Micawber

I envy you, playing this game for the first time! The backstory is fascinating and there is some brilliant writing. G1 in particular is very atmospheric. From a gameplay perspective, some of the encounters are a bit tough, especially for a first time player. But, playing as a Shaper class character is a good idea, make sure you get plenty of intelligence so you can increase the size of your army Also mechanics and leadership can help you to avoid difficult situations. Good luck!

"Looks like" a spider? For a considerable period, for the purposes of computer games, that was a spider. Once upon a time all we had was (n)curses. And it was up hill both ways. Kids these days

I've always enjoyed the Battle at the Ornotha Ziggurat.

The Geneforge Saga has a steeper learning curve than the other games, but once you become familiar with the way to build a successful character, it is extremely good fun to play. I really don't agree there is ANY skill that is important to all character classes. Depending on the class you pick, you can play a completely different game emphasizing Melee, Magic or Shaping. Specialization is important, if you spread your skillpoints around you get a very weak character. Whereas, if you concentrate your skillpoints, you become lethal, examples are an agent with 20+ in spellcraft, a guardian with 20+ in strength or a shaper with 20+ in intelligence. (Some of this may come from items.) A Shaper (Lifecrafter) should emphasize intelligence, and buy some healing craft and shaping skills. Don't invest in offensive magic, a Shaper doesn't need fancy spells when they can have a wingbolt army . Go for maximum party size (more creations the better) and upgrade creation types when you get access to a new creation that has a higher starting level. Keep all the healing-boosting items and items that boost your creations (sharing belt, etc). An Agent (Infiltrator) should emphasize spellcraft and buy plenty of intelligence. You need to be good at all spells (hence spellcraft) and especially mental magic, strong daze often keeps you alive. Don't rush into a fight, pick off enemies from a distance. Keep all the AP-boosting and spellcraft-boosting items. The Guardian (Warrior) wants lots of strength and endurance and of course combat skills (especially quick action). Some creations are a help at low levels, but by the mid-game it's too much hassle keeping them alive, you are better off using hit and run tactics. Don't buy magic beyond the very basic blessing/healing spells. Keep any item that boosts AP or strength or melee, keep all pods, rods and spores.

Hmm, higher level cap. I'm sure Jeff will still want to ensure players have to make a choice of abilities and don't have enough skill points to train in everything. I wonder if that will be done through adding a new tier to the skill tree, or allowing extra levels of the existing abilities (adding a new upgrade level at 9/10?).

Cool Avatar, Nikki

He had to do something to fill up the outdoors.

It's not even a challenge in Geneforge 5, because canisters are optional, the game was designed so you don't have to use them. But in Geneforge 1, canisters are the only way you can gain your abilities, so playing G1 without using canisters is very, very difficult.

In addition to the pros/cons mentioned above, A:EftP actually does fix a couple of annoyances from A1 (the missing quest log, the few monsters who used to be able to attack through walls). Unfortunately at the same time it introduces new annoyances (characters constantly being immobilized, combat across different levels of elevation is broken). Some other problems from earlier games are still around (F10 key doesn't work again, a few trainable skills are worthless). But none of these things is big enough to stop the game from being enjoyable. Alorael is right. If you want to play A1, play A1. If you have been playing A1-3 for the past decade and want to experience a new engine, play A:EftP.

Before, or after, you tell the Scimitar?

No, you definitely have them mixed up. Vahkohs is the vampire in the mountains in Karnold Province. Zkal is the lich on Maddock Island, south of Gale. His tower has all those traps, and your spell points are drained, but it's where you get the ring of magery.

If you are in Crypt of Drath, you will find Level 3 dispel barrier to be a disappointment

I knew she would do it eventually.

Not sure how viable dodge strategy is really. If you rely on dodge with so little health, there's no backup, so it's quite risky. When I played a Warrior, I pumped strength, melee & endurance. Your attacks are lethal, but you have loads of health to survive the swarms. I also ignored creations; better leave the shaping to the chars with more essence, personally I think those skill points are better spent on blessing magic (just the first few spells). There are lots of recruitable NPCs in this game, so playing a singleton doesn't necessarily mean you're on your own.

Most likely it is a system specific issue. (Video card, interaction with other programs, etc). In general, these games do work (e.g. my own PC is also running Windows 7 64 bit with latest nvidia graphics driver, and these games run fine for me). The general advice given in the tech support header still applies. Some people have seen improvement by changing the 3D settings in the graphics driver. Some people have also reported issues specific to the Steam version. Try getting the non-Steam demo from the spiderweb website. If that runs ok, it might be worth contact spiderweb to see if you get a registration key.

Well, that was unexpectedly tasteful.

Did you read the sign and talk to the goblins? There's a clue in there

Does anyone else remember this map? I downloaded it years ago and now I can't remember who made it, which makes me sad.

See the min-max thread. http://www.spiderwebforums.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=264048

Level 3 of Haste is mind-bogglingly good. Level 3 is also worthwhile for the Cloak of X and Ward of Y spells, according to the analysis posted earlier by Slarty. An extra 10% bonus to damage/healing is pretty handy, after all, skill points are limited. However for many of the spells, I did find the bonus 'extra' effect at level 3 underwhelming or pointless. The summoning spells are a good example. There are way too many spells that give War Curse as a supposed bonus. Spine shield with War Blessing. Not sure what level 3 of Return Life even does.

Originally Posted By: TriRodent make room for some new people to name schools after.... There are no schools.

Originally Posted By: Caribou16 Solution: Mage spell "Walk on water" We used to have that spell, but it was called Flight. And we used to be able to cast webs, create magic barriers, recharge wands, etc... Really the current small selection of spells is getting rather tired. I wonder whether the A2 remake will still have Capture Soul & Simalcrum?

If I remember correctly they used to be hosted on ermarian. I do have copies of all the dump files, in case Slarty can't provide them.

You should hit u in every room as a matter of policy. Avernum is riddled with secret passages.

Originally Posted By: HOUSE of S Huge bug! Wow. EDIT: I emailed Jeff to inform him of the bug. We'll see what he says. If it's a bug, there's no way I'm going to download any patches