Posted November 27, 2023
I'm still new to this series, so I have much to learn about the game mechanics. I've only been playing on Casual until I get more comfortable with how the game works and how to best maximize the effectiveness of the characters I make.
Apparently, character creation isn't as easy here as in Diablo II. Torchlight lacks the synergy system of Diablo II. You no longer need to invest in certain prerequisites to learn new skills. It's also more difficult to choose the best ideal equipment for specific builds. Stat setting isn't as simple because I have no idea how much to invest in certain stats so that those points aren't wasted. This is especially true in the second game.
Builds that are effective in easier difficulties might not be so good in harder difficulties.
For the first game, I know that Defense is important for any character. Strength for the Destroyer, Magic for the Alchemist, and Dexterity for the Vanquisher. For this reason, Destroyers are best used in melee combat with Martial Weapons, Ranged Weapons with the Vanquisher, and Magic Weapons for the Alchemist.
The first few times I took characters through the game, they struggled against Ordrak, even despite being over level 30 by the end of the game. So with later characters, I level-grinded through those map scrolls I purchased from town until I reached level 50 and maxed my most important skills and he went down much faster, suffering more damage from my attacks.
According to one website, I read about an analysis of the skill trees:
Berserker: Many skills are used in melee range, gaining bonuses to damage from Strength.
Titan: Soul Rend requires a melee weapon and is used in melee range. All other skills can be used with any weapon and attack from range with elemental damage. Some skills gain bonuses from Magic, but all skills benefit from Strength, so it becomes a Strength-based caster.
Spectral: Support tree.
Marksman: The typical ranged fighting skill tree, Arrow Hail is more of a spell.
Rogue: Some skills benefit from Strength or Magic, but all benefit from Dexterity, so melee-focused Vanquishers would be better off fighting from range with guns or bows with these skills.
Arbiter: Skills don't benefit from any of the primary skills. Similar to Trapassassin from Diablo II.
Arcane: Spellcasting tree. Skills benefit from Magic.
Lore: Summoning tree. Skills don't benefit from any primary skills.
Battle: Skills benefit from Magic, so wands or staves work best.
The last character I successfully took through the whole game was an Alchemist who specialized in minions, using imps and golems powered with Burning Bind. Since my minions did all the work for me, I didn't need to spend anything on Magic. I suppose the same would be true for an Arbiter build.
When I make a character, should I focus on building primarily in one tree while using the passives from other trees? How do I know which skills are good for my character, how many points it needs, or if I should ignore it altogether? How should I spend my stat points effectively for each character? How can I build to survive harder difficulties? How do I decide what is the best equipment to wear? Is there a point to dual-wielding? Should I dual-wield or use a shield? How do I decide which spell mastery to use for my character? What are the best spells I should use for myself or my pet? Should I re-explore levels I've already cleared in the past? How do I effectively use my pet and what fish should I feed it for transformation purposes?
Apparently, character creation isn't as easy here as in Diablo II. Torchlight lacks the synergy system of Diablo II. You no longer need to invest in certain prerequisites to learn new skills. It's also more difficult to choose the best ideal equipment for specific builds. Stat setting isn't as simple because I have no idea how much to invest in certain stats so that those points aren't wasted. This is especially true in the second game.
Builds that are effective in easier difficulties might not be so good in harder difficulties.
For the first game, I know that Defense is important for any character. Strength for the Destroyer, Magic for the Alchemist, and Dexterity for the Vanquisher. For this reason, Destroyers are best used in melee combat with Martial Weapons, Ranged Weapons with the Vanquisher, and Magic Weapons for the Alchemist.
The first few times I took characters through the game, they struggled against Ordrak, even despite being over level 30 by the end of the game. So with later characters, I level-grinded through those map scrolls I purchased from town until I reached level 50 and maxed my most important skills and he went down much faster, suffering more damage from my attacks.
According to one website, I read about an analysis of the skill trees:
Berserker: Many skills are used in melee range, gaining bonuses to damage from Strength.
Titan: Soul Rend requires a melee weapon and is used in melee range. All other skills can be used with any weapon and attack from range with elemental damage. Some skills gain bonuses from Magic, but all skills benefit from Strength, so it becomes a Strength-based caster.
Spectral: Support tree.
Marksman: The typical ranged fighting skill tree, Arrow Hail is more of a spell.
Rogue: Some skills benefit from Strength or Magic, but all benefit from Dexterity, so melee-focused Vanquishers would be better off fighting from range with guns or bows with these skills.
Arbiter: Skills don't benefit from any of the primary skills. Similar to Trapassassin from Diablo II.
Arcane: Spellcasting tree. Skills benefit from Magic.
Lore: Summoning tree. Skills don't benefit from any primary skills.
Battle: Skills benefit from Magic, so wands or staves work best.
The last character I successfully took through the whole game was an Alchemist who specialized in minions, using imps and golems powered with Burning Bind. Since my minions did all the work for me, I didn't need to spend anything on Magic. I suppose the same would be true for an Arbiter build.
When I make a character, should I focus on building primarily in one tree while using the passives from other trees? How do I know which skills are good for my character, how many points it needs, or if I should ignore it altogether? How should I spend my stat points effectively for each character? How can I build to survive harder difficulties? How do I decide what is the best equipment to wear? Is there a point to dual-wielding? Should I dual-wield or use a shield? How do I decide which spell mastery to use for my character? What are the best spells I should use for myself or my pet? Should I re-explore levels I've already cleared in the past? How do I effectively use my pet and what fish should I feed it for transformation purposes?