Increasing dexterity and choice of weapons

[TheCowabungaKid]

Hey I don't know if this was addressed somewhere else, the search function didn't bring up any current topics.
The problem I see atm is: I'd like to use Heavy Weapons, but I just don't see that in terms of game mechanics there's any point to it (other than applying blunt damage instead of cutting, which gives an edge depending on the opponents armor values).
The reason is: the only way I currently know of to increase dexterity is fighting with a light weapon like a Katana. So in order to properly fight (faster attacks and blocks) I HAVE to use light weapons, otherwise I only train strength. Is there any plan to change that? Or am I missing another way to increase dexterity?

[Tolwrath]

keep in mind strength is the damage modifier for blunt weapons. Because you can also build up strength via running with a heavy load, it's actually easier to start doing high damage with heavy weapons. before you know it, you can be hitting for more than 100 damage a swing.

To answer your question about dex, sadly no, because athletics and dexterity are two separate stats, oh it levels up with sabres too though, not just katanas.

[TheCowabungaKid]

Well I know about the sabres, but my point remains...My character is too slow to parry many attacks and he only attacks once every other year...

[sumo0]

Welcome to my world.
My main char have 88 str and 50something heavy weapon skill and a mere 8 dexterity. It goes without saying that he have been using heavy weapons all the time he could.

Because of this low dex my main char can strugle against 8 or so starving bandits:P

He does pack a nice punch though, and sometimes several fall with the same blow.

But IMO heavy weapon is like making a dodge char in any other game (highly unreliable).
Nonetheless i refuse to use anything but heavy weapons on my main char.

My medic have waaaay more dex than my main char-.-

[Sprayer2708]

When your char virtually doesnt get hit anymore due to a high melee defense skill and a quick weapon, wouldn't it be good to fight using a crappy weapon to be able to train with the same opponent longer?

[Tolwrath]

That is doable, but I remember hearing from someone that weapon skill levels work off the same xp pool. Like say you have 60 heavy and 1 katana. If you switch to katana it would take as much effort to get to 2 as it would for heavy to get to 61. Dunno if that's true though, I never tested it.

[Marilous]

You could always use katana or saber for awhile. Im guessing that if you could become cloud strife with a heavy weapon then there wouldnt be a reason to ever use anything else.

[Edril]

That is doable, but I remember hearing from someone that weapon skill levels work off the same xp pool. Like say you have 60 heavy and 1 katana. If you switch to katana it would take as much effort to get to 2 as it would for heavy to get to 61. Dunno if that's true though, I never tested it.

Even if that's true, it's not a huge issue, since you're looking to increase your dexterity, not your katana weapon skill. It will make increasing your other weapon skill later a bit harder, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem.

Hopefully that is changed at some point though.

[Sprayer2708]

I tested it a few hours ago, the other weapons seem to increase just as quick (if not quicker as the char attacks more often) as the first did in the beginning.

[Tolwrath]

Well I guess that rumor is disproven then.

[Zhivago]

Doesn't parrying with a heavy weapon increase your dexterity? Irecently got a fella that I gave a Plank, and he has certainly gotten at least a bit of dex from fighting. Not as much as he's recieved strength, but still...

[Jonesey]

Thanks for this thread! I was wondering how to increase Dexterity...

[Nater]

So is running Katana's til you get a Dex of 20 still necessary or will Dex increase with other classes as well?

I tried this but seems ike my Dex and Katana skill were mirroring.

[Clawdius Talonious]

Sabres are nearly as good at raising Dex as Katanas, Since it is difficult to buy a good heavy weapon early in the game I find it fairly simple to get 20 or so dex before ever acquiring a heavy weapon. Once you have 20 or so dex heavy weapons can be devastating to the enemy ranks, with 2 sub 20 heavy weapons skill I have two men take out entire squads of bandits solo in order to get their skills up. Regardless of your lack of stats in a particular weapon your attack skill will help you generate more skill with a new weapon type.

[Danarchist]

I have gotten into the habit of raising all my guys dex and sabre skill up to 15 or so then switching to heavy weapons to raise strength. After playing a bit more and starting up multiple new games I am starting to think I should have really focused on str first. For one thing it REALLY helps increase income early on without having to crawl across the desert at a snails pace, and it allows me to wear armor earlier with less of a movement penalty.
Granted I will take more hits, but this is mitigated by armor I scavenge. Availability of armor and heavy weapons early on isn't consistent, but I usually find a group of holy warriors and just run group after group of bandits into them. When one gets knocked down in a battle I just saunter over and strip him naked as a jay bird when no ones looking.
As it is now I have a fairly large group of sabre fighters ranging from 13 to 25 dex/sabre that can barely loot one sword without being reduced to a jog. I spent a solid hour last night running back and forth between my outpost and clowntown while carrying loaded down bandit corpses just to go up 3 or less str each. After spending the previous evening running about wiping out whole armies of bandits it seemed really anti climatic

[Clawdius Talonious]

I spent a solid hour last night running back and forth between my outpost and clowntown while carrying loaded down bandit corpses just to go up 3 or less str each. After spending the previous evening running about wiping out whole armies of bandits it seemed really anti climatic

No matter how much weight is on the corpse, it only adds a set 40kg to carry weight. It is best to load a large traders backpack with stacks of swords, or a shopkeepers bag if you can get one, and then wandering around with someone slung over your shoulder. A Shopkeepers bag that is empty weighs quite a bit, and the corpse (or other squad member) will get you quite a bit of carry weight with or without the stacks of swords. The trick is to have half your squad carry the other half, with the lowest strength members using the backpacks, and trading them around as they become the higher strength members. At the moment it's a little tedious, but it isn't too bad, and you can set down the other half of your squad if you get ready to fight.

In the future hopefully we'll be able to set patrol routes for that, and gain a bit of strength through mining/quarrying stone.

[Danarchist]

Was not aware of that actually! Thank you. After learning earlier in the post that my higher attack skill will not slow down skill increases in different weapons I plan to switch them all to Toppers tonight and just go on a slaughter fest. Combat is by far the fast way to raise any skill I find.
I am currently working on a quick guide for some coworkers that are interested in the game and playing "haul the bandit corpse" for hours does not sound super enticing.

[RebelMonarch]

So just from carrying the backpacks the lower strength members would gain strength? Even if they're being carried? Doesn't that seem a bit weird? Or am I misunderstanding you?