This is my first time playing a cRPG in this style and I seem very lost. While I know this particular game is not combat heavy, there still is combat and apparently I suck at it. I'm only level 2, doing quests in the Hive. I'm in the Mausoleum right now and getting owned by a Giant Skeleton. I can run away but usually have to sit for another 10 minutes while I let my hp replenish (only have a few bandages and clot potions). It feels like there's something fundamental I'm missing here. Should I have better equipment? Should I have leveled up before attempting this part? Am I just mildly retarded? Help!

You don't have to fight the skellies if you study the symbols on their armour and work out the correct way to remove the enchantments. reducing them to harmless piles of bones)

To be succesful you'll need INT of 16+ or the tome of bone and ash carried by zombie 732 near the steps where you arrive.

If you do succeed you get 500XP for noticing the pattern and 800XP per skeleton.

If you want to fight there's a weapon in the area called the crescent hatchet that'll be more effective than the scalpel.

Wrong skeletons Kezardin. Lindhorst is talking about the Mausoleum from the quest given by the Dustman in the Dustmen bar. Not the Mortuary skeletons.

For the Mausoleum giants you can either wait until you level up some or find another party member to recruit.

Right you are - my mistake.

Well I've got Morte with me. The smaller skeletons were fine. I would get down to about 7-8 hp after fighting a couple of them, but the big skeleton kills me in three hits. I'm currently using the zombie arm instead of the scalpel or green knife. It seems to be slightly more effective.

I'm just wondering if there's something bigger I'm missing in terms of combat. At this point, I have no tattoo's, jewelry, spells, etc... Just me, my weapon, and Morte. Is that where I should be at this point? I don't mean to complain, just curious as to if I'm missing something or if this is just the nature of the game.

They're just enemies that are just a little too strong for you right now.

you should have not jump into that fight so early. It is hard if you are second level. get another character from smoldering corpse bar. level up to 4 by doing some quest and then hit mausoleum.


and do take the box just don't open it.

Please ignore that warning. The box is a part of a quest which can be solved and you will be rewarded. Keep in mind that in PS:T there is usually a non-violent way to accomplish almost all of the quests. In fact there are only 4 places in this game where violence is absolutely necessary. This is why intelligence and wisdom are THE most important stats, since they allow for the most dialogue options, which not will not only provide you with interesting plot lines, but also provides you with the most experience. I usually start by only putting points in INT and WIS, then becoming a mage when I can.

Also remember to use spells and abilities when you're in trouble and need an edge. You can't just rely on brawn alone in this game, or you'll die a thousand deaths. Study the dialogue options, talk to everyone with a name you meet, and always offer to help if you can (unless you know it's an evil path, in which case it's best to not do it). Talk to your party members once in a while. That is another source for experience points, as well as providing interesting background information on them.

Most of the fun in this game isn't the combat. Instead, it lies in the characters and the story. I didn't enjoy my first game of PS:T nearly as much as my second, after knowing how the game worked, so keep that in mind too.

Hmmm, thinking again about my earlier commentary, I think I should change it to: Don't open the box. Unless you want to feel pain. But the creature is not so strong, so if you think you're good enough, try to kill it. If you want to know how the creature is, play the game, I don't want to say much spoiler.

So, I got Dak'kon, achieved level 5 and went back to the Mausoleum. I wiped the floor with all the enemies there, including Strahan. Hooray!

There are still a few things in the normal course of gameplay that are still a bit unfamiliar to me.

1.) Is there a better way of giving items to other members in your group other than putting them on the ground, switching to that other member and having them pick it up?

Actually, that was just one question, but I have a feeling I'll have another soon. Thanks again guys!

Yes, fortunately. Just drop the item on their character portrait.

Ok, so here's another I've not found an answer for anywhere, here, other FAQ's, or Google. I'm at the Office of Vermin Control in the Southwest Hive and I need to find some cranium rat tails. Is there anywhere within Hive I can find these? I've looked around but to no avail.

Search in Ragpickel Square (I can't remember exactly the name, but it's something similar). Do you know the Dustman bar? Go the path above it, and then go up. Don't forget to bring junk (exactly, junk) in your inventory, you'll need it. If I'm allowed to say more I can be more descritive, I don't want to ruin your game by saying spoilers.

You'll find cranium rats, lots of them, but in a place you haven't explored yet.

How far you're in the game? Have you meet with Pharod yet?

I'm level 5. Haven't gotten to Pharod yet. Taking it slow and doing all the side quests.