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EQUIPMENT TIPS
As my Dad always says, you won’t get anywhere without the right tools for the job. Mind you, he has a Pentium 60. Equipping your characters appropriately, though, is very important. Learn what your characters can and can’t use: when shopping, always switch to the character the equipment is being bought for. That way, you’ll never buy something the character can’t use. If you have multi-classed characters, the equipment restrictions can be quite byzantine, so beware.
Most items of equipment are self-explanatory, but experimentation is advisable to see how different kit affects your style of play. Use bastard swords rather than long swords, as they inflict more damage but can still be used with a shield. Don’t bother with non-magical jewellery - enemies are unlikely to stop fighting to comment on your dress sense. Bigger shields are definitely worth it, if you can take the weight. Axes and hammers are disappointing, and the latter should only really be used by Clerics. Armour is straightforward enough, but beware of overloading characters with spare sets of heavy equipment and armour. It’s always handy to have a very strong party member, as their weight allowance will permit you to carry home your booty.
When picking stuff up from bodies after a fight, get in the habit of checking for magical items. Mostly you will only get magic kit from named characters or ‘boss’ creatures, but occasionally an ordinary creature is carrying items of value. Right-click on a suspect item, and if there is an ‘Identify’ button on the panel, it is magical. Never equip anything until it has been identified, as some items are cursed, and some can be debilitating. Shops will keep items you sell them in their ‘for sale’ list, but bear in mind the crippling resale prices the shopkeepers charge if you want things back. Think carefully about getting rid of magic items, as your party may change and someone might be able to use a specific piece of equipment.
You’ll find a lot of scrolls and potions in certain places; these can be invaluable in combat and you shouldn’t be afraid to use them – you can also buy them in shops. Some scrolls can also be used by your mages to learn new spells. Scrolls, like potions, can also be stacked; so you can have a stack of useful spells in your quickslots without them taking up much room.