How to Grind?

[Kathelia.dokgu]

Hi guys.. I'm new to playing CRPGs and just wondering, is there a way for me to grind a little bit? I'm always short on the currency and an adventurer I hired is so low on levels. I feel like I'm so weak although I'm surviving so far.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

No, in this game there are no respawns, and you only get limited XP from kills, since once you've completed the ingame bestiary entry for a type of enemy, you don't gain any XP from killing further ones.

The story companions are fine and sufficient to complete the game on all difficulty levels. Don't hire adventurers, if you don't know how to use them well. Adventurers are at least one level lower than your watcher. The earlier you hire a level 1 adventurer, the lower the XP difference. You can reduce the different to roughly 2000 XP. Story companions, on the other hand, are adjusted to receive the same XP as your watcher when they join the party for the first time.

Focus on the main quests and return to side-quests later. There are tons of gold and items to get in the game.

[Kathelia.dokgu]

Okay thanks! Maybe I'm just initiating fights the wrong way. I should watch other people and how they approach initial stages of battles. Thanks for the info!

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Give a few details about your party, companions, levels, equipment and where you are within the game world. Don't attack anyone and anything on sight. Use party scouting mode even without increasing Stealth skill, explore carefully, attack if you must, else focus on quests.

[Kathelia.dokgu]

I have my Watcher who is a Wizard (I didn't know the first story companion you get is another Wizard, so...), there's Aloth, then Eder, and the Adventurer (hired at level 1 because I didn't have the money to hire a level 2) who is a Fighter because I've been needing a front-liner.

So far I only have 4 characters in my party composition, 2 Wizards and 2 Fighters. The first chance I get to replace Aloth I probably will just to diversify the classes since I don't see the need for 2 Wizards. I'm hoping I could get a Priest or something.

I just finished the Temple of Eothas in Gilded Vale and the Shadows really gave me a hard time. Oftentimes 1 or 2 of my party members get knocked down but so far none got maimed or killed yet.

EDIT:
I'm always in scout mode because I put high priority on Mechanics for my Watcher. But yeah I do fight all the monsters I see (other than the bear, I had to go back once I got 4 characters in my party).

Not sure about levels but I think my Watcher is at level 3-4 (possibly 5 but unlikely). That gives you an idea of where the others are probably.

SECOND EDIT:
Just checked, my Watcher, Aloth and Eder are all level 3. The adventurer I hired is level 2 - I didn't realize how slow leveling is, lol. I'm over 9 hours into the game and I'm still level 3 rofl.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Eder is a Fighter and a durable one, even on PotD mode if not using a shield. His base attributes could be shifted a bit, but he comes with high CON and increased RES, and if you want defenses, there are talents and equipment to raise them much more than just by max RES. Eder's MIG 16 and PER 12 are also versatile enough to make him a fearsome offensive warrior.

It is a mystery to me why you've not left Gilded Vale as to explore the next areas a bit. Afterall, some quests started in Gilded Vale lead outside the village anyway.

Doing the Temple of Eothas early isn't mandatory. Most people would return with a Priest, at least.