2 simple questions (I hope)

1: many items require a certain amount of an ability (example: at least 3 Swordsmanship),but I can equip them even if I don't meet these requirements...why? Do they still work or are they useless?

2: in the "Hero" menu I have a "Balthazar Faction" counter...what is it?

Thank you!

I know that the weapon damage/energy bonus/armor if you don't meet the requirements is taken down so that it is the same as the worst weapon/offhand of it's kind, but i'm not sure about magic abilities, i think they still work fine.

The balthazar's faction is what you earn from PvP, and you can use it to unlock skills for PvP, and to buy in PvE.

Hope I answered your question

Ok for the first question...but are you sure taht the Balthazar thing has nothing to do with the "free unlocks" mentioned in the Special Edition (wich I have)? And in any case...if I don't do PVP is it useless?? I hope not!!!

For weapons, all the abilities will work fine, but it will do the same damage as a starter weapon if you don't meet the req. For shields, you'll get the minimum armor bonus, for foci you'll get the minimum energy bonus, but abilities will still work.

Yes, if you don't PvP, Balthazar faction is useless. However, I'm kinda lost on how you get Balthazar faction if you never PvP :P.
The SE gives you free unlocks, rather than spending faction on it.

On second thought, If you have prophecies and unlock a skill, you can buy it from any skill trainer rather than one specific one.

If you don't want to PvP with the Nutters, there's always Fort Aspenwood or the Jade Quarry, they're fun and you get Balthazar Faction along with Faction for the side you're fighting for
Yes.

Before using Balthazar factions make sure to check out where you can get the different skills, and the unlock skills that are only available late in the game

(This is mostly for prophecies where some spells are only available VERY late)

PvPers arent nutty :P Balthazar faction is purely for skill/weapon mod unlocks for PvP, so for PvP you can unlock +30 HP on a sword without having to find one but if you find one that unlocks it too.

As for a weapon's req if you don't meet it, the damage is pathetic, try using a req 13 sword with 12 swordsmanship and see how much damage you do before upping your swords to 13

Completing the acadamey to go from presearing to postsearing gives you a minimum of 60 faction.

~Salad