EvaUnit02 on 24/12/2008 at 10:32
Do these games have a similar high standard of writing as featured in Bloodlines; complete with fleshed out NPCs, whom have unique personalities?
Also will my D&D3 knowledge learnt from Bioware titles translate seamlessly to ToEE?
Cheers.
Koki on 24/12/2008 at 12:01
They both have good writing. As for NPCs, Arcanum has few interesting ones while ToEE doesn't have any at all.
And ToEE is 3.5 so... yeah.
Thirith on 24/12/2008 at 12:29
I like Arcanum's writing a lot, but I do think there are quite a few design flaws in the game, especially when it comes to UI, party management and combat. It's one of the games where I ended up modding my characters so I could concentrate on the bits that I enjoyed (roleplaying, dialogues etc.) and pretty much breeze through the bits I didn't like.
Phatose on 24/12/2008 at 16:12
Arcanum does have design flaws...though, why you'd mod combat I'm not sure, as it's ease once you knew what you were doing is one of the flaws.
ToEE...never got far in. It is hard. Mercilessly hard.
Koki on 24/12/2008 at 16:21
I don't know what's wrong with UI either. You have ten quick slots!
EvaUnit02 on 25/12/2008 at 13:59
Thanks Koki, Our Man in Krakow.
RavynousHunter on 25/12/2008 at 14:12
ToEE is alright if you get it all patched up and apply the Circle of Eight mod. I do agree that it can be mercilessly hard in some cases, but if you play your cards (or dice) right, it can be much easier.
If you do look into ToEE I'd suggest this as a party lineup:
* Heavy Melee: Either Fighter or Barbarian (Paladin works OK, as well)
* Damaging Mage: Sorcerer or Wizard who specializes in Evocation
* Healer: Cleric with Healing and/or Protection domains
* Ranger: Take the Ranged Combat specialty and give Weapon Focus (Longbow) for a better starting weapon
* Other: Preferably either a Cleric, Paladin, or Ranger with Two-Weapon fighting style
For the melee fighter(s), I'd suggest starting them with either Weapon Focus (Greatsword) or Weapon Focus (Greataxe), so as to give them decent starting weapons which deal very good damage. Also, start them on the Cleave feat line as early as possible, as this can aid when killing massive amounts of foes; which you will encounter frequently.
Just remember to get as high a starting Constitution as you can (preferably in the 16-18 range), you will need it. Other than that, give your melee specialist and ranger good Dexterity scores to improve AC, initiative, and attack rolls. Remember to give at least two of your characters a few points in Heal, it will be an invaluable tool should one of your party members fall in combat.
