If you're engaged in a battle with an undead merchant in a game, it's easy to get bogged down in the heat of the fight and forget about the potential loot you could be gaining. Before you slice and dice, consider what valuable items the merchant might be concealing. After all, you might find more than just a rotting corpse, but a treasure trove of useful gear and resources.
Before leaping into the fray, it's crucial to assess the merchant's inventory. Often, these merchants carry a variety of unique and powerful items, so it's worth taking a moment to peruse their wares. In this guide, we'll discuss what to look for, how to find it, and why it's advantageous to swap steel for inventory before engaging in combat.
Evaluating the Inventory
First and foremost, you need to understand what you're up against. This involves checking the merchant's inventory and assessing its value.
The quality and rarity of the items in the merchant's inventory often correspond to the merchant's level and difficulty. Generally, higher level merchants carry better gear, but be aware that more powerful enemies usually come with more challenging battles.
Unique Items and Sets
Unique items and sets can often be found in undead merchant inventories. These items are often named and have special properties and effects that set them apart from standard gear. They can be particularly useful if they complement your playstyle or provide bonuses that you currently lack.
For example, you might find a unique weapon that deals extra damage to undead creatures, perfect for your upcoming boss battle. Or perhaps a set of armor with a passive skill that enhances your movement speed, which would be beneficial for a stealth-focused build.
Potent Consumables
Undead merchants can also carry valuable consumables - items that can be used once and provide immediate benefits. These can range from powerful healing potions to temporary stat boosts or even one-time-use powerful spells.
Before a big battle, consider purchasing a collection of these items to enhance your capabilities and bolster your chances of victory. Remember, these items are single-use, so they're best saved for when they're really needed.
Negotiating and Purchasing
Now that you've decided what you want, it's time to make a deal with the merchant. Many undead merchants allow you to interact with them and make purchases before attacking. This can be a far more cost-effective way of acquiring their items than just taking them by force.
Some merchants may expect you to complete a quest or meet certain criteria before they agree to do business, so be prepared to negotiate and potentially put aside your sword for a moment.
Bargain Hard
Undead merchants, like any good business owners, are willing to haggle. Don't be afraid to barter and bargain for a better price. Often, they'll accept something other than gold in exchange for their goods - perhaps a specific item or ingredient you have on hand.
Remember, the objective is to get the items you need at the lowest cost possible. Every piece of gold you save is one more piece that you can use to upgrade your equipment, unlock new abilities or expand your base.
Making the Purchase
Once you've agreed on terms, it's time to make the purchase. Be cautious here - some undead merchants may try to trick you or attack you mid-transaction, so always be prepared for a potential ambush.
It's generally a good idea to equip your most formidable weapon and have your best healing items at the ready before you strike a deal. This will give you a defensive advantage if the merchant proves untrustworthy.
Finally, remember that killing an undead merchant is a last resort. The more you can learn to negotiate and interact with these AI-controlled characters, the more valuable resources you'll be able to unlock. So, before you draw your sword in anger, consider drawing it in diplomacy - it might just be the wiser choice. After all, in the game of acquisition, sometimes it's better to make a deal than make a kill."