Avernum: Escape from the Pit - Strategy Central (**NEED HELP? LOOK HERE FIRST**)

[Alorael at Large]

Maps and Guides

Avernum: Escape from the Pit Hints

What Do I Do Next?

 

Analysis

In-Depth Analysis of Tactics, Party Needs, Stats, Skills, Traits, Spells

Stats and Abilities

Cost-benefit Analysis of Cave Lore

Damage Boosts from Cloak Spells

 

What and Where

Synergizer's Item List for Avernum

Nlambert's Quest / Item List

Items to keep for quests

Level 3 spell locations

Quests that affect reputation

Spell and ability trainers

List of Potion Makers and Recipes

Armor

Weapons

Cache locations and contents

Gremlin's Gold Maps

 

Builds

How to Avoid Sucking at Avernum

RaustBlackDragon's guide to fun party building

The Rev's Anama-style Torment build

No-magic build / tactics

 

Miscellaneous

Saved Games Location

List of Cheat Codes

Assorted Mods

Help for Image-cropping Issues on Steam

 

—Alorael, who welcomes any contributions in the way of strategy, tactics, maps, builds, advice, tips, and color commentary.

[ĐªгŦĦ Єяŋϊε]

the builds link goes to the items link

[Clocknova]

Could someone post the list of cheat codes here as well?

[Death Knight]

I dont want to nag anyone, but if some of you guys that happened to beat the game on the crazy difficulties (anyone but me), could you post your success on the different builds that are out there. Im not brave enough for torment but i would like to try hard.

 

I find that with the new trait system there are quite a few different types of characters to make. Just a few are off the top of my head that i would like to find more about on the higher difficulties-

 

Melee Tank-Hardiness/Pole or melee/parry or dualwield or lethal blow. This would be a typical brute build that either goes with dual wielding or lethal blow depending on preference. Hardiness is a must as is parry. Quick action is good but not as much as the 2nd build.

 

Melee Swashbuckler-This type is the complete opposite. Instead of strength, dex and endurance. Not that much a difference. Quick action/blademaster, some parry and hardiness and mostlikely dualwielding or lethal blow. I would say that this would be a neat combo build as quick action helps reduce the medium/low disciplines to nearly 1 fatigue at high levels.

 

I havent played ranged so far as i wanted to try melee (i played ranged in avadon).

[MMXPERT-seraph of thermodynamics]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Averdon

[Superba]

My playthrough is completely stucked because the party can't get higher dispel barrier levels. I read here that this ca be improved in Koth liar, but what Koth looks for in exchange of his ward ritual is behind a barrier which the party can't take down. I surely miss something about dispel barriers, otherwise Catch 22 would come to my mind...

[Randomizer]

The thing Khoth wants is behind a piercing crystal level barrier. The few Empire soldiers guarding it are trivial as long as you don't charge into the room.

 

The spell book for level 3 Dispel Barrier is behind a series of hidden switch secret rooms that can be explored with TU 8.

[Superba]

I truly don't get the tips. 1) the ruined fort is where what Khoth wants it's supposed to be, isn't it? There's a small barrier and after the barrier a small portion of water. Can't take down the barrier 2) I miss the place/cave you mean for level 3 Dispel Barrier 3) what is TU8?

[Ceiling Durkheim]

TU8 = 8 Tool use (total for the party).

[Randomizer]

Originally Posted By: Superba

I truly don't get the tips. 1) the ruined fort is where what Khoth wants it's supposed to be, isn't it? There's a small barrier and after the barrier a small portion of water. Can't take down the barrier.

The Ruined Fort has clues about where the item has been moved, but you don't need to explore it. The place you want is the Strange Cave over the chasm south of the Giant Castle.

[Superba]

Yes, thanks, I got the Dispel Barriers spell, as in the Ruined fort I already have been there but I did'nt see last switch in Khoth liar and unfortunately ignored the ghost in Ruined Fort. Hunt can go on now

[Superba]

I was too optimistic about going on. Found no Strange Cave south of Giant Castle. Maybe north there's a strange cave meaning it has something to do with strange cloaks (vanhatai) but can't dispel barrier. I also passed Sulfras, entered the "exit" but I have only half password. Have the five brooch but lacks something I can't remember. For each main quest, big demon boss included, there's something missing I can't find: really, I'm stucked.

[Status Crow]

The Strange Cave is over the chasm south of the Giant Castle, as Randomizer says. It is PAST THE CHASM so you need the Orb of Thralni to get there.

[Superba]

I suspected so. I got the Orb minutes ago but it comes with no manual. That's a main problem to me.

 

All right, all right, found it, I expected more complications to switch it

[Status Crow]

As it turns out, my Pyrog/Drath post had a major goof: it's only reading Drath's tome that interrupts the quest sequences, and that only blocks Thantria's final quest. Whoops. I've removed it since it is now pretty pointless.

[HelgaMarie88]

May I ask how the cheat codes work? u need to bring up a game console or what? thnx

[Jerakeen]

Hold down the Shift key and press d. The dialog box that pops up is the cheat console.

[Superba]

I'd like to update to version 1.01 so I downloaded the file from Spiderweb Software Homepage - News - Avernum: Escape from the Pit Update.

However, before installation I noticed file's name is "AvernumDemo". I purchased the game and obviously wouldn't like to risk to downgrade it.

Is it all right installing this file or I got the wrong one?

[Kreador]

It is the correct file. Don't worry. The drag-and-drop installation does not change anything in the preferences files where your registration is stored.

[Superba]

Ok, thank you very much.

[Mill Wilkinson]

((I'll delete post if in wrong place.))

 

So, does this sound a viable group and would you have some input?

 

1. Melee shield+sword, protection tank.

2. dual-wield/2 handed (2 handed might be better for the lack of skill points needed) +bows dexterity fighter.

3. Priest with, mayhap, some Mage

4. Mage with, mayhap, some Priest

[Juan Carlo]

Is there a list of potion makers, their locations, and what they make?

 

I've looked but can't seem to find one, unless I'm just over looking something.

[Randomizer]

Potion makers are mostly buried in the Item List, but there is no separate list.

 

Fort Duvno, Tower of Magi, Patrick's Tower and Dharmon have them.

[Lilith]

I've taken the liberty of giving this thread an eye-catching and informative title, since we still frequently get questions posted that are answered by threads linked from here.

[CoarseDragon]

I did not see this posted in this thread.

 

This is the best site I have found for complete maps of Avernum: Escape from the Pit annotated maps

[Status Crow]

Those are not maps of Avernum: Escape from the Pit. Those are maps of Avernum 1, which A:EFTP remade. The maps are not the same.

[Earth]

cause those are old Avernum EFTP's maps not this AEFTP's maps, some changes between versions but mostly same.

[Status Crow]

Avernum 1 did NOT have the EFTP subtitle. There is no "old Avernum EFTP." Avernum EFTP is new, Avernum 1 is old.

[CoarseDragon]

The major areas on these maps look pretty much the same. So close in fact I did not even realize it was not current to Escape from the Pit (I'm only a few hours in). I see now that some areas have different items listed.

 

Well it may not be current but I found it helpful, so others might too.

[Status Crow]

The outdoor maps will be relatively similar, but the in-game world map provides a similar level of precision if you just need help with geography or navigation. The town and dungeon maps are going to be dramatically inaccurate in some cases. It might be nice to have a more detailed world map created and linked to from this thread, but linking to maps for another game will cause a lot of confusion.

[CoarseDragon]

Originally Posted By: HOUSE of S

The outdoor maps will be relatively similar, but the in-game world map provides a similar level of precision if you just need help with geography or navigation. The town and dungeon maps are going to be dramatically inaccurate in some cases. It might be nice to have a more detailed world map created and linked to from this thread, but linking to maps for another game will cause a lot of confusion.

You are right there. Feel free to remove that post if you wish.

[Catweasle]

For all who are looking for help, I have reworked my original hints pages for Avernum and have now nearly finished the walkthrough for AEP (Avernum: Escape from the Pit)

[demonslayer20001]

the maps site for Avernum: Escape from the Pit is down! does any one know this? site is back up seems server hickup

[Earth]

I don't think there are maps made for AEFTP yet.

[Dear Potato]

I'm glad to see so much activity in these forums I'm playing Avernum eftp right now and I've learned many useful things here.

 

I have a little doubt, though. The trait "Negotiator", as its explained here, implies that having 4 adds to the total %. Is that so or I just didn't understood it well?

 

Also, when I "buy" negotiator for one particular character, does that mean that only the character would benefit from the extra 10% when selling? (what I mean is: do I need to switch to that character to sell things with the extra 10%?)

 

Thank you! And I'm sorry if this is not the correct place to make such inquiries.

[Randomizer]

The Negotiator works for the entire party and the benefits increase with each party member that has it from +10% to +40% if they all have it.

 

Welcome to Spiderweb Software. Please leave your sanity at the door. Then you will be in the right place.

[Dear Potato]

Thanks, Randomizer! And for the welcome, too

 

I'm afraid I lost my sanity long ago. Maybe she's still adventuring out there with my common sense. So, I'm in the right place

[Superba]

I've been through Drath Chambers a lot of times, but this time I'm stucked. I put different objects in each chamber to know where the party is, only this time I forgot which is the trick to reach last chamber... someone here wrote you have to take only the eastern portal several times, but the tip doesn't work, after a while the party arrives always and only in one of the wrong chambers. Help!

[Randomizer]

Rooms and Portals

 

 

first portal room

-- north portal to second portal room

-- east portal to second portal room

-- west portal - back to room

-- hidden switch opens south - NW

 

second portal room

-- north portal to first portal in hidden switch room

-- east portal to third portal room

-- west portal - back to first room

-- hidden switch opens nothing - NE

 

third portal room

-- north portal to second portal room

-- east portal to fourth portal room

-- west portal - back to first portal room

-- hidden switch opens nothing - NE

 

fourth portal room

-- north portal to third portal room

-- east portal fourth portal room

-- west portal to second portal room

-- hidden switch opens south to new area - NE

 

[Superba]

Thanks, I tried it three times but didn't succeed. Still stucked. Isn't there any other way to find the way out?

[Randomizer]

It sounds like you are in the last portal room. Try the hidden switch.

[Superba]

Mmm... no, maybe there's something wrong with instructions, i.e. when text says the party is in a room with a hidden switch that opens nothing, the party is instead in a room with a secret switch that opens a passage that leads to a path that ends into water.

That is also the last room where they are when instructions end.

I usually have problems with directions, but I believe I paid much attention this fourth time and don't have an explanation for what happens.

[Dear Potato]

Hello again! I have another little doubt; hope anyone can answer me again

 

I have maxed out my "Spellcraft" skill with my main mage, but I found a helmet that increases it two points. Now, in the mage skill tab, despite being maxed out, the +2 benefit still seems to apply. Is this for real? Her spells don't seem to benefit at all (every one of them does the same amount of damage, having the helmet or not).

 

So, the passive benefits from equipment cannot help to surpass the skill limit? The skill part of this guide seems to imply that the +2 really works... but I'm confused since it doen't seem to reflect in the spell damage numbers.

 

Thanks!

[Lilith]

Yeah, extra points from equipment still give you a benefit even above a skill level of 10. You can also buy points from a trainer even after raising a skill to 10, and those extra points will apply too. The reason you're not seeing a clear difference is because 2 points of Spellcraft is a 4% difference in damage, which will be mostly overshadowed by random variation.

[Dear Potato]

I see. So, probably, that 4% is not worth wearing the helmet, anyway...

 

I always try to max the damage output for mages, and this helmet was a nice surprise

 

Thanks!

[Randomizer]

The helmet also provides great armor for a helmet.

[Dear Potato]

Yeah, it's true, but she wore a pretty decent helmet with 20% resistance for poison/acid. Since I'm using her as the front character, I look thoughtlessly to pump all resistances. When the resistances go dwon, I panic xD.

 

At the end I put the new helmet anyway. Better armor after all

[The Reverend]

I believe that the tooltip damage numbers for spells and weapons don't show the percentage bonus increases from things like spellcraft (for spells) and blademaster (for weapons). They should still add onto the final damage delivered, however. Given that that helment gives you nice armor as well (and poison/acid don't seem to be a hug problem in this game), I'd use the helmet - getting an extra 4% damage is better than not getting it ...

[Earth]

poison/acid attacks against party come quite meaningless after lvl ~20 and lightning attacks stay troublesome, character can get poisoned but damage will be very low and it lasts ~1 turn.

[Superba]

Fifth attempt and still stucked in Drath's chambers.