Starting Arcanum

I've owned Arcanum since it came out and over the years I've tried to play it several times but everytime I try I can't get out of the first village because of the Ogre bandits. I've tried different builds with no success.

Its been a long time but I think I almost always have a smooth talker type build and just talked my way past them if this is about getting across the river. I think you can make them think you are from the Tarant crime syndicate or something and they are encroaching on your territory. I think you could also do a fetch quest for some dynamite but that is probably the evil way.

With a little patience and a few reloads, I've always managed to slay all the bandits by using the stick of dynamite and 2 grenades I always have on me at that point. Even with no skill in Throwing, you should be able to hit two, if not all, the little band (especially the Ogres, Lukan is not so tough) with each toss, reloading in the event of fumbling or complete misses. The game is really wonderful and I hope this single battle does not prevent you from going on to enjoy it further.

Smooth talk your way out. You'll also get a Fate point if you do it right, IIRC.

Figment's right, talk about being a rogue and you'll get the key.

Try getting the ogre on your side, helps a lot.

I believe they did this encounter to showcase your role-playing options. So there are different solutions.

Unfortunately it has been too long ago for me to remember, which solution I used.

Tell me about it , i suck in this game

spoiler :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGCybbC8lKw

5:05-7:34

Originally Posted by Tragos
Tell me about it , i suck in this game ^^

Thought it was only me :)
I actually abandoned it recently, think I might have rolled some lame character at the beginning (although it was okay by normal standards) . I did got to Tarrant
but anything I tried to do was a major chore. Fight? Get slaughtered. Talk/steal/open chest - too low a skill. Not to mention magic /tech…. Jaysis! :)

I just started playing it too! Bought it a while back when it was something like $2.49 on GOG. I was stuck in Dallas for most of last week due to the snow storm in NYC, so I decided to try it out as I figured it would play on my laptop.

I got as far as the first village. I love the setting! I've never really played or read anything in the steampunk genre, but I've always found it intriguing. There are SO many options though with creating your character. Any recommendations for a noob? (sounds like the smooth talker might be best). I tried the 'child of hero', not sure that was a great choice.

I think I'm going to spend the next couple days reading the manual to get a better grasp of the game (Can't remember the last time I read even most of a manual!).

One quick question, when you have followers, can you control them in combat? I couldn't figure out a way (only had that first mon guy).

Originally Posted by blatantninja
Any recommendations for a noob?

Try this: http://www.gog.com/en/forum/arcanum_…ra/#1294084151

Originally Posted by blatantninja
One quick question, when you have followers, can you control them in combat? I couldn't figure out a way (only had that first mon guy).

Nope, unfortunately followers are handled in a manner similar to the earlier Fallout games.

I have watched all "let's play arcanum" videos and i have no clue, also asked folks here and although they are very helpful i still fail (epically) .

Thing is that Elf/magic character looks optimal for a noob (i have read several times that you can finish it only using "harm" spell) but what is the purpose of playing magic in a steampunk game? Smithing and blueprints are too awesome to be ignored.
I think it is very nice that you don't have to control party members, i hate turn based strategy RPGs .


Out of topic ( sorry for hijacking but this isn't worth a new thread): is Baldur gates that good? i own the full package release (all games , like 5 CDs) but never played it ; of course note that i hate commanding party members.

Originally Posted by Tragos
Baldur gates

Is this Bill`s son? ;)

of course note that i hate commanding party members.

It`s a great game mate, but I`ve got a feeling you might not like it…

Well, you don't HAVE to control your party members in the IE games. There are various scripts for them to do the fighting without you telling them what to do.