So I died with my first lvl50 Alchemist in lvl7 of High Peak. I turned a corner with full health and got hit with so much damage and debuffs from a bone golem unique I was already in Cauterize before I knew what was going on! This was the first character I managed to get out east as well. So I check out my character report on the website, and realize I first started playing ToME over two years ago, AND I'VE NEVER BEATEN IT! So I'm taking a break. Not out of frustration or boredom, but just fatigue. This game is great. One day, I will beat it! I have to say, playing a game on and off for several years gives you a strange perspective on it though. I think I've always come back when there was a major update or so. I remember loving Archers when I first started playing, and them coming back to the reload changes and now hating them completely. Coming back this time around, I really really love the idea of prodigies, although I wish there was more and they were more specific so as to really make a unique playing experience with. I found Craft Hands and Cauterize to be the safe but boring choices. Also, Cauterize + Heroism Infusion wound up being a bit overpowered, since it basically means you can't die as long as you avoid any further damage.
I love how much this game grows. I love ARPGs like Torchlight and Titan's Quest, but they get stale after awhile, so the constant updates to ToME are probably why I keep coming back. I doubt I'll be taking an Alchemist up to 50 again anytime soon. It's a good class to learn the game with, but there's almost no variety with a second playthrouh, since there's almost no extra places to put class talent points. I think it's be really cool to see at least one more unlockable tree, or perhaps just better talents in some of the class trees (I almost was never in melee range so the last two spells in Fire Alchemy were mostly worthless, for an example). Anyways, thanks for providing me with so much fun and a distraction from studying
Edit: oh yea, and the golem aura really shouldn't make sun paladins and storyline characters turn evil
