Are some of the stats in this game limited to a finite number of training options for improvement while others have infinite options? Based on the newbie guides I saw on the wiki it seems like you have some very clearly superior character creation choices if that's the case.
If I understand correctly, you can train physical stats infinitely and for free for instance while something like intelligence or maybe charm has a small number of specific training options and then you're done forever. So if that's true you should never take a physical stat during character creation and should always take whichever stats you think are most important that have the least training options.
I've only just recently started playing but it seemed so far that charm is important for most nonviolent interactions, both with slaves and with random people you meet. Manipulation seems more limited to use on slaves. I'm not sure how trainable those are but you can start the game with more than 80 charm so that's probably not a big deal. Bondage is important according to the guide but it seemed like there are a fairly large number of options for training that even if you don't start with that stat being high. Maybe you can't get it high enough unless you start with 30-50 though, no idea. (Edit: Actually after playing a bit more manipulation also seems useful for a decent number of non slave interactions as well).
Manipulation seems like it has a random chance to go up any time you have a successful manipulation check. I assume the same might be true of charm? If that's the case then it seems like you could mostly train those endlessly, it's just that you don't really have an option to do a training session. It's basically random interactions.
Anyway my main question are which stats have either infinite or close enough to it options for training that in the long term you don't care how low of a value you start with? Or is everything infinitely trainable but just not as easily as others?
Also, is it possible to be effective enough with melee weapons for those to be a viable option over guns? So far in my games ammo cost has been my biggest problem. It seems like melee would solve that issue if it ever gets to "good enough" status even if it's not as effective as guns.
One other minor question. Is there a stat that affects lockpicking? Dexterity maybe? I fail at lockpicking most of the time. (Edit: this last one seems to be stealth). Training steal seems to basically have a chance to happen when you succeed at picking a lock. I don't think I've ever seen it go up on a failure.
I've come to believe that this is mostly dependent on just how you plan to play and how much time you want to put into it. Yes, physical skills are much more easily trainable and it's generally better to concentrate on certain others, notably Intelligence, if you want a better more rounded character in the long run...but also remember, 'in the long run everyone's dead.'
Intelligence will determine just how many points you will get from classes and reading books, therefore it's important to get that stat up to about 60-65 before you start your classes and books. There's a point, I forget just exactly what it is, where you max gains from intelligence so it's not helping you much anymore, if at all.
Charm can be gained up until 70 by Caressing during seduction and up to 85 through plastic surgery at the Doctor's office in Crystal Heights. Thus one might be tempted to forgo Charm in character creation as it can be trained up or bought later, but consider also the opportunity cost in that. Early charm makes the whole game much easier in the beginning and opens up doors much sooner affecting all facets of the game. Being able to charm Rebecca in the beginning to access the Space Marine soonest allows you to take out the highest level targets much quicker and easier.
Manipulation is not nearly as easy or sure to train as Charm, but you can get oodles and scads of Manipulation from books and there's diminishing returns on anything much over 100.
I find melee combat to be quite useful, my current Rise from the Ashes character seldom fires a gun anymore and I've critted myself up to a Melee Combat skill of 276, but also still fires a plasma gun on occasion if the target warrants it. The leader of the Highwaymen of Darkmere always tastes plasma as does the King of the Ceilor Forest Raiders as why would I want to take a chance on them firing that coilgun at me and my team? Top level bounties get similar treatment, but mostly my character uses his powered katana as I don't want to pay for the ammo and I don't need to use a gun except on top level targets like the above.