I have 4 Dwarven Female Valkerie (lvl:19). They all have 100 strength and have had Dread Spears for about 6-7 levels. They only do about 30-40 damage per hit. At this level (sometimes only 10-30pts) that seems very low. I know these weapons arn't the best compared to some swords but I thought, with their polearm skill they would be doing much better. There average polearm skill is 105-125.

[ 06-29-2003, 06:05 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

Since the Dread Spear is only rated for 11-23HP damage, I'd say you're doing pretty well already ;)

Yes, but look at how much damage a fighter does. All things being equal it should be much higher. Plus there is a 100% damage bonus as well. I thought these guys would be my tanks but I guess not.

Polearm skill doesn't increase damage, martial arts is the only weapon skill, which does. However with +20 from dread spear & the valk's polearm bonus they should get at least 2/1 attacks/swings, if not 2/2. This nets you around 120 dmg/turn, which sounds fair enough. Sure a fighter does 2x damage, but can't cast bless, GA, portal etc.

Ah, but all else *isn't* equal: the best two-handed swords have a top-end damage that's 50-100% higher than that of the Dread Spear. Probably the most appropriate comparison would be to a Fighter with Excaliber; when fully developed, your girls should consistently do (per hit) about half the damage of such a Fighter. Except that you've got four of them--there's only one Excaliber (and it's a "short" range weapon). And, like Zarah says, they can Bless, Superman, and GA themselves while they do it.

If I was doing 100-120 damage I would be happy. They get their 2 hits in no problem, but it's only about 30-35 pts. each time. They only do more if the opponant is papralyzed, which doesn't happen often.

Maybe I could email a save game and someone could check it out and see what's going on!

[ 06-30-2003, 07:09 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

perhaps your dexterity and speed are lower? these will of course help determine your number of attacks. Really without buffs (and considering the number of attacks they have) your not doing to badly (depending of course on the level and type of monster your bashing). Still though, they are no substitute for a good fighter or a good rouge (but then of course they can cast spells). This all comes down to strategic development of your party - you thought you could get a meatshield, a melee'er, and a decent magic caster all in one, and you probably will......at the end of the game.

I couldn't wait 'til the end, so I started over. Chalk it up to experience I guess?

This is why I'm writing a beginners ref. and drilled down to the details of party creation. I absolutely hated my first "trek" up to level 14 with 2 samurai a bard a gadgeteer and 2 psions. The game was close to impossible the way I was leveling up attributes, not training, utilizing poorly chosen party members, initiating combat, ect.. I've learned a few things since then, (while making a lot more mistakes along the way), and finnally decided to bend the game over the proverbial barrel - creating a party that will mow down the competition at any level.

..keep me posted!