How difficult is it really?

[Naiya]

I just created a character that I would like to make a straight diplomat. I want to stay on the roads and look around. I want to explore the world, talk to interesting people and in some situations - kill them - all through the use of diplomacy (done the killing thing once already)

But I'm wondering, is it feasible? can you really do it? can I be *just* a diplomat or will I find myself in need of adventuring to prevent myself from being killed on sight?

[SwordMage]

I am not sure about a pure diplomat, one that is a level 1 adventurer; however, I think if you can stand getting to level 9 or 10 it should be possible.

I have been able to travel between most or all of the major cities as a level 10 adventuring character with minimal trouble. Once in a while I run into a wandering nasty that I don't see in time and die, but not that often.

Also, as a level 10 character, I could do whatever faction killing I needed to do to make friends in the various cities.

I did notice that, as a crafter, there were certain cities that were hard to gain faction with through crafting alone (Gnome and Dark Elf factioning outposts were too hard to get to at that level so I gave up and killed things). I don't know what factioning options you have as a diplomat.

Level 10 also gets you a horse sooner than you would be able to get to diplomat skill 100 (or so it seems to me).

[Ysharros]

You can get a diplomacy mount at 40 skills in most cities now, though iirc it's not as fast as the bought ones? I haven't done much diplo since we went live, so I'm not sure how accurate my info is.

[Ceyllynn]

if you're going to try it.. make it a threstran varanji barb... they are only KoS to one city/race and that's dwarves.. saves you a lot of factioning

[SwordMage]

Originally Posted by Ysharros

You can get a diplomacy mount at 40 skills in most cities now, though iirc it's not as fast as the bought ones? I haven't done much diplo since we went live, so I'm not sure how accurate my info is.

Yes, 40 diplomacy skill, but you actually need to have crafting or adventuring at level 10 to get the quest that gives you the horse.

The horse is +35 speed as opposed to +40.

[Nil]

Actually, there is a very big advantage to keeping your adventuring and crafting levels no higher than 6...

[Hungkung]

My first response to the OP's question, is yes it can be done, but choose your race wisely, Cey, kindly gave an answer of which race to choose to only be KOS in 1 city, and dwarf faction is pretty easy to get once you get into the newbie area (not that hard, but you probbaly know that)

I got to lvl 200 diplo and still a lvl 4 adventurer, before my brains leeked out my nose and I had to do something else. The only thing I found really daunting was the presence grinding, where it just wouldn't go up sometimes...I wonder if they make viagra for presence, or is presence what viagra is for?

the money isn't actually that bad, for what you're doing, nearly always 9c a parley in reward, unless you get the rumor's/etc and then you can sell the extra diplo clothing you get so for the risk on that aspect it's excellent. and you don't bruise your ego or chestplate getting killed very often.

[Naiya]

ack! I made a Thestran Human because I didn't read the faction chart thoroughly (translation - I didn't look at all THREE continents). Well I've worked her up some on the diplomacy scale but recreating her is not that much time lost. The Thestran's have the advantage of having the starting Diplomacy quest *right there* do one quest and move on type thing.

If I have to gain factions in two places will I end up getting past level 6? Can I kill newbie area stuff to gain faction? Should I just bite the bullet and remake her (again )

thanks for all your advice so far. It's given me hope that it is not impossible and that is the biggest thing

[Nil]

Originally Posted by Naiya

Should I just bite the bullet and remake her (again )

No. Factions are no big deal now (want to be welcome to hang out with the dark elves? Just kill 201 level 1 critters. Oooh.

[SwordMage]

Originally Posted by Nil

No. Factions are no big deal now (want to be welcome to hang out with the dark elves? Just kill 201 level 1 critters. Oooh.

Where are they?

I only found the level 7 characters to kill.