Growing the perfect fighter

[Merkin]

I think the clear racial winner for the Fighter is the Dracon, for most initial points, better overall balance than the liz; plus acid breath…something you don’t want to use often, but will be glad it’s there when you need it. It continues to get more powerful as your drac advances, without ever having to put a point into it. Kind of like a freebie magic spell or renewable potion.

Some think the best way to develop a character is to max out one or two key characteristics as fast as possible, ignoring everything else. I think that’s a mistake, it can leave you with some glaring weaknesses that the enemy mobs will be only too happy to exploit.

Start by putting one point into VIT. This gives you a one hp bonus every level, for a one point, one time investment. Then put the maximum 20 into STR, this is a no-brainer. The fighter is one class where you want to max out their prime stat ASAP, to unlock the expert skill of powerstrike. Then put 10 each into DEX, SPD and SEN. While DEX is the most important of these three for a fighter, and SEN the least, they’re ALL important to a well-rounded fighter, and can’t be ignored. But wait, you say, that leaves 9 points left! Yep, and you’re going to put them in INT. INT is a controlling attribute for close combat, and 9 pts is exactly the number for a dracon to take him out of the “dumb as rocks” category. Check your skills screen, you’ll find that close and ranged each jump a point. And as close combat is your prime skill for a fighter, that 25% bonus will continue to multiply on the initial investment.

So your fighter looks like this:
STR: 75
INT: 44
PIE: 30
VIT: 61
DEX: 60
SPD: 50
SEN: 40

At level-ups, put 3 STR, 2 DEX, and 1 SPD; until you max out STR at level nine. Then shift it to 3 DEX, 2 SPD, and 1 SEN until you max dex. After that, shift to 3 SPD, 2 SEN, and 1 INT. You have enough VIT to see you through the game, and PIE is very close to worthless for a fighter

For skills, it’s simplicity itself. 3 each into Sword, Close Combat, and Bow. Ignore shield and axe, you’re a one weapon specialist, and the sword is the weapon of choice on Dominus. Shield is of moderate use, but not nearly as valuable as an additional bowman. Your magic users are going to be casting from a distance, you can either stand there with your thumb up your butt, or do something useful with a bow, especially if the mob has a spell-caster that needs to be taken down soonest. Also ignore dual-weapons. In the hands of a dual expert, it can be awesome (see the upcoming Samurai dissection), but until dex, sen and int are up quite a bit, you shouldn't even think about dualling a fighter.

As soon as you unlock Powerstrike, drop Bow and start putting the 3 pts into it. As Sword and Close combat max, start putting the points back into bow, then ranged, until you unlock the next expert skill (which should be reflexion about level 15).

In terms of combat tactics with the fighter, there really isn’t to much. You swing, they die. Simple, really. The main thing is to pick your targets, rather than letting the computer do it for you. Why waste your 60 dam. point swing on a creature that is down to 10 hp’s? Your bard can take care of it. Always go for either the active creature with the most hp’s, or the one that’s doing the most damage to your party. One exception to this is when powerful creatures get webbed/paralyzed. You’ve got a window of opportunity here before they snap out of it, don’t waste it.

Some say that fighters are dull, they top out in mid-game and quit improving…bah, I say. The pure fighter is the ultimate killing machine on Dominus, and handled correctly, just continues to get better. So there you have it, my humble (but correct ) contribution to the lore of the fighter in Wizardry 8.

[vesselle]

thanks, merk! we want more of these? how about one for the bard?



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