Going for the first time...

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Yes, there are still people who never played Torment!

Since apparently everyone I know either never played it either or dropped it alltogether(wtf) or don't remember anything, I have to ask you guys.

- I heard that INT and WIS are "overpowered". Is this true?
- Even though I played many games using 2E before, I am quite confused about Torment's system; either it's heavy customized, or almost every single thing it does is an exception to norm?
- Is XP divided between party members?
- How can I change my character class? How many classes are available?
- Is spell system "normal"? Compared to BG, for example? I faintly remember seeing some spells pause the game and even long animations a'la Final Fantasy. Is it usual cast/rest or some variation?

 

- Wisdom rules. It grants bonus to xp. Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma open dialog options (just as in BG) but the dialog options in PS:T have huge xp bonuses.
- It's very customized. The Nameless One does not follow the rules.
- IIRC, combat experience is divided -- but combat experience is a small percentage of the experience you gain. Most xp is awarded as quest experience (everyone gets the same amount no matter how may characters are present).
- You start as a fighter and will have the option to change as part of the plot. You may change between classes (thief and mage) with the correct dialog. The dialog only comes up with the right npc's in your party.
- Spell system is pretty much the same as in BG.

 

Better late than never! You're in for a fantastic ride.

They're not "overpowered" as such - they're actually useful (as opposed to, say, IWD). You can easily play the game and finish it with low INT and WIS, but these two stats are the ones that give you the most interesting dialogue options so ignoring them means skipping PST's best bits. WIS determines how many of your old memories you get back (so gives you much more information and plot points) and at high WIS you get bonus XP for TNO. I would start with 18 WIS and 16 INT (especially if you plan on playing a mage) but you don't have to dump all your points into WIS, as it can get to the max (25) by the end of the game with tattoos and through certain quests and events.

It's notably different from 2E. TNO for example can multiclass in the 3E sense - so can increase each class independantly of the other and can switch between them at will if certain conditions are met. In other ways it's standard 2E - HP per level, THAC0, AC and the start bonuses follow the usual rules (with a few additional ones, such as the XP bonus from WIS, although only TNO gets this).

Yes, in exactly the same way as in BG and IWD. Also note that TNO's XP bonus applies only to his portion of XP gained and that it does not affect the XP gained by the other members in any way.

You start with the ability to only be a fighter and need to complete certain quests in the Hive before you can switch to Mage or Thief. After you've completed these quests and switched for the first time, you can switch back and forth at will provided certain party members are with you (talking to them will give you the option to switch)

Starting from level 5 (IIRC) the spells start gaining interesting visual effects. Some will pause the game for a few seconds while they occur. Level 8 and 9 spells have much more elaborate visuals involving FMV cutscenes (though they're well integrated into the game and you may not notice the switch). The animations are never as long as FF (nothing longer than half a minute, at most). In terms of how the actual system works (visual FX aside) it's the same as BG and IWD (memorise, cast, scribe scrolls for mages, etc), although some of the items you can scribe spells from are not necessarily scrolls.

Have fun with the game! In some ways I envy you. Later playthroughs are never quite the same. The first one is special.

 

Guess I forgot to thank you guys, I finished the game yesterday.

 

Care to share your thoughts?

 

I applaud the game's story, I applaud the game's NPCs, and I applaud the game's writing. I can't really applaud the game part though. Major complaint: Creating such complex story made it much more linear than other cRPGs. Minor complaints: The combat is confusing because every character in the party is an exception to the ruleset and the items are lacking to say the least.

A very good game in it's own right, but I expected more.

 

You are entitled to your own opinion, but I very much think you are wrong. First, while the storyline's undoubtedly more linear than, say Baldur's Gate 2 or Morrowind, the game actually gives you more choice in developing your character's personality than any other cRPG I've ever played. Also, quests and dialogues have genuinely different solutions depending on your actions and preferences. This is a truly unique feature which I haven't seen in any other game I've played (and trust me, I've played a lot).

Second, combat isn't crucial in Planescape: Torment. Your comment left me wondering about your playstyle - perhaps you set a higher value on your hammer than on your senses? The NPCs are primarily there for the plot, not for dishing out super duper DPS. Also, I fail to see your disappointment in the variety of gear the game has to offer - there are so many great and cleverly designed items to choose from. Then again, PS:T is more like an interactive novel than an action driven "RPG" and that may not appeal to everybody. Regardless, it's definitely my favourite computer role playing game of all time.