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[GF2] Questions about training, powergaming factions and Shapers in general. in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #10
I've restarted playing as an Agent and it's been much smoother going so far. However I've boiled down this thread to pretty much two questions:

1) Lets say there is Trainer A and Trainer B that can both teach you the two levels of Mass Energize. If you don't use any books/canisters and get both levels of training from Trainer A, will Trainer B still be able to teach you two more levels of Mass Energize?

2) Other then EXP (and lack of augmentation vs equipment when joining Zakary) is there any diference in the rewards you get between joining one faction over the other? More specifically, where one faction would be more alluring to one class than others?

Finally I am still a bit confused as to how best to powergame the factions - it's all a bit frustrating. I'm assuming that I can join and leave the Takers only once... but can I join and leave and rejoin the Awakened, Barzites or Zakary? As an agent I'm strong enough to join either Barzites, Zakary or Awakened right off the bat. I would really appreciate some advice on pwoer gaming factions =/

(If, indeed, factions need to be powergamed at all? See question number two :o )
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Is it wise to... in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #9
Just wanted to chime in and mention that if Oozing Sword is anything as powerful as it was in GF3 you will totally rock after slapping a Golden onto it. About the only enemy that will give you trouble are the Rothgorths. Whip out the Lightning Sword (or Viper Sword, I guess that one's Poison instead of Acid?) and mince those suckers!
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
[GF2] Questions about training, powergaming factions and Shapers in general. in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #6
Alright so, as far as Trainers go, I get a sense that it's a good idea to stave off using Canisters/Books until you can be trained in that specific spell/skill. However once you are trained (or have had to raise the skill yourself) then just go ahead and use Canisters/Books as waiting any longer is pointless despite multiple trainers teaching you the same spells.

In that case I just need a more complete list of trainers as I'm afraid MattP's has a few omissions (at least once that I noticed from the Magus Complex). Then it just becomes about getting the most complete training ASAP.

Would anyone have any thoughts regarding my plans on "powergaming" the factions, e.g.: Awakened followed by Takers, Barzites (with the help of Learned Dorian) and finally "staying true" with Unaligned/Zakary.

Looks like, one way or the other, I'll have to re-roll my Shaper. I think I'll play him untill I can get trained in Create Drayk and see how powerfull they are. Right now the three Cryoas (who are all level 28 :o ) are just barely cutting muster (and I doubt pumping Dex across all three creations would do me much good).

That reminds me thought, as a Shaper, what creations, creation progression, and number of creations do you guys usually go for? Personally I thouught to go with Fire, start with Artillas, jump to Drayk and stop at either Cryodrayk (for low cost) or Drakon (for Searing attack). I'd love others' input.

Thank you.

Edit: As for the creations that can join you I have no plans on using any of them. Heck, with 10 Leadership I'm not persuasive enough to have the Huge Roamer join me! :(

[ Friday, June 01, 2007 20:16: Message edited by: Eugi ]
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
[GF2] Questions about training, powergaming factions and Shapers in general. in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #3
Thank you for the answers and clarifications guys.

Dikiyoba - I checked MattP's guide for GF2 and he mentiones the Barzites, the Awakened and the Takers having the power to alter you. I guess the alteration is the same for all three factions since (in a nutshell) all it allows you to do is to purchase the two top spells and creations in each category.

That said, does anyone have any particular preference on who alters them?

My other question about trainers is that some spells/skills have two trainers listed for them. Does this still mean that only one of those trainers could ever train me? If so, does anyone have any favorites as far as the cheapest/most diverse/best written trainers out there? So far I've only tried the Awakened and they are OK-ish. I've heard some good things about the Loyalist Encampment though (and it seems that you can get there fairly early by running while still "neutral"). Any suggestions?

Thank you!
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
[GF2] Questions about training, powergaming factions and Shapers in general. in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #0
I'm about a third through the game as a Shaper on Normal difficulty and seem to be running into some confusion.

First things first - the whole shaping business. I believe that the shaped creature gaines levels on top of its base level for every two levels of Shaping Skill (in that creature 'element') that you have and for every one level of skill in shaping that kind of creature, right? Also the shaped creature's stats increase only every two levels?

That out of the way, about how many creatures should I be traveling with as a Shaper? Right now I have three Cryoas that (I suspect) are in dire need of a Dex boost as they only have a 35% chance of hitting the Queen Clawbug after War Blessing and despite being level 28 each.

Talking about levels reminds me just how much of a pain HITTING anything has been as a shaper. Lately I've simply given up, bulked up on heavy armor (to compensate for incredibly low HP) and served as a buffer for my creations. Quite a 180 from being the ass-kicking Agent in GF1 :( Is it possible to strike a balance between being able to do damage with my main character and my creations? If I wanted to do that, should I focus on spells or ranged weapons for my main?

Also, does anyone recall the Mechanics/Leadership point 'progression' they used? I believe you want to have 6 Leadership and 8 Mechanics ASAP... eventually getting 10 in both (probably with the help of the Inifltraotr Vest you find pretty early)?

My problems with the Shaper class aside, I've been struggling with Trainers in GF2. Namely, if you gain a point in a skill as a quest reward the trainer can train you that much less... Does this also apply to manually raising your own skills? If so, what's the point of Barzite or Taker trainers since it'd take quite a headache to avoid raising your skills while waiting to get to them? I think I'm really missing something as far as Trainers are concerned. Take Learned Guas for one - he's in one of the hardest areas in the game and he'd be quite useless to me since I would have gotten training or quest rewards in the skills he teaches before making it to him?

Finally, I've been having some second thoughts about my plan to "powergame" the four factions (I'm counting Unaligned the same as Zakary). I first thought to join Awakened, drain them of their money and then sell them out 100% to the Takers (my rep should be low enough after kissing servile ass with the Awakened). After that get help from Learned Darian to join the Barzites before coming full circle and killing everyone beyond Drypeak for Zakary. The probem is that I've been stuck with the Awakened a bit TOO long now it seems. I'm not too sure what is keeping me but I'm already hitting Geth and the point where I should be joining the Takers (I realize Geth is Barzite, but I'm following MattP's guide :rolleyes: ). I guess my main concerns are twofold: Would I be able to be upfront about terminating my connection to Awakened through the dialouge option with their leader and how much of an impact would being augmented have on my endstory?

The latter is another interesting point actually. I have used only a single Canister of Strength so far (and, whether I ultimately juice on Cans or skip the great majority of them I can reset that through the SDF 'cheat') but how much or will my ending change were I to be augmeneted by Tuldaric? Any difference if I were augmented by all or only one faction? Any 'code' to reverese the stuff done flag for the augmentation?

Overall GF2 is a tremendous improvement over GF1 in all respects. I love how the narrative explores the differences between all the ideologies and the "third paths" that people try to carve out of all the madness. Right now the person who sticks most in my mind is Elissia and her almost fanatical devotion to her orders from the council. True, she may find peace in that approach but you just 'know' that she'll get screwed like the Obeyers of GF1 when the Shapers reclaim the area. Granted her fate would be better but I doubt she'll hear much praise for her decision (cherry on top: the work she's doing is most likely useless). Also I like Loyd Blade (and hope I can spare him). Most realistic opinion of Servile/Shaper relations I've heard from anyone. Kudos to his no-nonsence attitude and approach.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
No stone bracelet in G3?? in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #13
quote:
Originally written by The Mystic:

Touche! :D :D

However, I only use in-game cheats; for some weird reason, the script cheats crash my game, forcing me to reinstall.

WHen you say "script cheats" I assumne you are referring to the character/item editors?

Are you sure you are installing them correctly?

Even if, for whatever reason, they are adversely effecting your game just be sure to make backup copies of the files you are replacing. I doubt there would be a reason to replace the entire game.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge Cheats in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #9
quote:
Originally written by Necro-Master:

But it is your fault that you posted here. Maybe if you had anything useful to add, but Nalyd can't see anything to that effect.
Dude, get a life. Replying to a nine-day old post on the front page hardly counts as thread necromancy by most measures yet here you are throwing a hissy fit over it, pretending to be a board Admn.

Also, referring to yourself in third person (if that is, in fact, what you appear to be doing) is so 90's.

If you want to complain about "content", my beef is that there's no way to reproduce the "showmeall" cheat in any games prior to GF3. That cheat is a must for any completionists (like moi) who need to massacre everything hostile on the map.

[ Wednesday, May 30, 2007 17:59: Message edited by: Eugi ]
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge Cheats in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #6
Oh stuff it. It's not my fault that a topic with a nine-day old reply is still on the front page.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
GF 1 - Shaper Crypt in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #24
Shaping as an Agent? I feel that that's a huge waste.

I'm already onto GF2 so let me fire up GF1 and see what I have...

Right, so... By the end of GF1 (where all that's left is deciding who to help and who to kill) I am level 24.

Stripped down I have:

Strength 6
Dexterity 8
Intelligence 11
Endurance 6

Melee Weapons 7
Missile Weapons 4
Quick Action 5
Anatomy 3

Battle Magic 15
Mental Magic 6
Blessing Magic 6
Spellcraft 23

Fire Shaping 3
Battle Shaping 0
Magic Shaping 3
Healing Craft 5

Leadership 13
Mechanics 14
Luck 30

Some notes: I skipped Missile Weapons in favor of spells as my ranged attack. Right now I mostly Melee using Tek's Spectral Dirk. Sure, it has slightly less damage than Guardian Claymore, but in my opinion the very high resistances it offers more than make up for that. Not many points in Quick Action or Anatomy since I originally planned to focus entirely on spells. (The fact that I'm mostly using melee just shows that I need to replay the game on Torment). Admittedly I likely went just a tiny tiny bit overboard with Battle Magic and Spellcraft. Nothing much in Mental Magic (Daze is for pussies) or Blessing Magic (I have Spellcraft to help me). Shaping as an Agent is for losers in my opinion. And yes, I purchased every single point of luck what with having too much money and nothing else to spend it on.

Overall, anyone that's talking about using "helpers" on anything but Torment as an Agent needs to delete their save files and re-roll a Shaper.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Hello i'm back!! in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #5
I'm pretty sure Phil Foglio was the one that did the illustrations for GF1?
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge Cheats in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #4
There are only two cheats that I use constantly - exitzone and showmeall

Shame that showmeall isn't available in GF 2 or GF1 :(
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Secret Quests? in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #3
Personally I haven't met Komoa again after the thing at the inn... and now hearing about his reward I don't really want to. Does anyone know if he resurfaces in GF4 or something?
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Stonespire in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #4
As other people have mentioned - finish all the quests in the city and drain Morigan's money, then kill everyone in it that turns hostile. You lose absolutely nothing for doing it that way.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Some questions regarding Geneforge 3 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #9
Ooohhhhh, Ghaldring the other head Drakon!

I thought Ghaldring was the name of one of the new Shaper creations in GF4.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Some questions regarding Geneforge 3 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #7
Do you have to finish Gf3 as a rebel to hear about that?
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
About "Luck" in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #8
I max out my luck in GF1 because you can buy it for a fee.

In GF3 I took 5 Luck during the course of the first few islands because it's so cheap (1 point per stats).
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Some questions regarding Geneforge 3 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #5
If it's a door in Gf2... why Groove mention GF3? Especially if the thing you mentioned only is introduced in GF4? :confused:
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge 5 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #35
Well that's you dude, but I doubt that's really anyone else here though.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Some questions regarding Geneforge 3 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #3
Wait, what?

I've finished GF3 but haven't started GF2. Could someone please tell me what door in Gf3 is being referenced? Is it the one you are "scared away from" that's part of the rebel's quest?

And yeah, the rebels are real nappy-headed ho's. They'll accept you into their ranks even if you were 100% pro-shaper up until the final island.

As for canisters, use all you want. Simply use the above-mentioned cheat to get the non-canister ending.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Get the most out of Sucia Island! in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #5
I have 30 luck right now on my Agent in GF1.

It doesn't seem to help THAT much from what I've seen but I know it can't hurt :P
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Get the most out of Sucia Island! in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #0
I checked and didn't see any other topics where I could put this. Some spoilers may be below.

I just tested my theory and had a success. After being frustrated that the game was smart enough to have all loyalist Sholai know when I killed some of their buddies and tarnishing my amulet I decided to wait till getting to Crossroads where your amulet is taken away. I killed everyone on that map but left the amulet in the box. Then I went and cleared out Patrol Bridge. Got the amulet back from the box at Crossroads and not only was it pristine but none of the other Sholai were any wiser.

Based on this evidence I declare open season on loyalist Sholai! Sure, they may only gives 5 exp (with no creations) at level 18, but that Charged Sholai (800 hper) gave 60 xp! Also plenty of potions, gold, and javelines.

As an aside, I just killed an Ornk and it dropped a Gemstone along with meat. Is this because of my luck stat or are drops like this pre-assigned?
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge 5 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #32
Tullegloar - You answered your own question, so to say. To get the perfect Shaper ending you could (and should) kill everything in GF2. THat's not the same as fighting for yourself. Also, as I mentioned earlier, four games consisting of little more than clearing out a map of all living things and looting it would get boring very quickly.

Enkephalin - Sounds cool! I just wish that Jeff owuld revamp the inventory system prior to doing that. Prime example - give us some bags please! This makes organization much easier and allows you to haul around more things. At the very least combine the inventory system from GF1 and GF3 where hitting G doesn't bring up the whole inventory (only the get nearest items) and hitting I for inventory brings up your avatar doll, equipped and bagged items and a place to drop items on the ground.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge 5 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #27
quote:
Originally written by Emperor Tullegolar:

My idea wouldn't have all that base building nonsense. Just a room with a vat of essense. You bring components to it (found by defeating other factions), and by the end of the game it becomes a geneforge. You would be a one man faction, of course. After all, why would anyone want to help you build a geneforge?
The problem that I see with the "one-man faction" is that it would defeat the drawing point of the game. Said 'point' is that there is no perfect side that you ultimately must pick (as seen in events of GF3 and 4, no more fence sitting). I also share what I perceive to be your "The only man to whom I am loyal is the one I see in the mirror each morning" mentality but realize that GF wouldn't be what it is if I could just kill everyone on each map irregardless of consequences and loot them. It is frustration (Lord knows I want to kill some Sholai in GF1 after allying myself with them for some exp!) but more engaging to work within a tighter framework.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge 3. in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #14
quote:
Originally written by DikiPDN:

Why would he be kidding? Your first point has nothing to do with good and evil. The Awakened have good ideas, they're just not feasible. It added to the dilemma in G1--the group I wanted to most help out had the fewest reasons for me to do so.

As for your second point, slavery is generally considered an evil thing rather than a good thing these days. If you do not feel that way, please call Dikiyoba--you look cheap, efficient, and expendable, and Dikiyoba has plenty of stuff that needs cleaning, weeding, recorded, and so on.

Look, I'm an American and I want to support a winner. The Awakened will never get their agenda through, even they themselves aknowledge that! Therefore while I sympathise with their cause I feel that no one should have any reason to support them as they have unnatainable and unrealistic goals.

Finally I find your comment about slavery immensly amusing. Yes, no longer does the world (widely) practice slavery with chain and bondage. Instead now we have evolved different methods of accomplishing the same thing! Take, for example, debt or other fiscal means of control. This can be seen on an individual basis (private money lender) and on an international one as well (one country investing heavily into the other only in a specific industry, e.g. cash crops). Slavery in one shape or form will never go away.

Now, back to the serviles. Without going into Thuryl's equally amusing comment one of the reasons the Serviles can never achieve freedom is that the Shaper structure would suffer a major blow. Gone would be their reliable source of cheap labor (see Mexicans in the US analogy). Prices would sky-rocket and the Shapers will either grind to a hault barring the Shaping of a new organism to take the Servile's place or will go into debt and disintegrate entirely. I'm of a mind that some order is better than none.

quote:
Originally written by Thuryl:

These two statements, taken in conjunction, make me more than a little uncomfortable.
I won't dance around this one. Yes, your reasoning seems to paint me as some xenophobic advocate of genocide. To clarify my thoughts, however, I was merely commenting on how dependant Shapers are on the Serviles for the existence of Shaper dominance. Just like curently the United States is depenent on cheap Central and Southern American labor for anything from house construction to restaurant kitchens. Without these peoples America would not be able to afford or propogate the care-free lifestyle we have now!

To comment on the Shapers vs Awakened (later Rebels) situation I'd say that it's a shame that there's no Khyzyk side in the game (the lone Shaper in the tower in GF3, likely misspelling his name). Of course the game wouldn't be much fun if his "side" was available...

This reminds me of the GF3 ending though. I really hate Khyzyk. I mean, there he is, a rational soul in the midst of bi-partisan chaos who is a respected, old and powerful Shaper. But what does he do? Make his island "dissapear" from world events! He chickens out! He never fights for what he believes in or tries to incur change! What a loser.
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00
Geneforge 5 in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 8338
Profile #24
But guys, all these things about base building and stuff totally change the game!

You are going from a single-player turn-based RPG that's mostly played solo to a Dungeon Keeper hybrid of some sort.

Personally I would like some customization in the series (for example, in GF3 I loved coming to each island and picking out a "home" for my character. Cleaning it up and organizing my stack of supplies there). But I'd rather avoid dealing with micro-management of "research", resources and base building.

tl;dr - Remember the "spirit" of the game. The things you describe sound cool but would they really add to the Geneforge experience?
Posts: 85 | Registered: Sunday, March 18 2007 07:00

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