Randomizer

The only one I opened was under Almaria in the northwest corner to below the vintner west of Camp Samuels. It's only helpful as a shortcut going east to visit the Vahnatai in the Sulphorous Flats to fulfill Houghton's first mission.

He moves around, so check out the entire north field area.

I miss from the earlier Avernum games where monster NPCs would pick up and use items. Doors are just something else that has been removed to simplify the engine.

Sounds good so far. Since hack-and-slash in Geneforge seems to mean kill it first before you die, it might be better. Talking can be fun if it involves some thought instead of trying to push towards a side for benefits.

Protection from weapons is usually only for melee attacks.

I want a cannister of Raid to get rid of the Giant Intelligent Talking Roaches. Especially the ones that think I'm cute. A servile as a starting character would normally be a warrior (guardian), but there were some implications that serviles could use cannisters under certain circumstances. So it might be possible for them to acquire spells (agent) and maybe some shaper powers by maybe using existing equipment. After all the Takers in Geneforge 1 were using the vats to get creations.

There must be some people who take the time to e-mail Jeff. I assume most of the people that don't like the game don't write to him or have already expressed their opinions on these forums. A4 still beats Geneforge 1. I expect the combat engine will get better in the later games, but it's too easy to die in Geneforge compared to Avernum or Exile. Geneforge does have a more open ended plot. A4 forces you along the way with very few options.

You have to approach combat differently. There is no more running up to engage monsters unless they are close enough to hit in the same round. Let the monsters waste actions coming after you. Missle weapons work better than in Exile. Spellcasters are more powerful initially even wihout area effects. In Avernum 1 it's possible to start with lightning spray by customizing a natural mage with a high enough mage spell level. Just keep checking the spells known list. It takes awhile to get use to the differences between Avernum system and Exile. After a few hours and different encounters you will develope your own style. Since monsters in dungeons aren't replaced, just go in kill a few and leave. The treasure sits on the floor waiting to be picked up later. All you have to watch for are random encounters in the wilderness and you can avoid them or race to town to recharge.

There is the remote possibility that Geneforge is the far distant future of Avernum. The Vahnatai have started in Avernum 3 with creating life to form the monsters they inflicted on the Empire. They are shaping life in addition to minerals (crystals). Although this is a stretch.

post 300 Click on the plants to open the path and the statue to move them. Garzhad is usually the last battle of the game not because he is so hard, but you have to fight his minions. The Exile version was harder than Avernum in my opinion.

If you want a decent weapon from early in the game, the ghostly blade from the Mertis Spiral when you slay the keeper at the bottom. Decent damage and the jinx to curse monsters, although less than the oozing blade in the Honeycomb, and it has defensive bonuses. Demonslayer in the Scree Caves is the next step up in power from the ghostly blade.

If you want a decent weapon from early in the game, the ghostly blade from the Mertis Spiral when you slay the keeper at the bottom. Decent damage and the jinx to curse monsters, although less than the oozing blade in the Honeycomb, and it has defensive bonuses. Demonslayer in the Scree Caves is the next step up in power from the ghostly blade.

None of the shades are hard to kill for a party of 4. For a singleton it comes down to positioning your character so you don't get swarmed by created monsters. I found I needed to summon monsters as a wall to give me time to divine retribution the shade's monsters to oblivion.

I think I saw Jeff say that there were no plans for Blades of Geneforge. Not starting off as a Shaper (creating monsters) would be okay. The ability could always come later. Especially since Jeff made servile as an option.

Jeff will probably transfer some from A4 since it will reduce the work in graphics. After all the replacements over the years in the Avernum games, I bet we'll lose some old spells.

Exile 1 is the oldest and you probably will hate having only a few slots to store items. Exile 2 has the best plot, better graphics, and a better game engine. Exile 3 is the surface, but you now have a weight limitation. Blades of Exile depends upon the scenario. The graphics aren't that bad and the plots are good. It depends upon what you like.

In X's upstairs area, one door opens with the second key as a reward for killing the demon. The other doors don't have anything of value behind them. There is a mention in a very early thread about unlock and tool use. It is possible but not in ordinary game play.

There are plenty of wisdom crystals in the Great Cave. There will be no problem getting tool use and mage spells high enough. You don't need tool use above 12 in the demo section and even later on in the game. You only need TU 16 for the end. I wrote a spoiler listing wisdom crystals if you wonder when you will get them.

My divine touch elite warrior nephil archer used razordisks on Nodicuas. I save the remaining razordisks, fine razordisks, and fine lances for a long time before I decided to just sell them. They do great damage, but the weight sucks and it's easier with bows. No keeping track of ammo even for less damage.

My divine touch elite warrior nephil archer used razordisks on Nodicuas. I save the remaining razordisks, fine razordisks, and fine lances for a long time before I decided to just sell them. They do great damage, but the weight sucks and it's easier with bows. No keeping track of ammo even for less damage.

The vahnatai, who I can't remember the name of either, is the one grumbling around the kitchen area about having records of everything. You can ask him about Borgia Toadstools only after getting the quest.

The highest level spells are at the end in Bargha in the Abyss. I listed the spellbooks in another thread. Spellbooks and training for spells are interchangeable so don't wait. They can be learned at any time and in any order. Certain spells like Augmentation, Enduring Shield, etc. don't increase with learning more levels and the duration rarely is a factor. Gymnastics has one level as a reward in the Giant Lands past the Abyss. The only skills to buy before training are Nature Lore, Arcane Lore and First Aid (wait until Cotra). Fort Dranlon gives an extra level in Nature Lore and First Aid as quest rewards (don't get reward before buying 2 levels - I lost a level that way). There is a thread listing the cheapest places to buy skills. That list will give you the best indication on when to buy skills. Money for training and spells is tight until the Great Cave. Luck and Endurance are given as quest rewards without being affected by earlier training. The wishing well in the Great Cave gives a special for 50 coins.

Quote: Hypothetically, do the words "burn in hell" break the CoC? Technically they might, but if you apply an FCC type interpretation then in would depend upon context. Quote: From the CoC: + Using vulgarity and/or obscenities in any language (whether it's in the open, masked, or abbreviated) I guess it's up to the mods, or as their now called protectors.

Spire is easier to destroy than Bargha. You can get through the monsters and traps if you don't want to kill either one. Since Spire is allied with the Darkside Loyalists it might help your decision.

You're not that far along that you can restart and catch up quickly. Having a thief that isn't a mage isn't helpful in A4. The unlock spell and mage skills combine to get you through locked doors and chest with difficulties over 20. The skill points could have been used elsewhere. Otherwise your party is fine. I prefer to start with two spellcasters that have both priest and mage spells. The duplication means more attacks and/or healing as needed. There are a few threads covering party formation.