About the two characters rex and vi domina in arnika.

[Gunsaremagic]

So i rescued vi for rex but he is still staying i guess i still have to do the quests that vi gave me go find heli at the bar and then lord braffit. They will leave me once im done with their quests right? because i dont want them i dont need a thief and a valkyrie id rather hire something else later dont know were or when but im sure i can hire people somewere later because i want a Gadgeteer and maybe a wizard.

[biogoo]

They will not leave you yet, but you can always release them. I would keep them at least until you find someone you like more, the extra hands are very helpful in this stage of the game.

[CeterumCenseo]

First you need to recruit Vi in the conversation menu. Then you go with her to Vi and Braffit. Listen carefully to the dialogues, since it is your first game. They always contain hints, extend your vocabulary you can use on other people.

[Gunsaremagic]

alright i keep them around for now and do the quests they gave me

[Syrris]

Vi is generally one of the better recruitables to keep around since she'll willingly go to most places in the game; there are only two major areas that she's averse to.

Myles will only stick around until you head to faction-related areas.



There is a recruitable gadgeteer, but you'll need to do some work for them before they'll join you, and they're also averse to some of the faction-zones.

The recruitable mage comes only near the end of the game, and while he's very good at his job, he'll only join you once. This is problematic if you haven't finished with certain other things first.

[mpnorman10]

If you eventually play multiple times it is possible, like me, you will come to find recruitable NPCs, or as many players call them, RPCs are not as much fun as mostly focusing on the six (or less) and using the RPC slots, if at all, for a few quests or quest-like needs (like for special runs).

After many many games these points about RPCs come to mind:
1) They absorb a full share of experience from battles whenever they are in the party.
2) A well-designed party is very powerful, but RPCs are completely outside of player control prior to when they join the party.
3) They get extra attributes but their creation and development prior to joining is sloppy and weak.
4) They can be developed a little once they join but that development is hampered by being very little and very late. This makes them, IMO, aesthetically unpleasing and not fully part of my own game as I play.
5) Many different styles of game are possible and potentially very powerful in this game, one of its best traits as a game, but RPCs are always the same.
6) If their will is not violated they will not go to some areas where they would be needed and some carry around junk they do not need.
7) Many professions of RPC that might be useful are not even available until later in the game and even then very limited.
8) When forced into areas they do not want to go, such as by teleportation, they complain ceaselessly... very distasteful and not at all like a character I want to be around.
9) Sticking with six (or less) characters in the party focuses all of the experience points from battles on them.

Overall, IMO, Wizardry 8 in all its variations and styles is a far better game without RPCs than with them. I personally do some (not all) quests involving taking RPCs to certain destinations. There is nothing wrong with that and no need to be "pure" about not taking RPCs along and missing out on any quests for which the benefits of completion are desired.

While this is what I have decided about RPCs after many years of play, I have absolutely no issues or criticism about what other players decide to do with RPCs, for whatever reasons. They are an optional part of this game.

An 8 character party from the start might be cool, but it would require a game universe with the appropriate design and difficulty. Six is enough, IMO, however, especially when there are a multitude of specializable characters to choose from, allowing multiple styles and strategies.

[CeterumCenseo]

I mostly agree to these statements. Those characters are not always available, they soak up part of the XP from battles, you cannot fully include them into your setup, and a self-developed character will be better at everything than the NPCs. They also have their own agendas and will make it clear to you, if your decisions are not to their liking.

But this is not the full story. For a new player, I really recommend to use these NPCs, they add to the character of the game beyond efficiency and effectivity. They have their own personality, history and fears, some are not even sympathetic, in other words, they have character. Some game events will be slightly different, if characters are present, additional dialogues and information about the game.
In total there are more than 10 NPCs available, so there is a lot of variety and you can play the game multiple times, before you explored them completely.

Another argument pro NPCs is it allows you to (temporarily) use some skills which your party does not have, deliberately or inadvertently.

Last is they make the game a bit easier. They not only soak up XP, but also damage. A Valk is one of the best characters in defense thanks to her Cheat Death. Slower XP growth means party will reach certain areas at lower levels, and due to the scaling of enemies in the game, you might get easier variations of the same monster type: Piercer Modai instead of Juggernaut, Highwaymen instead of Brigants, Swarming wasps instead of Tantos and so on.

În conclusion: For party optimization, be very careful. when and how to use which NPCs, for beginners, I recommend to take them in just for the additional experience.

[HOK1970]

Congratulations Gunsaremagic, you have obviously survived the way to Arnika, which is a great challenge especially for beginners.
What heavy fights have you experienced and how do you cope with the game so far? Did you have to reload a few times?

Especially at the beginning, a quick leveling of your characters can be a punishment, as the time is too short to significantly improve the abilities of your characters.
Most opponents in the game are random. The strength is determined by the average level of your group. A value of .5 is rounded down and the RPC is not covered by this calculation. This is what the player kaymarciy found out and his more detailed explanations can be found under "some info about monster spawning" here in the forum.
This gives you some tactical options to move your opponents' level in your favor. For example, if 3 characters in your group are Level 5, 3 characters are Level 6 and the RPC Myles and Vi are Level 8, then the average level of your group is Level 5.

As others have already correctly described, the RPC are only useful for a short period of time and you should therefore not put a lot of effort into their training. Therefore, they should be designed so that they can help you immediately. The character class that is the fastest developed and helps your group quickly is that of the Fighter due to the double attack by the Berserker function.
With a level-up. you also have the option to change the character class and play Myles and Vi as a Fighter in the future, as they meet the basic requirements of STR 55, DEX 50 and VIT 50 for this class.
The other goal for this RPC should be to get a second attack as soon as possible. The attributes that favor this are Dexterity and Speed, which are best increased at any level-up.
Myles in particular has excellent attribute values here and is a great choice. In the rest of the game you can find a bard and a gadgeteer, which are also suitable for first-class fighters due to their high values in DEX and SPE.
You can also quickly level up these attribute values with equipment. In the swamp there is a vendor, who sells a shield with DEX+10 and an amulet with SPE + 10. Since you can carry two amulets, the requirements for a second attack are quickly met, if you also use the "Haste" spell in combat.
Luckily, you have a Psionic and a Bard, both of whom can learn this spell (the Bard with the appropriate instrument to be found).

Edit: Oh, I see some points CC has already addressed in his post, which I have unfortunately only now read. With Vi I absolutely agree with him, as a Valkyrie is very useful due to the Cheat Death ability and the Divinity spellbook (not only for beginners).

[Gunsaremagic]

Originally posted by HOK1970:

Congratulations Gunsaremagic, you have obviously survived the way to Arnika, which is a great challenge especially for beginners.
What heavy fights have you experienced and how do you cope with the game so far? Did you have to reload a few times?

Especially at the beginning, a quick leveling of your characters can be a punishment, as the time is too short to significantly improve the abilities of your characters.
Most opponents in the game are random. The strength is determined by the average level of your group. A value of .5 is rounded down and the RPC is not covered by this calculation. This is what the player kaymarciy found out and his more detailed explanations can be found under "some info about monster spawning" here in the forum.
This gives you some tactical options to move your opponents' level in your favor. For example, if 3 characters in your group are Level 5, 3 characters are Level 6 and the RPC Myles and Vi are Level 8, then the average level of your group is Level 5.

As others have already correctly described, the RPC are only useful for a short period of time and you should therefore not put a lot of effort into their training. Therefore, they should be designed so that they can help you immediately. The character class that is the fastest developed and helps your group quickly is that of the Fighter due to the double attack by the Berserker function.
With a level-up. you also have the option to change the character class and play Myles and Vi as a Fighter in the future, as they meet the basic requirements of STR 55, DEX 50 and VIT 50 for this class.
The other goal for this RPC should be to get a second attack as soon as possible. The attributes that favor this are Dexterity and Speed, which are best increased at any level-up.
Myles in particular has excellent attribute values here and is a great choice. In the rest of the game you can find a bard and a gadgeteer, which are also suitable for first-class fighters due to their high values in DEX and SPE.
You can also quickly level up these attribute values with equipment. In the swamp there is a vendor, who sells a shield with DEX+10 and an amulet with SPE + 10. Since you can carry two amulets, the requirements for a second attack are quickly met, if you also use the "Haste" spell in combat.
Luckily, you have a Psionic and a Bard, both of whom can learn this spell (the Bard with the appropriate instrument to be found).

Edit: Oh, I see some points CC has already addressed in his post, which I have unfortunately only now read. With Vi I absolutely agree with him, as a Valkyrie is very useful due to the Cheat Death ability and the Divinity spellbook (not only for beginners).

Thanks for the help. Arnika road was not as hard as i expected well yeah i had to reload like 3 time but thats it pretty much did everything in arnika that i can for now. i went all the way back to the monastery to get some items with a key i got from arnika. And now i need to find a way to get an audience with the mook and get rid of that tower. i think i have to go to the northern wilderness next

[HOK1970]

I see you get along well and you're on the right track. The Umpani Camp (via the Northern Wilderness) and Trynton should be your next destinations. The T'Rang are also eligible as a new client and the way to Martens Bluff is now also an additional option.

[Gunsaremagic]

Originally posted by HOK1970:

I see you get along well and you're on the right track. The Umpani Camp (via the Northern Wilderness) and Trynton should be your next destinations. The T'Rang are also eligible as a new client and the way to Martens Bluff is now also an additional option.

Im on the right path then thx

[Gunsaremagic]

Originally posted by HOK1970:

I see you get along well and you're on the right track. The Umpani Camp (via the Northern Wilderness) and Trynton should be your next destinations. The T'Rang are also eligible as a new client and the way to Martens Bluff is now also an additional option.

any idea were can i find martens bluff ? and when can i unlock a teleporter in the mountain wilderness killed that golem on the bridge

[HOK1970]

Your Bishop and your Psionic can learn the two spells "Set Portal/ Return" from level 11, which I would do immediately in your place at the level-up. For both books you only need a spell pick when learning. If you want to learn the magic from books, you need both books. The spells are far too useful to wait a long time.

Since you have done the Golem on the bridge, you are certainly already quite far in the level. Therefore, starting at level 11 and the two teleport spells at your disposal, I would make a short detour to the Mountain Wilderness located there. Set up a safety game stand outside the Mountain Wilderness before entering, because the opponents there are very dangerous and far superior to you in the level.
After entering this area, move north on the mountain path and do not (!) enter the valley below. You will meet a vendor there who has pretty good stuff on offer. Put a teleporter there and turn back. If you've previously set a portal in a safe place with your other character, you can now teleport back there.


The road to Martens Bluff is very far away from your current location and leads over Arnikia Road, Arnika-Trynton Road, Trynton and the Swamp. However, there is an abbreviation about the teleporter in the Umpani base.
However, this can only be reached via a graphic glitsch in the bar and this requires a little practice. See an older speedrun from biogoo, which regularly uses this graphic glitsch after leaving the monastery. His videos are very instructive and he often gives very helpful hints. Now that you know the game a little bit, his tips will help you improve quickly.

[Gunsaremagic]

Originally posted by HOK1970:

Your Bishop and your Psionic can learn the two spells "Set Portal/ Return" from level 11, which I would do immediately in your place at the level-up. For both books you only need a spell pick when learning. If you want to learn the magic from books, you need both books. The spells are far too useful to wait a long time.

Since you have done the Golem on the bridge, you are certainly already quite far in the level. Therefore, starting at level 11 and the two teleport spells at your disposal, I would make a short detour to the Mountain Wilderness located there. Set up a safety game stand outside the Mountain Wilderness before entering, because the opponents there are very dangerous and far superior to you in the level.
After entering this area, move north on the mountain path and do not (!) enter the valley below. You will meet a vendor there who has pretty good stuff on offer. Put a teleporter there and turn back. If you've previously set a portal in a safe place with your other character, you can now teleport back there.


The road to Martens Bluff is very far away from your current location and leads over Arnikia Road, Arnika-Trynton Road, Trynton and the Swamp. However, there is an abbreviation about the teleporter in the Umpani base.
However, this can only be reached via a graphic glitsch in the bar and this requires a little practice. See an older speedrun from biogoo, which regularly uses this graphic glitsch after leaving the monastery. His videos are very instructive and he often gives very helpful hints. Now that you know the game a little bit, his tips will help you improve quickly.

awesome thx

[CeterumCenseo]

Have a look at this site:

http://www.zimlab.com/wizardry/recovered/flamestryke/wizardry8/flamestrykes_w8.html

It shows you, among others, the interrelations between the areas.

As HOK stated correctly, the link from the Umpani Camp to Marten's Bluff is not intended by the game designers. It might spoil your experience.

[Skleedle]

The link from the Umpani camp is indeed meant to be used. Even by one method of following a side-quest

SPOILER


If you kill Kunar to get the fake pass card, (find the traitor quest) he also drops the key to the room with the teleporter. You can also just kill him for the key, the Umpani won't mind unless there's some in the shop with you. Before the patch that nerfed pickpocket, i used to get it that way. (before i knew the bar had a back exit)