DEX 10

[holon99]

Many people seem to think a DEX of 10 is a must have.
Does it mean that the game is not playable with a DEX < 10 ?
Here and there I read that all "monsters" in the game have a DEX of 10. Is it true or is it a legend?
Does it mean that "fiends" will allways strike first ? Does it mean that at high level, the character will meet AK toting goons that will shoot first and shred the hero to little bits ?

[rakshasa72]

The REAL reason you want DEX 10 is to have maximum action points. Having a high sequence to act first is nice but, not nessicary due to game mechanics.

The main reason is that the first person to attack gets the first round so even at 10 DEX and high Sequence you can get shot first if a baddie gets the drop on you. Which will happen if you have 10 DEX or 1 DEX. In the same vein a 1 DEX could shoot first if they have high enough stealth and get the drop on the "monsters".

I'd say it's possible to play without MAX DEX but, really low action points can be crippling when it comes to using certain high action point weapons and abilities. It's kind of like how you can play a low INT character but, your going to be starved for skill points.

I'd say it would be possible to start with maybe an DEX 8 if you plan on raising it later with permanent bonuses but, it's hard to recommend going any lower.

[bankster]

Having 10 dex gives you 10 AP, this is the important part.
The game is playable with less than 10 AP BUT most players suggest this to avoid people from having to restart once they discover the advantages of 10 AP.
In my honest but subjective opinion having 10 AP is more FUN.

In Atom as in similar games like early Fallouts this is handy becouse:

1: Kiteing enemies, most melee oponents you can strike once and move away from so that they waste all or most of their AP to close the distance thus minimising or compleatly negating their ability to strike you.

2: Some desirable ranged weapons in the game have Aimed and Burst cost of 5 AP so having 10 AP dubles your combat effectivnes.

Your companions in Atom go on their own turn but you can issue instructions to them on your own turn. You hold left click on them and options appear. (tell them to move here and or attack strongest,closest,weakest or specific enemy,heal, switch to melee or ranged)

I dont know if enemies comonly have 10 AP but they do have allot.
Example: At higher levels and in some specific map places you will meet Slavers random encounter usualy eight of them, in their high tier arsenal they will have awsome weapons some of wich you will recognise as 5 AP or lower Aimed,Burst and they will fire at you multiple times per turn. :)

You will in time find out that in Atom perk cost goes up by one point for each time you select one.
This is nasty couse it means that realisticly even if you grind for XP you will have 8 perks at 23rd level
And to get to the really cool ones you have linear progression down the line :(
As reported by the devs at one point most players finish all content at character level 18 with some mild grind.

It really is a fun game ive found but it does have its kinks.
Good luck and have fun. :)

Bellow this line i will spoiler text some perk info.

Here is some counter intuative meta info:
The final perk in the melee tree is called "Quick Reflexes" and it describes that at your every turn end you will be granted additional 50% AP refund to spend...
so having 10 AP meens having 15 AP and the big secret is that this apply to ranged aswell :)

There is an offten overlooked perk called "Feeling Good" +10 HP, but it also give
permanent +1 AP so you could squize by with only 8 DEX (9 AP) and this perk if you like and assign 2 points somwhere else (INT, END,PER) :)

[holon99]

Thank you for your answers. This will help a lot.

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by =AC= bankster:

2: Some desirable ranged weapons in the game have Aimed and Burst cost of 5 AP so having 10 AP dubles your combat effectivnes.

^^ this is a big one IMHO.