Beatrix

I'm in my 3rd game as an agent and I'm still following the advice of Alex(?) who wrote the fabulous creation list for G2. I put one point into battle shaping early on in order to make a thad or two and, later, add some points into strength and dexterity. What a fabulous creation for very, very little cost. I think the thad is underrated, in truth. Used this way, at higher levels he can inflict some serious damage on opponents. And, as Alex points out, by the time he's leveled up and you put some points in the above-mentioned stats, he's as good as a Battle Beta. But lots cheaper. I used to only use creations with ranged attacks before I read Alex's excellent analysis. Currently, my little army has two thads (lvl 26), two vlish (lvl 30) and one drayk (lvl 27) and Alwan. I'm lvl 34. These guys can kick some butt. Also underrated (IMO) is Alwan. His excellent blade inflicts some serious damage at higher levels. With mass energize, the whole crew is impressive (even though with the agent, they are significantly lower in level than they would be with a shaper) and difficult to beat. I agree with the other poster that glaaks aren't quite as good in G3... a disappointment, because they are terrific in G1 and G2. Another disappointment in G3 was the searing artilla. I recall them being really great in one of the games, but can't remember which one. I think they are so graceful and sleek. I love gazers ... but not sure I'll get one unless my crew starts having trouble. They are expensive for an agent. For some laughs, I like to lock myself in a room somewhere and send a vlish off to pillage. Something about the little thing floating around stealing everyone blind makes my day. (Don't care if it's cheating or not! It's fun!) If I had one favorite to pick as an agent, it would be a regular vlish (leveled up from the beginning)... as a shaper, the gazer.

I think what Jaid might have been getting at with blessing magic skills is the ability to cast essence shield and steelskin, which really help tremendously in deflecting blows to you and your creations. Cast these spells while you are standing at the essence pool across from the mind (they cost a lot of essence) and they will last until you leave the area. Ditto for augmentation, a healing craft spell, which signicantly boosts your party's health points. You may not have access to some of these spells yet. Btw, I was not able to beat these nasty golems until way higher than your level. I followed the advice in the walkthrough and did the last tests before leaving for Gull (?) Island. Level 30 or so, I think. By that time, I had higher levels blessing spells. Mass energize would be extremely valuable also (my favorite blessing spell). Also, as a loyalist, if you have Greta and Alwan with you ... this is important! ... do not go through the dock gates at the west end of Dhonal's Isle with Greta until you've done the tests. (She leaves after you open the door to get to the boat.) Her searer is very effective against these golems.

I consulted the hint books... it doesn't show it for G3, but it should be the same as G2. Shift+D, type "nomorecheats." The book indicates cheats will no longer work. To relaunch them (if you miss them!), you must then consult the tech support page on this website. I love "exitzone" myself, but I at least try not to use it in the heat of battle. Just cleared areas. (hee hee... still a cheat though, eh?)

Same thing happened to me first time I played... I just kept fiddling with levers. I think if you accidentally click a lever twice, it reverses itself, as in click (open), click again (close). Try to isolate which one might be it (or both?). Of course, I could be wrong about this. All I know is that when I clicked one, then the other ... trial and error ... it eventually opened. Btw, I don't think Litalia is dead yet. She magically disappears when she gets too wounded. Methinks you'll see her later.

Good point, mok. The higher the level, the less experience. I'm always disappointed when I fulfill a quest from a different island (like killing striped clawbug) and because I'm at too high a level by the time it's done, I get 1 exp. whoopee. Still, there is something to be said for exploiting bug -- early strength makes for an easier time when you need it.

Wow! Even better, Zeviz. Thanks.

I know this isn't quite the same as being able to minimize the game, but since you are on a PC, your keyboard should have a window key (has the windows logo on it) right between ctrl and alt keys on both sides of your keyboard. I use this one a lot when I flip back and forth between playing and reading the walkthrough. Beats saving and reloading the game.

Thanks to all who have weighed in on the subject of ettiquette. Arkadillo, I couldn't agree more with your feelings about corrections being a moderator's job and not members of the forum. Trina, I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks. If you wince and I wince just reading what is said to others, we can't be alone in this. Probably many people have fled this place because of this. As to post count, I don't give a flip, folks. And I do think it's disingenuous (and a putdown) to welcome someone to the forum who joined it more than a year and a half ago. I have visited here off and on, reading more than talking. Why? I find out what I need to know by the "search" option. You can play the "you're a newbie" game with me all you like. I'm obviously not. I have a life with other things to do, so I don't hang out here. But I'm not going to be relegated to some lowly status by people into titles and post counts and what not. Stand back for a minute, folks, and look at this. Silly. Trivial. These are games. They're fun. This is a forum to talk about all this fun we're having playing these games. It's not a place to act out power struggles. As Arkadillo said, it's the person, not the title or the perceived power that earns the respect. Trina, are you a writer? You should be.

Yes, Drakefyre! The questions are answered within hours and most responders are extremely helpful. It makes all the difference between my getting stuck and frustrated with the game and actually being able to play it and have fun. You are awesome. And Contra and others whose handles escape me at the moment are terrific. I also think you moderators out there do a great job. I know this because I read a heck of a lot on these boards -- way more reading than posting -- to see if I can find the answers first. The mods are obviously picked for a reason. Tact, judgment... even kindness. The anonymity the internet provides seems to spur people to do things they can't get away with IRL. One such thing is running around pointing out people's flaws and telling them how to behave. I'm seeing a lot about post count being a big thing. Okay, I get it now. It gives folks that funny title after their handles, right? Whoa. Pretty big deal, eh? Gee, I hope this post I'm writing right now promotes me. <snark>

Look, I just came here to have fun. If anything I did offended anyone, it wasn't intentional. I think that's obvious. I tried using the edit button the other day and it didn't work for some reason. Eh, well. This forum is not particularly well attended for a game that just came out on Windows not too long ago. Maybe the folks here jumping on people for innocent flubs isn't the best way to keep people here. Not everyone has great grammar or spelling or, like me, find the mechanics of posting to be easy. I've seen several people scolded here by just regular posters for silly infractions and it creates and unfriendly environment in a place that should be fun. I think there reaches a point where people should just let people be unless they're being rude or offensive. And let the forum moderators do their job. Oh, and I'm not sweetie or honey or baby or anything like that. You can call me Holly.

Oh, btw.... I did go back and finally get the Claymore! Yippie! I'm thrilled... didn't get the drayk canister, unfortunately... but I'll try next time.

I have put a lot of points into endurance and I do have a fyora (since the beginning). Maybe I should think about pumping up the parry and quick action and forget this missile guardian thing.

Walter, I posted this in another thread, so I'll try to be brief (so as not to spam!), but I discovered that Greta didn't dump me at all. I never boosted her intelligence beyond the initial two points. Ditto for the creations. I went back to guardian game and fetched Greta back with no problem. I play agent so much better. :-/

It may be that I'm simply not playing the Guardian correctly. So many rogues shoot bolts from a distance that I find I rely heavily on missile weapons -- not a match for many of the enemies. Greta was getting more bad guys than I was by far. Also, huge difference between the guardian and agent at Krya's refuge. Guardian couldn't last through second round of ghosts; agent toughed it out. HOWEVER.... I know of one mistake -- BIG -- that I made. Yesterday, I went into the guardian game (in progress still) and noticed how poorly I handled stats. I didn't boost up intelligence for Greta, Alwan or the two creations beyond the intial two points. No wonder each and every one of them fell under the specters' spells, turned on me and actually were the ones who killed me! I guess I should have been asking advice on how to play the guardian. I've always wanted to play him.

Which character are you playing? There are some good suggestions here by the posters -- particularly if you are an agent or shaper (sounds like you might be a shaper?). I've tried two different ones. With my guardian had the oddest experience. First, Greta tried to kill me before even going in the basement (guardian had so-so pro-shaper views -- not good enough to get training with Vandarin and had killed no unnecessary people or serviles). I think that's the earliest dumping by Greta I've heard of on these boards. Then downstairs with the ghosts... my word, I was shocked that my fyora, vlish and Alwan all fell under ghosts' spells. It was they who killed me every time. Didn't have spell energy/ability to counteract it. What to do? Wait until stronger, methinks. Sometimes that's the best tactic. My agent with Greta had a tough go of it, but my spells eventually overpowered them. The ghosts were worse than Krya for me.