Getting a tech/ gunslinger character going?

Hi guys, i've completed arcanum once with a battle mage and played through parts with lots of different characters. One type i have never had much luck with is a character who uses guns as his primary fighting method though. No matter what i do it just seems to be awfully inefficient compared to meleeing and casting spells.

So, what i am hoping for is some detailed tips on how i get a gunslinger pumped to a viable level fast, quests to do, background/race to use, what to spend points on, that kind of deal. Any succesful gunslingers out there who can help?

 

I'm playing a Dwarven gunslinger now. Unfortunately, the game is geared toward close melee, and survining to a respectable level with guns alone is tough. And bullets are expensive.
I cranked my Persuasion to Expert so I have enough followers to deal with the hand-to-hand, while I stand back and fire away.
I started with the pious background. You get less starting money, but you gain a point of Perception.
If you want a decent gun early on, get the gang Quest from Pollock. He'll give you a Hand Cannon.

 

youve gotta do the gun smithy thing. it dose help you all the way through the gun. get rid of virgil and other magic healers cause they dont learn that they cant heal techies. so you might want to do the healing salve tech or have miss stile.

but it would look best just you and your dog wondering the wastes. opps wandering arcanum doing the clint eastward thing.

arcanum2 the wild west years. id like that.

 

I don't like the fact that it's so easy to shoot your own followers :sad: I had a gunslinger in my party but I had to disable him because he kept shooting followers that got in the way and they would try to kill him for doing so....

 

or when you have a clear shot a follower would stand in the way. what is with that.

 

Well, I had a very successful gunslinger...I had a human with the Miracle Operation background - he was slow, but I didn't have to spend and points in Perception for ages...it was a trade off really, mental prowess for physical weakness...

Definitely invest in the Gunsmithy tree. You can also make your own bullets, you need something like 5 explosives expertise, saltpeter and charcoal, and you get 20 bullets for about 35 gold, depending on your haggle skill and beauty.

The only skill you really need is Firearms - dodge, melee etc are all unnecessary. You might want expert Persuasion though - I took it and it was very handy having 4 followers plus the dog. Use turn-based mode once you get a decent gun. The fine revolver will serve you well for a long time, at least until you make the Looking Glass Rifle. Then use whatever you want.

 

add a little melee in the begining just one skill and train as an apprentice this should help you in the beginning until you get some nice schemantics for weapons

 

Well. the only advise I could give is at the start try to swipe the lgr from the firearms master in Ashbury ... that will be the best gun youll have at least until the middle of the game(it take me to the end though). About the background, get either sickly or the one with the bonus perception... hope this helps

 

If you want to be a gunfighter, go with a dwarf. Their 2 rank bonus to all tech skills (which includes firearms) means that you only have to raise Perception to 15 be able to become a master. You only have to raise PE to 13 if you get some Eye Gear as well...

 

On the subject off gunslinging (is that a word?) is it possible to buy a telsa rod because thats the only thing I need for my Tesla gun?

And my friend said there was a gun slinging Gnome in ashbury I think? Is this true?

 

no

 

So your saying that not only do I have to raise my gun tech tree up waaay high for a looking glass rifle I now also have to waste points just for a tesla rod also?!?!?!?!

 

*moved from general discussion*

 

basiclly yes well you can always a characther editor

 

Is beauty important for people to train you in firearms and other skills?

 

Beauty only affects peoples initial reaction score. It would make apprentice training for any skill a little cheaper. Expert seems to be fixed at 500 and Master always seems to require a quest.

Not an expert gunfighter but I'm trying
As has already been said you'll want at least one rank of Herbalism tech.

1 rank of Explosives is also a good idea. Not just so you can make bullets but so you have Molotov's too. You'll need throwing skill though.

Either start with or get the Fine Revolver schematic ASAP.

Backgrounds are a mixed bag. I prefer the raised by monks one. The mad doctor, sickly and miracle operation cut down your other stats quite a bit and if you want to use rifles you'll ending up putting points back into strength. Seems most rifles need a strength of 8 and the Mechanized gun needs 10.

Down the road two ranks of Electrical to get the Charged Ring is also a good option.

I guess my best advice would be to try and find a balance between shooting skill and Gunsmithing. I had one character that made Master but didn't have a gun better than the Clarington and another that could make good guns but couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside.

 

I finally settled on "no significant background" for characters. I have had a gunslinger human, dwarf, gnome, and elf. All were able to complete the game without too much difficulty.

Ammo availability? Lockpicking is so useful in the game. Starting out as an apprentice lockpicker made it fairly easy. My characters also were at least Expert in Dodge. Without a backup skill in Melee, I kept close count of remaining bullets and usually carried 800+. Going through the Dredge took me over 1000 rounds with a Clarington; but then I often killed the monsters before a follower had a chance to swing. Ore Golums and Seething Masses required some hit and run though...

The Elephant gun is the last on the firearms tree before stepping off into schematics. It has received bad press in this forum for some reason, although the rifle deals out decent damage at good range and can carry you through the game.

Try them all, pick a main weapon, and retain your second favorite in a quickslot for backup. Remember this too: if you receive a crippling blow to an arm, you will not be able to equip a rifle. A good healing will cure this.

 

I know I may sound silly but is picklocking better than pickpocketing?

 

What the hell? Who said you can't buy tesla rods? Inventors have them all the time. You can also find them lying around in some barrels.

 

I believe you're thinking of a Tesla Coil, Rob.