What are NPCs really good for?
- Thread starter Bullseye
- Start date
Wow, I never thought that this topic would last that long! I still stick to my word though, even with the new technology that has been developed over the years I still think NPC's are pretty much useless. Even with games in which the top of the art AI is used, I still curse them for their inproper behavior and lack of responsibility.
But as for the use of Ian in the beginning of the game I could understand his ability to tell you where the Hub and Junktown are, and his "two shots in one turn" ability.
Even though, as a rather experienced FO player I agree to many, they are pretty much useless.
But as for the use of Ian in the beginning of the game I could understand his ability to tell you where the Hub and Junktown are, and his "two shots in one turn" ability.
Even though, as a rather experienced FO player I agree to many, they are pretty much useless.
What are NPCs really good for ?
Shooting you in the back and/or getting in the line fire in F1 and F2.
In F3 at least they can help you carry more stuff and be a quite decent in taking out enemies, with Dogmeat bringing you stuff. But there's no squad control like in Mass Effect PC or Brothers in Arms.
Shooting you in the back and/or getting in the line fire in F1 and F2.
In F3 at least they can help you carry more stuff and be a quite decent in taking out enemies, with Dogmeat bringing you stuff. But there's no squad control like in Mass Effect PC or Brothers in Arms.
Makenshi
Ahoy, ye salty dogs!
People really don't know how to use NPC's in F2...
Rule nº 1: give them cheap and weak weaponry, but good armor, while they're low level. Just being there helps a tiny bit in the early game.
Rule nº 2: avoid combats you wouldn't win alone anyway, like Raiders between Vault City and NCR - at least until you have everyone, including yourself, using Metal Armors and at least 14mm pistols. The only real dangerous battle from this point until the San Fran/Navarro area is the on against Darion at Vault 15 level 3: those 2 guys in Combat armor, wielding Assault Rifles, are a pain. Also, Darion's flamethrower is nasty.
Rule nº 3: never give them burst weapons before everyone has Power Armor (preferably, never give them at all). Exception to Cassidy, who can be told to 'be absolutely sure that won't hit' you - but then again he will rarelly burst, and these weapons are weak in single shot mode...
Rule n 3: level them up as frequently as possible - save, level up, load, rinse'n repeat until they level. This is better done when leveling up by quests, which by the way are the moments were level ups occur most frequently, at least until around level 15. Fact: high level Sulik, Vic and Cassidy using Gauss Rifles kick all kinds of ass. Blowing ribs is Cassidy's favored sport
Rule nº4: NPC's don't get addicted nor suffer withdraws, so drug them! 2 doses of Jet = 2 AP, Psycho = 30 Damage Resist, Buffout = 3 Endurance (better HP and Damage Resist as well).
I just cleaned Navarro this afternoon, and I came through the front door!
Hyjal (me) = Pulse Rifle & APA
Sulik = Gauss Rifle & PA, close to me
Vic = Turbo Plasma & HPA, close to me
Cassidy = Gauss Rifle & HPA, sniping
Marcus = Turbo Plasma, sniping
Skynet = Gauss Rifle, sniping
No casualties. Minimal wounds, low stimpack usage. All loot taken to San Fran in one trip.
Rule nº 1: give them cheap and weak weaponry, but good armor, while they're low level. Just being there helps a tiny bit in the early game.
Rule nº 2: avoid combats you wouldn't win alone anyway, like Raiders between Vault City and NCR - at least until you have everyone, including yourself, using Metal Armors and at least 14mm pistols. The only real dangerous battle from this point until the San Fran/Navarro area is the on against Darion at Vault 15 level 3: those 2 guys in Combat armor, wielding Assault Rifles, are a pain. Also, Darion's flamethrower is nasty.
Rule nº 3: never give them burst weapons before everyone has Power Armor (preferably, never give them at all). Exception to Cassidy, who can be told to 'be absolutely sure that won't hit' you - but then again he will rarelly burst, and these weapons are weak in single shot mode...
Rule n 3: level them up as frequently as possible - save, level up, load, rinse'n repeat until they level. This is better done when leveling up by quests, which by the way are the moments were level ups occur most frequently, at least until around level 15. Fact: high level Sulik, Vic and Cassidy using Gauss Rifles kick all kinds of ass. Blowing ribs is Cassidy's favored sport
Rule nº4: NPC's don't get addicted nor suffer withdraws, so drug them! 2 doses of Jet = 2 AP, Psycho = 30 Damage Resist, Buffout = 3 Endurance (better HP and Damage Resist as well).
I just cleaned Navarro this afternoon, and I came through the front door!
Hyjal (me) = Pulse Rifle & APA
Sulik = Gauss Rifle & PA, close to me
Vic = Turbo Plasma & HPA, close to me
Cassidy = Gauss Rifle & HPA, sniping
Marcus = Turbo Plasma, sniping
Skynet = Gauss Rifle, sniping
No casualties. Minimal wounds, low stimpack usage. All loot taken to San Fran in one trip.
Makenshi said:
You use Skynet? I always found that, for this style of play, putting Lenny in Power Armor and giving him a Gauss Pistol made him the more robust and effective killer of the two.
Paul_cz
Mildly Dipped
NPCs are very useful in Fallout 1 with NPC mod...
I give Ian .223 gun and better armor (and when I get to BoS, I give him PA) - if I don't stand in front of him all the time, he never shoots me and actually gives about 50 damage per round, plus he is a good mule,
And Tycho, I give him combat shotgun plus BoS combat armor and again, he just freaking rocks.In my latest playthrough he NEVER once shot me in the back,
plus if you tell them to move to the distance, they don't really block you...they did not block me at least.
Well and dogmeat is cool, plus when I can tell him to wait, he might just survive the game
.
I give Ian .223 gun and better armor (and when I get to BoS, I give him PA) - if I don't stand in front of him all the time, he never shoots me and actually gives about 50 damage per round, plus he is a good mule,
And Tycho, I give him combat shotgun plus BoS combat armor and again, he just freaking rocks.In my latest playthrough he NEVER once shot me in the back,
plus if you tell them to move to the distance, they don't really block you...they did not block me at least.
Well and dogmeat is cool, plus when I can tell him to wait, he might just survive the game
.
valcik
So Old I'm Losing Radiation Signs
Makenshi said:
i disagree with this part of the Rule #2.
in the Vault 15 is a interesting room in northwest part of Living Quarters (2nd floor of the vault). here, in lockers i found few very usefull items, combat armor and .223 handgun + ammo. (in my opinion, this room use Darion himself as a bedroom)
i always go here first and with this equipment, fight against Darion's gang is very easy and funny. after cleaning 2nd floor of vault out off all lifeforms, i move to 3rd floor and i walk right to Darion. only guards and dog attacks me, Darion himself ALWAYS fall to some form of fear or panic and run away without any shot from his flamethrower. after battle against guards, one aimed shot from .223 handgun to Darion's head ends this little adventure.
I usually fall foul of the his two guards with assault rifles - and if not me, then one of my team!I don't know, I find NPC's pretty useful in F1. On the occasions that Ian shoots you in the back it usually is only 4 or 5 hitpoints. Besides, it's pretty rare all things considered.
Dogmeat's great for running down heavily injured enemies who are trying to make a break for it, since he has so much AP.
Katja can be useful as a bullet sponge, to divert attention... till' she gets shot to hell, but whatever.
Dogmeat's great for running down heavily injured enemies who are trying to make a break for it, since he has so much AP.
Katja can be useful as a bullet sponge, to divert attention... till' she gets shot to hell, but whatever.