Camp explanation (and followers) and other newb questions

[jj.denver]

Hi, I have done a few searches on this forum but haven't found these answers. I also read a couple of guides and didn't find these answers there either.

How does camp work? Can I keep infinite number of followers in the camp? And based on charisma - that's how many can be actively walking around with me looking for trouble? I'd like to know this because I may need to figure out how to kill off or not accept some followers who are bad.

Does charisma cap your max total followers (camp + active)? Or is # in camp infinite?

When do you get a chance to switch characters from active back to camp? Do you have to walk there to switch them?

To get high level crafters do you have to play with characters who you want to be crafters in combats to level them up to get skill points to level their crafting? So you try to pick easy fights and baby them through then put them in camp after they hit their skill cap (which seems to be level 10 from what I've read on forums?)

Can your own main stats (str, dex, etc) be raised during the game?

And to gather materials for crafting do you need to bring along followers who have that skill? For example to collect herbs you need the alchemy follower in your main party?

Also some other newb questions. If I want to try a block/axe build. How does this stat allocation seem?
str 10 (max)
dex 7
con 8
per 5
int 4
char 6 (for 2 followers - I guess this means me + 2 more?)


Or is there a better build I should try? Higher dex? Move 1 from int to dex? Lower con in favor of dex or another stat?

Also if you want to play dodger should you still use a shield and heavy armor? I assume no shield and light armor? Is a blocker/heavy armor build better in end game because you get crit less? I was planning on blocker because I like heavy armor & shield but maybe heavy armor dodger builds are viable? Can someone explain?

Thanks

[Sunfire]

Hi, it's quite simple. All your recruited followers are waiting for you (i.e. available for hire) in the camp.
You can keep infinite number of followers in the camp.
CHA caps only your max party limit (you + up to 3). Low CHA (and Crafting skill) will restrict you from hiring some exclusive followers (2 or 3 maybe).
You can switch followers in the camp or when finding and hiring new one (you should dismiss some other to the camp).
Only your party followers (i.e. fighting and survived) can raise their skills.
You can raise only STR, DEX or CON up to 3 points total, the cap is 10.
You can hire the followers with Crafting or Alchemy skill in the camp, create the needed item(s) and dismiss him/her.
You should have the alchemy follower in your party to be able to collect herbs and shrooms. I believe that 3-4 in Alchemy skill should be enough.
Your build should be viable, but I'll recommend to raise your PER by 1 (from STR or DEX maybe).
You should choose armor not by the weight only, but by the ratio between min Armor penalty , max DR, and max vsCrits (especially for the dodgers).

[Vince]

Originally posted by jj.denver:

Hi, I have done a few searches on this forum but haven't found these answers. I also read a couple of guides and didn't find these answers there either.

How does camp work? Can I keep infinite number of followers in the camp? And based on charisma - that's how many can be actively walking around with me looking for trouble? I'd like to know this because I may need to figure out how to kill off or not accept some followers who are bad.

Does charisma cap your max total followers (camp + active)? Or is # in camp infinite?

When do you get a chance to switch characters from active back to camp? Do you have to walk there to switch them?

Your Charisma determines how many people will follow you (i.e. join your party). Anyone else you meet (potential followers) will go to the current camp. As you progress, new camps with better forges will become available. You can switch your party members at the camp.

To get high level crafters do you have to play with characters who you want to be crafters in combats to level them up to get skill points to level their crafting? So you try to pick easy fights and baby them through then put them in camp after they hit their skill cap (which seems to be level 10 from what I've read on forums?)

In general, there are no easy fights as things escalate as you move up (you start the game at the bottom of the mine, which also happened to be the bottom of the local hierarchy). So the higher you climb, the tougher the enemies get.

So I'd suggest to make one of your party members a crafter, another an alchemist.

Can your own main stats (str, dex, etc) be raised during the game?

Once, during a special event. Overall, neither your stats not hit points go up when you level up.

And to gather materials for crafting do you need to bring along followers who have that skill? For example to collect herbs you need the alchemy follower in your main party?

Yes.

Also some other newb questions. If I want to try a block/axe build. How does this stat allocation seem?
str 10 (max)
dex 7
con 8
per 5
int 4
char 6 (for 2 followers - I guess this means me + 2 more?)

Perception is an important stat because it gives you a THC (to-hit-chance) bonus. You might be strong as an ox but it won't matter much if you can't hit your target very often. So I'd raise to 7 or 8 and lower STR to 8.

Or is there a better build I should try? Higher dex? Move 1 from int to dex? Lower con in favor of dex or another stat?

There is always a better build but such things are subjective.

Also if you want to play dodger should you still use a shield and heavy armor?

No. You either block or dodge, so dodgers don't need shields and heavy armor will only slow them down and reduce their ability to dodge. Pay attention to the armor stats and pick what's right for you.

Is a blocker/heavy armor build better in end game because you get crit less?

Both dodgers and blockers are equally viable, but many people prefer dodgers. Personally, I favor blockers for the same reason as you.

[jj.denver]

ty guys - really appreciate the replies. Huge help! :)

[jj.denver]

one more question - if you have guys in camp do they get any SP at all or only when they are active in your party? The reason that I ask is that one guide says to feed silas, cyrus, and quintus to the ants so you don't split your xp with them. This made me wonder if they can take your xp just by being in camp and you have to specifically add them to active party and kill them? Or can you just leave them at camp permanently?

[Sunfire]

You can leave any followers permanently - they don't get any SPs, only your party members get and only after the end of each fight/event, so if they die before the end of the fight, then survivor(s) get ALL SPs.

[jj.denver]

Thank you - one more question. I decided to check what Cyrus gear was like so I could sell it. I told him to "come with me" but now I don't want him in my party anymore. How do I have him go back to standing near the campfire?

EDIT: I just realized on character screen you can hover over their face to dismiss.

[Sunfire]

Yes,you can just dismiss him after stripping him off his gear.

[jj.denver]

Another question. I have reached the next level ( gone up elevator) and picked up the crafting guy. But when I go to my stash I'm not able to transfer items. I click on an item but it isn't highlighted so that I can press transfer button to move it out of stash or into stash. the "take all" button works to move all out of my stash but I can't click item by item. This seems like a bug. Is there a way around this?

EDIT: nevermind seemed to fix itself after 3 reloads