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 Ver. 1.0, March 2000
Q: Are there character classes in Arcanum? A: The development of character abilities in Arcanum is heavily skill based. In common with the traditional D&D approach, we also have stats, but classes, per se, are completely absent. As your character gains experience you will have the option of increasing primary stats, secondary stats, basic skills, technological skills, and magical skills. All of these categories will be available to you regardless of how you set up your character at the start or how you have already applied your experience. Previous decisions will impact how far you can advance particular skills and stats -- you can't achieve the degree of Engineer in any tech discipline without first becoming a Technician in that discipline. Further, there are no mutually exclusive skills. You are perfectly free to build a character who is skilled in both necromancy and healing, or to study both tech and magic -- though in the latter example you can't be as good at either as a specialist. And of course, every one these stats and skills has been carefully crafted to have a direct effect on gameplay. Q: What stats influence fatigue? How important are those stats to a mage? A: The stats that form the basis of your Fatigue score are Constitution and Willpower. You can also spend points directly into Fatigue, which is cheaper than raising a stat. Since Fatigue is what powers most spells, both stats are fairly important, though you can raise Fatigue directly to save points as stated above. Wisdom also helps a character resist detrimental spell effects, and Constitution determines how quickly you regain Fatigue and Hit Points, as well as your poison resistance and some other factors. Since Arcanum is not a "Class-Based" system, anyone can buy these stats up, and in fact they have benefits for non spell-casters as well. For instance, Warriors want to have a good Fatigue as well, so that they can fight longer (though for Warriors, other stats, such as Strength and Dexterity are even more important). Mages would likely want to raise Intelligence, Constitution and Wisdom. |