Titan Quest dynasty - slow ride through "Legendary" play

[hoopsguy]

I'm sure that someone has done a dynasty for a Diablo-style game in the past, but I have not seen one in my time reading the boards. So I'm going to undertake to do this with Titan Quest and the expansion pack Immortal Throne that was released earlier this month.

I'll follow the trials and tribulations of our main character for as long as I feel like writing. I'll detail the plot in broad strokes, as well as review the equipment collected, skills selected, and give looks at the character as he grows.

If there are other people out there who have played this game and would like to join our hero on his quest I'll be happy to incorporate them into our story as well. I've played multi-player with one person on this forum and have talked about doing so with others.

So, without further ado, I bring you the hero of our story, "Colossal Squid"!

[hoopsguy]

There are no aquatic animation choices for our hero (don't think the expansion will help with this, planning to pick it up later this week), so I'll stick with the default male character. There are five choices for his tunic - the pale blue color seems the best fit for CS. And that pretty much covers the initial character creation.

[hoopsguy]

Level 1:
Health: 300
Energy: 300
Strength: 50
Intelligence: 50
Dexterity: 50

The only equipment is a copper dagger:
4-8 damage
15% Piercing
Speed: Very Fast

All resistances (Fire, Cold, Lightning, Poison, Piercing) are zero.

Offense:
Average Damage: 10
Attack Speed: 106%
Damage Per Second (DPS): 10

Defense:
Combined Armor: 0
Block: 0%
Damage Blocked: 0

I have 500 gold to my name.

All starting characters match this profile. The information here is mostly to provide some level of context for future discussions about the character. For those who have played the game before, I'm open to feedback on what kind of direction to take the character in as he travels across the globe.

[hoopsguy]

The game begins in the small Greek town of Helos. It in under attack by Satyrs and other assorted beasts. The village is asking for my help clearing them out so the farmers can farm and whatever else it is that people do in Helos.

I get my first quest - Save Timaeus' horse. Quests are divided between main quests and side quests. This one is considered a main quest since it falls on the major story arc. The side quests do not need to be completed to advance the plot.

The horse is under attack from a Ravenous Boar and a pair of Satyrs. Both are too busy attacking, but failing to kill the horse, to take notice of me gutting them with my tiny dagger. And I now have some new goods, thanks to this battle.

Leather Harness:
7 Armor

Copper Hand Axe:
7-13 Damage
Speed Average

My attack speed dips to 93%, but with an Average Damage of 13 I'm now at a DPS rating of 12. Since that moves upwards, I'll use the new weapon. And my combined armor is 7. Let the good times roll.

Timaeus doesn't have any reward for me. Hopefully the other people asking me to help them are a little more grateful. I've now been tasked with cleaning up Helos, since I've shown the ability to stand up to the invaders.

[hoopsguy]

The leader of the town, Diomedes, officially enlists me to take the battle to the powerful Satyr shaman who is leading the forces against this town. He is described as a "terrible sorcerer", which I don't believe is intended as an insult to his sorcering abilities. Diomedes is offering to pay me for my services, so I'm a little more interested in taking on this quest.

There is a trader in town who has goods for sale. I'll come back to him a little later, if my trusty copper axe doesn't look tough enough to chop down my foes.

There is also a Storyteller in town, who shares with me the tales of Herakles. Definitely nice for establishing the Greek vibe.

[hoopsguy]

Just outside of town I run into Satyrs, Boars, and Crows. Unlike my earlier opponents, these ones are actually fighting back. I'm reminded that I'm pretty physically weak when I see my health fall quickly with each hit. My basic tactics are to try and only fight one opponent at a time - approach close enough that a straggler charges at me, rinse, repeat. I look forward to being able to wade through my foes, but right now I'll bide my time until I get better equipment or at least healing potions to erase some mistakes.

It is nice to see that the Satyr's holding torches actually hit me with a fire attack and drop the torches when I kill them. In no time I've accumulated six of them along with some spare armor and three lesser health potions from a chest.

I hit an encounter with a flurry of Satyrs, which force me to burn my first potion. But at the conclusion, I've reached enough experience to move up to Level 2. Time to make a decision on what kind of character I want to play.

[hoopsguy]

In Titan Quest there are 8 skill sets - upon achieving Level 2 you get to choose your primary skill. Later in the game (level 8, I believe) a second one becomes available.

Storm - big time lightning and cold attacks, limited defense
Earth - FIRE! FIRE! And an earth elemental to act as a meat shield
Warfare - all physical attack all the time
Spirit - think necromancer, taking life from foes to augment own. Also have a pet lich
Defense - survives by absorbing and minimizing attacks, many revolve around shield
Nature - call on denizens of forest to attack/defend. Healing and defensive auras as well
Hunting - bow and spear combat specialist, relies on speed, range, and critical hits
Rogue - hit and run fighter, uses poison and bleeding attacks, not a one-on-many fighter natively

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm reading along.

[hoopsguy]

Nature is the choice for the first skill group, mainly because I've never played it before. And I wanted to take a group that allowed for some sort of summoning because I have not played a very high level character with those abilities.

Each level gives you three points for your skills and two points to add to your attributes (health, energy, strength, intelligence, dexterity). Usually I just bank some of the points early in the game to spend them later when I find a challenging area, but since this is a dynasty I'll spend them as I go. I pick up the "Call of the Wild" ability, which allows me to summon a wolf companion. It takes 40% of my total energy total to summon him, and he doesn't have a ton of health, so I'll need to invest points in this ability along the way for him to remain relevant.

The level also grants me five points for Intelligence and three points for Dexterity. I'm at 340 health and 332 energy, both of which represent 10+ % jumps from last level. I put my two points into strength and dexterity, which add several points to each.

Health: 340
Energy: 332
Strength: 54
Intelligence: 55
Dexterity: 57

I'm also strong enough to use an Iron Hand Axe now, so I dump most of my money to purchase this item (532 of 561 gold). I know that I would likely find something like this in the wild eventually, but I want to deliver more damage now with my lack of direct attack or healing spells at this level. And I believe in spending the money when I have the choice, rather than saving up for a rainy day.

Iron Hand Axe:
11-18 Damage
Speed: Average:
Requirements: 54 Strength, 40 Dexterity

This boosts my Average Damage up to 18 and my DPS to 16. A 33% upgrade here. Clearly this version of Colossal Squid would crush the Level 1 guy, especially with the pet wolf along for the ride. I'm ready to hunt Satyr shaman.

[hoopsguy]

The first lesson I learn with my pet is that he tends to seek out combat. So I'll find myself gaining experience more quickly, but also taking damage more quickly. I'll need to invest in potions or else in points that allow him to gain in health so he can go kill things without my help. Actively taking control of the pet to drag him away from fights is also possible, but I see that getting old really quickly.

However, when the two of us attack Satyr's together it is a pretty big mismatch. We find the shaman and, with the help of a nearby Regeneration shrine and a 2nd wolf summoning, escape without using a single potion. All too easy. And he drops a number of magical items, as we are suddenly in business with equipment.

All of the magical items require at least Level 3, which I should reach shortly. But for now I've added a shield (Pine Crude Buckler, 8% to block 26 damage) and upgraded my armor to Leather Breastplate (9 Armor).

I make use of my Portal Stone ability, which allows me to teleport back to the town. This was gained at Level 2 and is a huge time-saver in this game, cutting down on unnecessary walking time.

[hoopsguy]

Diomedes is fired up that we defeated the monsters. He gives us 1,000 gold and 150XP, which is enough to bump me up to Level 3. He also asks me to find General Leonidas of Sparta, who commands the armies fighting the monsters. That falls under the primary quests, so that will be my next destination once I'm done collecting the loot from the last battle.

[hoopsguy]

So I actually am faced with somewhat interesting challenges this time around, as I have three different weapon options.

The first one eliminated is the Pupil's Withered Staff. It does 7 base Fire damage, with a speed of Slow. However, it gives a bonus of 49 Energy (about 13% on top of what I already have) and gives 1.0 Enery Regen per second. Too slow, not enough damage, not enough bonus, this is sold for 130 gold.

Option #2 is a Static Withered Staff of Insight. Same base fire damage, speed, and energy regen, but also 1-8 Lightning damage and +5 to my Intelligence score. Average Damage is 15, Attack Speed is 79%, and DPS is 11.

Option #3 is a Handaxe of Brawn, coupled with a Pine Crude Buckler. The handaxe does 11-18 damage with a Speed rating of Average. It also bumps up my Strength by 6. Much better Average Damage (18), Attack Speed (93%), and DPS (16). I'll go with this for now.

Other new items:
Leather Helm of Agility: 9 Armor, +6 Dexterity
Protective Leather Armbands of Endurance: 9 Armor, +10% Cold Resistance, +74 Health (a whopping 20% boost)
Wool Simple Wraps: 10 Armor, +20% Energy Regeneration
Simple Sash of Energy: 8 Armor, +21 Energy, +48% Energy Regeneration

Both of my attribute points go into Intelligence, as it is lagging behind Strength and Dexterity thanks to item bonuses. My skill points go to Wolf, Regrowth (new healing spell), and towards my overall mastery of Nature magic, which is required to make new spells available.

Health: 434
Energy: 369
Strength: 60
Intelligence: 65
Dexterity: 64

10% Cold Resistance

Average Damage: 18
Attack Speed: 93%
DPS: 16

Combined Armor: 36
Block: 8%
Damage Blocked: 26

Gold: 1615

Offensive Ability: 64
Defensive Ability: 64
Energy Regeneration: 2.33

[hoopsguy]

So I have enough cash to afford non-magical equipment, but not magical stuff. I spend a few hundred to upgrade my shield; the new Ash Crude Buckler has an 8% chance of blocking 31 damage. I bank the other 1200 gold for later, since I can't afford any rings, amulets, or upgrades to other equipment. And with that I leave Helos in search of General Leonidas.

[hoopsguy]

On the way out of town, I pick up my first side quest. It appears that a pack of Satyr's captured a shepherd and dragged him off to a cave. His male lover (welcome to ancient Greece!) wants him back and will give me magical jewelry and 300 experience to complete this request. Since I'm lacking in magical jewelry, I'm all for helping reunite this pair.

There is a Frostbite shrine just outside of Helos, on the road to Sparta, that allows us to deal cold damage on top of our ordinary damage. We go on a killing spree of Satyrs, Boars, and Crows while the spell lasts.

Just before we find a cave, we come across Leather Greaves of Brawn. 12 Armor, +5 Strength. We take the attribute jump and better armor over the +20% Energy Regeneration offered by the Wool Simple Wraps. At this point in the game, I'm not spending a ton of energy as my health is staying up and the wolf is staying alive. Easy decision now, although at higher levels I would likely value the energy regeneration more.

[hoopsguy]

The cave is a pretty tiny two-level model, where we find the lost shepherd. He is excited to see a human face, but intent on returning to Nicostratus, as they are "close like brothers".

A chest near the back offers up a Knife of Destruction. 7-11 Damage, 15% Piercing, Very Fast. That would drop my Average Damage from 18 to 16, but the Attack Speed would move to 106% and the DPS would remain at 16. I like the knife better because it delivers some piercing damage as well, but I sacrifice 6 points of Strength in the process. I'll keep the Axe along in case I have an item that requires higher base strength in the short term. Long term, I'm still looking for a staff that provides more value than these hand-to-hand weapons.

The "magical jewelry" was a Pupil's Band, a ring that gives a +39 boost to Energy.

I'm closing in on Level 4 as I continue my journey towards Sparta.

[hoopsguy]

The road to Sparta leads us to Laconia Woods, where we encounter Harpies for the first time. I also have to use my healing spell on my pet wolf - another first. He does just fine against a lone Satyr or two without me, but put him one-on-one versus a boar and he takes a good amount of damage.

We meet Lycos, a laborer, who is in a tiny village. After saving him from Satyr's we have apparently completed another side quest. He gives us 1500 gold and enough experience to push me up to Level 4. Time to head back to town and see if I can afford any low-level magic items to increase my character.

When I get there, I see that the Smoldering Crude Spear I picked up earlier offers a pretty nice upgrade over my Knife of Destruction. It is Slow, but does 13-22 Damage + 2-5 Fire Damage. Add the 25% Piercing and the 22 DPS and I'm sold on this weapon for now. Plus the Knife of Destruction fetches 805 gold when I sell it, bringing me close to 5000 gold total.

I spend all but 1000 gold upgrading my armor to a Pupil's Simple Mantle. It offers 13 Armor (jump of 5), as well as +45 Energy and +37% Energy Regeneration.

A review of the available equipment shows that I'll need higher intelligence to get worthwhile staffs, so I put one point towards Intelligence and one towards Strength.

I boost my Nature Mastery up to 4, which opens up four new spells:
- Heart of Oak: bolsters the lifeforce of yourself and nearby allies
- Accelerated Growth: allows Regrowth to be cast more frequently
- Maul: add-on for Call of the Wild, gnawing attack that causes bleeding damage
- Plague: affects nearby enemies with a debilitating ailment that reduces health and quickly spreads to other nearby creatures

I love the concept of a multi-attack ability (Plague) but the damage starts off pretty low. For now, I'm going to invest in my wolf, bringing Call of the Wild up to Level 3 and Maul to Level 1. My wolf now has 244 health and a 17% chance to dodge attacks and avoid projectiles. Hopefully he is able to match up better with boars ...

[hoopsguy]

Level 4 snap-shot:
Health: 454
Energy: 448
Strength: 63
Intelligence: 72
Dexterity: 66

10% Cold Resistance

DPS: 22
Combined Armor: 43

Offensive/Defensive Ability: both 66
Energy Regeneration: 2.09

Gold: 1284

[hoopsguy]

Moving through the remainder of Laconia Woods, a couple of tidbits:
- Shrine of Mastery is really fun. It is basically an invitation to whale on the competition for 30-60 seconds.
- the spear really helps with damage, and I'm finishing off boars with 2-3 hits. I expect that the Piercing damage, on top of the DPS, makes this a 50% upgrade from the axe I used for most of Level 3.

We get a new quest from Euphadimus, whose medicines are being held by a Satyr champion ahead. I need to use a potion to take down the big Satyr and his band of archers, but all in all a pretty routine day at the office. I'm given a Health Potion and some experience for my troubles. It looks like the next town will be Tegea, based on what Euphadimus said in our conversations.

We move into Laconia Hills and we see a Satyr Magi - pretty similar to the head bad guy when we were Level 2. No threat at all at this point, not that those creatures were all that scary back then either.

New item - Alleviating Garland. 14 Armor (jump of 5), +8% Poison Resistance, +23% Energy Regeneration. I have to give up +6 Dexterity from the old Helm. But it is an easy enough tradeoff, bringing my Combined Armor rating up to 48.

[hoopsguy]

It is in Laconia Hills that I encounter my first "monster charm". A harpy leaves behind a Pristine Plumage, which can be combined with any armor to give a +4% Poison Resistance bonus. These items can be combined (5 for this charm) to grant an additional bonus. They tend to litter my inventory until I merge the set; I'm a packrat who always holds onto these items in hopes of making better items later.

Thegeas asks me to recover a necklace from some demons - it is to be the dowry for his daughter's wedding. This is a side quest, not a main one. The demons are holed up in a nearby cave. They are new creatures for us, but not terribly difficult. There was a bat champion that was a little tougher, but we still escape relatively unscathed with the necklace. We are rewarded with an Essence of Hecate's Crescent, another relic like the monster charms. This one grants +4% Energy and +20% Energy Regeneration and comes in sets of three.

I meet a random guy near a bridge who tells me that the Spartan army is ahead in their war camp. Before crossing the bridge I wipe out a Satyr camp located near a Shrine of Mastery and ding Level 5.

New item - Alleviating Simple Mantle. Similar to my current gear, but offers +1 Armor (14) and +7% Poison Resistance and +41% Energy Regeneration (+4% gain) while losing the +45 Energy. Hmm, losing the energy would drop my total by about 10% for bonuses that don't have much value at this stage in the game. I'm not going to pull the trigger just to move my Combined Armor by one point.

[hoopsguy]

Level 5 notes: one point to Intelligence and one point to Dexterity. Two points to my overall Nature Mastery (at 6, next batch of spells come at 10) and one more to Call of the Wild (now 4 of a possible 16).

Health: 494
Energy: 480
Strength: 63
Intelligence: 81
Dexterity: 67

Cold Resist: 10, Poison Resist 8

DPS: 22
Combined Armor: 48

Energy Regeneration: 2.41
Offensive/Defensive Ability: 67 each

Gold: 1563

[Peregrine]

How do you like the game overall, if you don't mind giving a little review? I thought about picking it up when it came out but it seemed like there were some annoying quirks. I don't know if those have been addressed in the expansion or not.

[PiemasterUK]

Interesting.

I play World of Warcraft, but have never heard of Titan Quest. I will be keeping tabs on this thread.

[hoopsguy]

So as we closed in on the Spartan camp, we came across a graveyard stocked with undead archers and spellcasters. Would have been nice for the Spartan's to clean up this mess in their backyard, but I'm on it. It's the first time this game I've had to use multiple potions (lots of archers just suck away health) but the experience was good and they dropped a number of items.

Protective Band: 8% fire resistance
Band of Energy: +20 Energy, +6% Energy
Loop of Insight: +8 Intelligence
Draining Stout Staff: 7-24 base Lightning Damage, 24 Energy Leech over 3 seconds, +1.0 Energy Regeneration. Requires 88 Intelligence, which means I would need to equip the Loop of Insight to use it now.

For the first time, my inventory is full of magic items and I'll need to make some selling decisions to create space.

The Draining Staff moves my DPS down to 21, but I should be able to attack from range with Lightning so it is probably worth it even with sacrificing the shield blocks. I'll give it a try and see how it works out.

Beads of Ability: +14 Defensive Ability (and the last open slot that I could equip something is now filled)

Reinforced Bracers of Energy: 16 Armor (boost of 7), +23 Energy, +7% Energy Regeneration. Need 66 Strength to use these, plus would be giving up 74 health and 10% cold resist. Don't need to make this decision until I get my next level or find something to boost my strength.

Boar Hide: another monster relic/charm, +2 Armor

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

How do you like the game overall, if you don't mind giving a little review? I thought about picking it up when it came out but it seemed like there were some annoying quirks. I don't know if those have been addressed in the expansion or not.

I have had a lot of fun with it, all in all. It wasn't quite as linear as games like Icewind Dale, although you are still steered on a fairly narrow path through the game. I liked the mythological atmosphere around the game and the overall plot that unfolds - felt like it had good pacing. I got plenty of play out of the game the first time through, somewhere around 50-60 hours including all the side quests. And the expansion pack promises to clean up what has been the most tedious aspect of the game - inventory management. Hopefully as this progresses I'll be able to talk about the expansion pack, which picks up where the game "ends" - with three levels of difficulty like Diablo the game doesn't really end.

Also, I think there is a very different game experience depending on what type of character you choose. This is my first time with a nature guy, and only the second "summoner" class I've played, so I'm getting to sample that with this dynasty.

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by PiemasterUK

Interesting.

I play World of Warcraft, but have never heard of Titan Quest. I will be keeping tabs on this thread.

Much more Diablo than WoW, but a fun single player game. There is a multi-player mode, but not in the massive multi-player sense.

Hope you enjoy the read and for anyone who does pick up the game I would love to have you join Colossal Squid on his adventures.

[hoopsguy]

Upon reaching Spartan camp, I'm informed that General Leonidas doesn't meet with uninvited commoners. Perfect. However, if I'm able to eliminate a "particularly savage centaur" I'll be granted an audience. Since this is a "main quest" it sounds like I'm going hunting.

In talking with the Spartans, they seem pretty worried about the invaders. Considering this is the warrior culture of Greece, this is a cause for some concern.

The town blacksmith has the first "green" magic item that I've seen in the game. Of course, it costs 25,000 and I'm not nearly strong enough to use it. But nice to see that those items are at least available now. Here is a review of item colors/significance:
Yellow - magical
Green - rare, usually combines multiple benefits
Blue - epic, but these items can't be augmented with charms like green items
Purple - legendary, won't see these type of items anytime soon

[hoopsguy]

Before heading out to find the centaur, we are asked to locate Hippias, an old warrior who has wandered off into the valley. This is a side quest, but seems like an easy one to complete.

I find Hippias fairly deep in the valley, sitting on a rock with a few dead centaurs and boars in front of him. It is pretty clear he was in no danger, but is happy to hear that his troops asked after him. He warns me to look out for centaurs.

The battles are very different with a staff, as I now bomb away from long range while my wolf runs ahead attacking anything that moves. I'm not having to potions very often, although I am using heal spells on the wolf a little more regularly.

I hit Level 6, which is a good thing because if memory serves correctly the upcoming battle with the centaur leader is at least a little challenging. He has a lot of health and is pretty fast to boot.

I spend my points on Strength and Dexterity, as my Intelligence is pretty high right now. I also invest in Heart of Oak (increase party speed and health) while putting another two points into my Nature Mastery. If I do the same thing next level I'll have three new spells available.

Health: 534
Energy: 512
Strength: 67
Intelligence: 94
Dexterity: 74

10% cold resist, 8% poison resist

DPS: 22
Combined Armor: 48

Energy Regeneration: 4.14
Offensive Ability: 74
Defensive Ability: 88

Gold: 6931

[hoopsguy]

Nessus, the centaur chief, is a load. It takes about eight health potions (there are also energy potions, but I haven't needed to use one yet this game) for me to withstand his onslaught, but the Colossal Squid cannot be repressed! And to the victor belong the spoils.

Centaur Cuirass - 18 armor (upgrade of 5), +6 Intelligence. Losing 45 energy and +37% energy regeneration, but I've already got a number of items helping in this area. I'll take it for now.

Essence of Promotheus' Flame - relic shard, 12 burn damage over 3 seconds, +3% fire damage

And a majestic chest (holds tons of items) - first one I've seen this game.

Essence of Dionysus' Wineskin - relic shard, 2% damage resist, +15 health

Pupil's Loop - +55 energy (upgrade of 16 from the one I was using)

Hardened Reinforced Buckler of Agility - 9% chance to block 47 damage, 10% pierce resist, +5 Dexterity. Requires 90 strength, so I won't be able to use this anytime soon.

Chilling Stout Staff - very similar to what I have equipped, but does 2-5 cold damage instead of energy leech

Garland of Insight - not quite as good as the Garland I'm using, as it has 2 less armor, same energy regen, and tradeoff is +5 Intelligence for 8% Poison Resist. 5% Intelligence and I swap, +5 is not happening.

Ball Mace of Brawn - not something I'm likely to use, but listed to give insight into hand-to-hand weapons at this level. 13-28 damage, speed slow, +7 strength

Pupil's Garland of Ability - +15 Defensive Ability, +47 Energy, +22% Energy Regeneration. I'll take the defensive ability and energy in exchange for the 8% Poison Resist at this stage in the game.


Time to go meet with General Leonidas.

[hoopsguy]

Leonidas is a pretty imposing character - he is bulkier than the other characters I've interacted with so far.

He is proud of his Spartan army and expects victory against the army of creatures. While he presses the battle, he wants me to visit the Oracle in Delphi to help determine the source of the monsters. I'll need to stop in Megara first to find Timon, a friend of Leonidas. Timon will give me the offering needed for a meeting with the Oracle.

[hoopsguy]

I get a bonus point for completing the quest to meet Leonidas. It goes directly into Nature Mastery. Since I'm not having too hard a time with the current creatures, I may as well expand my spell selection for later in the game.

I'm also up to 16K in gold, which should be enough to buy most of the available items in the Spartan camp. Unfortunately, the items that I would actually equip are all 20K and above. So I'll have to keep acquiring items the old fashioned way - off the corpses of my foes.

My wolf doesn't seem to be doing a very good job against the hags I'm finding right now - will have to invest another level in his attack when I hit Level 7, I think.

As I work my way across the Spartan Highlands, I stumble across a big Satyr camp. After mauling about two dozen opponents, I notice that one of them dropped a green item! Unfortunately, it is not very well suited for my character.

Stone Hammer
21-36 Damage
Speed Slow
5% chance of +97% Damage
2-5 Fire Damage
+9 Strength
Required Strength: 82

Near the end of the carnage in the highlands, I hit level 7.

[hoopsguy]

Level 7 - points go towards Strength (still a bunch of items I can't use, Stone Hammer as Exhibit A) and Intelligence. Skill points go towards Nature Magic x2 and Maul.

Here are the new spells available:
Briar Ward: protectice grove of briars grow around you that enemy can not penetrate. Gives bonus health and piercing retaliation.

Survival Instinct: stacking on Call of the Wild, instinctual will to live is triggered whenever health is low. Damage absorbtion, deliver extra damage

Fatigue: stacking on Plague, saps the strength from diseased enemies, slows and reduces damage

Health: 520
Energy: 601
Strength: 71
Intelligence: 111
Dexterity: 78

No resistances

DPS: 22
Combined Armor: 60

Energy Regeneration: 3.69
Offensive Ability: 78
Defensive Ability: 107

Gold: 21494

[hoopsguy]

Time to use some of our warchest on gear.

We spend 11K, or almost 50% of our funds, on a new helmet.

Tough Reinforced Great Helm of Endurance
20 Armor
+4 Armor
+48 Health

I'm sacrificing 47 Energy, +15 Defensive Ability, and 22% Energy Regen for a 10 point upgrade in armor and the health. Combined armor is now 70, which I think is a very good number for this type of character at Level 7. The next area of need is on the DPS, which hasn't moved since Level 4.

I'm forced to flee a fight for the first time, as I stumble into Mycenean ruins without sufficient potions to back up a battle against undead spellcasters, archers, and warriors. Too many in too concentrated an area - guess it is time for me to actually buy potions. I'll start with 11 potions and see how that works out ...

It works out pretty well, as I only need two of them to finish off the guardians of an ancient tomb. I make my way in, along with my faithful wolf companion. Sepulchers line the walls, many of them loaded with magical items and potions. A few hold traps, but they are not deadly.

I've got a pretty nice item that I'll have to hold onto until I hit Level 8:
Protective Bracelet of Dexterity
18 Armor (upgrade of 2)
11% Cold Resistance
+12 Dexterity
+20% Energy Regeneration (13% upgrade)

I'll only be giving up +23 Energy, but the other abilities made this a pretty easy tradeoff. I haven't run close to being out of energy yet and the 13% upgrade in Energy Regeneration makes this an overall upgrade for Energy in terms of maintaining enough for my spells.

I've also got a new close-combat weapon in the event I feel like switching away from my staff.

Smoldering Sudis of Destruction:
13-27 Damage
30% Piercing
Speed: Very Slow
+11% Damage
2-5 Fire Damage
DPS moves to 28

[Peregrine]

I went ahead and picked up the game and the expansion for $45 on Direct2Drive, I'll let you know how I do!

[hoopsguy]

Hope you enjoy it. I got the original a couple of months after it came out for $25. I expect I'll be paying near full price for the expansion so I'm going to probably be a little over your pricetag.

[Peregrine]

So far it's been great, I'm using a Dream character, they have some neat options, I think you could play them as a caster or a fighter, I'm going the fighter route, with some heavy energy boosts to my weapons. Going to hit level 8 soon, I might take defense as my secondary. I can already see there's a lot of replayability here with the different abilities.

[hoopsguy]

I'm pretty sure that I'll add Dream as my second class. I picked up the expansion this afternoon and just finished importing my characters. The graphics are just slightly different than the earlier version, I think ... possibly my mind playing tricks on me, but the colors seem a little more vibrant as I trudge through Spartan Woods.

I agree with what you said about playing the character as a fighter or as a caster. How they play out depends, to a large extent, on where you put your attribute points across Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity.

The last character I played was a Defense/Storm guy. I had a lot of fun with him, although I'm stuck at a point in the game that is a fair amount further along than where I am in this dynasty. Perhaps a story for another day ...

My collection of relic shards continues to grow as I add a Diseased Plumage to the mix. This item grants a +2% poison damage bonus to armor. I now have six unique relics in my inventory - given that I only have a total of 60 slots, I would like to start seeing some of them pair up.

[hoopsguy]

I should have mentioned the unique relic items earlier. My very next encounter grants me my 2nd Boad Hide, so I now have two of the five for the complete set there.

I also pick up Beads of Agility. This offers a +7 bonus to Dexterity, as compared to my Beads of Ability which granted +14 Defensive Ability. Dexterity impacts both Offensive and Defensive Ability, as well as Piercing Damage (not in play with a staff). I was 78/92 with the Defensive Bonus and 85/85 with the Dex bonus. A wash, but I'll take the balanced option.

I make my way into Tegea and immediate receive a side quest to clean a poisoned spring. The town storyteller shares a story about the goddess Artemis. The town trader has a number of items that I can't use, due to missing the requirements. I also see scrolls for the first time (did not see them in Sparta - don't think I missed them in my one visit since applying the expansion pack).

There is a town graveyard to the southeast. A number of undead fall before the Colossal Squid here. But all in all, this is a podunk town. Still no caravan, so I'm carrying a pretty full load. Perhaps in Megara?

[hoopsguy]

In a battle just outside of Tegea, I score my first epic item from a group of Arachnids! It is a very cool looking sword.

Fell Blade
23-27 Damage
10% Piercing
Speed: Fast
+21% Poison Resistance
+22 Offensive Ability
+16% Attack Speed
+60% Damage to Demons
+2 to Lethal Strike (skill I do not possess)
Required Level: 10 (ugh)
Required Strength: 105 (double ugh)
Required Dexterity: 94 (not there, but could be in 3 levels)

So, this is where I need a merchant. I can't use this for at least three levels and I don't know for sure if it will be an optimal weapon selection at that time. But it is cool to at least be on the board with getting a blue item.

[hoopsguy]

Pegaea, a water nymph, clues me in on the poisoned spring. It appears that her cave is now overrun with poisonous spiders. Makes sense, as there are an awful lot of them around here. I'm to receive a health point boost and experience bonus for clearing out the cave and restoring the spring. Done.

I find an upgrade for one of my current rings - go from +54 Energy to +73 Energy. Always nice.

After fighting through a bunch of spiders in this large cave, I come across a Majestic Chest. Ah, my favorite. And the items are good:

- Essence of Herakles' Might: +4 strength, armor enchantment. Another unique relic shard.
- Simple Wraps of the Pegasus (rare): 15% Elemental (Fire, Cold, Electric) resistance, +13% Elemental Damage, +21% Energy Regeneration, +15% Movement. Huge get!!!!

So that trashes the other leg armor that I was saving for Level 8. I think I can deal with that.

[hoopsguy]

The Arcanist (trader specializing in spellcaster items) has an item that I snap up - Beastcaller's Necklace. It gives a bonus to all pets: 10 Damage, +5% Damage. Yep, I'll take that over +7 Dexterity, since I have a wolf with me just about 24x7.

Also, I've got a problem with my new Pegasus gear - I needed the strength bonus with the old leggings (+5) to allow me to use my helm. I'm going to tough it out for the remainder of this level and then drop a point on strength to rectify this issue, unless I find a better helmet between now and then that doesn't have strength requirements. But if I take a head shot (physical attacks randomly fall on one area, high % for torso, low % for arms, legs, and head) then I'm going to take all the damage rather than having armor absorb it. On second thought, I'll use the Alleviating Garland that I have in my inventory for a little while to cover my head.

[hoopsguy]

The spiders in this cave are dropping a ton of items that I'm not strong enough to use. Which is fine in terms of building a bankroll (up about 25K since buying the Necklace), but the constant teleporting back to town to sell goods is making it hard to get a flow in the game at the moment.


At last I complete the quest. There is still a lot of cave left to explore; it is definitely the biggest "dungeon" that I've run across so far in the game. I'll forge ahead in here until hitting Level 8, then head out to explore new areas.

That takes just a couple of more minutes. After leaving the cave the Nymph gives me an extra 75 health. The two attributes go to Strenght (can now wear the helmet again) and Intelligence.

I have a new mastery available, and Dream is the choice. But I'm going to forego any points in it for the time being. I'm still getting used to Nature and want to continue exploring that for the time being. Two points go into Nature (13 of 32 now) and the last remaining point goes to Survival Instinct. I'm definitely watching out for my pet wolf.

Health: 683
Energy: 604
Strength: 70
Intelligence: 120
Dexterity: 81

15% Fire, Cold, and Electric resist.

DPS: 24
Combined Armor: 68

Energy Regeneration: 3.76
Offensive/Defensive Ability: 81
Run Speed: 115%

Gold: 51,183

[hoopsguy]

Time to spend some of that money. For the bargain price of $18,539 I buy:

Pupil's Padded Mantle of Endurance:
18 Armor (same as current item)
+60 Health
+41 Energy
+39% Energy Regeneration

I lose out on +6 Intelligence in the wash.

I parlay the gain in Energy here to trade in my Pupil's Loop for a Beastcaller's Loop. -73 Energy, but my pet gets to deliver more damage. I'm a big fan of him ripping my foes in half, so I'm pleased to give him the means to do so, even if it means that I don't have as much energy to summon him. I don't need to do it as often if he isn't dying, right? Point of fact, I can count on one hand the number of times my wolf has died so far. Energy consumption has yet to be a problem.

So, I'm down to 20K in gold at this point, but we've seen that acquiring gold is not a problem.

[hoopsguy]

Naturally, as soon as I brag about the lifespan of my wolves, he dies. It is in ruins outside of Tegea, to a ton of undead. I burn through most of my potions in this fight, but finish them off with the help of Wolf #2. There is an ancient tomb nestled up against the coast. Recalling the treasure trove of the last tomb, I barrel ahead.

This one is considerably less friendly. Just about every sarcophagus is trapped, costing me my 2nd wolf in the last ten minutes.

I've begun stockpiling rings that offer elemental resistances. I've got at least 9% for fire, cold, and electricity on hand in the event that I encounter some creature who could exploit a weakness in this area.

I found three different staffs (staves?) in the tomb, with the third one actually boosting my DPS up to 25.

Smoldering Stout Staff of Agility
11-20 Base Cold Damage
Speed: Slow
3-6 Fire Damage
+5 Dexterity
+1.0 Energy Regen per second

So my damage type switches from electricity to Cold with a hint of Fire. Ideally, when I have a bigger inventory I would like to retain multiple weapons that deal different damage types. But for now I can only hold one.

[hoopsguy]

In the forest of Arcadia I find my third Boars Hide - two to go before I will look to add this to some piece of armor. At that point, it will grant an additional 10 points of armor, plus whatever the set bonus comes in at. That is pretty significant when you consider that my armor now falls in the 15-20 range for each piece and the Combined Armor rating is 68.

Another interesting purchasing decision comes about - for 12,931 I can buy a Hardened Reinforced Great Helm of Ability. That will give 4 less armor overall and -48 Health, but gives +16 Defensive Ability (less likely to take critical hits) and 7% Pierce Resistance. My understanding is that the armor only comes into play when that area of the body is attacked, but the resistances come into play no matter what part is attacked. Given how many physical attacks I see, I'm guessing I would be coming out ahead with 7% pierce resist for all attacks versus the -4 penalty on head shots. For others familiar with the game, do you concur with this thought process?

I splurge for the Helmet, but will keep both around for a couple of hours to see if anyone has thoughts on this.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

In a battle just outside of Tegea, I score my first epic item from a group of Arachnids! It is a very cool looking sword.

Fell Blade
23-27 Damage
10% Piercing
Speed: Fast
+21% Poison Resistance
+22 Offensive Ability
+16% Attack Speed
+60% Damage to Demons
+2 to Lethal Strike (skill I do not possess)
Required Level: 10 (ugh)
Required Strength: 105 (double ugh)
Required Dexterity: 94 (not there, but could be in 3 levels)

So, this is where I need a merchant. I can't use this for at least three levels and I don't know for sure if it will be an optimal weapon selection at that time. But it is cool to at least be on the board with getting a blue item.

That's funny, my character found the same item, but in a different place, off a skeleton leader in the Ruins of Mycenae.

[hoopsguy]

I'm guessing there is a pretty small sample set of epic items that are available for lower level characters.

[hoopsguy]

And on to the Megara Coast, which is a beach setting. There are lizard men (Ichthians) and giant turtles here, both are new opponents for Colossal Squid. Strangely, the Squid cannot head out to sea ...

New item - Reinforced Bracers of Endurance.
Armor 20 (upgrade of 4)
+76 Health
Lose out on +23 Energy and +7% Energy Regen

I'm really looking forward to getting to the next town with a teleportation portal. Sparta no longer has items that meet my needs (for the most part) and Tegea does not have a portal, which means unacceptably long walks back. I'm having to teleport frequently because I my inventory is largely full of stuff I'm saving for that rainy day ...

[hoopsguy]

Level 9 is achieved while battling on the coast. I'm finding the creatures here are hitting me and the wolf too hard, so that is a point I would like to address with my skills this time around if I see good options to do so. I figure I'm not likely to be seeing lesser foes going forward ...

Points go towards Strength and Dexterity this time around, as I want to continue to increase the equipment options available.

Heart of Oak gives 10% Health and 10% Total Speed to me and my nearby allies (wolf) so that seems like a compelling option. Another point goes into Call of the Wild (5/16 now) and the last point brings my overall Nature Mastery to 14. I'll need to put two points in next level to get four additional spell options.

Health: 791
Energy: 565
Strength: 74
Intelligence: 117
Dexterity: 92

15% Resist Fire, Cold, and Lightning. 7% Resist Piercing

DPS: 25
Combined Armor: 68

Energy Regeneration: 4.37
Offensive Ability: 92
Defensive Ability: 108
Run Speed: 115%

Gold: 33,010

[hoopsguy]

A natural cave along the coast reveals another pair of relic pieces:
- Essence of the Valor of Achilles: 5 Damage, +4% attack speed for any weapon (I want to complete this one, as I'm a big proponent of attack speed). 3 required for set.

- Turtle Shell: +1% Shield Block, -5% Sheild Recovery Time. Enhance Shields only. Not at the top of my list for this character ...

And I end up dying in here for the first time this game - really stupid death where an Ichthian shaman runs away into a trio of turtles, who swamp me with their attacks before I can click for a potion to bail me out. Disappointing.

[hoopsguy]

It takes all of three minutes to walk back and just thrash the opponents who killed me, and there is some gratification upon completing the encounter when I see an epic item just waiting to be used.

Glowing Rod
24 Base Fire Damage
Speed: Slow
+11% Fire Damage
20% Chance of 24-45 Burn Retaliation over 3 seconds
1.0 Energy Regeneration per second
+2 to Volcanic Orb (skill I don't have)

The high base damage on this one brings my DPS up to 32, a pretty significant jump. Back to doing fire damage to foes for awhile ...


I'm still a little miffed about dying there - I had twelve potions left to use! And a healing spell!