The ranger has a skill that makes headshots do more damage, and is a party-wide skill, so the dwarf and elf also do headshot damage. The ranger's secrets only ever contain arrows and maybe a bow only ever for him while the other 2 create different drops for every human player in there, so don't feel like you're missing out on anything without his secrets. If that connects, besides stunning the enemy, you also do substantially more damage to everything you attack, so long as you don't get hit. Basically it means hit the enemy until the little yellow arrow shows up, then use a heavy attack. 'Hero Mode' isn't very well explained in the game. This only applies to the multi-reward boxes. Either pick directly upon first opening, or be sure to examine something before you pick it. If you examine an item, but do not pick it, the selection will be 'stuck' on that item, meaning you will pick it even if you have another item highlighted. The item selection is a bit wonky, especially when it comes to the boxes with 'pick your own quest reward'.

I have not noticed any difference after trying to give them items, so I recommend just selling what you don't need if you do play solo. AI controlled PCs automatically level up their gear. Take it before you kill a boss and get mad XP. You can make bonus XP potions that doubles your XP gain for a minute. The dwarf cannot pick up herbs for potions (only the elf can), and they can be handy for some of the harder fights, even if they do clog up your inventory. They just have normal treasure chest loot in them, however, and not all levels have secrets for all three. You'll have to replay the level as another character to find the rest. Some secrets can only be detected by a certain character (the elf can open elf doors, the dwarf can bash down certain walls, the ranger can find arrow stashes), and you will only see the secrets of the character you play.

After a while you can respec, so don't sweat what you pick in your talents or stats. The story is surprisingly good, actually. The three characters have a few twists, but are more or less identical in effect, if not in style.

The lord of the rings war in the north