Renal Bloodscalp

I'll echo Deus2015's comments. It's been helpful in breaking down the relationships in the game and how/where to find the components one needs to stack the benefits you expect characters to exploit.

It's popular to make your mechanic one of your front-row or at least second-row characters, so they can detect traps before someone else in your party trips them! Do this, and/or use the option to auto pause when detecting hidden objects, to help avoid tripping traps. If you detect a trap that you can't disarm, either leave and come back at a higher level, or send your party back and have your tankiest character set it off. Removing all those traps is great experience and money. i'm not one to set traps. anyone out there finding any usefulness in doing so?

maybe a separate thread is needed then to discuss reputations. it's my only knock on the game that Defiance Bay doesn't seem alive because there isn't a lot of effect/change to be had on it. Athkatla could be shaped based on several decisions over the course of the game. I'm not sure the chanter is 'more' unique than the cipher. the chanter, to me, seems to have bard songs that, when played, unlock the spells available to the class. It certainly plays different (and better!) than previous implementations of Bards (BG/IWD/NN). The cipher doesn't really match up with another class/build in other CRPGs i've played. All in all, I'm really enjoying the game. It's got a lot of depth; dissecting the weave of the game has been fun.

That's pretty sweet. Just getting into the game but impressed with the depth in the game. seems like there's all sorts of fun builds waiting to be found.

This is interesting. i selected the island aumaua for my initial play through without the realization the third slot would be such a boon. as others characters came on board, having two slots seemed limiting. it's been pretty hard for me to stay away from the arms bearer and deep pockets talents though it seems a waste. Would be a real boon for certain race/class/background combos to unlock some of these slots. concerning skills for the main character, i'd have to agree mechanics and lore are simply too practical to avoid. i usually take a few ranks in athletics as well. a few skill points cuts back on the naps.