ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

I'm 5/5/2/0 in physics and it did not unlock the recipes. Did I read this wrong?

Yes 5/5 gives a garanty for ONE schematic. For the others, you need to find the items with one of the schematic written. In Embers, it is not a problem, you will find many of them. In the main campaign, they are much rarer...

Its actually 2 schematics for 5 points.

Since we're on the subject, any motivation to dump a talent point in one of the tinker categories? Are there level 7 devices to be made?

My understanding of how gaining schematics works:
Level 1 -- get the first schematic
Level 2 -- 20% chance to gain the second schematic
Levels 3&4 -- 20% chance to gain the second schematic if you haven't already
Level 5 -- 100% chance to gain the second schematic if you haven't already
So you never get more than 2 schematics from leveling up a tinker talent. (this isn't a huge deal, because you'll get flooded with schematics through the game)

ChasmGasm wrote:Since we're on the subject, any motivation to dump a talent point in one of the tinker categories? Are there level 7 devices to be made?

You mean a category point? There aren't any level 7 schematics that I know about, but it would mean you could get by with spending fewer generics in that category. (Probably not worth it, in other words)

I think it only checks raw level, so there isn't any point to using a category point on them. Well, there is the 4th talent, but the benefit is tiny.

HousePet wrote:I think it only checks raw level, so there isn't any point to using a category point on them. Well, there is the 4th talent, but the benefit is tiny.

Crafting doesn't use raw levels (I think the recipe gain does though). If you can find something that gives +0.1 to each, you will be able to craft lv5 stuff at lv4. +0.2 to each will let you craft lv4 stuff at lv3. I wouldn't use a category point on it though; sometimes you get lucky and find a necklace.

There's some unique goggles that are great for this. They give .2 to both crafting trees, so you don't have to max any of the skills.

As you only temporarily need the talent levels, using gear that is +.1 or +.2 can save 2-6 generic points, while still enabling capstone tinker recipes. A rather solid win if you can get the right drops and are patient on it.