The first time I played Eschalon Book 1(steam) I couldnt stand it. I couldnt understand why my character kept getting murdered at midpoint and I give up. I thought I would never play it again but then Book 2 came out and I bought Book 1 and 2 from GOG.com.SO i went to play Book 1 before playing Book 2 and yet again I screwed my character makeup BUT this time I sit down and this time I could see the problems in the beginning in my playstyle. I always play as a jack of all trade style(I cant help it sometimes) and then I did something I dont do often and see down and read EVERYTHING in the character maker and THINK exactly what I want to make and I so glad I give it another chance.

Your not alone. I restarted the 1st one many times and lost a character in book 2 who was at the end :(

Book 1 was somewhat forgiving to melee characters, book 2 is not as much. I just finished book 2 as I am speaking to you. It was harder than the original but had some vices that made it simpler. I don't want to spoil it but I couldn't believe the character I lost the 1st time had to fight that behemoth. With this play through I did just what you did and beat the crap out of them. Ive played through some tough monsters fighter characters in rpgs-Sarevok, The transcendent one (PS-Torment), The dragon king (The Quest). That endgame fight in book 2 took all those warriors to school with ferocity.

It's not BAD, but I don't think it's anything great. I added the two book 1 mods to try but I didn't see too much of them. Around 12th level I just got bored so I went and finished the game. The cinematics are nice though.

I have issues with the horrible walking speed in book 1. Its so SLOW! I have issues with all the typos in the game. I have issues with the very sloppy logic of the plot, and I dislike that we can't go in and mod the basic game to fix some of its issues. My anal-retentive fingers itch to fix them!

I'm starting book 2 now so we'll see how things go.

EDIT Death, what level were you when you finished 2? I'm wondering how many skill points I'm going to have to play with.

I had a different build that relied solely on my points into strength (2) per lvl and (1) perception per lvl. I never changed stats as I placed 2 points every lvl in sword skill for skills with 1 to alchemy. So long as your to hit is around 32 for melee or ranged, you are good. Seeing as I didn't rely on dex and concentration for a high to hit rate, It was almost too crucial that my sword skill be high. At end game my sword skill was 48 at lvl 18. I had a health point total of 203. Some people on forums said I went to fight the last boss to early, but strength has its pluses. If you are a ranged or mage/spellcaster character there is a spot where the main boss can't get to and you know what that means ;) Melee characters really get screwed unless they master in what they are supposed to. Its either mass amount of health with fighting/healing, or finesse build where you will need to be very careful with how much health each round has. I probably should have gone with dexterity but I still really wanted to see what a high strength would do.

If you need any tactics, feel free to private message me. I came up with a few cheap shots for the battle.

L18. So around 50 points, thanks.

I made a warrior/bowman in Book 1 and made the same in Book2 so hopefully that final boss will not be too tugh but, I have been going though old rpgs I never finish and Im loving them too death. So i welcome the challenge

Alchemy is a waste of skillpoints. You need only 15 for the best imbuements and you can get at least 13 for free: 5 from the trainer, 2 from the book and 6 from two brewmaster rings. For a warrior, it's just strictly better to invest in dodge or one of the armor skills (but dodge is better).

Ah yes, I didn't notice he was talking about book II.