Newbie questions about Gunslinger character

Hi. I just decided to give it a shot to Arcanum after I got sick of fantasy-type rpgs and I decided I'd like to play a gunslinger+tech character. I really hate starting over so I'd like to ask a few questions and I'd appreciate any info.

1)What stats should I spent points/concentrate when I create my character? I was thinking str, dex, perception. Should I spend points on dodge, melee, gunsmithy?

2)I bought the handgun and 80 bullets from the starting shop. I attacked the nearest creature and my hit ratio was 20% at point blank range and I'd probably be dead if Virgil wasn't there (I'm playing on normal difficulty). Am I doing anything wrong or is this normal?

3)Should I go for dwarf for the tech bonus?

4)Should I use auto-level scheme "Gun Technologist"?

5)Any most-have skills I should know and any Background suitable for this type of character?

Thanks!

 

1. Perception is a must. Dexterity helps you shoot more often and does all sorts of other useful things for you. Intelligence will also come into play if you plan on getting into Gunsmithy or other technical disciplines.

Two or three points in Melee are nice for those times when it makes more sense to use a backup weapon. You can get by without Dodge, but you might want put at least one point into it anyway because you'll get hurt less often during fights.

You might want to focus on Throwing instead of Melee, especially if you want to use explosives. Or do both if you have extra points to spend.

Gunsmithy can be really fun. There are a ton of different guns you can learn how to make, and some of them are pretty good. You might consider investing two points in the skill so you can make yourself a few Fine Revolvers.

2. That sounds pretty normal to me. Your to hit ratio increases as your skill level goes up.

3. If that sounds fun, go for it. The only problem is that it can be hard to find dwarf-sized armor.

4. I think you'll have more fun without it.

5. Bandit is nice because you start with a revolver that does a little more damage than that flintlock you bought. Miracle Operation works really well if you can adjust to the physical penalties. Raised by Monks gives you a bonus to Perception in exchange for starting money. Sickly is good if you plan on learning to make a lot of stuff. Mad Doctor can be a good one.

 

1. Dexterity is pretty important if you're using turn based combat. Otherwise it's just nice to have, as you move faster with more dex.
Perception is a must have because your firearms skill depends on it. I wouldn't necessarily max it out though, as you can get quite a few bonuses to your perception, if only temporarily, and the bonus yielded by very high/max perception is rather... uh... non-existant.
As for strength that depends on you. Naturally it is useful for carrying stuff and some bonus HP. Maybe go up to around 12 or so, this way you should also be able to use every gun without disadvantages.
Gunsmithy isn't by all means needed, but it's quite useful, especially at the very beginning of the game. You can get the best guns without investing points here, though, but then it might take a while (and there's limited availability if you want to use them to create other items/outfit followers).
Dodge is kinda useful but then again you're a ranged fighter. Maybe 2-3 points here aren't too wrong though, especially in the beginning. Still not a must have.
If you want a backup skill in case you run out of bullets you could use melee (and then it might be smart to raise dodge some). Personally I wouldn't as you run low on bullets only in the beginning of the game. Maybe put a point or two in throwing and use a boomerang (and/or put some points into explosives and discover the fun one can have with grenades).

2. That's normal if your weapon skill isn't very high yet.

3. Not if you only want the tech bonus. Play a dwarf because you want to play one.
As for the armor issue mentioned above: in theory a technologist can create good armors of any size. Also the best (protection wise) armor in the game is only for small races. On the other hand you can get two sets of the second best (or third best, depending on your views) mechanical armor in the game, one of those if you're a gunslinger. They're medium sized.
Overall that shouldn't bother you too much though, especially because you're a ranged fighter, right?

4. No.

5. I found Miracle Operation to be a good background for a gunslinger as you get a nice int boost (for learning tech stuff, if you want to), charisma for followers and most important a massive boost to perception, therefore you can focus on skills (and/or technology) at the beginning of the game. The disadvantage is of course that you're more fragile, can't carry as much and most importantly you'll be quite slow in turn based mode. Your pick, but the last time I tried playing a gunslinger I had exactly this background - and it was well worth it.

 

On a side note, merhaba Armağan. Başka bir Türk'e burada her gün rastlamıyorum.

 

The first character I won the game with was a half-elf Miracle Operation gunslinger. I loved playing that character because of all the advantages you mentioned.

You can deal with that background's Dexterity penalty pretty effectively by learning how to make charged rings (you spend two points to get four points of Dex). The other penalties are only a problem if you switch to fighting with a rapier sometimes like I did. Just make Virgil carry all your stuff until you can recruit more followers.

It was nice being able to focus more on stuff I had never done before, such as messing around with Gunsmithy or using manuals to make better weapons for some of my followers. My life became much easier after I learned how to make a Looking Glass Rifle.

Playing as a half-elf may not be the best way to go due to the tech skill penalties, but it worked out well for me.

 

As mentioned before Perception for gun skill. Dex is nice too for speed, dodge, and melee or throwing, whichever you prefer as a back up plan. Molotov's are fun, but Miracle Operation makes getting throwing to a respectable level a pain in the butt - especially as a dwarf. The massive DX penalty combined with the CN penalty and casting cost penalty means no Agility of Fire + 2x Charged Ring = 8 DX hax.

Now if you are any other race, it doesn't matter. You can AoF + 2x Charged rings and be amazing for 3 character points + a bit of shopping time.

Now I did go the thrower route as a dwarf as mentioned, but only because Gunny McBoomstick was such an awesome name I couldn't help it. :lol:

The other thing I wanted to mention was Prowl. Since you need a high perception anyways you could take Prowl and be a sniper. With Mastery, you can shoot people and disapear, repeat. Wouldn't be bad if you felt like playing as a Predator - cloaking device (Prowl Master) and spear gun (blade launcher) anyone? :lol:

 

Actually if you're well hidden you don't even need to bother with going into hiding again. Most of your victims will just continue their daily routine as they apparently prefer to take it "like a man".