Hints for Playing Torment

Posted by Chris Avellone - Black Isle Studios on Nov 28, 1999 at 13:34:39:

The team's been busting through the game over the past few weeks, and there's some common hints for some easier Torment playing we'd like to share with you so
when you pick up the game, you can hit the ground running:

1. Be sure to examine *every* item you get on your inventory screen. Chances are, the description gives clues on how the item can be used effectively -- sometimes,
an item's secondary power can be more useful than it's primary ability.

2. Be sure to talk to your party members once they are in your party. They can offer advice, be a good source of experience, and even train you in skills and
abilities. Often, helping them with their problems can make them stronger.

a. Be sure to talk to them when you change your class. Chances are, any mage in your party can offer advice to your character when he becomes a mage, and the
same holds true for thieves and fighters.

3. Your weapon experience is based on finding on fighting tutors and getting trained. You'll start out with moderate skill in daggers and fist weapons, but any other
type of weapon you try and use will carry penalties until you can find a tutor to train you.

4. You can RUN. Some critters can't. Use this to give them a bad day... from a distance.

5. Some store inventories change over time depending on what you do in the game, especially the tattoo parlor and some of the weapon stores. Always head back
there when you have a life-shattering event.

6. You will NEVER fail to copy a spell scroll if you can cast the spell and your Intelligence is high enough for you to learn that level of spell. This is done just to
prevent reloading. However, there are a lot of spells in the game and your Intelligence determines the number of spells you can actually put in your spell book. So
make sure you don't pump up your slots filled with spells unless you really want them -- or unless you have plans to raise your Intelligence later.

7. There are plenty of items and people who can give you stat points throughout the game. If a stat seems to be limiting you from doing something, try and
accumulate items to pump up the appropritate stat and try again.

8. Save before talking to important NPCs -- some dialogues are more dangerous than combat, and you might want a second try at some of them.

9. There's a lot of combat in Torment, but you'll inevitably be rewarded a LOT more for not fighting in a number of situations. Don't be surprised if talking someone
down or tricking them is worth three or more times what you'd get if you butchered them.

10. Torment favors role-players. Get into your character, play it to the hilt, and you'll find the game has rewards just for your type of character.

11. During initial character creation, you can't raise your stats over 18 (or in the case of strength, 18/00). When you start leveling up however and gaining more stat
points, however, this cap is gone.

12. If you get stuck, read your journal -- within the journal entries are usually clues to what you can do next. If that fails, ask one of your companions what you
should do next (especially Morte, Annah and Fall-From-Grace). They can help point you in the right direction.

Just some advice,

Chris