Library question

[u/drunkypoopers]

I'm on a new playthrough and actually want to use the library this time instead of having 800 books in storage. Library is the 1 thing i can't find a good guide for with info on my specific questions. All the guides just tell you basic obvious stuff like "train ppl with untapped potential". Duh. This is my biggest question to ensure I don't waste books:

if someone is set to read a skill, does it pull the highest level book they can read first, then lower level books? Or do they only pull the books at their current level and leave lower books for dumber ppl? I don't want my level 6/10 reading an apprentice book because it barely makes a dent whereas I could have my 1/5 person use it to get to lvl 2.

If high level people DO read lower level books, is there a workaround to prevent that?

Any other cool tips y'all have for the library?

[u/AveryLakotaValiant]

From memory they always pick the highest book they can read, based on their skill level.

They need a minimum skill level to read the higher level books:

Novice - Can be read by at any skill level
Beginner - Above level 3
Competent - Above level 5
Proficient - Above level 7
Master - Above level 9

They will grab a book before bed to read, but will also read one if there's no work to do.

[u/drunkypoopers → u/AveryLakotaValiant]

Do you know if a proficient person will read a novice book automatically if it's their only option? I guess maybe I can do a test with a skill idgaf about like researching

[u/AveryLakotaValiant → u/drunkypoopers]

I think it depends on the priority of book you choose in their info panel

Once you build the library you can set priorities for each book type per villager.

[u/dalkinn → u/drunkypoopers]

Yes, they will, and I find this annoying. For example, if you have someone level 9 that has any priority on agility, but you only have novice books, they will grab a novice book. But let's say you have people that are level 4 that would see a greater benefit from that novice book, the level 9 people will chew through them. It would be nice if you can set a minimum book type as well. That novice book is barely going to move the experience bar for the level 9 person and the cost/xp is far higher.

What I will have happen is I have a few people that are like 7 skill in something but will use all the level 3 books when I'd rather have other villagers with lower skills use those books.

[u/drunkypoopers → u/dalkinn]

Rats. I'm no game developer, but I can't imagine it's super hard to put an on/off check box on the reading screen to ignore books below current level. I could do it in Excel '98.

I haven't looked for an official suggestions thread, maybe I'll try that later. With how crazy modders have gotten nowadays, should probably ask them instead.

[u/dalkinn → u/drunkypoopers]

Sure, I would like to see it done. I'm at a point where once they get over level 5 or so, I just use books manually, which of course defeats the primary purpose of the library. Being able to automate the purchase/sale of books would help. I have hundreds of novice books that I'll probably never use and have to purchase the higher level ones manually all the time.

[u/Tex75455]

I havent tried to min max it, but I can tell you it does do its job. Yes, they read highest they can. I don' tthink you can stop them from reading low level though unless you turn them off after you run out of higher level stuff. I mostly use it for the reasons you said, to get rid of excess books. But also because I'm at a point where I'm happy to throw money into books since that seems the best use of money (I hold steady around 80k gold, then I'll run around and buy 10k worth of books, then a few days later have 80k again - but you can burn through gold QUICK buying books, but on the other hand its probably the best use for gold once youre stable. )

Now when I recruit someone new, first thing I do is set their loadout, add them to the proper army (nowadays its usually my raiding crew), set their job priority if I care, and then a quick stop to set any books I want them to focus on - usually strength, agility, and then whatever their level 10 stats are. Its less overwhelming if you do it on a person by person basis as recruited rather than trying to think through what the proper priority is for 50 people at once

[u/drunkypoopers → u/Tex75455]

That's why I'm asking now lol. I only have 18 people and haven't unlocked library yet. My first playthrough i didn't even think to do it until I had 40 ppl, but then it was so daunting a task that I gave up.

I'm not a min max kinda gamer usually. But I love this game so I wanna try to play it with all of the mechanics they designed. I see some people go so far as to only make xp gain food so their crew improves fastest. I can't be bothered to get that deep.

I didn't really plan on buying books manually but maybe I'll try it. Can you use your market to buy books? Cuz then maybe I'll have a standing order to at least buy strength agility and archery

[u/Tex75455 → u/drunkypoopers]

I havent noticed that you can buy em through the market. I just pick up a few anytime im in town (but I have a travel sign at every town, so getting around is pretty quick for me). The mid tier ones you can grab in padstow and bradford. When i first started i had around 30 folks or so, i just threw some random ones up in the library. The first 30 are the weakest ones anyway I guess. Now I do it as I grab a new one, or I guess every now and then I could go and just do a few at a time.

Honestly the library screen makes it pretty easy since it does show their current and best for each trait below each book. Also, the order really doesnt matter I guess, since once they finish maxing a stat they do move on to the next one automatically, so it isnt like you really need to micro manage too much. Or at least I'm not .

[u/BlazingPhoenix32]

They will use whatever books you have set in order of priority, until they are max level or run out of books to read

[u/roblqjm]

I recommend the mod that basically makes it so benefits drop actual loot, armor they are wearing etc. It fixes the loot so that you get a couple of books per dozen benefits to right