Educated and Where to spend that Stat Boost

[Nemby]

Hey everyone,

I am currently on my first play-through of the game and decided to play on hard mode, as I typically do. I built my main character as a Cult Leader with a 10 Charisma and 9 Intelligence. Obviously, their combat skills/HP isn't great, but with the Intelligence score, they're also my skill monkey.

I have Shotguns (4), Persuade (8), and Impersonate (7) as my tagged skills. Also, just through interactions, Streetwise is currently 5 - nearly 6.

Even with Jed and Evans buffed, we suck in combat. Combat is just super difficult (I don't have to tell you all), but luckily I've been able to Impersonate/Street Wise/Persuade myself out of most hostile encounters. In fact, I have made it through all of the Brotherhood, Protectorate, and I am working through the Church missions right now and haven't fired a single shot.

So here's my question: I am thinking about taking the Educated feat to gain another tagged skill for my main PC. Jed covers Biotech (6), but no one else on the team does Computers or Electronics, except my main PC.

Where should I put the tagged skill to help me in mid/later game:

• Computers (3 but nearly 4) - would bump to 5, but damn near 6. I have to imagine computers becomes much more necessary as the game progresses.
  
• Electronics (3) - would bump to 5. Much for the same reason as computers.
  
• Armor (2) - would bump to 4. This would allow my squishy ass main PC to wield some more sturdy protection and survive a bit longer when push comes to shove.

For those wondering, main PC has Lockpick (6), Steal (5), and Faythe has Sneak (4). I got her super late into my early playing hours. Just didn't know where to find her and kind of stumbled on her, so she's well behind my other PCs. I also think I completely screwed up her build, but that's for a later post.

Thanks, all

Edit: I appreciate any and all responses, but I don't think restarting the game is something my ADHD brain can handle right now. I might just play until I hit a wall at this point.

[grraf]

Based on what i've read you are much better of restarting and picking up Faythe nice and early... then split up the skill tag load like this:
MC: biotech&electronics&streetwise/persuasion(just one of the speech skills is enough)+weapon skill(I suggest smth with a low action cost like a shotgun or pistol)
Faythe: sneak&lockpick&computers+weapon skill
As for how to boost the durability of yr MC id recommend using an energy vest/energy shield+a dermal implant... alternatively using a stealth gadget in combat and only serving as medic/grenadier may also work well.

[Nemby]

Originally posted by grraf:

Based on what i've read you are much better of restarting and picking up Faythe nice and early... then split up the skill tag load like this:
MC: biotech&electronics&streetwise/persuasion(just one of the speech skills is enough)+weapon skill(I suggest smth with a low action cost like a shotgun or pistol)
Faythe: sneak&lockpick&computers+weapon skill
As for how to boost the durability of yr MC id recommend using an energy vest/energy shield+a dermal implant... alternatively using a stealth gadget in combat and only serving as medic/grenadier may also work well.

I am sure you're right, but assuming I don't want to restart, where would you put that stat for mid-to-late game?

Appreciate the response.

[jambong]

You generally want to stack all stealth skills and all science skills on one person as much as possible (usually MC or Fayth). This is because of the Skill Monkey feat. You can split them out a bit if you don't have enough tags. All science skills should be tagged by someone, as well as lockpicking.

Frankly, restarting will trade headache now for headache later, when you find that you won't be able to pass many of the checks.

[grraf]

Umm nowhere as most mid game checks are upwards of 6 or 7 but the most bang for buck you can potentially get is with comps out of the 3 options you asked about...

Just as a reference point so you know how far behind the curve you really are: a well plyed science oriented build will be leaving the pit with these stats: lvl7(or close to it) in comps,electros,lockpicks and without tagging a lvl5 in biotech&steal(but assisted by npc training/&tokens)

Sorry to say it but with those stats in the habitat you have pushed yourself into a dead end when it comes to science&tech and that is not smth you want as a lot of excellent equipment/income can be made via scavenging trough high tech 'vaults'.

[skaudus]

You're absolutely not in a dead end. You don't need to have a super-optimised character at all.

Regarding what to do now, you should pick Computers on your main character. It'll help out a lot.

Also, you can talk to Eli the Monk in the Maintenance Tunnels after you offer the machine to a faction. If you have an INT implant, he'll double its effects for you, and you'll get one more tag.

You can pick either Electronics or Lockpick and it'll again help you solve situations and explore.

[grraf]

@skaudus for you/me hes not necessarily at a dead end but hes got no fore knowledge of the game so he's highly unlikely to stumble into the proper circumstances to course correct in time...

[Scar Glamour]

I'd say you get a lot of mileage out of the Armor on a Cult Leader character, but if you don't have Faythe for a skill monkey, then Electronics is more useful than Computers.

[Nemby]

Originally posted by grraf:

@skaudus for you/me hes not necessarily at a dead end but hes got no fore knowledge of the game so he's highly unlikely to stumble into the proper circumstances to course correct in time...

I'm starting to see what you mean. So I kept playing this run, and I have about 12 hours in now. Well, I got to the part of mission control where you're interacting with Shadow, and because my electronics isn't 6, I can't reprogram the computer. And combat is just wrecking me. There's no way I can win.

So, my options right now are to lose access to the lower levels (if you do this can you ever get access again?) or start over. And the completionist in my is telling me to start over.

Damnit.

[skaudus]

Originally posted by Nemby:

Originally posted by grraf:

@skaudus for you/me hes not necessarily at a dead end but hes got no fore knowledge of the game so he's highly unlikely to stumble into the proper circumstances to course correct in time...

I'm starting to see what you mean. So I kept playing this run, and I have about 12 hours in now. Well, I got to the part of mission control where you're interacting with Shadow, and because my electronics isn't 6, I can't reprogram the computer. And combat is just wrecking me. There's no way I can win.

So, my options right now are to lose access to the lower levels (if you do this can you ever get access again?) or start over. And the completionist in my is telling me to start over.

Damnit.

You can convince Shadow to back off if Romeo is repaired too.

[Nemby]

Originally posted by skaudus:

Originally posted by Nemby:

You can convince Shadow to back off if Romeo is repaired too.

I did not know that. I don't have all the pieces to fix Romeo yet, so I will do some research on that and see if I can get him up and running.

[grraf]

Originally posted by Nemby:

Originally posted by skaudus:

I did not know that. I don't have all the pieces to fix Romeo yet, so I will do some research on that and see if I can get him up and running.

If you don't mind the spoilers then this about covers anything Romeo related: https://colonyship.fandom.com/wiki/The_Last_Lawman

[Morgian]

Endgame checks are typically 8-10. Persuasion peaks at level 9, but there are level 10 computer/lockpick/electronic checks, although not many. They hide the best gear, which may or may not be necessary for you (tier 3 gadget parts, mk. II armor and such).

The strongest defense in combat is the elusive stealth gadget. I think there is one in Mission Control behind a level 6 check.
Energy weapons are cool and all, but they have a few serious disadvantages. Ammo is very limited, like something between 140 and 180. The second problem is that these weapons use several cells per shot. Makes the ammo scarcity more critical and you need to reload more often. However, they are very nice to have in one or two key fights (Ol'Bub or the cyborgs).

You can still train up Faythe in stealth, since many challenges are still there. This may make fights easier, if you can stealth kill foes. Stealth gadget is highly recommended. Just remove heavy boots and armor for the mission to negate their penalties.

I believe it was a mistake of yours to start on Underdog. You have large penalties everywhere, and raising skills is more difficult. I did the same and restarted on Hero, which was more enjoyable. Doing an Underdog run afterwards was easier with knowing what to expect and a better idea what I wanted to do.

[Wrath of Dagon]

Where's the 10 electronic check, I've never seen one.

[William Shakesman]

Originally posted by Wrath of Dagon:

Where's the 10 electronic check, I've never seen one.

Highest tier Romeo upgrade

[Wrath of Dagon]

I don't see it, to completely fix targeting was 9 electronics.