Dungeon Siege: should i specialize?

[d1abolic]

I just started playing, about 30 minutes into the game. I'm trying to decide whether i should specialize in either magic, melee or ranged, or be jack-of-all-trades? In other RPGs, it seems that specialization is the way to go. But here, i noticed that every so often, i come by an excellent item that belongs to one of the categories. So far i've found 3 items that stood out from the rest. First a spell which i used for as long as it was the most powerful thing in my inventory. It was soon replaced by a melee weapon, which was then replaced by a bow. Up until now it seemed simple - use the best item you have. But now i found a shield on a boss in a skeleton dungeon. It requires 14 strength and i have 11. I think strength is gained through melee combat. So i could either start using that slightly weaker melee weapon and get my strength up to use the shield or continue using the bow and hope that i will find a really good bow before another good melee weapon comes along. So now you know my dillema. If you're further into the game, what would you advise me to do?

 

[cerebusPu]

Ive played about 6 hours into the game. all today

i can tell you one thing, i was very confused on what to specialize in. however, whatever i specialize in theres always some better character that joins the group. so...here's a hint. dont worry about nature and combat magic, really powerful ones comes along later. dont worry if your not really really strong ...cause theres two more of those hunky guys! so that leaves long range and jack of all trades. you meet a girl early on in the game, she can be the long range character.

the problem being jack of all trades however, is that you are so weak in some areas that you cant use the special weapons.

i suggest that you specialize in either melee or long range. the wizards that show up later are much better in magic then you will ever be.

 

[XZeroII]

I've played quite a bit now, just use whatever. You can pay better people to join your party later. Although I only bought one guy, the other 4 just joined up. They all have their specialties, but I find melee to work best. I just started chapter 3, and it's not that difficult (I'm playing on easy though )