Every time I've played Wizardry 8 previously I've mostly ignored the spellcasting skills of my secondary casters like Samurai, Monks, Rangers etc. This time I'm trying to build them up a bit. I'm trying to work something out though. For the purpose of increasing skills, is it better to cast lots of spells with minimal charge, fewer spells with the highest charge you expect success from or very few spells with the charge set in the yellow or red?

Has anyone ever tried a dwarf monk? A dwarf has to wait a few levels before they can increase skills as a monk but it occurred to me that the dwarvern natural damage resistance + monk damage resistance might make one very hard to kill.

I always play with a ranger in my party and usually set them in the middle or back row. Should I give them a spear for when the enemies get in close or stick to the bow for the chance of ranged criticals?

Which are the most important stats for stamina? I always play with a gadgeteer and need to keep their stamina up high. The game indicates (IIRC) that strength, piety and vitality all contribute but is one more important than the others?

I once played a dwarf monk. Build him up for polearm and staff. His damage resistance helps in the beginning but much more important to me later was stealth. With high stealth there is no much need for damage resistance.

I always have a gadgteer in my party . I don't look much for stamina , IMO it's not that much important ( especially if you create a female with stamina reg items or have a mage with you for the stamina or rest all spell ). You're right strengh, piety and vitality are the attributes that improve stamina. But the Gadgy need strengh for combat and for carrying missiles so I would build it up first. Piety is not necessary so the second best is vitality

[ 11-21-2003, 03:59 AM: Message edited by: Loudhy ]

For Rangers, i usually give them spears, esp considering you can buy a verrrry nice one...
For magic Skill increases, it's the number of times you cast and the spell level that count, not the power level you cast at, so for more increases per SP, cast at lowest level.

Or if you have stamina problems you could always use stamina regenerating items, which can be found through various stages of the game.