RFS-81 weaponry?

[Ziggurat]

I have tried the android with various weaponry. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!! Our methods are fear, ruthlessness and...never mind, a Python thing. He does get many more strikes as a martial artist, bare handed. And he gets a heads up on that skill. I am finding that with certain weapons such as the Staff of Doom he is even more deadly, IMHO. You have to build up staff skill, but every other round he seems to be paralyzing or instant kill at level 15. He seems more deadly with a weapon. Our methods are fear, ruthlessness and...never mind. Not the comfy chair!

[Kakero]

When I first got him his martial art skill is the highest so I stick to that.

[Halsey]

Without question, RFS-81's martial arts skills are good from the start...the question is 'where do you want to use him in the group formation'. The advantage of giving him a Doom Staff, or Zatochi Bo is one of range - he can be in the back of the formation and still hit. His critical hit potential is amplified when using weapons with 'built in' effects spells like hex, KO, kill, etc...so you don't lose all of his starting strengths. Start building up his staff and wand skills even before you get a decent staff. e.g. Python rocks

[Wereboar]

IMO it depends on your party.

I usually include a monk in a melee-heavy party. In this case, i use martial arts and a Bo/Hayai Bo at start, switch to Staff of Doom when i get it, and use martial arts + Zatoichi Bo near the end.

If you play a more range-oriented party (many missile users or casters), its better to stick at martial arts + throwing weapons or sling, to be able to do damage at range. Since the Staff of Doom is cursed, you don't have good range attacks otherwise.

[Ziggurat]

Except in the early game where the weakest are protected in back, I tend to line up the party (left, center and right, no forward or back slots) so they can all do melee. I put the members with extended weapons on the flanks so they can join in battles on the opposite side if needed. Although this can limit range attacks, I prefer melee and magic over ranged weapons anyway. Two out of the five can't do range (RFS-81 with Staff of Doom and Tumbler, the Hobbit rogue, with Bloodlust, I can never see giving up Bloodlust).

It's nice Adm. Halsey seems to agree with me that these built in staff skills are more enhanced than you should normally get with (say) a staff and wand skill of 24.

I haven't charted the frequency the special attack effects occur, a few observations of frequent occurrence may just be statistically bunched to give a false impression. You know, getting a few heads in a row may make a gambler feel "lucky". But there does seem to be an effect. Maybe it is related to other stats RFS has, which are pretty good all around.