Non-combat walkthrough

[lionhart]

Edit: I finally wrote a guide for this. It is long and detailed because it is intended for new players, but I have tested it several times and everything seems to be working. If anyone tries this, please let me know if you run into any problems.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2954609903

Since so many people complain about the combat in this game, I wanted to see if it was possible to get through the entire first chapter and become a mage without engaging in any combat. The general principles are as follows:

- Use thieving skills (pickpocketing, lockpicking) to complete quests that would otherwise require combat.
- Bribe NPCs with gold to get them to do what you want without having to fight them.
- Use deception magic (transformation, illusion, telekinesis) to get past certain enemies.
- Take advantage of times when you are teamed with one or more NPCs.
- Take advantage of creature/NPC infighting.
- Simply run around/past enemies in a few places where no other alternative is available.

I just completed a minimal-combat run of the first chapter following these principles, and it turns out that it is possible to complete nearly every quest in the bandit camp, Harbour Town, and the monastery without ever equipping a weapon (the only exceptions being the three mandatory training fights in the monastery that are required to join the Order).

By the time I finished the first chapter, I was level 11 and I had enough gold and learning points to train the fireball spell up to level 8, which is more than enough to blast through any enemy normally encountered in chapter two. I'll write up a more detailed guide if anyone is interested/curious to know how it was done.

[ad]

Nice sounds like a fun challenge.

[lionhart]

Originally posted by ad:

Nice sounds like a fun challenge.

Yes, it was a very interesting challenge. I love the combat in this game, but for those who do not like it, I really recommend trying to get through at least the first chapter using the non-combat strategies that I described. It really is possible to complete most of the chapter (and get the recommendation letter from Carlos) without ever equipping a weapon. Once you become a mage, you can finish the rest of the game using combat magic.

[Bilgot the Heartless]

You can also add that there is a ring that allows you to sneak without learning it (in town).

I am curious what abbilities are really needed to finish quests without fighting. Lockpicking for sure but what tier? Is pickpocketing needed? Also which tier? If both tier 1, with lvl 11 you would be able to max your fireball at the start of chapter 2.

Do quests from bandits camp like fighting on arena disappear in chapter 2?

[lionhart]

Originally posted by Bilgot:

I am curious what abilities are really needed to finish quests without fighting. Lockpicking for sure but what tier? Is pickpocketing needed? Also which tier?

Pickpocketing is needed to get the sword fragment from Brogar, so you can get in to see the Don without fighting Brogar. I think you might actually be able to pickpocket Brogar with level 1, however you need level 2 to pickpocket some of the NPCs in Harbour Town (for example, to get all of the armor pieces from Lukor's gang, or to get the gold from Costa).

I also train lockpicking up to level 2, mainly so I can loot the alchemist's chest in Harbour Town to get the strength potion. This really helps a lot with those three mandatory fights in the monastery (plus the staff fighting ring that you can take from the desk in Commandant Carlos' room).

I suppose if you wanted to save the LP from lockpicking you could still get through those monastery fights by eating apples (+5 str), Harlok's stew (+2 str), and an ogre root (+1 str). That would get you to 18 strength which is enough to equip the spear which you can buy from Karlsen in the monastery.

Originally posted by Bilgot:

Do quests from bandits camp like fighting on arena disappear in chapter 2?

I'm not sure about the bandit camp quests, but I do know that you only need to complete four of the seven faction-related quests in Harbour Town in order to get the recommendation letter from Carlos. For example, it is impossible to get the weed package from Cutter without fighting him, because there is no option to pickpocket him. However you can come back in chapter 2, kill him with a fireball, and complete the quest then (I already tested this).

[Lanani]

This sounds like a really cool challenge run idea for the game. Kudos for getting it done!

[lionhart]

Originally posted by Bilgot:

Is pickpocketing needed? Also which tier?

I just did some more testing. It turns out that pickpocketing level 1 is enough to pickpocket the sword fragments from both Brogar and Luis. There is no option to pickpocket Craig but his fragment can be purchased for 100 gold. Therefore it is possible to complete the golden sword quest (and meet the Don) with pickpocketing level 1.

In Harbour Town, pickpocketing level 1 is enough to pickpocket everyone in Lukor's gang, and Costa, and Erickson (to get Steelbeard's shack key). However you need level 2 to pickpocket Scordo and get the tunnel access key from him. Scordo is a very tough fight, and you cannot get the recommendation letter from Carlos without Scordo's key, so I think it is better to spend the extra 5 LP on pickpocketing so you can bypass that fight.

It might mean that you can only get to fireball level 7 or 8 by the start of chapter two, however that should be more than enough to complete chapter two. You will have max fireball by the start of chapter three.

[lionhart]

Originally posted by Lanani:

This sounds like a really cool challenge run idea for the game. Kudos for getting it done!

Thanks. I think I will write it up as a guide, since there seems to be enough interest.

[lionhart]

I finally wrote a guide for this. The link is in the OP; If anyone tries it, please let me know if you run into any problems.