Should RPCs be Included

I have seen RPCs referred to as "experience sucking vampires" among other such complimentary comments. I have also seen comments like "[insert RPC name here] is the greatest!", so whether or not to include RPCs is truly a personal preference. On this page the drawbacks and benefits of including RPCs will be discussed. You then have to decide if it is right for you or your party. During the discussions references to RPCs will be made so you may wish to familiarize yourself with them. View the RPC Menu and select a race to learn who is available, their zone limitations, and skill sets.

I) Encumbrance: Well no doubt about it there will always be moments in the game when the party will have more items than they can carry and will become encumbered. Whether it is an over abundance of items during a long road trip or just restocking supplies, it happens. The smaller the party the more problematic it is. Whether a solo, small, or full party, if you find yourself having trouble bearing up under the burden an RPC can be used to help alleviate the load. The nice thing about the majority of the RPCs is they can be hired as often as you need them. Generally they can also be dismissed easily (excluding quest RPCs) so you can remove them from the party when there is no longer a need for their services.

II) Gold & Items: If you find an RPC you truly want to have around for long term employment you will need to provide them with better armor, weapons, and resupply any ammunition they may have need of. The cost of upkeep for an RPC varies according to their profession, but for the most part they are no more expensive than original party members.

Some RPCs can even "earn" their keep. If your party has no way of opening locked or trapped chests or doors then a roguish Myles could help you out. Other RPCs like Vi Domina or Urq, with a little time invested in development, could help in situations where the party has a need to Identify Items to be sold at a better value. RFS-81 makes an excellent pack mule with his strength.

If you find you are still struggling financially an RPC can even be class changed (RFS-81 is the exception) to an Alchemist to mix potions for the party. You will need to spend a bit of time with one to develop their attributes to qualify for the profession, but once class changed mixing potions and a bit of power training will move their Alchemy skill up swiftly so your party can take advantage of the high price items that can be created. In this way you need not loose any professional levels with your original party members and can hire the RPC while in their area as the financial need dictates.

III) Magic & Resistance: Several RPCs have magical skills based in every school the game has to offer. If your party lacks the ability to magically protect themselves and you find them struggling against foes with magical or missile attacks you can always hire an RPC to fill the void. Just remember most RPCs are fairly low level to begin and need a little developing, just like regular party members, to become good at their job.

IV) Experience & Leveling Up: This is the biggest point of contention. When including RPCs they do share in the experience pool from combat. If you travel with RPCs regularly your party will advance in levels slower. There is however a boon to this slower leveling up. Each individual's skills advance more between levels. For this reason your party may find themselves able to handle difficult combat situations with greater ease at lower levels. I have had parties take on some of the "boss" monsters at levels that might be next to impossible for a regular party who was not "power trained" for most of their careers.

V) Party Formation: Party formation issues arise as the number of party members increase. Protecting vulnerable characters may become easier but combat options become more restricted. Several RPCs have extended or ranged combat options but some do not. View the Party Formation basics.

V) I'm not going in there!: The true disadvantage of RPCs is their zone limitations. All refuse to travel to one place or another, some will not enter several areas. You can use methods to "drag" them into areas they would prefer not to be in, but then you have to listen to their incessant whining and complaining. If that's not enough they will also become hexed while in these areas thus reducing their skills. So if you are dragging them into an area to do a particular job, like pick locks or disarm traps, it is wise to get to it and do it as quickly possible before their skills are affected. If they are there to pick up the slack in melee combat you may find them struggling eventually.