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).

Incorrect. What you say is true for book 1, but Alchemy is somewhat different in book 2, which is what Death was talking about.

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