Optimization

Thunderscape

HINTS:
------
When creating characters, and when going up levels,
SPECIALIZE!
Well-rounded characters are less effective in this game.
Set up each character with a different non-combat skill.
Build up one character's merchant skill early in the game
- you will get a much better price early in the game, when
it really counts.
In shops, click on buy and on identify to check out stats
for items the shop has for sale (for free!).
The identify option in shops will not usually give any info
on items that adjust a character's primary statistics.
Try equipping these items and watching to see if any numbers
change ...
Start every character with at least a few points in the cast
spells skill, and have them learn the heal spell first.
They will begin accumulating mana points from the start of
the game, and you will have lots of points to burn on heal
spells throughout the game.
Characters with the axe/mace skill, using magical warhammers,
have a slight edge in critical blows/damage vs swords late in
the game.
When creating characters, give all character types a high dex -
this is THE essential stat for upgrading weapons skills when
going up levels.
There are a number of actions in the game that reward the
characters with experience points.
Characters do not go up levels for these XP until after the
next battle. Watch for this. Several times in the game, an
object needs to be touched by an item in inventory.
Do this by going to the character's inventory, clicking on
the item (making it the mouse pointer), clicking on exit to
return to the game screen, then clicking on the object that
needs to be touched. 'Run and jump' is best done using the
keyboard movement and jumping keys, and both hands.
Use the numeric keypad 8 to run forward, and the letter 'j'
to jump when the takeoff point is reached. Some of the
switches and levers in the game are touchy about where the
mouse pointer is located when trying to activate them.
Try moving the mouse pointer to different positions on the
switch/button, or moving to get a different angle on them.
Most switches and buttons can be activated from several
feet away. Almost every object found in the game has a use,
but not all of them are necessary for completing the game.
There are several sideline quests and puzzles that do not
need to be solved to complete the main quest.

Keyboard Commands not in the Manual:
------------------------------------
Page Up / Page Down (not num. keypad 9/3) - Look up / Look down
Arrow Up / Arrow Down (not num. keypad 8/2) - Scroll up/down through
text on screen (scrolls, signs, books, etc)