extremely cost effective since you don't have to pay any fees.

[Salinga]

No.

[jerome_lee]

The lure of 85 leadership at start is just too good.

[BT]

I always do and create a character with 85 wisdom and leadership

[Dorok]

You can't replace IMP by a merc. Honestly I would because it's mercs the spice not the IMP. That said it's a mandatory option but I feel the whole system don't let enough IMP builds variation to be a strong asset.

[khr0927]

In terms of economical efficiency yes. But it's better have someone who has actual personality in your squad for the jagged alliance show. I only use IMP until I have enough money to hire 6 mercs then make him a militia trainer.

[BT]

Originally posted by Von Branitz:

when everything maxed out to 85 wisdom and leadership what is than distribution to other points?

It’s up to you, the reason you want these stats is that you can train your IMP and then he can train others.

Helps with militia.

You’d probably want a relatively high marksmanship so he’s not totally useless and enough APs.

You can use the remaining stats to pad what you could not get in AIM, for example if you could not hire an explosives guy, you can put some points there.

[Furio]

My final IMP was 85 to all stats starting at the top, ending with Marksmanship at 30 and the rest 0. Then I used Merc training to train marksmanship with a teacher merc. It goes up pretty fast when you have 85 wisdom and the trainer has the Teacher perk.

[stretch]

There are upsides to them but until they get a far better perk pool to choose from and/or the option to take some of the more unique ones that your rentals can come with... no. Just generic and boring. Even a unique weapon or armour selection?
Just needs something to make the special. Very meh as they are now.

[FatalException]

I don't think the early game value proposition of an IMP can be overstated.
Even if you don't want to use him the whole game, give him negotiator, teacher and 85s in dex, agi health leadership and mrk and he'll bring every other merc up to speed in no time and train your militias dirt cheap and very fast.

[lumrod]

Some, like me, feel that the IMP is not "The Imp", it is supposed to be your alter ego. While the mercs make JA what it is, the IMP is supposed to be you. Hence the personality/background test The developers when all out on the mercs, but made the IMP a bit lackluster, both in customization (portraits and voices) and starting perks (no blue...)..
Still, there is plenty of room to build a kickass fighter/leader for no monthly fee and that's a thing.
I have been making many starts with a melee imp, and he can solo Ernie and effectively start at level 4, so that's fun.