Sweet, I got a PSALM team going now, and my team (particularly the Alchemist) is absolutely tearin' shit up.
Couple more questions now (of course, sorry).
First of all, my Survivalist and Landsknecht are not doing nearly the damage of my Alch. Will they catch up?
Also, right now my team is Survivalist, Protector and Landsknecht in the front row, Medic and Alchemist in the back. Should I swap my Survivalist and my Medic?
Also, I've been using abilities like mad. While they all have the TP to last, Volt every round, F. Guard every round, Cure if someone's low on health. I find myself having to rest a lot - is this standard? Should I pop TP Up a bit? They just leveled up, and I'm a little clueless on where the points should go next. I followed Xenogears' advice as far as skill placement - what next?
The S becomes the highest damage dealer in the game eventually, and the L is no slouch either. Plus, enemies have different weaknesses. Some won't take much damage from magic at all.
If you want to. I had only the L and P in front, and the rest in back the whole game. It all comes down to what works for you. For me, the M was too crucial a character to put in the front row.
It is absolutely valid to rest a lot and burn through the TP. But, you might find that it gets hard to explore like that. One tip: F guard is nice for FOEs and bosses (early on, anyway. later, defender is much better), but against random mobs it's usually better to just smack them with the P's sword instead. TP conservation is absolutely a bitch on the lower floors, so TP up for the magelikes is definitely handy. For the early game, though, you might be better suited towards increasing attack strength (+10% TP translates to like 5 extra at this point).
I'm running a LPSMA party and just took out my first FOE on B2F. I seem to be doing okay, except that I'm always short on TP. I think I need to check a skill chart and see which skills to pump to open up new ones, too, because my Protector and Survivalist are both lacking damage dealing skills.
Also: swords or axes for Landsharks? And whips or swords for DH? Or are both viable?
The S becomes the highest damage dealer in the game eventually, and the L is no slouch either. Plus, enemies have different weaknesses. Some won't take much damage from magic at all.
Actually, I'm pretty certain that Ronin outclasses Survivalists in pure damage output.
Also: swords or axes for Landsharks? And whips or swords for DH? Or are both viable?
Swords and Axes are both viable for Landsknechts. I prefer Whips with the Dark Hunter.
Oh man...just came down to the second level and ran into a FOE. My Alchemist got 3 shots off at around 50 each (enough to kill the monsters I've been facing twice over) and only got him around to half health, with my Protector confused and my other characters plinking away for 2-3 damage the entire time. That was awful.
Given the brick wall I've run into (I keep trying this Ragelope, he's just not going to go down easy, and I don't feel like grinding till he does) I'm now considering a different party built...either PDALM or PSDAM. What's the deal with the Dark Hunter? How's his damage, how useful are binds, is he good early/mid/lategame, just what's up.
I'd really like to try a PDATM, but I think that may be a bit wacky for a first run-through.
Oh man...just came down to the second level and ran into a FOE. My Alchemist got 3 shots off at around 50 each (enough to kill the monsters I've been facing twice over) and only got him around to half health, with my Protector confused and my other characters plinking away for 2-3 damage the entire time. That was awful.
Given the brick wall I've run into (I keep trying this Ragelope, he's just not going to go down easy, and I don't feel like grinding till he does) I'm now considering a different party built...either PDALM or PSDAM. What's the deal with the Dark Hunter? How's his damage, how useful are binds, is he good early/mid/lategame, just what's up.
I'd really like to try a PDATM, but I think that may be a bit wacky for a first run-through.
Dying to Ragelope seems to be par for course for people starting off. My advice would be, rather that trying a new party, just grind up before you try to take him on again. It is possible to completely avoid almost all the FOEs on B2F. Just watch their walking pattern and you can get by them to explore the rest of the level.
So, map out B2F as best you can without hitting the FOEs, maybe even go into B3F, and then you should be levelled up enough to take out Ragelope.
Yes, the reason you can see FOEs on your map is so that you can run away from them. When you can effortlessly wipe out regular enemies on the floor, only then should you consider taking on the FOEs.
That's BS though. B4 and B5's are easily within your limits at the time, and you can't do much on B12 to progress besides fight the FOEs. The fourth and fifth Stratums' are also fairly easy.
I recommend fighting one for a turn. If it insta-kills one of your party, you'll know not to tango with it for a while. Regular FOEs aren't that hard to run from, either.
Oh man...just came down to the second level and ran into a FOE. My Alchemist got 3 shots off at around 50 each (enough to kill the monsters I've been facing twice over) and only got him around to half health, with my Protector confused and my other characters plinking away for 2-3 damage the entire time. That was awful.
Given the brick wall I've run into (I keep trying this Ragelope, he's just not going to go down easy, and I don't feel like grinding till he does) I'm now considering a different party built...either PDALM or PSDAM. What's the deal with the Dark Hunter? How's his damage, how useful are binds, is he good early/mid/lategame, just what's up.
I'd really like to try a PDATM, but I think that may be a bit wacky for a first run-through.
Dying to Ragelope seems to be par for course for people starting off. My advice would be, rather that trying a new party, just grind up before you try to take him on again. It is possible to completely avoid almost all the FOEs on B2F. Just watch their walking pattern and you can get by them to explore the rest of the level.
So, map out B2F as best you can without hitting the FOEs, maybe even go into B3F, and then you should be levelled up enough to take out Ragelope.
Well I mean that's not the only reason I'm considering trying a new party...granted, it is a small part, as I feel I've made some less than wise decisions.
The main thing is that I'm going through with a PSALM, and I feel like I'm using the absolute standard party, which is a little boring. I mean, I have the melee damage, the tank, the healer, the caster and the bow chick. This is probably stupid justification for altoholism, but it just seems like I'm playing through this very straight-laced - no wacky classes like Dark Hunter (which I hear is useless at this level anyway) or Troubadour (ditto).
When I get the Ronin, would it make sense to retire my Alchemist and Landsknecht to make a Ronin and a Hexxer, or a Ronin and a Troubadour? I very much want both a Ronin and a Troubadour in my party at some point, and probably a Hexxer...
EDIT: Also, how easy is it to incorporate new members into the party? Does that level drag significantly hurt the effectiveness of the party, or do they catch up quick?
Depends on how deep you are. The further into the labyrinth, the more xp you earn per encounter, the faster your new recruit moves up into useful levels.
Additionally, fuck Stalkers. Also, how hard is the Fenrir?
It's pretty late in the game (BF20 I think?) and they don't seem too worth it in my opinion. But I don't want to take the time to level one up again, so I'm a little biased. :P
The only reason level 4 and 5 FOEs and onwards are easy is because you fucking min/maxers have Defender/Immunize by then.
I'm not bitter.
shank- there's a way to pull off any combo. What's being suggested is a good build for anyone to use.
I think the songs take too long. If you spend one turn to turn on the elemental damage song, then you can't do the L chaser until the next turn. that's two turns. I'm guessing that's why people don't mention it?
It's an option, but it takes a few extra rounds, whereas the elemental attacks can be launched straight off. It's not unheard of, it's just a more challenging option.
Got the game over the weekend... Just got to the healing spring on BF8 - not generally having trouble with anything I'm encountering at level 23ish. PTALM party, with an alchemist who maxed Venom before anything else. (Yeah, I'll likely rest her later - but a boosted Venom is godly against early FOEs. Venom it, put up Defender, Shelter, and maybe Immunize, and turtle with spammed salves until dead.)
Poison gets a bit of a bad rap. Yes, the large number of immune beasts sorta sucks - but the key is that it's totally passive. You can put everyone on defend and ride out a (cheap as hell) victory when you can land it on a boss. Fenrir was a total joke when I got to him. (With a level 10 Venom boosted, I've never had it not land on something that wasn't immune.)
Are Survivors really that good? I admit I probably never gave one a proper chance, but I've found them much more useful for mining and chopping than for fighting with. I'm seeing them referred to as one of the highest damage classes in the game though, so I'm intrigued.
I just know that because I've been having an easy time of it in recent floors that the game is about to blindside me and ruthlessly smack me down... *sigh*
(And Relaxing is absolutely awesome for doing a nearly full TP restore far from home...)
Well given that I ran out of money with 2 people left to revive, I think I'm going to start over anyway.
Make a survivalist with 3 chop. First floor walk up three? spaces then right to the wall, there should be a hidden passage there that leads right to a chop spot. Load up and get out and sell.
I had 3 level 1 people with chop gathering 18 items per run and made good money when I needed it.
There's way better places later on, but for now that's a good spot for that lil extra bit of money you may need.
Survivors are great. Ambush is my favorite ability ever, since that single preemptive turn can make all the difference in a FOE (or even nasty mob) encounter. Apollon is the most powerful single attack in my party (though I don't have a Ronin, they might have something stronger), and Multihit does very high damage as well once you get a good bow.
I also put a point into Stalker, which helped preserve my sanity in the rather encounter-heavy Fifth Stratum. I am very happy to have an S.
The gathering skills are nice as well, but you don't want to spend points on them with a main party member. I have three extra Ss named Chop, Mine and Take, who put all of their levels into those skills.
Until I get somewhere with more easily accessible mining resources, I only really have room to drag along 1 worthless party member. (I know i can chop on BF1, but it's a pretty lousy yield, and mining - even with only one miner - on BF6 tends to yield better cash/time)
I also picked this up over the weekend..hit level three, figured "hey the FOE's on two are a cakewalk now, how hard can these ones be"(my parties level 10ish) ...yeah...my protectors the only one who lived back to town..and i have no money to res anyone else *sigh* time to go farm moles. When will i actually start to get cash/items worth cash? i think a problem i'm hitting is i dont have enough money to revive/heal at town..let alone buy new gear..i'm also running a PDSAM and seriously thinking about dropping something, no idea what for a troubador just so i dont havta run back to town for tp every 5 minutes...unless cash becomes plentiful enough later on i'll be able to afford limitless supplies of TP restoring items? (whose name eludes me)
I also picked this up over the weekend..hit level three, figured "hey the FOE's on two are a cakewalk now, how hard can these ones be"(my parties level 10ish) ...yeah...my protectors the only one who lived back to town..and i have no money to res anyone else *sigh* time to go farm moles. When will i actually start to get cash/items worth cash? i think a problem i'm hitting is i dont have enough money to revive/heal at town..let alone buy new gear..i'm also running a PDSAM and seriously thinking about dropping something, no idea what for a troubador just so i dont havta run back to town for tp every 5 minutes...unless cash becomes plentiful enough later on i'll be able to afford limitless supplies of TP restoring items? (whose name eludes me)
I have the same conundrum...I'd LOVE to be able to drop my A or L for a T, but that just isn't gonna happen =/. Maybe down the road a bit, when I swap out my D for an R.
Part of it is that rezzing is hella expensive. Make getting Revive a priority.
Also, make use of that nighttime TP spring. Very handy for saving cash.
Eventually, you'll have a choice of healing points all over the dungeon. I can't remember the last time I slept. Then your only expenses are equipment, potions and warp wires. Money stops being a problem pretty quickly. I liken it to FFXII: Be reasonably frugal and you'll never be poor.
Does the TP spring on BF1 dry up forever, or is that the 'nighttime TP spring' you refer to? I noticed it stopped helaing TP at one point and didn't bother going back. Did I just happen to hit it at night the first few times?
I also picked this up over the weekend..hit level three, figured "hey the FOE's on two are a cakewalk now, how hard can these ones be"(my parties level 10ish) ...yeah...my protectors the only one who lived back to town..and i have no money to res anyone else *sigh* time to go farm moles.
Others have sorta mentioned it, but I'll restate it here for clarity: if you need money at the beginning of the game, there is a chop point just northeast of the stairs on BF1. However, you first have to open the secret passage in the trees from the east side before you can go back and forth at will:
"S" is the stairs
"X" is the secret passage, open from East side
"C" is the chop point
Once you have the passage open, make 5 new survivalists and put all of their starting points into "Chop". Then form your 5 choppers into a group and start making runs to the chop point. Sell your wood (you dirty little man-whore), rest until the next day, and repeat as necessary. That should provide sufficient funds for the first few floors.
Does the TP spring on BF1 dry up forever, or is that the 'nighttime TP spring' you refer to? I noticed it stopped helaing TP at one point and didn't bother going back. Did I just happen to hit it at night the first few times?
Also, can someone explain to me for how long I'm going to have to go through previous floors to get to the one I'm currently working on?
you can warp every 5 floors..i think
(i'm off to chop wood on the first floor now...*cough* because my entire party is dead again except for the protector..*cough*
I got a party of ~13s right now, and I've cleared the 4th level...should I go down (meaning will I be pulled into some Fenrir event) or stay on the 4th and grind?
Also, I tried to find this in the thread, but Dark Hunter doesn't return a whole lot and D can't be searched for.
Where should my Dark Hunter's points be going? He currently has Atk UP 5, Whips , Shackles 3, Cuffs 3. Am I working towards ecstasy or is that such a rare ability to use that I shouldn't even bother?
So, that bloody Stalker right by the entrance of B3F...what the fuck? The thing one shot my lvl 11 Protector when I was stupid enough to try to fight it, and it shadows my every move so there's no way to sneak around it.
I'd just grind up and kick its ass, but the only thing that grants me any EXP at all are the FOEs on B2F - and I killed all of them already. They seem to pop up one at a time every time I go back to town, but it takes god damn forever to gain any exp that way.
Did I manage to bork my party completely before even gaining a dozen levels? Because I just have to be doing something wrong here.
So, that bloody Stalker right by the entrance of B3F...what the fuck? The thing one shot my lvl 11 Protector when I was stupid enough to try to fight it, and it shadows my every move so there's no way to sneak around it.
I'd just grind up and kick its ass, but the only thing that grants me any EXP at all are the FOEs on B2F - and I killed all of them already. They seem to pop up one at a time every time I go back to town, but it takes god damn forever to gain any exp that way.
Did I manage to bork my party completely before even gaining a dozen levels? Because I just have to be doing something wrong here.
In Soviet Russia, Stalker rapes you!
You aren't really meant to fight Stalkers the first time you come through B3F (at least not if you want to live.) You can get by them, though. Henroid put a note about this in the OP (second post) that will help you.
Posts
If you want to. I had only the L and P in front, and the rest in back the whole game. It all comes down to what works for you. For me, the M was too crucial a character to put in the front row.
It is absolutely valid to rest a lot and burn through the TP. But, you might find that it gets hard to explore like that. One tip: F guard is nice for FOEs and bosses (early on, anyway. later, defender is much better), but against random mobs it's usually better to just smack them with the P's sword instead. TP conservation is absolutely a bitch on the lower floors, so TP up for the magelikes is definitely handy. For the early game, though, you might be better suited towards increasing attack strength (+10% TP translates to like 5 extra at this point).
Also: swords or axes for Landsharks? And whips or swords for DH? Or are both viable?
Actually, I'm pretty certain that Ronin outclasses Survivalists in pure damage output.
Swords and Axes are both viable for Landsknechts. I prefer Whips with the Dark Hunter.
Platinum FC: 2880 3245 5111
Given the brick wall I've run into (I keep trying this Ragelope, he's just not going to go down easy, and I don't feel like grinding till he does) I'm now considering a different party built...either PDALM or PSDAM. What's the deal with the Dark Hunter? How's his damage, how useful are binds, is he good early/mid/lategame, just what's up.
I'd really like to try a PDATM, but I think that may be a bit wacky for a first run-through.
Dying to Ragelope seems to be par for course for people starting off. My advice would be, rather that trying a new party, just grind up before you try to take him on again. It is possible to completely avoid almost all the FOEs on B2F. Just watch their walking pattern and you can get by them to explore the rest of the level.
So, map out B2F as best you can without hitting the FOEs, maybe even go into B3F, and then you should be levelled up enough to take out Ragelope.
Platinum FC: 2880 3245 5111
I recommend fighting one for a turn. If it insta-kills one of your party, you'll know not to tango with it for a while. Regular FOEs aren't that hard to run from, either.
Well I mean that's not the only reason I'm considering trying a new party...granted, it is a small part, as I feel I've made some less than wise decisions.
The main thing is that I'm going through with a PSALM, and I feel like I'm using the absolute standard party, which is a little boring. I mean, I have the melee damage, the tank, the healer, the caster and the bow chick. This is probably stupid justification for altoholism, but it just seems like I'm playing through this very straight-laced - no wacky classes like Dark Hunter (which I hear is useless at this level anyway) or Troubadour (ditto).
When I get the Ronin, would it make sense to retire my Alchemist and Landsknecht to make a Ronin and a Hexxer, or a Ronin and a Troubadour? I very much want both a Ronin and a Troubadour in my party at some point, and probably a Hexxer...
EDIT: Also, how easy is it to incorporate new members into the party? Does that level drag significantly hurt the effectiveness of the party, or do they catch up quick?
I'm considering either PDLTM, PDSTM, PLATM or PLSTM. Any thoughts?
Are Dark Hunters as good as Henroid claims, or is he just some crazy fanboi? (<3)
Would a PDSTM or a PDLTM be way too low on damage output?
Additionally, fuck Stalkers. Also, how hard is the Fenrir?
It's pretty late in the game (BF20 I think?) and they don't seem too worth it in my opinion. But I don't want to take the time to level one up again, so I'm a little biased. :P
Honestly, if there's a way to pull off a PDLTM, I'd be ecstatic.
I'm not bitter.
shank- there's a way to pull off any combo. What's being suggested is a good build for anyone to use.
I think the songs take too long. If you spend one turn to turn on the elemental damage song, then you can't do the L chaser until the next turn. that's two turns. I'm guessing that's why people don't mention it?
Poison gets a bit of a bad rap. Yes, the large number of immune beasts sorta sucks - but the key is that it's totally passive. You can put everyone on defend and ride out a (cheap as hell) victory when you can land it on a boss. Fenrir was a total joke when I got to him. (With a level 10 Venom boosted, I've never had it not land on something that wasn't immune.)
Are Survivors really that good? I admit I probably never gave one a proper chance, but I've found them much more useful for mining and chopping than for fighting with. I'm seeing them referred to as one of the highest damage classes in the game though, so I'm intrigued.
I just know that because I've been having an easy time of it in recent floors that the game is about to blindside me and ruthlessly smack me down... *sigh*
(And Relaxing is absolutely awesome for doing a nearly full TP restore far from home...)
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake
Shiren FC: 3093-6912-1542
Make a survivalist with 3 chop. First floor walk up three? spaces then right to the wall, there should be a hidden passage there that leads right to a chop spot. Load up and get out and sell.
I had 3 level 1 people with chop gathering 18 items per run and made good money when I needed it.
There's way better places later on, but for now that's a good spot for that lil extra bit of money you may need.
I also put a point into Stalker, which helped preserve my sanity in the rather encounter-heavy Fifth Stratum. I am very happy to have an S.
The gathering skills are nice as well, but you don't want to spend points on them with a main party member. I have three extra Ss named Chop, Mine and Take, who put all of their levels into those skills.
I'm hoping someday to level one of them enough to only need one harvesting bot...
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake
Shiren FC: 3093-6912-1542
You also have a few items that you can't get rid of in your bag. Like 2 keys, and maybe a quest item or two.
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake
Shiren FC: 3093-6912-1542
Like that stupid *&^*% Pearl you can't get rid off...
Steam profile.
Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
I have the same conundrum...I'd LOVE to be able to drop my A or L for a T, but that just isn't gonna happen =/. Maybe down the road a bit, when I swap out my D for an R.
Also, make use of that nighttime TP spring. Very handy for saving cash.
Eventually, you'll have a choice of healing points all over the dungeon. I can't remember the last time I slept. Then your only expenses are equipment, potions and warp wires. Money stops being a problem pretty quickly. I liken it to FFXII: Be reasonably frugal and you'll never be poor.
[FONT="Fixedsys"] ______ | | _| |_| C | X_____| |_ _| | | |S| [/FONT]"S" is the stairs
"X" is the secret passage, open from East side
"C" is the chop point
Once you have the passage open, make 5 new survivalists and put all of their starting points into "Chop". Then form your 5 choppers into a group and start making runs to the chop point. Sell your wood (you dirty little man-whore), rest until the next day, and repeat as necessary. That should provide sufficient funds for the first few floors.
It only works at night.
you can warp every 5 floors..i think
(i'm off to chop wood on the first floor now...*cough* because my entire party is dead again except for the protector..*cough*
is my party any good, I have uh LPDMT
Also, I tried to find this in the thread, but Dark Hunter doesn't return a whole lot and D can't be searched for.
Where should my Dark Hunter's points be going? He currently has Atk UP 5, Whips , Shackles 3, Cuffs 3. Am I working towards ecstasy or is that such a rare ability to use that I shouldn't even bother?
I'd just grind up and kick its ass, but the only thing that grants me any EXP at all are the FOEs on B2F - and I killed all of them already. They seem to pop up one at a time every time I go back to town, but it takes god damn forever to gain any exp that way.
Did I manage to bork my party completely before even gaining a dozen levels? Because I just have to be doing something wrong here.
In Soviet Russia, Stalker rapes you!
You aren't really meant to fight Stalkers the first time you come through B3F (at least not if you want to live.) You can get by them, though. Henroid put a note about this in the OP (second post) that will help you.
Steam profile.
Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2