I'm playing PST for the first time & although I've seen a number of tips & hints scattered throughout the forum here & there, I have a few questions & think it would be great to throw all the answers in one place for others who are in the same boat to make use of if need be as well.

- For starters, are there any must have items or objects relevant to the plot at some stage, that you mustn't throw away/use/sell?

- Any uber significant NPCs or quests that you come across, or should be on the look out for, that may affect plot outcomes/events at a later stage - that I aught to be aware off or approach with caution (ie save game before)?

- Any places that you must visit/explore thoroughly? Any hidden secrets or events that can only be triggered through "XYZ" that one shouldn't miss - even if only for a good laugh or something that just adds more atmosphere or significance to events?

This game just seems so complex & involved - which I adore, but I'd hate to find that there was something I overlooked or messed up in the beginning, that'll effect later aspects of the game/plot badly, or shut me out from future quests/plot elements entirely. That would really suck.

Also, one more rather arb question: Those Factions - is there really any significant benefit to joining one (in terms of plot)? And if so, any suggestions which Factions are the better ones to choose?
At the moment I'm finding I don't particularly feel like joining any of the ones I've come across so far. But I'd hate to miss out on anything interesting that may come from doing so, so hence why I ask.

I only ask that all answers are kept vague enough not to spoil the game for myself and others who've never played PST before & might wish to read some hints & tips as well.

These are just from my own mistakes...There's a Diamond Ring you'll find as part of a quest in the Buried Village. Do remember not to sell it... Check the bars for a guy called Dak'kon. Good guy. Once you get out of the Mortuary, scour the town, all sectors (avoid the Alley of Dangerous Angles, or whatever it's called) for quests, and complete a load of those before leaving daylight. You want the three of you to level up a few times MINIMUM before you start more exotic quests.

Also, remember you are a serial immortal (you die, but just keep coming back). You can use this at various locations by clearing areas one opponent at a time (assuming you can kill at least one of them per trip). Your companions aren't, but you can learn early on in the game how to sort that a few times a day. This isn't a traditional paper & pencil RPG, death is merely an inconvenience...

You will come across a small bronze sphere in your travels. Hold on to it. That's all.

To be honest, this game is a very peculiar beast; it really isn't your typical RPG. What I mean is, it doesn't really matter what you do or don't do, you'll still progress. Combat is something of a pointless minigame here. Do read absolutely everything, that's the key. Everything else follows from that.

EDIT: Almost forgot! You will also come across something known as a Modron Cube. It seems useless, but isn't. Find a way to activate it, it will take you somewhere special. Once you're there, keep exploring until you run into someone very unusual and friendly. This... person is really easy to miss, and it's a damn shame. (Trying to keep this spoiler free, it came up somewhat vague, but you'll manage.)

Oh, and keys - hold on to keys. The game doesn't tell you when you're actually using them, it just says a door is locked, but then the door opens. Don't drop them unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain you won't need them again!

I wrote a long post in another thread:

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/planescape_torment/my_1st_time_playing_give_me_some_hints_no_spoilers_please/post6

That particular post is as spoiler-free as I could make it. It mostly discusses character builds, but the first third or so includes a number of "must-gets".

PST is a roleplaying, not a "squeeze out everything" game, you don't have to do every hidden sidequest possible, you can afford playing yourself, feel free to do so.

Save often and use different save game slots. There are a few situations where you can save your game although you're screwed.

If you get an annoying curse by someone later in the game don't threaten to kill him, find a smarter way (requires talking to someone else) to make him undo it. If you kill him even your death will not free you from this unbearable curse.

Don't make the Lady of Pain angry again after she has punished you once.

Beneficial but not important:
In the starting level of the mortuary there's a tiefling woman who can't see very well, it's beneficial to do her quest and let her treat you.
It's beneficial if you don't kill the "normal" undead on the mortuary ground floor. If you have to fight there kill the anonymous dustmen guards and get killed immediately afterwards.

Thanks for the replies & tips guys, & they were concise enough & helpful whist still being vague - much appreciated :)

@kmonster: yeah, I know its an rpg & just letting go & role playing is what its all about, but I'm a completionist by nature & when I really enjoy a game like I'm enjoying this one, I become fussy & paranoid that I'll miss something cool that'd enrich the experience for me.
My cousin (another avid gamer who has your kinda approach) laughs at me about it all the time ;)

Thanks again everyone!
& post more if you think of anything else... :D

Talk to dead people. Most aren't great conversationalists, but keep trying.

There's a item, it looks like a big yellow egg, don't throw it away, it will be very usefull.
There's also a important object that you can obtain in a tower. It's hard to enter in the tower, but not impossible.
There's a box enchanted with powerfull magic. If you at some point find a mage with no disciples, save the game before talking with he. Depending of what you say, you may end up far, far, far away from the city you started the game. Just a warning.

There's also a solitary woman wich will ask you a important question. You can get 2 "secret" characters (that can join your team) in hidden places. I don't know about the other factions, but The Sensates are a great faction. If you want to know more about factions, see this site : http://shrines.rpgclassics.com/pc/planescape/factions.shtml
It tells you how to join the factions, so if you want to discover it by yourself, better stay away of the link.

Thanks for adding a few tips here as well, Drelmanes :)

A further question though... You mention two secret characters who could join your party. Without giving away too much info, could you tell me the locations where these two might be found?

One of them you can find in a prison. When you're about to exit the prison, explore the area to find him. The other one is harder, first you need to enter a place where there is 3 robots with wings. Then, you need to buy a item in a shop, return to the place with robots and show the item to them. Then, you need to use the item to be transported to a place where you can find the other character.

Or you can just try experimenting with the object. Either way works.

Ooooh!
*rubs hands eagerly with anticipation*

Thanks for that guys! :D

PS:T is a scary game. Every thing you see, every character onscreen, might just be important, might just have a plot hook waiting for you. Every location might have hidden secrets (check the map for every location, sometimes doors are not obvious). I'm always worried I missed something, every time I have TNO leave a location, or quit a conversation. It just FEELS so big - I mean, it is big, but it feels bigger...

@Wulfc: Uhuh! Tell me about it!
And I'm loving TNO & the game so much, I'd shoot myself if I botched summing up for him or missed anything.
Heh, I know, just a silly game - but when I love a character & a story as much as I'm loving this experience, I cant help but become obsessive over the darnedest little things... lol