I plan on starting MM6 tomorrow, just finished reading the manual. 2 Qs for which I can't seem to find a definite answer:

1) Does Speed decrease spell casting recovery too, or only recovery time when using weapons?

2) What bonuses do you get for using spear 2-handed instead of 1-handed.

Thanks,

I'm not an oracle for the game put I think I'm right in saying:

1) Speed improves all actions by the player

2) 2-handed is given a better chance to hit.

1) Speed reduces recovery time, but effect is negligible. Speed mostly contributes to AC. To get same benefit from Speed as from Haste effect, you would need to raise it to 400. Also keep in mind that there are many permanent stat boosts in the game, so starting stats don't matter that much (except maybe Luck, which you can use as dump stat - there is a well in starting location, which can permanently boost Luck up to 16).

2) Spear in 2-hands deals more damage (doesn't increase chance to hit) and has no recovery penalties. Spears have 3 sub-types. Actual spears give additional 1-9 damage when used as 2-handed weapon, halberds and tridents - 1-6.

What concerns recovery penalties, base recovery penalty for spears is 80 if used as 2-handed weapon. If used together with dagger, it becomes 140, together with sword - 180, together with Shield 90.

Manual might be slightly misleading. On your place, I would compare benefits of all weapons skills with axes. Axes have 2 subtypes and are good as both - 1-handed (Axe) and 2-handed (Poleaxe) weapons. Unlike spears, Axe skill allows to reduce recovery time. Best axes are also much superior to the best available spear.

I found my old source on Spears and it turns out I was right--- I am no Oracle. LOL.
1d9 is listed as the extra damage done. My apologies.

Thanks both.

This game is giving me motion sickness :( often happens when I play old "3D" games. I get used to it later so I hope it's just a matter of getting used to here too.

Another question:
How do you know if an item is not identified? I got 2 rings that seem to be doing nothing, but no merchant will identify them for me. Is it because they actually do nothing and are only good to sell?

And one more: where can you find info on what your fame and reputation is?

I'll consider going with axes. I planned taking spears because I thought the AC bonus would be good.

If you right click on non-identified item to see it stats, it will say something like "Item is not identified) and character will say something like "I have no idea". When you are in shop, all unidentified items are displayed in green color.

Rings, which you get on start, are random. Sometimes they have some minor bonus (right-click to see stats), sometimes they come without stats and are only good to sell, but believe me, you will need all that gold.

About fame and reputation. Fame is a sum of experience of all your party members divided by 250. Reputation is different statistic, fame and reputation can be seen from quick party overview (default key "z"). Level of reputation is displayed like "Average" or "Friendly" - this is your reputation. Killing friendly villagers, and completing some quests/trade will reduce your reputation, but it is nothing to worry about - you can always make some donations to temple to boost your reputation. Completing specific quests raises your reputation.

Highest level of reputation is "Saintly", it is requirement to become Master in Light Magic.
Lowest level of reputation is "Notorious". It is requirement to become Master in Dark Magic.

Reputation tends to slowly go back to Average after some time. If you want to become Master in Light Magic, you will need to plan ahead, because there are limited opportunities to keep "Saintly" level of reputation.

Make sure you are familiar with hirelings . One reason I mention this is that certain hirelings will give you unlimited Identification along with experience boost. Any way here's a list so you can see which you think would be of help. Some increase money, others will cure you in time of need. If you don't want to spend points on Identifying Items then Scholar will help

http://tartarus.rpgclassics.com/mm6/hirelings.shtml

Bob

Thanks both. Can't I get the Saintly level by donating to temple? Do I need to keep this reputation in order to be master in dark/light (i.e. do I lose my master level if my reputation drops)?

No, you won't lose Mastership in Dark/Light if you let your reputation change.

Donating to temple usually can advance your reputation to "Respectable" only.

I will try to avoid as much spoilers as possible. Most common way to get Master in Light Magic, is while exposing traitor in council quests. Before handing in this quest, make sure you have "Respectable" reputation, you have 4+ Expert skill in Light Magic and you have Lloyd's Beacon set in Eel-Infested Waters. Just note it for yourself somewhere, it will take quite a time before you reach that point in the game.

Great. Thanks.

Is it possible to change party order? I'd like to put my bowmen in the middle.

Yes. Click on the portrait of the character that you want move so that it is highlighted. Move the mouse cursor over the portrait of the character that you want the other character to switch places with. Hold down the Ctrl key and left click on the character portrait. The two characters should switch places.

This will only work if you are on the main game screen, not on the inventory or statistic screen.

Got it.

Good game so far, but the motion sickness is still there. Also I'm not keen on having villagers reset every time you reload.

Effects differ from spell to spell. I'll try to list most important moments.

Knight can use most of scrolls. Most scrolls (including all damaging ones) have preset effect. Doesn't matter if you have 0 skill in some magic school or 60 Master, Most of them have effect as if being casted at skill level 5 Master. Some don't work like this, in example - Lloyd's Beacon. It has duration of 35 days, but if you have no skill points in Water at all, you can set only 1 Beacon, if you are Expert - you can set 3, Master - 5.

But there are scrolls which can't be used by Knight. Water Walk and Fly. They require SP to keep them active.