satellite: I seem to have a problem leveling up my shield skill. Every other weapon skills level up accordingly except the shield. I've equipped myself with the shield since the start of the game, sometimes on the right and, sometimes the left, and also used it continuously on the big rock in the dwarven hall, but my shield level remains the same (at level 1), and instead, my brawl skill increased. Also I've noticed that while equipped with the shield and attacking with it, it doesn't show up on the screen, I only can see my bare fist hitting out. Does anyone has this same problem with the shield?
What everyone is stating here is actually incorrect. I know this thread is old but I am posting my reply for anyone searching for all way to increase Stonekeep Stats. I bought this game when it first hit the stores and loved it from the beginning. I am actually on my umpteenth play through for fun.
First, shield does not provide the percentages of protection posted here. What those stats are is your punch stats when holding the specific shield. A shield actually blocks hits. So how it works is your Agility determines the ability to hit and then it looks at your shield stat to determine if the hit is blocked. If your Shield stat is 5 and your Agility is 10, you are basically immune from most hits.
Second, it is not cheating if you equip an item and "work it" at an enemy or the practice stone in the Dwarven Halls. It is called TRAINING, which any good adventurer does. In original D&D rules, you had to go back to your camp and practice to level up even though you had reached the XP level. When I get to the Dwarven Hall, I take out the weapons I don't have a 5 in, tape the mouse buttons down, and walk away. About 1.5 hours later, I have a 5 in that weapon. You also get Agility and Health increases.
Third, I put 2 shields my hand and go up to the Sharga mines to one of the Wasp nests. If you have Karzak in your party, give him 2 shields as well. Any will do. Then attack the sentry wasp. The entire nest comes at you. If your Agility is 10, like mine was, and Shield at 1, you never get hit, but you can hear your shield getting hit. This means the wasp is getting through your Agility but the shield is blocking it. It takes a while, but not as much as you think. Karzak will most likely get to 0 HP but let him lie there. You can use a wand to bring him back.
Fourth, getting the missile stat up is boring. You actually have to sit there and hold the mouse button. The way I don it is I start with the Bow. You probably have 99 arrows already and shoot them all at the stone. Then I take the stone bag and do the same thing. That is 200 hits. I got my missile stats up to 4 pretty quick. It then took another 1000 missile shots, at least to get the 5th. No you're deadly with all weapons.
Lastly, the hardest stat to complete is Strength. The last "button" takes forever. You can put two weapons in your hands and then tape the buttons down but it takes hours, so maybe do it overnight. By this time you probably have everything maxed except Strength. It really won't matter if you walk away at this time, you are probably okay as you still have more than half the levels to go through and eventually your strength will get that last dot.
Why do this? Things get much tougher now, especially the bosses. I remember my first play through and didn't know what the stone was for and went up against the Ice Queen....yeah dead each time. In '97, I finally found a newsgroup to help me. You also have no need for potions and the like for yourself. You give them to your companions, which means efficiency. By the time you meet Khull Khum, you will be a force to be reckoned with.
Happy hunting!
