Valkyries are back from Wizardry 7, and as ferocious as ever. To understand the Valkyrie's strength, we must also understand the damage of Polearm weapons and the Valkyrie's innate bonus to using them.

Spears and other polearms tend to have a wide range between min and max damage, such as 10-30, rather than other weapons which have lower and more compacted damage, like 6-15 or 8-20.

So Valkyries have a bonus to weapons with a very random amount of damage dealt, sometimes big, sometimes small. From almost the beginning of the game, they are capable of getting that high end damage that could take a dozen or more levels for everyone else to see.

When the others do finally get their great weapons, they essentially catch up to the Valkyrie, who has been kicking monster butt the whole time.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that they learn healing spells, and have an ability, called Cheat Death, which can keep your Valkyrie alive for as few as 3 or 4, and up to even 10 deaths, in one battle, constantly coming back to defend her comrades and annihilate her enemies?

They are an offensive force with their spears, a defensive force with Cheat Death, and a healing and support force with their spells. Plus, they have to be women. Nice.

Valkyrie sub-class

- Goddess' Chosen

As with the Lord, you will want your Valkyrie to be gaining skills in all the areas she needs them as quickly as possible, and dealing heavy damage before the enemy even touches her. This means, of course, 3 points in Strength and Intelligence a level to build up her weapon and realm skills simultaneously. Follow this up with 3 points in Speed and Dexterity for attacks and to counteract the loss of Initiative on many Polearms. You probably won't need Vitality with Cheat Death always in effect.

If she's having trouble hitting the enemy, you can also include someone with the Enchanted Blade spell in your party, or pick up a few scrolls of it until her skills rise up far enough for her to hit well. But with her bonus to Polearms, this won't be a problem for very long.

Try to get to the T'Rang Sadok as quickly as possible in Marten's Bluff so he can sell you a Stun Rod. It has great damage, and has a high chance to Paralyze and Drain Stamina at the same time. Remember, an incapacitated enemy is a dead enemy!