Larian Studios Forums Beyond Divinity (English) General The Official Beyond Divinity Strategy Guide

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there were four individuals who wanted to create something special. They went with their idea to Lar, who offered every help possible in assisting them in making their idea come to live.
Their idea was to create a strategy guide for Beyond Divinity. A strategy guide made with support from Larian Studios, a guide that could carry the name: “Official Strategy Guide”.

And so things started out with playing and playing and even more playing and in the spare time left there was again, more playing. From alpha versions, to beta versions, via release candidates to the released version and from patch to patch a guide was constructed.

As they had many tales to tell and many songs to sing, the words they wanted to spread were many. After 500 pages they lost count, bedazzled by all the text and the beautiful artwork that Marian added to the guide.

When the pen was finally put to rest and the guide was finished it was unfortunately too late to turn the 500+ pages into a book, so instead another plan was made during the summer. The guide would be made available for free.

First it will be carried on the CD/DVD of some magazines out there and after a while it will be available as a download from The Locus Inn (any other download offered before that is illegal).

The guide could not have been made without Lar allowing it to happen. Nothing would have been put into writing if it wasn’t for Lynn who never ceased in offering us every help and assistance we needed.
Life would have been harder as it was without the technical assistance of Forktong and without the feedback from Yann and Stormrider.
Some parts of the guide wouldn’t have been checked for grammatical errors if it wasn’t for forum member Grim giving some assistance
And the guide wouldn’t have looked as good as it looked now without Marian offering his help.

But most of all none of this would have been possible if Kiya, Raze and Barnabus wouldn’t have been crazy enough in joining me in this adventure in creating the guide and giving up more of their spare time and social life then I would ever have dared to ask for.

The first one to carry the guide is the Czech magazine Level which is currently out on the streets, which will be followed by the UK magazines PC Gamer (28-10), PC Zone (8-11) and PC Format (11-11).
There might be other magazines, but none of them have been confirmed at the moment.
The download will still take a while before it is online, but you can image with 500+ pages (with a lot of artwork) it will not be a small download, so if you don’t have the resources or can not wait, you might want to consider getting one of the magazines.

Here is an image of the cover of the guide. It is made by Marian.

And the link to the full image

Enjoy!

Myrthos, this is brilliant! When will it hit North America? Is there a place from which we can download it? Thankyou thankyou thankyou all!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

Well I promised the magazines some room in making their offering a bit unique. So there won't be any official download for atleast one month. Anything you can download before that it is available on The Locus Inn is per definition illegal.

Thanks, Myrthos! A month, eh? Well, I can be patient << no i can't >>... I can try to be patient.

I already knew about the Strategy Guide because Marian talks about it in his Web Site and he gives the cover picture.
I am very curious to see the guide. But i will wait one month. I am patient.
500 pages <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />
Is there in the guide any information that the forum members do not know like easter-eggs for exemple ?

Barta

Barta, Easter Eggs are included within the acts. We did not make an extra list, as 500 pages was a huge enterprise already.

I'm glad it is not a paper+print book but a download, as changes can be added this way - if LocusInn consents, of course. We all know there's going to be a 1.46 patch sometime <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
Kiya

What I like most about this guide are the wonderful pics - Marian's pics - so the art of BD comes across in a beautiful way.

Oh, dear, then I won't need "my" "Easter Egg Community List" anymore ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />


Apart from that : It's a great idea ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

dang!! just when i though of converting kiya's fanpage to PDA-friendly version (via JPluck plus some manual editting, & with permission of course) so people can refer for help without Alt+Tab & make a mess out of their windows.

what about other artistes? is marian the only one who contributed in the artwork? *thinking that maybe larian can release an artbook concerning Divinity universe*

Janggut
We are only two being interested by Divinity artwork, YOU and ME ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Barta

wow 500 pages – that’s an amazing effort. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> isn't that waaay longer than most books and strategy guides?

and isn’t it just a tad late though - who will read such a huge work when it comes out? hasn’t the buzz about BD already come and gone now? it was ok in parts, but i can’t imagine wanting to play it again.

but i guess it's mostly made for the die hard fans to enjoy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> so congrats on finishing such a mighty labour of love. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

if it was all in pictures with the words in little speech balloons, then maybe i'd be able to read it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" /> well maybe not 500 pages <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

...and JaggedJim makes three! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

500 pages... awsome work you guys.

Great work, as usual!

Marian was the only artist directly involved with the guide.

The original plan was to have the guide out shortly after the game was released. In part due to changes in the game made up to and after release, that didn't happen (the game pretty much needs to be replayed after significant changes for the guide to stay accurate). Also, right about when the game went gold I had a string of monitor and other problems, effectively cutting the work force by 25%.

Sounds very impressive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> A heck of a lot of work too.

Any chance that anybody might be inspired to do something similar for DD2? Perhaps a fair bit smaller and not quite so ambitious, so that it could come out roughly when the game does, and when most of the interest will peak?

Sorry if that sounds a bit under-enthusiastic, but three or four months ago something like this would have helped round out the game and maybe add some depth to the enjoyment of playing, but now BD is what I played several games ago, and my interest has moved on. Judging by the turnover at this forum now, that might apply to quite a few others too.

Perhaps it will help draw in a few new fans though? Hope so. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cool we are three !
Maybe the Larian artists will make an artbook specially for us.

Larian made a CD with Kirill's music, why not an artbook ?

Barta

The guide was finished in July and is accurate for version 1.45.
That was too late for a book to be made about it. In my opinion having a guide in printed form of a version shortly after release, would have been useless, due to the many changes.

Then again, July was too late to create a printed version, especially with everybody on hollidays. So in late august, Lynn contacted the parties that might be interested in the guide and the only thing that could be done was giving it to the magazines too put on their CD/DVD.
That is what is happening now.

i guess i have to download it then when it's available online. mags cost a bomb here at my place with most content are ads & very little articles.

myrthos, who decides what magazine will have the priviledge of releasing the guide? i would be nice if local mag can release it as well. local as in malaysian mag for malaysian, HK for HK, thai for thailand, etc.

just a thought.

@ barta -> *salutes* loyalty to the president till the end. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

[color:"orange"]who decides what magazine will have the priviledge of releasing the guide?[/color]

Lynn contacted the 'usual suspects' to see if they would like to publish the guide on their CDs. If you know of any magazines that would likely want to do so as well, you can PM/email her. Since the guide is in English, I don't think she contacted a lot of non-English magazines.
For any new magazines to carry the guide, it is too late for the November issue, so with the download likely available in late November, they would not be getting an exclusive.

The magazines here in Australia seem to finalise their CD contents well before the release date of the magazines. So I imagine that if it's not already been arranged I don't think we'd see it until next year sometime.

Has anybody mentioned doing one for DD2 - specifically aimed at downloads?

Most FAQs are done this way - so that they can be available early, when they're most wanted - and are then updated as often as the authors feel it's worthwhile. Seems like a good system. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Barta, I hope Marian will show his artwork on his fanpage - or LocusInn will - right now, it would be illegal IMO.


I can understand your request and emotions, but you wouldn't have been happy with the original guide, believe me. Language localisations changed game content in parts - and the 1.4er patch versions would've made the guide pretty useless. English version came out in June, right? And remember how many patches were made since then? Skill systems, values, trader skills, maps (for German release already), taken out quests etc. => what would you do with a guide that's of no use?

@Kris => a download with a quick possibility to change is a good idea. But if DD2 is going to be as complex as BD => this work will have to be done by people that need no sleep, don't go to work and can concentrate on it fully. As nice and important as this XP was for me => I took my annual vacation off for this (4 weeks) and it was not enough time. This guide is as the game (nearly) is supposed to be by playing in variations and checking localisation differences instead of working with EXCEL sheets and docs.
Kiya

PS: As for me => 1 guide is enough for my whole life - so, no DD2 for me, not guidewise. And if the MP part is larger than the single mode, not as a game for me either.

What a nice little story that was, Myrthos..... good job,
and a great thanks to ALL who made it happen,
I love the cover, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> it's a typical hero/DK you go this way
i'll go that-a-way,
i'm looking forward to seeing the artwork,
done by that masterful magician, Marian...

I'll be patient....for a little while at least! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

It's a must-have for the collection!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

A guide for DD2 could be released shortly after the game, if the Larians can schedule at least month of beta testing after features/quests/maps/etc have been finalized, and they refuse to make significant changes to the game after release based on feedback.

Since it is difficult to estimate how long it will take to write and debug any complex program, and publishers almost always have a say on release dates, there is no guarantee on the beta test length. What is guaranteed is that after release a vocal minority (or majority) will complain about something being changed or something not being changed enough. If the Larians 'fix' this, another group will complain that they liked it the way it was.

Getting a complete accurate guide and getting the game as soon as possible with requested game balances or feature changes are mutually exclusive, even though both are desirable.

Are you thinking about the DeathKnight's voice ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Barta

The voices, inventory toggle/tabs, Sharpen skill, arrow prices....

Raze, you are of course absolutely right in what you say. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But these are the same problems faced by the folks at Prima, Brady and other writers of strategy guides - and they manage to get printed books on the shelves pretty much when the games release. And the writers of FAQs - who are typically a single crazed fan working without developer support - also manage to get their work out with amazing speed.

The key is not to get hung up on getting everything 100% correct.

The difficulty here is that the type of person who is prepared to put all that work in is often also the type that is driven by a desire to see everything correct, and who hates to see even a tiny mistake. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> But the only way to get everything completely right is to wait until a game is completely dead and buried and then do some sort of post mortem. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

I am more than happy to accept a disclaimer (in any guide) that tells the reader that the information was assembled in good faith, based on a particular version of the game. As a gamer I expect that games will never be 100% bug and error free (even after the last patch) and that guides too will have a certain error and variance rate. And they ALWAYS do! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Please don't think I'm complaining - I'm mightily impressed with what you all achieved. I have also written online guides for 2 games (one for a very well known game, and the other for a not so well known game, from a German developer). Mine were far shorter, but I still know how much work it is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ouch.gif" alt="" />

But I didn't wait until I knew it all. I gave it my best shot to coincide with the time when people most wanted the help. Then I just kept updating and editing until I felt a) that it was near enough and b) that I'd had enough of doing it!! It seemed to work OK. Between them they were viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

I think it would be great to see some sort of semi-supported guide for DD2 that was maybe a little rough round the edges or incomplete, but out in the first month of the game release. Just my hope.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think the major problem we had was that with the release of the game, almost every statistical value that was in the guide was useless. It wasn't just a couple of values. It was close to all values. Something similar happened atleast twice more, until we settled on version 1.45.
The guide serves both as a walkthrough and a reference. The reference would have been useless.
As to the walkthrough and the quest list; the Larians changed many of the quests during the way. Several quests were dropped that never reached the release, but were in the guide. Other quest were changed dramatically.

In total the one we had shortly after the release was useless. We had to redo all of the game to get the statistics and quests correct again.

That said, we were trying to be too perfect and we had to cope with a real life job and in my case a wife and kids that liked some attention every now and then as well.

Not enough time, too many changes in a short period and a team that was trying to be too perfect, sort of killed the opportunity to get it into a printed version or released earlier in another way.

It could have been available as a download at the end of july, but we decided to go for the magazine distribution first.
Looking back, maybe other choises would have been wiser and better, but it is as it is.

so i guess after what sounds like a huge task (which you basically had to do several times over due to changes - that must have been very frustrating) that nobody is going feel like taking it on all over again for DD2? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

BTW - the note at the bottom of Myrthos post says "see me at rpgdot". i followed that link and then checked their release date page and it shows DD2 coming out on 30th Nov 2004 - or about 4 weeks away! that's not right is it - or did i miss an announcement somewhere?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

I cannot find the guide available anywhere, including Level - has anyone found it yet?

I'm sure Myrthos will post the link to the download version as soon as it is released. He said it would be about a month a little less than a month ago, so you shouldn't have to wait too much longer.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" /> *taps a hole into the floorboards under her desk* <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

patience..... what a wonderful theory..... pity they couldnt realise it....

it's a virtue that feels like a curse! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Just a little poke to see if this has come out yet...

I had to relocate my desk today.... the hole i tapped under my desk almost swallowed the room....

I am also still patiently waiting....(tap tap tap tap tap)

I have the funny feeling that the next patch and the strategy guide will somehow be released close together....

in any case it'll be too late for me: I'm gonna fight damian again @ lunchtime

It's available for download, read here

just found it.. .looks VERY nice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

only found 1 type: somewhere it says "Tarp detection"

Famous deleted star wars quote - Admiral Ackbar : "it's a Tarp!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" />

there was a problem looking up the post in our database! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/puppyeyes.gif" alt="" /> ...wha... happened?

My fault, sorry...

I wanted to put the Guide in the Help/Tips forum.
Please click here - the link to the Guide itself is broken for the moment... That's not my fault <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> nice new avatar Lynn... very Xmas-spirited <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" />

Agreed! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> looking very spirited, Lynn.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

and thanks for rectifying the situation with the link.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> Oh, by Jolly......look what i just found! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" />


that's me in the middle!

A new smily, it's so great ! I did not see it.
I am going to edit all my today's posts.
Thanks a lot to the Larian team.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" />

Barta

Well.... It works for me.

@ Kiya, Barnabus, Raze and Myrthos -> thank you so much for such wonderful christmas gift. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kissyou.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" />

@ lynn & barta & lews -> beautiful xmas avas! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

What I also wanted to say about the guide: it looks GREAT !!!, esp. the picture pages are very nicely done... interesting piece of work

love the <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" />

One or two corrections are needed :

- Pictures of DK Claw and Magical Sword are swapped (Uniques)
- Different pictures of coloured boots not correct ( rather looking likde sandals) ?

I needed several days to download the whole thing (high-res version), and I'm impressed.

I liked far most the "History of the Raan". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Alrik.

Al, this sounds like easter egg hunt in the strategy guide. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> & i found some spelling mistakes as well. nothing major, actually. plsu there are some sentences that could've been shorter without losing meaning at all. but then i'm just an argumentative git. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

I'll have to look at the swapped images, but the coloured boots are correct. More than one person has checked this and it is how they show in the game (atleast in the games we checked them in). I suppose nobody bothered making images for the coloured boots.


I'm interested to know all spelling mistakes and improvements you know. I'm sure Raze is interested as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />
Note though that US English was chosen for the guide, whereas the game is inconsistent and uses both US and UK English. Sometimes we had to make choices resulting in a mix of US and UK English because it would have been confusing with the actuial text in the game.

There will be a version 1.2 out in Januari. It has amongst other several additions to the math section, but I would like to change any shortcomings also.

I completely agree the pictures are fabulous.
Congratulations to the artist !
I am sorry that it is not a real book with real paper pages and a cover.
It would be easier to read it in bed and the guide would be a great collector object for the most insane fans.



Everybody makes spelling mistakes, specially when english is not the native language.
Kiya, Barnabus and Myrthos are forbidden. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />
But i can't imagine that Raze could make spelling mistakes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/XmasEek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/XmasEek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/XmasEek.gif" alt="" />
I am so disappointed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />


@ Alrik
I have downloaded the guide in the higher resolution.
It just needed about 3 hours. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Barta

Depends on connection (DSL, Modem, ISDN), time you have free for downloading, and things you do meanwhile (browsing Forums also eats bandwidth).

Alrik
I have a modem 56k connected to the phone line.
Meanwhile i browse the forum or i have a look at other web sites but it is very slow !
What type of connexion do you have ?

Barta

I am glad that i have a 512k line <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> i can download anything and not even notice a speed difference <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> if i think back on having a download run at 2-8 k a second, i want to faint.... i am so used to 30-80k a second....

My 56k modem are in my maching purely for faxing purposes....

But i have a bigger problem with the guide than downloading it.... try PRINT it!!!!!! I have scaled it down to A5 size, doublesided sheets, and still it spanned a DECENT 140 pages!!!!!

Unfortunately when i am busy plaing the game, i dont want to al-tab the whole time to find something on a guide.... i want to pause the game, find the answer and carry on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Make no mistake, i think its a VERY very good guide.... its also one of the longest ones i downloaded in my lifetime!!!

Barta, ich have the same sort of connection.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" />

That just sounded CUTE!!!!

What is yoru average download speed???
2-6k/s (56k dialup)
6-12k/s (64k ISDN/DSL)
12-20k/s(128k ISDN/DSL)
20-30k/s(256k DSL)
30-80k/s (512k DSL)

just a rough guide

I'm sorry to say that my high res guide took me almost 10 full minutes, it made me late for work.... awww shucks.......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/XmasJump.gif" alt="" />

@I agree with you Barta......i would like to browse through it in bed too...
and i'll need a new printer if i subject my present one
to the task of 500+ pages... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

I'll suffer for now and read first......play second..... brilliant! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/idea.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

how all of us wish to print it out but alas, either the page count is too many (though it's good?) or that the printer can only print in monochrome. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" /> such is the case of my laser printer. ...... ok so actually it's my office printer. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

maybe i'll print it out bit by bit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

@ myrthos -> let me get back on the guide then i'll let u know about the alleged mistakes, ok?

Easter Egg Hunt in Beyond Divinity Strategy Guide

this is to help the makers of the guide to find out any mistake/problem in it.

(1) Skills -> Introduction -> page 316
Caution: Keep track of .... If you already have a higher one and then get the same a few levels lower, your level cap will be reduced.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> *since patch 1.47, there is no more of such risk though you will still forfeit the money spent in being taught, IF the lower level skill is obtained that way.* ??

(2) Skills -> Survival Skills -> Alchemy -> page 326
Tarp Detection

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> Trap Detection ??

(3) Skills -> Survival Skills -> Thieving Skills -> Sneak -> page 319
It isa default available active skill, but increasing ....

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> It is a default available active skill, but .... ??

(4) Skills -> Survival Skills -> Thieving Skills -> Lockpick -> page 318
It is normally a very useful active skill to open locked chests or doors, but rather futile ...

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> As of patch version 1.47, the previously 'broken' skill is now usable. Being an active skill, it has to be selected to be used & applied on locked doors or chests or barrels, which each have different levels of difficulties to counter the lockpick skill. *geez, there must be a simpler way to say this* ??

(5) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Two-handed -> page 333 -> Two-handed Slashing, Piercing, Crushing, Shadow, Bone

These skills improve the abilities of a two-handed crushing weapon, are passive and are applied automatically by using a crushing weapon.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> These skills WHICH improve the abilities of a two-handed crushing weapon, are passive and are applied automatically by using a crushing weapon.??

(6) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> One-handed -> page 336 -> One-handed Slashing with Shield

These skills improve the abilities of a one-handed slashing weapon. The skills are passive, and are applied automatically when you are using a slashing weapon with a shield.

*i find this is very good as one long sentence is cut into two shorter ones, which is easier to read & understand*

(7) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> One-handed -> page 336 -> One-handed Piercing, Shadow, Bone with Shield

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> please refer to (5). ??

(8) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> One-handed -> page 336 -> One-handed Crushing with Shield

These skills improve the abilities of a one-handed piercing weapon, are passive and are applied automatically by using a piercing weapon with a shield.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> These skills WHICH improve the abilities of a one-handed CRUSHING weapon, are passive and are applied automatically by using a CRUSHING weapon with a shield. ??

(9) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Whirlwind -> Whirlwind Skills

There are three whirlwind skills, which allow to increasie damage, add a chance to stun the opponent and reduce the cost of stamina.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> There are three whirlwind skills; increasing damage, adding chance to stun opponents, and reducing the stamina cost when performing whirlwind. ??

(10) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Craftsmanship -> page 343

Identify: ... Monsters can also be identified, which helps defeating them as their resistances are shown - this differs according to the enemy's level.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> Monsters can also be identified, which helps IN defeating them as their resistances are shown ... ??

(11) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Craftsmanship -> Recover Arrows -> page 345

... By investing into this skill, it is possible to recover arrows and increases the chance to get at least a few ones back.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> By investing points in this skill, it is possible to recover arrows and increase the chance to get at least a few back. ??

(12) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Craftsmanship -> Identify -> page 345

... Alternatively, merchants can also identify items, but they want money for this service (100gp), which is saved by investing into this passive skill yourself.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> Alternatively, merchants can also identify items, but only for money (100gp for each item) which you can save by investing points in this passive skill. ??

(13) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Warrior Talents -> page 346

Discourage: ... Depending on how many,skill points you invest even high-leveled enemies are discouraged.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> Depending on how many skill points you invest in this skill, even high-leveled enemies can be discouraged. ??

(14) Skills -> Warrior Skills -> Melee Specialties -> Warrior Talents -> Feign Death -> page 346

The higher the skill level is the longer the duration will last.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> The higher the skill level is, (a) the longer the duration, or (b) the longer the act will last. ??


note: you can accuse me of nitpicking but these are merely suggestions. to those who are actively involved in the making of the guide, if u would like for me to continue 'nitpicking' or otherwise, please let me know.

Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
The guide is checked upto version 1.45, so anything new with respect to 1.47 is not in. Anything you can find in this matter is appreciated.

Quests, Act 2 : The Lich in the Mushroom Forest :

"A third Lich will be in thIf you say you do not believe them ..."

Sounds like two sentences merged ...

Also, PAG-UMN in the list of Charms has a different "sign" - different from all other UMN signs - is that correct ?

Alrik.