In-game economy and "What if you don't invest in skills to upgrade weapons"?

[Iñigo Montoya]

Unknowingly, I guess I created this Übermensch scientist/tinkerer build who could basically do it all. Even on "tactics" and without any prior knowledge of the game it all felt super easy.

But I wonder: what if someone didn't invest in skills that allow them to upgrade weapons? I don't see how anyone might enjoy scrounging about with a low level weapon until they find a better one in one of the 4 or 5 crates I found in a playthrough that had decent loot.

Heck, what about companion's weapons? Without the ability to upgrade them, they are seriously hampered.

Just can't figure out how someone would keep their equipment up to par through simple trade. The game's economy is so messed up that It just doesn't seem viable, especially if you don't pickpocket or steal anything. (I still don't understand how you are expected to afford the house in junktown or even half the upgrades in the Magellan apartment without seriously hampering yourself).

[fstsrm]

If you switch to your companions they can use their skills to upgrade your weapons. Liberal use of skill books could also help you get over the line in some areas too.

Fishing is by far and away the best source of income with a high chance of gaining the 1250 cost 'Hook' Relic.

In addition if you raise our reputation with a settlement it also raises the amount of money they pay you when you sell items to their traders. I *think* it equates to cost parentage relative to rep score. ie if rep is 75 they give you 75% the cost of item back.

I went for Picnic as there are a number of quests you can do relatively early to raise your rep and directed all 'stranger' encounters there.

[Iñigo Montoya]

Originally posted by fstsrm:

If you switch to your companions they can use their skills to upgrade your weapons. Liberal use of skill books could also help you get over the line in some areas too.

Fishing is by far and away the best source of income with a high chance of gaining the 1250 cost 'Hook' Relic.

In addition if you raise our reputation with a settlement it also raises the amount of money they pay you when you sell items to their traders. I *think* it equates to cost parentage relative to rep score. ie if rep is 75 they give you 75% the cost of item back.

I went for Picnic as there are a number of quests you can do relatively early to raise your rep and directed all 'stranger' encounters there.

Thanks for the reply. Never came across fishing in the game after well over 100 hours of playtime.

As for reputation with factions I found it a very poorly implemented system, practically a forgotten afterthought. Picnic was up to 75 early after doing all the available sidequests. Other factions whose sidequests I completely entirely had 25 or less reputation.

Overall, very strong game in the first act that falls apart hard after that.

[fstsrm]

Fishing is only able to be done in the 'Desert Lake Bank' location and is 8 squares directly south of the 'Maelstrom Observation Camp' location.

You'll need some 'meat' food item, cooked or uncooked, to act as bait.

Step 1: Prepare food using a 'bucket' interactable item.
Step 2: Bait the 'fishing rod' interactable item.
Step 3: Wait an hour before interacting with the rod again.
Step 4: Interact with rod to get reward.
Step 5: Profit

There's a book in the onsite shack which will give advice as to what times are best to fish at but i find 22:00 through to 10:00 gives me the best results.