Tips on how to get off the right foot in Sacred 2

[Dobri 55]

Since I'm bored and I don't feel like leveling now, I decided to make a small guide that will hopefully help new players get off the right foot in Sacred 2 by giving 7 simple tips.

 

 

ULTIMATE TIP: Sacred 2 wiki is your best friend.

http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php5/SacredWiki

 

Enough said.

 

Tip 1: Have a level 2 shoppper.

 

In essence, this means you need a character that has reached level 2 and has picked the bargaining skill as first skill pick and added the extra skill point in it. This character will stay at level 2 till the end and its sole purpose is to help the other characters you will start. Such a character can be an Inquisitor, a High Elf, or a Dragon Mage.

Set up the level 2 shopper with cash. If you're just starting the game, simply make a bunch of extra chars (which you even delete later) which will transfer any item they find to the level 2 shopper. Then sell all the items with the level 2 shopper, effectively starting to pile up cash.

Buy some relics and equipment that has + bargaining to the level 2 shopper. The more +bargaining items you manage to get, the better. The task is to force the game to sell you only rare tems of various types - weapons, armor, jewelry.

 

Tip 2: Have a good idea what you want from your upcoming characters.

 

Now what you have a level 2 shopper to outfit your upcoming characters with superior equipment, you need to start thinking about character builds. Here's some important rules you may want to follow when making a build:

 

Rule 1: Skill choices must flow inexorably from the general concept of the build.

Rule 2: The more play styles you mix in a build (hand-to-hand, ranged, caster), the worse it will perform.

Rule 3: Spreading yourself through a lot of aspects is generally not a good idea.

Rule 4: If you do spread yourself through a number of aspects, always have a good idea which is your main one and which are your supporting ones so that you improve them in that manner.

Rule 5: Have a good idea which aspects provide the buffs that your build needs and utilize them.

Rule 6: Have a good idea which skills are important to a build and distribute your skill points there.

Rule 7: In many occasions, an aspect's focus is more important that the aspect's lore.

Rule 8: Distributing skill points at random or "because it feels right" is never a good idea.

Rule 9: If you play hardcore, always pick Constitution and master it by level 75. Even if you have a big energy shield. Just in case.

Rule 10: You can master 3 skills by level 75 and a 4th one around level 80. You will be wise to spend your points in a manner to achieve that as that will greatly improve your character.

Rule 11: Being a master in a skill is usually enough. All skills suffer from vast diminishing returns after a certain point.

Rule 12: If you have the bargaining skill, always keep it at character level. Another option is to master it, leave it for a while and then add points in it when you've mastered all the skills you need.

Rule 13: If you have the blacksmith skill, always keep it at character level. Another option is to master it, leave it for a while and then add points in it when you've mastered all the skills you need.

Rule 14: Read Sacred 2 Wiki before planning a build in order to get a general idea what to expect. Planning a build out of the blue is not a good idea.

 

Tip 3: Use and modify combat arts that fit your build concept.

 

Read Sacred 2 wiki in advance and select the combat arts that will fit your build. Ensure you have the necessary aspect skills to support them. Be aware that many aspects that provide useful buffs and/or combat arts do not require you to take an aspect lore along with the focus.

Putting points in the aspect's lore and/or focus will open up modification points for the combat arts. Read the options carefully and select the modifications that will fit the general concept of your build. For example, if you plan on keeping your character at full HP all of the time, you shouldn't pick a modifier that improves the combat art damage when the character is injured.

 

Tip 4: If you have no support, you're doomed to a meager living in the world of Ancaria.

 

There is a nice Bulgarian saying: "you will sleep on the bed you've made for yourself". This means your going will be only as good as the time you've put to make a proper "bed". This, in turn, means that you need a good network of shoppers and a decent blacksmith - or at least a character that has access to a higher difficulty, as that helps you utilize higher quality NPC blacksmith arts that, quite frankly, provide a wondrous boost the lower-level characters and makes them downright uber. Let's not forget that your personal blacksmith can smith rings in bronze sockets and amulets in silver ones (provided he can work on the item), which the NPC smith cannot do.

 

Tip 5: Use safe and secure builds to create a good network of shoppers and to get a decent blacksmith.

 

Some builds simply guarantee that you will reach a certain difficulty or a certain level without dying, which is especially important for hardcore play. In my opinion, such builds are:

 

- Cloaked Shadow Warrior Blacksmith (shadow veil as permanent buff with 100% chance to cast without decloaking, never decloak by mistake, let your minions and skeletal fortification level you up)

- Temple Guardian Blacksmith with big energy shield

- Temple Guardian Shopper with big energy shield

- Seraphim shopper with big energy shield

 

A good network of shoppers and a smith generally include:

- a level 2 shopper to get your characters started

- a level 35-45 shopper to buy some + all skills and improve your advancing characters

- a level 75 shopper to buy items with modifiers based on skill mastery

- a level 100 shopper with platinum access which provides better items (can be skipped)

- a level 140 shopper to buy niobium items

- a blacksmith with niobium access, preferably level 140+

 

Tip 6: Use safe and secure leveling spots for your support characters.

 

Since you want your support character to reach a certain level or difficulty without dying (especially in hardcore) you must use leveling spots that will keep him safe and secure - even if this means sacrificing some playing time. Since you want that character to survive, you must not experiment, no matter how much you want to. Bite the bullet and keep it safe!

 

Tip 7: Now that you've "made your bed" start playing as you should!

 

With your shopping network in place, with your smith in place, you can now play the game as you should. You have all kinds of support, you have all kinds of options to explore without worrying that your sole character can bite the dust at any time (not to mention that it might be killed by a random bug) and you'll be left at ground zero again. Now after you've made your support, go back and refer to tip 2 for build suggestions.

 

This is it, folks. I've learned these simple rules by heart and through my own trial and error. I'm always following them and they've served me well. I do hope they will serve you as well.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Dobri

[essjayehm 58]

Well said, Dobri!

 

I have been struggling with my own "beginner" tips (for consoles, though) and the hardest thing I've been trying to write is how to make clear to newer players is that they will have to spend quite a bit of time building shoppers, etc BEFORE THEY EVEN GET A CHANCE TO "START" THE GAME!

 

Thankfully, for new PC'ers there are lotsa Darkies out there to help them out. Consolers seem to have a harder time hooking up with each other, which makes preperations a longer process.

 

Oh, ULTIMATE TIP #2 - ask questions at Dark Matters!

[locolagarto 15]

When I started on Console the idea of building a shopper or shopper network seemed so silly to me."if I gotta build a shopper to level along side my char, why not just make ever character a shopper" was said by me many times. It wasn't until I got to PC and met up with the Folk here at FDM that I suddenly realized what could be done with bargainers.

 

I am sold now. it is a huge investment in time that a casual player will not understand at first. but a character with no support in this game must carry a huge burden. Having set yourself up correctly really does make the "Fun" builds way more fun.

[SolomonGrundy 1]

let's say you play quite a few classes (high elf, inquisitor, drayd, and temple guardian).

 

Do you nead a shopper for each?

Sure seems tedious, but I can tell you that when it comes to looking for armor, on the console at least, the armor items are mapped to class, and are 90% biased twds the class that created them.

 

I also question the level 2 shopper thing. I can usually get to level 8 in less than an hour, even with setup/rune eating. If you have level 15 set items (even just 1 or 2) then 5 points in Armor lore will usually be enough to equip them.

 

Those set items have slots, and on the console, stotting high level rings is still supported, but even if you are on the PC, you can slot blacksmith arts, right?

[Dobri 55]

A level 2 shopper is enough, because all kinds of items pop up when shopping. With decent level 2-3 items you can well get up to 15 with those. On PC items are also mapped, but with enough persistency, you'll manage. Problem is that not every class can have a level 2 shopper, because some have bargaining as a second tier skill.

 

If you want, make a level 10 shopper if you feel that you can manage in the first few levels. I, personally, make a level 2-3 equipment and use it till 13-15 (depending on when the set items become available).

 

On PC, only arts can cut it without improving/changing the level of the item. Nothing else works. Not even runes.

[dreeft 9]

Excellent advice Dobri. Nice write up.

[Scrappy McSlap 6]

Any tips on how to make up for the lack of blacksmithing on console?

[Furian67 15]

Any tips on how to make up for the lack of blacksmithing on console?

Buy your best Bud that has a really high level shopper a

[locolagarto 15]

Any tips on how to make up for the lack of blacksmithing on console?

The one thing I remember about console was that the merchant blacksmiths level scaled with survival bonus and character level. So I always used my level 124 seraphim in niob at the wastelands port to Smith stuff. And his Smith arts were the highest there. In PC only the level of item he can Smith scales. His smitharts are static. So in a way you can get half of the benefits from blacksmith with a high-level character. That and your high level character can Smith high level gems into low level gear.

[Scrappy McSlap 6]

Any tips on how to make up for the lack of blacksmithing on console?

The one thing I remember about console was that the merchant blacksmiths level scaled with survival bonus and character level. So I always used my level 124 seraphim in niob at the wastelands port to Smith stuff. And his Smith arts were the highest there. In PC only the level of item he can Smith scales. His smitharts are static. So in a way you can get half of the benefits from blacksmith with a high-level character. That and your high level character can Smith high level gems into low level gear.

 

This is cool... How much of a difference does it make to have high level stuff socketed into low level items? Does it make characters completely overpowered? If it does, I may just want to stick with characters taking care of their own smithing (at least that way the end result is accurate to their level).

[Dobri 55]

From what I read, I would have to say that in such case, the consoles are much better. You can smith wicked level items into low level gear and get so overpowered that you don't have to worry about anything. Not to mention that on console, you still have the doubled +all skills, which is enough of a boost.

 

On the PC version, when a higher level item is socketed into something, the item suddenly receives the level of the socketed item. So if you socket a level 200 rune in a level 1 item, the new item will become level 200.

Edited April 23, 2010 by Dobri

[essjayehm 58]

This is cool... How much of a difference does it make to have high level stuff socketed into low level items? Does it make characters completely overpowered? If it does, I may just want to stick with characters taking care of their own smithing (at least that way the end result is accurate to their level).

 

Scrappy - this trick makes low-level toons so overpowered it's not fun anymore.

 

Unless you try to take a level 12 into Gold difficulty! Slightly amusing and horribly fustrating at the same time....

 

To be honest with the game (and PC'ers), the only high-level stuff I forge now are blacksmith runes, since on console a level 2 toon can shop and/or forge in Niob without too many fancy tricks (just a second profile with Niob access). Even then, I feel like I'm cheating since the Niob equipment is quite powerful even for a level 2 toon.....

[SolomonGrundy 1]

I forge an atamarks star, a few blacksmith arts, and aboutn+10 to all skills.

 

I really have no interest in being level 1-65 anymore, I want to get my builds to 75 ASAP and make sure the build works. (if it don't work at 75...it don't work)

 

EDIT: I can also confirm that blacksmith arts scale with character level and area level. which is nice, since alchemy and BS arts are broken for console - at least with alchemy you can get the potion benefit.

Edited April 23, 2010 by SolomonGrundy

[essjayehm 58]

I forge an atamarks star, a few blacksmith arts, and aboutn+10 to all skills.

 

I really have no interest in being level 1-65 anymore, I want to get my builds to 75 ASAP and make sure the build works. (if it don't work at 75...it don't work)

 

EDIT: I can also confirm that blacksmith arts scale with character level and area level. which is nice, since alchemy and BS arts are broken for console - at least with alchemy you can get the potion benefit.

 

Alchemy works fine! Just a pain to use the trophies.....

[locolagarto 15]

This is cool... How much of a difference does it make to have high level stuff socketed into low level items? Does it make characters completely overpowered? If it does, I may just want to stick with characters taking care of their own smithing (at least that way the end result is accurate to their level).

 

Scrappy - this trick makes low-level toons so overpowered it's not fun anymore.

 

Unless you try to take a level 12 into Gold difficulty! Slightly amusing and horribly fustrating at the same time....

 

To be honest with the game (and PC'ers), the only high-level stuff I forge now are blacksmith runes, since on console a level 2 toon can shop and/or forge in Niob without too many fancy tricks (just a second profile with Niob access). Even then, I feel like I'm cheating since the Niob equipment is quite powerful even for a level 2 toon.....

 

I was thrilled when I was able to Smith +10 skills to my level 30 toons. But honestly it did make the game easier. Hence my hc for consoles challenge. The nerfs and increased difficulty of Ice and Blood were actually a game replay booster for sacred2. The balancing made such an impact. I never saw Xbox as easy. But after playing on Ice and Blood. It was easy-er.

[Dobri 55]

Loco is absolutely right. A lot of things changed in Ice and Blood. BeeEffGee was nerfed due to the decrease in + all skills values on items (halving it) and 200 rune cap, a lot of caster builds lost their balance because deathblow stopped working with spells as well...

 

So I can only surmise that console players get easier time than PC players. Granted, some of the Ice and Blood fixes don't work on console, but that's nothing game breaking.

Edited April 23, 2010 by Dobri

[essjayehm 58]

Loco is absolutely right. A lot of things changed in Ice and Blood. BeeEffGee was nerfed due to the decrease in + all skills values on items (halving it) and 200 rune cap, a lot of caster builds lost their balance because deathblow stopped working with spells as well...

 

So I can only surmise that console players get easier time than PC players. Granted, some of the Ice and Blood fixes don't work on console, but that's nothing game breaking.

 

Staff shooting?

 

I agree completely with your statement, though. We consoler's have to maintain a degree of integrity when reporting results to the community.

[Dobri 55]

Staff shooting and staff + direct offensive combat art is a nice bug for PC, but still, the halved +all skills and + combat arts make a lot of builds much, much harder to play.

 

I can say it for certain, lookint at my caster seraphim. She's pre Ice and Blood and had 0.4s regen time on archangel's wrath at level 59. That's simply amazing. Well, she's close to 1s now thanks to the changes...

[SolomonGrundy 1]

Staff shooting and staff + direct offensive combat art is a nice bug for PC, but still, the halved +all skills and + combat arts make a lot of builds much, much harder to play.

 

I can say it for certain, lookint at my caster seraphim. She's pre Ice and Blood and had 0.4s regen time on archangel's wrath at level 59. That's simply amazing. Well, she's close to 1s now thanks to the changes...

 

I feel like it all comes out in the wash.

 

Consider that a pure caster build in console has to deal with using attack speed to drive combat arts in a combo. ON the flip side we don't have many severe %LL enemies...

 

But to Essjay's point we should be intentional when describing start up strategies. :-)

 

Oh: and Alchemy working is correct, especially with regard to potion lengths, I guess I am just bitter about not being able to map them...

[candesco 0]

Nice tips, but I don't agree with the following line:

Rule 14: Read Sacred 2 Wiki before planning a build in order to get a general idea what to expect. Planning a build out of the blue is not a good idea.

 

You learn the best if you experienced it yourself. Planning a build out of the blue isn't a bad thing. Next to that you get some new builds then. Otherwise all the builds just look the same. It's just good to have new ideas.

The wiki is a good source to learn some things, next to the manual. But you don't have to read the wiki to make a build.

Edited April 25, 2010 by candesco

[locolagarto 15]

Nice tips, but I don't agree with the following line:

Rule 14: Read Sacred 2 Wiki before planning a build in order to get a general idea what to expect. Planning a build out of the blue is not a good idea.

 

You learn the best if you experienced it yourself. Planning a build out of the blue isn't a bad thing. Next to that you get some new builds then. Otherwise all the builds just look the same. It's just good to have new ideas.

The wiki is a good source to learn some things, next to the manual. But you don't have to read the wiki to make a build.

 

I agree but for a beginner, just starting a new character with no idea of what a tested build looks like? I think what Dobri meant was don't go off expecting a Rembrandt without doing your homework first. And of course, everybody should experiment but having an idea planned in advance will result in fewer failures, and failures = not enjoying the game as much.

[Dobri 55]

I could not have said it better, loco! The idea of this rule is just that - to do your homework and prepare ahead for the game. When you're uncertain what to expect, you don't dive head first in the unknown, because you may well break your head. A little help from wiki will greatly help the player who's just starting the game.

[Scleameth 19]

Great tips Dobri!

 

So I finally bought into the idea of a level 2 shopper.... but I'm basically playing the game through the 1st time now with my seraphim and she's at level 25. Now what to do, since my level 2 shopper can buy some dandy rings and amulets, but not much help with weapons and armour...

 

So I have to rely on drops for my seraphim. But I'm going to have to create another shopper and take to level 35 before starting my next toon. Now in SP this is really turning out to be a vicious circle! I'll have to play leapfrog and I'm not sure if I really want to spend all those hours on a shopper? Will a high level shopper in Plat really have more to offer than regular drops?

[Rotluchs 83]

far too complicated.

 

1. just launch the game,
   
2. create a char
   
3. and start to hack & slash
   

 

 

that's how I did it at least

 

back in like 2004 and S1 Classic,

 

when the majority of people never ever heard about Sacred or perhaps Ascaron at all before..

 

they were more like:

 

"hu, this looks so similar to Armalion I've been monitoring!"

 

"..but unfortunately Ikarion now no longer exist, nor does their game.."

 

"so what the heck is this 'Sacred whatshisname?' of this other publisher 'Ascaraon who?' "

.. whatever, it looks and feels A-W-E-S-O-M-E-O ..

 

 

no, seriously: great tips!

 

whish I had something like this and other guides to read and follow or alter, simultaneously to trying that game out for the very first time.

 

but then again, maybe it would have killed some of it's unique experience I made with that game, trying it out on my own, for the first few weeks / month without even looking into the internet.

 

second significant memory is when I tried it out for the first time on MP Closed Net, also my first MP aproach at all in any game..

Edited July 24, 2010 by Rotluchs

[Etherian 76]

Dobri, just found this very informative thread.

 

Hats off to you my friend!

 

Your a Game Changer! Straight to the point, streamlined & basic which leads to understanding.

 

Wish I would have found this thread when I started...

 

I remain,