Character/Skill Choice

[Nexarath]

Hey guys,

So I've been playing this a bit on my friend's PC and considering buying it myself, but have been holding off until the major bugs are fixed. It seems that that's almost here, so I'll probably be picking it up and starting a new character soon.

With that in mind.. I noticed that there are different starting classes that give not only different stats but also some different dialogues. I've also noticed that it seems most prudent to pick up computers early and often, as they give an XP boost.. and lockpicking also seems to come up quite a bit. Can a more experienced player shed some more light, though? Like, do you find that taking all the xp/computer perks early on is worth it, and going so far as to be a technician too, or will that not make much of a difference? Is engineering/maintenance/whatever it's called worth it, since we didn't notice much use besides helping fix that garon suit at the start? How important are combat skills since with a bit of skill it seems you can beat almost any combat with almost no investments? Any other misc tips? :)

Thanks :D

[Vault_13]

From my perspective having a lockpicking skill on board is always welcomed along with a dozen lockpicks as well, since I often found myself in a situation when I lacked the skill and/or actual lockpicks thus loosing some potential loot (you don't always get to visit the same locations).

[Zerotix]

I'm not sure why computers are directly associated with xp gain (computers -> learning %). However, because of this, almost everyone will recommend it. The Tector is the class that's supposed to be associated with computers and yes, you will get dialogue options involving more technical lines. If this game we're a kitchen, the Tector is our expediter.

I don't know about the other classes, but I've seen a few screenshots where Thingmaster has some unique lines.

I personally recommend at least 2-4 mechanics and 2-4 scammer, and always bring simple parts, parts, circuit boards, capacitors, circuits, and maybe complex parts. Generators give access to whole rooms or additional motivators to quests. There will be one quest where fixing the generator is very necessary if you don't have great gear.

I think the idea behind it was to give alternatives to finish quests and other problems, as well as reach additional loot areas. It's excecuted great, but I wish there was MORE lol

The devs could do it easily though. After patching and polish is done that is, make DLC for this gme by simply including another NPC like Gosp or Lashta with an ongoing side quest. Or a road that has junk in front of it, simply move out of the way to stretch the area out a bit to add more details.

My favorite thing about this game is the way the devs made the world feel alive, and I think my favorite parts of experiencing that have been in D-106 and the Crematorium. Random Ghetters, soldiers, or other faction members behind blocked walls just to look more immersive.

Anyways, hope any of this helped, kinda went on a spell there.

[Nexarath]

Yeah, thanks guys, that's kinda exactly how I went about it anyway, and once you get to grips with combat it's doable with pretty much no investments, though those are certainly helpful. I imagine beelining computers/xp skill is the first priority, but just wondering does anyone know does the game SHOW the skills you need or will you have no idea that you're missing something as the option won't even show up without the appropriate skill level? Just wondering if it's really necessary to build up all 3 non-combat skills to max levels, as that would leave very little for the combat skills :D

[Zerotix]

As far as I know everything that requires a certain skill level displays it for you regardless if you have it or not.

And the areas on your map will have different requirements for different things. It's possible to save your skill points and traverse the whole map without spending them until you know what's what.

However the random encounters are different, and you won't know what you need unil you're there, and unfortunately won't be able to come back if you don't have the materials or skill required. This is why I bring some materials with me. There is also a pattern to the random encounter levels. The ones designed similarly may have the same exact skillcheck.

[FrkFrJss]

Combat is certainly more difficult if you choose not take any skills in it, and you'll find yourself missing (and dying) half the time. However, (and partially because I didn't find the combat skill page until halfway through), using simple duck and cover, along with sneak kills, it's entirely doable. And you don't have to worry about ammo either, as there's plenty in the game. (There's actually probably too much come to think of it.)

[Zerotix]

My only gripe: the amount of xp I seem to get is very low. I mean it's taking forever to level my character. I'm about to hit 14 and I feel like I haven't spent any points. The skills to the right cost 3 each so thats 3 level ups just to get. I don't know what max level is, but I feel like I won't level up any more unless I farm random encounters.

[Jinn]

Originally posted by Zerotix:

My only gripe: the amount of xp I seem to get is very low. I mean it's taking forever to level my character. I'm about to hit 14 and I feel like I haven't spent any points. The skills to the right cost 3 each so thats 3 level ups just to get. I don't know what max level is, but I feel like I won't level up any more unless I farm random encounters.

From everything I've heard, lvl 15 seems to essentially be the level cap, which is too low for the player to engage in enough character progression to make it satifying throughout the game. In other words, the game needs to be re-balanced to allow for more steady, rewarding, and engaging character progression.

Even with the numerous gameplay issues that need to be addressed, I would gladly play through it once now if the main technical issues are taken care of, and replay it again in the future when gameplay issues are evened out. Really hoping for a patch release today.

[Nexarath]

Right.. it does seem like going fully into all 3 non-combat skills is not a very good idea, you'll be next to useless in combat. That being said, I also noticed that if you get good with ducking and melee a lot of the game can be cheesed even with hardly any combat skills, so I guess there's that. But yeah, thinking now that probably unspent points + early points in xp to maximize the xp gain would be great... that being said, if you hit a cap ANYWAY, perhaps ALL of the xp skills are kinda useless, and you should just take whatever you need in computers, hm. Ah, choices.. :D

[Jinn]

I enjoy the specialization aspect of the character building, but think you should be given at least a little more room to spread out, and to also continue leveling up after a certain point. There is a way to balance this out in a satisfying way without making players overpowered.

And yeah. This -

Originally posted by Nexarath:

That being said, I also noticed that if you get good with ducking and melee a lot of the game can be cheesed even with hardly any combat skills, so I guess there's that

Is a big problem.

[Zerotix]

I have no points in combat, but I pick and choose my fights unless it's a random encounter, in which I find cover and use a long rifle like the T6 which is what I'm using currently. The crosshairs come together just quick enough to get a shot off before my enemy does.

I like the combat in this game though. It's not a cakewalk like Fallout 4 was, it's not so difficult I'm reloading every 5 seconds like Dark Souls, and it's not tedious and unbalanced like ELEX.

Although I agree it should be harder for me though, since I have no points in combat.

[Bierserker]

Originally posted by Nexarath:

Right.. it does seem like going fully into all 3 non-combat skills is not a very good idea, you'll be next to useless in combat. That being said, I also noticed that if you get good with ducking and melee a lot of the game can be cheesed even with hardly any combat skills, so I guess there's that. But yeah, thinking now that probably unspent points + early points in xp to maximize the xp gain would be great... that being said, if you hit a cap ANYWAY, perhaps ALL of the xp skills are kinda useless, and you should just take whatever you need in computers, hm. Ah, choices.. :D

As of right now, there aren't nearly enough skill points to go around, the 70% or so xp boost you can get don't make much of a difference either since the jumps in xp needed at the later levels are massive, you won't even get the points invested back.

While it is possible to beat the game without any investment into combat skills, if you really want to invest more into utility skills, i'd recommend you get a plasma cutter and a shield asap and pick the plasma skill early on, that's all your offensive needs covered with just 3 points invested.

The plasma cutter is a lot better than it would seem at first glance, most enemies have low plasma resistance and it bypasses armor.

Sadly, the only plasma gun available early on is buged and deals normal gun damage though.

Edit:
Alternatively, you can invest everything into combat skills and abuse the fact that the effects of Intel-m are permanent and stack. That might change with 1.4 or later patches though. 😁

[Nexarath]

That Intelligence buff is permanent? Damn, that's bugged as hell, how'd it get past Q&A thus far? XD Yeah, I see where you're coming from, unless you specifically need computers it seems like getting it for XP is overkill, and maintenance, past repairing that Garon suit seems a bit superflous too.. lockpicking/persuading, as one skill here, deffo seems to be the go-to utility skill, though. Plasma cutter.. where do you get one and how does it work? I'm assuming it's a melee plasma blade?

[Bierserker]

You get a free plasma cutter if you help out the archeologists at the square of glory. It basically is a plasma knife, yes.
I'd say maintenance is at least as nice to have as scammer as it is needed for a few side quests and opens up quite a few side areas as well.

[Nexarath]

Roger that, thanks :D Yeah, the guy I started at my friends' was the ghetter/merc/whatever he's called type with a bonus to lockpicking and melee/ranged dmg. He had some fun dialogue but I'm wondering if some other paths, such as the sharpshooter might have some other cooler dialogue, but it did seem like that character made the most sense considering how many civvies, smugglers etc you have to deal with in the game :D

[Bierserker]

All the chars have some unique dialogue AFAIK. In the end the choice boils down to the bonus you want. I guess the tector would be a good choice for you a plasma build (as plasma weapons don't benefit from normal gun/melee damage).

also there is a certain customs officer at the military base who sells some interesting stuff. He only trades with chars that have at least 1 in scammer that aren't ghetters(helot/thing Master)