BenS
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Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Glad to. I'm 15th level, and w/ Zavor's Band and the Guardian Cloak, this is my stat allocation so far (not including another +2 Mechanics for wearing the Tinker's Gloves): Strength 10 Agility 6 Intellect 4 Essence Mastery 4 Endurance 7 Melee Weapons 9 Missile Weapons 9 Quick Action 8 Evasion 7 As for Magic, my weak spot, it goes Battle 1, Mental 1, Blessing 2, Spellcraft 3. As for Shaping, which sort of feels like a weak spot, it's Fire 1, Battle 2, Magic 3, Healing Craft 3. Leadership is 8, Mechanics is 11, and Stealth is 1. I roll w/ a Charged Artila & Energized (?) Vlish; acid is always helpful, and punching a vulnerable foe is quite satisfying 😉 Anyway, as to your original inquiry, I'm not sure how to answer it b/c the damage range is invisible to me. If you've read the thread, it seems like 1-2 charges is equivalent to a Steel Sword, but w/ the added benefit of potential Stuns. Though I could do 150+ easily w/ only 2 charges against certain foes. As to your build, you still might be better off than I am if you get a lot of 2nd attacks due to that high Melee Weapons stat. I'm more dependent on Haste or sometimes QA. And the weapon skills are cheaper to level up than personal stats like Strength. I feel like I need to play another game w/ a Guardian and pump Strength more, while keeping a lower Melee Weapons stat. But I'm having fun and doing well on my Veteran run, and that's what it's all about. It could be that our 2 builds are comparable at the end of the day, which would be good design on Jeff's part. -
I believe each of the 4 pools works only once, so you'd want to focus the 4 charge-ups on either the FSG or Helix Bracer, depending on your build. I just got a 3rd charge on my beloved FSG, and paid closer attention to the text. It says its discharged (the pool's energies), so you can't re-use it, sadly.
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Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Yes, I'll report back if Jeff responds to my email, but for the life of me I cannot explain why I get the defensive buffs from Tek's Spectral Dirk but not the (inferior thankfully) Shielding Knife. As far as offensive output, it's definitely the FSG all the way (b/c I still manage to stun foes, and w/ a 3rd charge from a pool now, I can hit for over 200 points of damage sometimes. Presumably critical hits against foes w/ no armor reduction). -
They're in the far east part of the dungeon. Can't remember how far up or down...maybe central area?
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Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Hmm. Now I've discovered something that I can't figure out is by design or not. I'm wearing the FSG as well as wielding the fully-charged Purifying Blade. I wanted to do some damage output and compare them (2 upgrades for the FSG so far). I made the assumption that if you're wielding a melee weapon, your attacks would generate from that and NOT the FSG--that it would only proc from being bare-handed, as it were. Yet, that appears not to be true, as the sound of the attack w/ the P. Blade is the "slapping" sound of the FSG; and I occasionally stun my foes for good measure. I can see pros and cons to what I think is happening. Which is that as long as you're wearing the FSG, melee attacks proc from that regardless of what melee weapon you are wielding in that slot. Pros: if the game disregards the attack option of the melee weapon, I might as well put something there that benefits me defensively. For example, I just got a Shielding Knife in the Patrolled Dell. Cons: I can't use a potentially higher damage attack from a sword that might be better than the FSG at the time, unless I remove the FSG and put something else in that slot for the time being; perhaps until more fully charged, it achieves parity w/ the sword. Also, arguably if the FSG will never catch up in damage output w/ the best sword(s), you've likely wasted the 4 charging pools on it instead of the Helix Bracer, regardless of the fact you're running a Guardian, and would assume the FSG was "the" artifact to build up. If that's the case, it's a strange design choice. I'll wield the Shielding Knife and check the damage output etc. to see if I'm correct, and report back. EDIT: Just tested this. The damage continues to come from the equipped FSG glove, ignoring any potentially better damage from an equipped melee weapon. Sadly, the FSG blocks not only any offensive damage output from, say, a sword, it also confers no defensive benefits--proved when my armor stayed at 57% regardless of whether I was wielding the Purifying Blade or the Shielding Knife. The only possible exception might be a melee weapon that gives stat increases, which I suppose my stat sheet would reflect. I suppose I'll look for one of those next. What's odd about this is that it seems like the description of the FSG is telling you to attack unarmed, but in truth it ignores whatever melee weapon you wield anyway. At least in terms of raw damage output or Shielding Knife-type benefits. So, my "Pro" above has disappeared. Ah well, I'm still enjoying pummeling my foes like the Hulk. EDIT 2: I just got Tek's Spectral Dirk, and unlike the Shielding Knife, this does confer all those great defensive buffs, while also seemingly doing FSG damage. I say that b/c the damage output of the Dirk isn't that great, and even w/ Melee Weapons 8, it seems like I'm still doing FSG damage (and I believe most of the time I still hear the "slap" sound effect). I can't figure out what's going on, so I'll try and email Jeff for some clarification. -
Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
For those interested in the FSG run, the vulnerability that a Vlish can add to a foe before I smack it down is quite nice! -
Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Of course, now I remember (from the Avernum games)! Not sure why I didn't make the association. Kudos to Jeff for adding this item to the game. -
Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Thank you for that. I guessed wrong on your build, as you did not in fact go w/ Strength over Melee Weapons once you got the FSG. Looks like you have a build that fires off tons of thorns and is hard to hit by enemies in turn. I am still curious what a high STR build w/ the FSG will do, and I might pursue it just to find out, while not neglecting Missile Weapons either. Sadly there's no retraining in the game short of a cheat code, as I'd modify my skill load out at this point, but I don't want to take the chance that it (like most of the codes) will ruin my achievement pursuits. The original 3 Exile games are the only SW games I've not played, so I did not get that reference! -
Need advice on Feisty Slap Glove (LOL) Guardian
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Hmm, so I was slightly wrong about 1 charge vs 2 vis a vis the steel sword output. Maybe I rolled high on some rolls in that hilarious slugfest w/ the Betas. Can I ask whether you did indeed put aside Melee Weapons in favor of raising Strength? I see you've favored Missile Weapons. What are your current stats for Strength, Melee W-s & Missile W-s in your endgame build (which might be tilted in some way for a Torment run I guess)? W/out gear, at 10th level, I have 4, 7 and 6 respectively (currently 5, 7 and 7 w/ gear). You might remember from the melee vs missile guardian thread I was going to try getting Melee & Missile W-s to comparable levels (8) before committing to 1. I wanted to make sure I could handle Reaper Batons and the best melee weapons. I suppose it's a bit foolish to keep those 2 stats roughly evenly distributed; especially now that I have the FSG and can leave Melee W-s alone. In fact, had I known ahead of time about the FSG, I might have prioritized Missile W-s and Strength and been better off. Ah well, I can always do a later Guardian run too. I didn't understand "with the benefit of scum". -
Alright, last game was Shaper + Helix Bracer all the way. This 2nd game is Guardian + Feisty Slap Glove. I just started using it @ 10th level; upgraded once. (I can't handle those damn clawbugs guarding the 2nd upgrade pool yet.) It seems damage-wise about equivalent to my Steel Sword, but w/ the added benefit of sometimes stunning my foes. I think for damage purposes anyway, the (fully charged) Purifying Blade & Guardian Claymore are the best melee weapons. Has anyone figured out how the Feisty Slap Glove compares to those 2 weapons? My guess is less damage but that could be offset w/ the stun chances. If they're comparable builds, I might leave aside Melee Weapons (currently @ 7) increases and start pumping Strength, as the Glove builds off of that. Though that takes more skill points. I guess I'd keep my best melee weapon around if facing stun-resistant foes; easy to swap out. What might have sold me on this Glove was a fight in the Kazg Ruins, where I got cornered by 3 Battle Betas and started slugging it out, w/ small support from 2 Roamers. Thanks to QA (6 points) & Evasion (5 points), I won that fight. Hilarious and inspiring at the same time. As I've been struggling w/ a Veteran run, that was a good morale boost. I'd love to shatter a pylon w/ the FSG, but only for a laugh, as the explosion makes that a poor strategy. Anyway, for those of you who've either crunched the (invisible to me) numbers or tried this build, let me know what you think. Thanks.
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GF1-M - Atlas to Quests and Items [Massive Spoilers]
BenS replied to Randomizer's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
I didn't meet Benttooth until my current, 2nd game, not realizing these creatures above didn't always appear when you show up to their lairs. Benttooth was kind enough to drop a unique item. Do all of these 7 special creatures do the same? -
It should open a locked...door(?) nearby, I believe.
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Starting Skills, Bonus Skills, and Stat Formulas
BenS replied to Mechalibur's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Does Endurance only enhance hit points, as the tool tip would indicate, or does it help w/ resistances too? Or is that only from gear and whatever Mental resistance you begin w/ as a shaper of some kind? I'm early on in a Guardian play through, which is why I'm curious; I ignored it as a Shaper. -
I tried to get into the temple by "doing the ritual" as it were, but even touching the 8 total pylons in the correct order (found in the hint manual), I was "rejected" by the final pylon there in the temple. I can brute force my way in I suppose but wondering why the ritual failed? Granted I had (of course!) touched the pylons out of order originally as I came upon them, but thought I'd clear the slate w/ a run in the correct order, all at once. I noticed there was no interaction possible w/ the 4th (Junkyard) & 5th (Western Wastes) pylons; and I'm talking about the ones the map picks out as special, in case there are others there. Very strange.
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Ok, thank you very much, Mechalibur & Randomizer. I'll finish my Shaper/Normal run today, and then will start a Guardian/Normal or Veteran run soon afterwards (3rd game will be Agent). I'm edging towards a slight preference of Missile over Melee just b/c, w/ fewer creations, ranged attacks will be extra important to me. But there are of course plenty of times when something's in my face and I need to whack it; not to mention some great melee weapons. And I should be equally strong as a Shaper in magic skills. As for Reapers, yes, pylons are a particularly annoying opponent and I'd save those for special occasions like them & bosses.
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Anyone try a Guardian w/ 8 Missile W-s (to use the Reaper baton and all the others) but also at least 8 Melee W-s for up close and personal combat? Combined w/ whatever Strength & magic (probably 3 points in each school) + leadership & mechanics, of course? Or is that spread too thin (probably just a Normal run)??
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That's...too bad, as that ring is great. I don't know if that's intentional or a bug, but I'll make sure to battle it out for my next 2 play throughs. Thanks for the heads up.
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Well now I feel foolish for not trying to split stack (shift click); I don't think it was mentioned in the instruction manual is my (poor) excuse. As for the warehouse idea, yeah, I use the eastern edge of Pentil for that near the merchants. But I would still dearly love the ability to selectively sell items in the junk bag! Sometimes you want to have some backup items against particular enemies, and the backpack gets full so quickly and easily. Oh, funny...I'm a garrulous glaahk here 😁
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I'm loving this remake, but in the spirit of constructive criticism (and this thread), there are 2 quality-of-life things I'm missing: first and foremost, the inability to be able to cherry pick what I want to sell from my junk bag. My inventory is so relatively small I use the junk bag for extra storage, but can't sell the stuff in it w/out manually removing what I want to save for later. Very time-consuming & tedious. Less important but it was in other games...the ability to split stacks. I can't move and wield a massive amount of javelins, but if I could split the stack, I could manage just fine.
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I'm curious too. My pack is always pretty much full, so I want to make sure I'm keeping only the best items in it.
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Not a bug: canister didn't work on my Shaper (minor spoiler)
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Sounds like good enough confirmation for me, thanks. One thing related to this I found odd was that my Agility didn't move from 3 (I had mistakenly thought it was base 2 for Shaper) to 4 until sometime after the fact. I think I'll start looking at stats immediately after using canisters that raise them, to see if this kind of lag happens again. -
Not a bug: canister didn't work on my Shaper (minor spoiler)
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
I could have sworn the canister name, where you choose whether to use it or not, was actually Missile Weapons. But I don't have a save close to that point, so I can't prove it. I'll remember to double-check for my 2nd game, likely a few weeks away. Thanks. -
Not a bug: canister didn't work on my Shaper (minor spoiler)
BenS replied to BenS's topic in Geneforge 1 - Mutagen
Interesting. Assuming my Shaper started w/ Agility 2, he now has 3. But now I believe the problem is that the game still told me the canister was Missile Weapons; likely a holdover text from the original game. I'll report that elsewhere. Thanks much. -
Unless there's a hidden mechanism I am unaware of (say, you can only use so many # of canisters per level), there is a bug w/ the Missile Weapons canister in the Ruined School, as I used it but did not see any change to Missile Weapons (which remained at zero) when I looked at my character screen shortly thereafter. This was last night, and I checked my character's stats this morning as well, just in case there was some weird lag; still shows zero points in Missile Weapons. The other 2 canisters in there not only worked, but are reflected in my character screen.
