Fallout 2 veteran here, ask me anything!

[ÄmJii]

I noticed some folks have trouble getting into older Fallout -games due to learning curve and roughy difficulty in early game. So I decided to lend a helping hand and offer advice to anyone who wants help.

First of all, make sure you install Restoration Project patch for best experience. Note that you'll have to start a new game before patch fixes & RP takes effect, so you might as well do it right after installing Fallout 2 to avoid the hassle with save games.
Newest RP version can be found here:
https://www.nma-fallout.com/resources/fallout-2-restoration-project-unofficial-expansion.123/



Few general tips for first time players:
- Save often!
I can't stress this enough, make a habit of saving your game often and save in different save slots just in case something goes awry.

- If you can't beat a certain fight, come back later and better prepared.
Combat can be very rough for low level character, sometimes it's better to just run and live another day. There's only very few areas you can't return to when you've left and none of them are plot crucial.

- If you're uncertain what kind of character is viable, try a Gunslinger* as your 1st character.
Tag Small Guns & Speech, you can pick 3rd Tag freely. Good Tag picks include Lockpicking, Stealing, Doctor (aimf for 75%) and possibly Outdoorsman.
Tag skills to avoid include Barter, Gambling, Big Guns (eats too much ammo & very limited availability until midgame), Traps (not enough traps), First Aid (made obsolete by Doctor), Repair (not enough places to use Repair) and Throwing (too limited weapon selection).

- Your companions can handle skill checks for you!
Most notably Vic has high Repair skill, whenever you're attempting to use Repair on an object Vic will say "I'll do it!" and attempts to handle it for you IF he is standing closer to said object than you.

- Skill cap is 300%
Besides weapon skills you can leave most skills at 70-135% and call it a day.

- Charisma ISN'T useless!
In this game CHA isn't a dump stat it was in FO3 or NV. It determines how many companions you can have traveling with you (CHA / 2 = max followers).
First time players should consider 6 CHA or at least 4 CHA just for this reason.

- No matter what type of character you're going for, aim for 10 Agility.
10 Action Points is way too good to pass up.

- Gifted -trait is no-brainer, ALWAYS take it!
Downside is barely notable in long run, upside more than makes up for it.

- Skilled is deceptively bad, AVOID it!
More skill points sounds nice... until you realize you're giving up valuable Perks. You can't have too many Perks, but you can (and will) have too many skill points floating around.

- When you get to Klamath, recruit Sulik.
He's easily one of the better companions available, he's got rather high HP at the point you meet him and he makes a good brawler. You can even fit him with sub-machine guns and .223 Pistol which is one of the top tier Small Guns and arguably one of the best 1h pistols available.
You'll need to cough up 350 $ to hire him, but you can make 120 $ right away if you sell his Sledgehammer and give him a spear or Brass/Spiked Knuckles instead.

- When bartering, you can use numeric keys & Backspace instead of scrolling with Up & Down arrows. This is very convenient shortcut when you're trading money.

- Conserve Stimpacks for combat healing, use resting for healing. You can rest in most locations by opening your Pipboy screen, clicking on the bell/alarm clock icon and setting the time. Or you can just click on "Rest until party has healed".
Your party also gets "rest healing" when you're traveling on world map.



That's all for now, feel free to ask me anything.


* EDIT: Here's an example character of a Gunslinger (with Gifted -trait) build:

STR 5
PER 6 or 7
END 4
CHA 6
INT 8
AGI 10
LCK 7 or 8

Tag skills: Small Guns, Speech and Lockpick/Doctor (Doctor lets you heal crippled limbs on top of restoring HP, very useful on higher difficulties).

6 Perception is enough to get all the PER related perks besides Sniper which requires 8. You can upgrade Perception with either "Gain Perception" perk or by finding a Green Memory Module. However, Sniper perk becomes available at level 24 so it's possible that you'll beat the game before getting it, if you're not big on grinding then feel free to leave PER at 6.
Sniper perk also benefits from LCK, whatever you do do NOT gimp your LCK stat just to improve your PER.

Your first 3 Perks should be Awareness, Bonus Move and Better Criticals. After that, pick whatever you want.

[BayneRav]

what is with the patch... i see alack of clarity as to what the patch even does

Edit: Installer Guidelines

Killap's Fallout 2 Restoration Project - Version 2.3.3 (Installer)

============
Information:
============
The purpose of this project is to add back into Fallout 2 all the missing content (locations, NPCs, quests, items, etc) that were pulled or left unfinished in the original game. This expansion attempts to stay true to what made Fallout great and thus the new content you find is not something I felt that would be cool to see, but rather a reality of what the original devs wanted. I admit that I had to make some judgment calls here and there, but the core of what you will see is something originally thought up by the Fallout 2 devs. I hope you enjoy this expansion and you are able to get even more greatness out of Fallout 2. If you have any questions/comments feel free to e-mail me at "[e-mail]" You can also find me on the No Mutants Allowed forum found at http://www.nma-fallout.com/forum/ If you cannot reach me by e-mail, I suggest posting there. Thanks and enjoy!


Note: A full list of new content is found at the end of the installation.
Note2: Previous save games before using this expansion will no longer work. You will have to start a new game!
Note3: For non English users, you may need to rename the:
\BlackIsle\Fallout2\data\Text\English folder to whatever language you are using, such as German, in order to play.
**This is only needed if your language was not an option in the installer or all the new NPCs are giving "ERROR" dialogues.**


===========================
Frequently Asked Questions:
===========================
Q: Do I need to install the official 1.02 patch or your unofficial patch as well?
A: No. All the fixes found in the official and unofficial patch are already included.

Q: Can I use official 1.02 patch saves or your unofficial patch saves with this mod?
A: No, sadly you cannot. Any save game made before using this mod is not compatible. All future versions, however, are compatible with previous versions of my work unless otherwise noted.

Q: How do I know if this mod is installed correctly?
A: There is a small rock at the beginning of the game. This rock is found just outside the Temple of Trials, behind Klint. Looking at the rock should display some text and give the version of the mod you are running. In addition, you should see a version number in the lower right corner of the main menu to the game. You must see BOTH the rock and a version number on the main menu to be 100% sure the mod is installed correctly.

Q: I have a version of the game that had children removed. Do I need to apply a separate patch to fix this?
A: No. My unofficial patch (which is part of this mod) already includes the missing children frms.

Q: On startup, Fallout 2 crashes with a 'Failure initializing input devices' error.
A: Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. In the [input] section, change BackgroundKeyboard to 1 and see if that fixes the error. If it doesn't, change BackgroundMouse to 1 too.

Q: I'm getting black screens/psychedelic colour schemes
A: Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. In the [Graphics] section, change Mode to 4.

Q: Fallout refuses to run, displaying the message 'Fallout appears to be running in compatibility mode'.
A: Turn compatibility mode settings off. Do this by right clicking fallout2.exe, switching to the compatibility tab and unchecking everything.

Q: I don't like the speed I am moving on the world map. It's too fast/too slow. How can I change this?
A: Map movement speed was a troubling issue before but has now been effectively addressed. The issue before was a result of the speed of your CPU and thus the faster clock speed you have, the faster you would move across the map. This has been addressed though and the setting used in this mod should be much like the speed that was originally intended with computers of the late 1990s. If you feel things are still too slow or too fast now, this can easily be changed. Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. Search for something called "WorldMapDelay2=" If you did not alter this already, it should say "WorldMapDelay2=66" Changing it to a higher value will make things go slower and changing it to a lower value will speed things up. If the map is still stuttering for you even after lowering the value, make sure WorldMapFPSPatch, WorldMapFPS and WorldMapDelay are all set to 0.

Q: How do I change the resolution of the game?
A: Thanks to Mash's resolution patch you can finally play Fallout 2 at resolutions higher than 640x480. To change the resolution, you must be at the main menu of the game. Go to 'Options' and then click 'Screen Settings'. Once you've configured it the way you want, click 'Done' to save your changes. As of 4.0.2 of Mash's patch, you can also change the resolution outside the game by running 'f2_res_Config.exe', found inside your main Fallout 2 directory.

Q: My CPU seems to be at 100% usage when playing this game. What gives!?
A: Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. In the [Misc] section, look for a setting called ProcessorIdle. Change this to 1. If the game is still running at very high usage, then go back to the ddraw.ini file and set ProcessorIdle back to -1. Now, open up f2_res.ini and look for CPU_USAGE_FIX and set it to 1. Do NOT have both the ddraw.ini and f2_res.ini settings set to 1 at the same time. Hopefully one of those will make your computer happy again.

Q: I'm using the new appearance mod and my character is spinning too quickly/slowly on the inventory and character screens. Can I modify the rotation speed?
A: Sure. Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. Search for something called "SpeedInventoryPCRotation=" The default value is 220. Larger values make it slower, smaller values make it faster.

Q: I don't like some of the options I chose in the installer. Can I go back and change them?
A: Many of the options you picked in the installer can be changed at any time. Go to your Fallout 2 directory and look for a file called ddraw.ini. Look through it for any options you wish to modify. "EnableHeroAppearanceMod=", "DamageFormula=" and "NPCAutoLevel=" are some of the options you could have set via the RP installer. The file is well documented, so it is pretty easy to tell what each option will do to your game. However, I suggest only making changes to this file if you really know what you're doing or were told to make a specific change.

Q: I'm stuck on this one quest. Help me!
A: Morticia and others have compiled a detailed walkthrough for my work. You can access it here: http://hem.bredband.net/darek1/f2rp_wt.htm


=================
Acknowledgements:
=================
・Without the use of Per's Fallout 2 walkthrough, I would not have been able to pinpoint the majority of the bugs fixed in my patch. Thanks!
・Several fixes from my patch are taken from the work done by Seraph in his patch and I am truly grateful for the work he's done. Thanks!
・I used the updated Official Mapper scripts (1.02D) by Haenlomal as the base to my patch. Much thanks for his work on this!
・This mod utilizes Timeslip's Fallout 2 engine tweaks. Without this, several bugs that exist in the game would continue to remain unfixable. Thanks as well to Haenlomal for his contributions here!
・Thanks to Mash for his amazing high resolution patch!
・This mod includes graphics made by Pixote, Continuum, Crowley, the makers of Fallout: Between Good & Evil, Nikki, Wild_qwerty, the makers of Mutants Rising, Grayswandir, and x'il.
・This mod includes work done by Skynet, Corpse, Chris Parks, TeamX, ART, Glovz, Lich, Lisac2k, deadlus, and pelicano.
・This mod includes dialogue written by Adam Dravean, Bofast, Minigun Jim, encinodude, Yamu, and Mikael Grizzly.
・Thanks to MIB88 for input on ideas, coding, content, etc!
・Thanks to Ivan Zaharath and others for the Polish translation!
・Thanks to HawK-EyE and others for the French translation!
・Thanks to Mr. Wolna and others for the German translation!
・Big thanks to Josan12 and Jotisz for their work on the NPC Armor mod and misc animations!
・Thanks to hologram for composing music for the Primitive Tribe!
・Thanks to Aguirre, Agris, Josan12, tobecooper and Ardent for their work with lip synching Cassidy's new talking head.
・Thanks to Morticia for writing and compiling a walkthrough for my work!
・Thanks to tomten, Slowhand, GanymeDes, Nevill, Darek, Ochrei, Morticia, Petrell, and others for maintaining the F2RP Technical Info wiki page!
・Thanks to gracul for finding out the cause of the EPA elevator crash!
・Thanks to Darek for finding out the cause of the Primitive Tribe crash under windows 9x, narrowing down the items involved in the infamous "too many items" bug, the shopkeeper restocking problem, and so much more!
・Thanks to NovaRain for being an outstanding beta tester!
・And lastly, thanks to all the friendly people over at No Mutants Allowed with all the help they have provided. Thanks!

[BeyondB]

Is there any markers on map, journal, etc? Because i have no idea where to go after i gathered information about Vic. And how to reload weapon?

[A New Player]

Автор сообщения: BeyondB

Is there any markers on map, journal, etc? Because i have no idea where to go after i gathered information about Vic. And how to reload weapon?

No markers. You have to find where the Den is. You reload weapons by right clicking on the weapon(Or hitting "n") after you have shot the gun. The reload button will not show if the gun is at ammo.

[Racuch Zawodowiec]

Автор сообщения: A New Player

Автор сообщения: BeyondB

Is there any markers on map, journal, etc? Because i have no idea where to go after i gathered information about Vic. And how to reload weapon?

No markers. You have to find where the Den is. You reload weapons by right clicking on the weapon(Or hitting "n") after you have shot the gun. The reload button will not show if the gun is at ammo.

Ask young woman at the bar about Den. You can continue there.

[A New Player]

Just a small note about this post, companions will do skill checks for you if you are not standing right next to the object, their distance does not matter. Example Lenny will not heal someone if you are standing right next them and doing it yourself, but he will if you tell him to heal someone and you are not standing right next to them.

[BreakinBenny]

Автор сообщения: BayneRav

what is with the patch... i see alack of clarity as to what the patch even does

It adds an amount of content that was cut from the final game, while also increasing some difficulty to give the intended atmosphere and gameplay.

[Lord of the Infinite Clouds]

How to build your character if you want to go with the whole 'unarmed or melee tribal' build, perks etc.

[ÄmJii]

Автор сообщения: Infinite Clouds

How to build your character if you want to go with the whole 'unarmed or melee tribal' build, perks etc.

There's many ways to build Unarmed/Melee tribal, I personally prefer Unarmed over Melee but either one viable.
Keep in mind that Unarmed/Melee tribal (ie. no firearms) does require some prior knowledge of the game, so I wouldn't recommend it for the 1st playthrough.

I was gonna post a detailed response, but I seem to have hit the letter cap so I'll have to settle for shorter response.


Here's what I'd consider ideal SPECIAL for Unarmed character:

STR 5 or 6 -> Advanced Power Armor +4

PER 4-6 -> PER 6 for Better Criticals. Mentats +2 PER

END 4-10 -> 4 END for Life Giver -perks. 6 END for extra HPs/LvlUp

CHA X -> 4-6 depending on how many companions you want.

INT 7 or 8 - High INT means more skill points. You won't need any INT related Perks, but more skill points are appreciated.

AGI 10 - Max this. No questions about it.

LCK 4 or 6 - 6 LCK for Slayer -perk. NCR's zeta scan +2 LCK or -1 LCK (prepare for some save scumming).


Perks:

Anything that raises your AP's (Bonus Move, Action Boy, Bonus HtH Attack), Hit Points (Life GIver) or affects Criticals (Slayer, Better Criticals). Besides that, HtH Evade if you're going for Unarmed.
You'll have to plan carefully what you're gonna pick and when, you don't have room to pick bad Perks (ie. don't take Swift Learner, Dodger etc. low-end Perks unless you've picked the important ones already).
You can stock up on Perks by just clicking Cancel on Perk selection screen, for example if you skip on Level 9 Perk you can take Life Giver twice once you hit Level 12 (at least with Restoration Project patch installed).


Tag Skills:

Unarmed/Melee: Pick one, ignore the other.
Speech: Always a good Tag skill regardless of the character you play as.
Doctor / Lockpicking: You'll want 75 in Doctor just for the Combat Armor implants, also handy for healing yourself or your companions outside combat (nets you some EXP).
Lockpicking is decent choice too, besides unlocking doors you can use Lockpicking to LOCK doors to keep NPCs confined to certain space.

[Lord of the Infinite Clouds]

Автор сообщения: ÄmJii

STR 5 or 6 -> Advanced Power Armor +4

...but ... but... Tribals don't wear power armor !

[Neme]

Автор сообщения: Infinite Clouds

Автор сообщения: ÄmJii

STR 5 or 6 -> Advanced Power Armor +4

...but ... but... Tribals don't wear power armor !

Loin cloths...

[BreakinBenny]

Автор сообщения: Infinite Clouds

Автор сообщения: ÄmJii

STR 5 or 6 -> Advanced Power Armor +4

...but ... but... Tribals don't wear power armor !

Yes they do, look at the guy in the loading screen with a T-51b helmet.

[draper]

is it possible to get sulik to open the doors on floor 2 in the vault at vault city

[draper]

ive also built the skill medic instead of doctor does this matter

[Commissar-kun]

i need help it will not launch

[Lord of the Infinite Clouds]

Автор сообщения: BreakinBenny

Автор сообщения: Infinite Clouds

...but ... but... Tribals don't wear power armor !

Yes they do, look at the guy in the loading screen with a T-51b helmet.

True, just the helmet, but it's still light armor.

Is melee/unarmed & light armor feasible..