High level Mechanics checks - Where are they and how can I get around them? A guide.

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During my last playthrough, I kept notes on all the spots where mechanics was required for traps and locks.

 

I will probably post a more detailed list at some point, but for now I'm sharing a summary.

 

As I suspected, the really high level stuff is (mostly) only required for Od Nua. Level 8 has a Mechanics 12 trap on a chest. Level 9 has a Mechanics 12 door, but there is a key on that floor that will also open that door (though if you get it, you probably don't need it anymore). Level 11 makes three Mechanics 11 checks. Level 12 has one 11 and five 12 checks. 

 

Outside of Od Nua, I found one Mechanics 11 trap in Breith Eaman. Everything else is a Mechanics 10 check or lower and can be resolved by a non-rogue (Aloth, Durance, or Kana). 

 

Here's what worked for me.

 

Part 1 - Hireling Rogue

 

Immediately after meeting Aloth, I went into the Black Hound and hired a rogue. With a Laborer background, his skill progression looked something like this:

 

(Stealth, Athletics, Mechanics)

 

01 - 1, 1, 3

02 - 2, 3, 4

03 - 3, 3, 6

04 - 3, 3, 7

05 - 3, 4, 8

06 - 3, 4, 9

07 - 3, 5, 9

08 - 3, 5, 10

09 - 4, 5, 10

10 - 4, 5, 11

11 - 5, 5, 11

12 - 5, 5, 12

 

With this progression, and the resting bonus from Black Hound, the rogue can clear every trap in Raedric's Keep. After meeting Sagani (Level 5), the rogue goes back to Caed Nua to soak up random adventures and trap/lock duties fall to one of the other party members (Aloth, Durance, or Kana). He comes out of retirement to help with Searing Falls (specifically to pass the hidden items check for Tidefall) and to help clear floors in Od Nua (my rogue and Kana are required party members of that part of the game)

 

 

Part 2 - Party NPCs

 

Not wanting to miss out on party interactions, etc, and knowing that you don't need a 100% dedicated Mechanics build outside of Od Nua, I wanted to suss out builds for other party members so that they can pass these checks during the regular game.

 

Below are the skill distributions for Durance and Aloth, respectively:

 

Durance (Stealth, Athletics, Lore, Mechanics)

 

01 - 0, 1, 4, 0

02 - 2, 1, 4, 2

03 - 2, 1, 4, 3

04 - 3, 2, 5, 4

05 - 3, 2, 5, 5

06 - 3, 2, 5, 6

07 - 3, 2, 5, 7 *

08 - 3, 2, 6, 7 **

09 - 3, 3, 6, 8

10 - 3, 3, 7, 8

11 - 3, 3, 7, 9

12 - 3, 3, 8, 9

 

* He will need the Goose and Fox resting bonus here to clear a high level trap in Heritage Hill)

** He will be able to see, but not disable the traps in Dyrford Ruins. I clear the dungeon and then use a Mechanics scroll to clear them before leaving

 

 

Aloth (Athletics, Lore, Mechanics)

 

01 - 0, 4, 1

02 - 0, 7, 1

03 - 1, 8, 2

04 - 2, 8, 3

05 - 3, 8, 4

06 - 3, 8, 5

07 - 4, 8, 6

08 - 4, 8, 7

09 - 4, 8, 8

10 - 5, 8, 8

11 - 5, 9, 8

12 - 5, 9, 9

 

With Caed Nua or Copperlane resting bonuses, either Aloth or Durance will be able to clear all but one Mechanics check in the game's final area.

 

I hope this helps.

Edited May 2, 2015 by Achilles