SCI: QFG2: You Always Succeed at Bargaining

[ArthurWalden]

I am using ScummVM version 2.9.0.

This might seem a strange complaint: I've noticed when bargaining in Quest for Glory 2 that I always succeed no matter how low my communications score. It makes the game easier but less challenging.

I know ScummVM staff long ago decided that QFG stats (i.e. role-playing issues) were out of bounds for fixing. I partially want to know if this was a deliberate choice on ScummVM's part or if it is a bug, whether or not you change it.

Thanks.

I am playing the GOG version of the game.

I am playing the game on Windows 11 Home, x64, version 24H2.

[ArthurWalden]

I was able to use the debug mode to change Communications to 0, so I could see the responses for failed bargaining. However, the issue I mentioned still stands.

[eriktorbjorn]

I haven't gotten around to pkaying the QfG games yet but I get the impression from ​https://github.com/sluicebox/sci-scripts/blob/main/qfg2-dos-1.105/src/Merchant.sc that a communivation skill of 40 is enough for the merchant.

Can you actually have less than that?

Others may require more than that, I assume?

[ArthurWalden]

I just checked. The minimum communications score appears to be 42 for a newly created fighter. It's just that I'm trying to remember what the game was like when I first played it in 1991. I thought it was possible to fail at bargaining then, but really I can't be sure. I'll do some more experimenting as to whether a Communications score of 42 is enough for all merchants.

[ArthurWalden]

Okay. I checked all the merchants. 42 Communications is good enough for all merchants in the plazas and the saurus seller. You need it slightly higher for the apothecary and magic shop and considerably higher for a sword at the weapon shop. (He doesn't haggle on daggers.)

It appears Sierra chose this number because it was the same in DOSBox. They may have changed it in a later patch that I never got or I may be just misremembering.