West of Loathingmight not be the most sophisticated RPG in existence, but there are a lot of clever doings a-transpirin' behind those simple stick figures. Players can choose a class and place their talent and skill points in the appropriate slots to customize their character, and other details include gear, weapons, and abilities like potion-making and cooking.
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One of three classes doesn’t sound like a tough choice, but the type of humor, along with the old-timey cowboy jargon, makes the process a bit confusing at first. Not all folks are wise in the ways of Loathing. For those greenhorns who might be new to the game, or even for hardened veteran cowpokes who have been in the fight since the Cows Came Home, here’s a quick look at theBeanslinger, the Cow Puncher,andthe Snake Oiler.
Choosing A Class
There are three classes to choose from inWest of Loathing, and they follow the basic melee fighter or magic user template that most RPGs also use. This hearkens back to the early days of TTRPGs when the only classes that existed were the warrior, the thief, and the magic user.
There are three main stats in the game, and each class focuses on a different one.Any class can learn basic abilitieslikeLockpickin’orSafecrackin', but some skills are only available to certain classes.
Beanslinger
The magic users of the game, theBeanslinger, primarilyrelies on theirMysticality, but they also have several other inherent skills unique to their class. The powers of the Beanslinger are heavily bean-based, and every Beanslinger gets an Endless Can of Beans before leaving the homestead.
Core Combat Abilities
The Great Garbanzo’s Bean Hideout
Only Beanslingers find this hidden cave on the west side of the mountains, just south of the train tracks. The main draw here is the training books, supplies, and the cooking equipment. Use the Master Cookery skill at this location to make weapons out of Bean Iron or a variety of food items to buff the character for the rest of the day.
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Cow Puncher
TheCow Puncheris the melee fighting class of the game and uses theirMuscleto get the job done. When the Cow Puncher decides to go out west, Dad gives them the gift that keeps on giving, grandma’s brass knuckles. This might be something that runs in the family.
Helstrom Ranch
The class-specific location for Cow Punchers is the Helstrom Ranch. Any class can find the ranch, but only Cow Punchers find an intact building that contains information and equipment that makes theirLeartherworkeryskill possible. Other classes find a burned-out shell that can’t be used for anything.
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Snake Oiler
The typical carnival barkeror the traveling carpetbaggerwere also familiar Old West archetypes. The Snake Oiler is the class for rogues, tricksters, and salespeople inWest of Loathing,and they get a standard briefcase full of snakes when it’s time to head west.
The Old Medicine Show
This is a location that only Snake Oilers can find. It’s in the same location as the Great Garbanzo’s Bean Hut, but it’s for those folks that are into chemistrizin'. Like the Hut, it also has class-specific training books and equipment for plying the Snake Oiler’s trade of Potionology.
West Of Loathingis available now on PC, Switch, and Stadia
