Importing: Character Information Basics
 
Much of this information was first compiled for me by Shoujo, specifically, starting spells, and starting attribute point distribution.
 
Imported characters begin with 9-10 more attribute points than  beginning W8 characters.  The level achieved in CODS has no effect on the starting attribute points.  The level of the individual attributes, however, has a slight effect:  if a character had a high speed (for example) at the end of CODS, he or she will tend to import with a slightly higher speed (+1 point) in W8.  The difference is never more than +/- 1 attribute point, and typically, if you raise one attribute to enhance its import value, you will end up reducing the import value of another attribute.  This can be useful, however, to ensure that a character imports with 10 extra points rather than 9. 
 
Attribute points are distributed as follows:  each class has three "prime" attributes.  The other four attributes will each receive 1-3 points over the base value for the race/class combination.  The remaining attribute points are then divided up between the "prime" attributes.
 
Generally, skills import at 1/5 the value achieved at the end of CODS, dropping all fractions, so 100 in Sword will import as 20, but 99 in Sword will import as 19.  The following exceptions apply:
 
Only Bards import with Music skill.
 
Only Rangers import with Scouting skill.
 
Diplomacy skill in CODS becomes Communication skill in W8.
 
Artifacts skill imports at a slightly lower rate, so 100 in Artifacts in CODS will import as only 16 Artifacts in W8.  However, Scribe skill in CODS adds to Artifacts skill in W8 at the rate of 1/25, so a character with 100 in both Artifacts and Scribe in CODS will import to W8 with a 20 in Artifacts.
 
Spell Schools (Alchemy, Divinity, Wizardry and Psionics) start at varying levels, depending upon the imported class.  Pure spell casters (Priest, Alchemist, Bishop, Psionic and Mage) import with a maximum of 16 in each school (even if it is not a school used by that class).  Hybrids (Lord, Valkyrie, Ranger, Samurai, Ninja and Monk) import with a maximum of 8 in each school.  Non-spell casters (Fighter, Rogue and Bard) import with 1-3 points per school, and the actual amount appears to be random.
 
Realm Skills (Air, Divine, Earth, Fire, Mental and Water) start at 13 if the character has one spell in that realm or 20 if the character has two spells in that realm (e.g., Lord in Divine or Psionic in Mental).
 
Certain weapon skills are divided differently in W8 from CODS:  Wand & Dagger, Pole & Staff, Sling, and Thrown Weapons in CODS become Wand & Staff, Dagger, Poleweapons, and Sling & Thrown in W8.  In these situations, the character gets the best possible result when importing.  For example, if Wand & Dagger is at 100 in CODS, he or she will import with 20 in both Wand & Staff and Dagger.  If Sling is at 100 and Thrown Weapons is at 0, he or she will import with 20 in Sling & Thrown.
 
W8 also adds new combat skills:  Close Combat, Ranged Combat and Dual Weapons.  Close and Ranged Combat will import at a level comparable to the highest weapons skill in their respective categories.  For example, a character with 100 in Sword at the end of CODS will import with 20 in Close Combat; a character with 100 in Bow will import with 20 in Ranged Combat.  (Note, however, that Firearms - Modern Weapons, in W8 - does not count as a weapon skill for these purposes, so a character with 100 in Firearms and no points in any other ranged weapon will import with 20 in Modern Weapons but 0 in Ranged Combat.)  Dual Weapons imports at 1/10 the level of the highest close combat weapon skill - unless you happen to be a Lord, who will import at the 1/5 rate.  (This means that with the 25% class bonus, an imported Lord can start the game with 25 in Dual Weapons.  Something to consider . . . .)
 
Each party imports with 2,500 gp.  Don't spend it all in one place.  Well, okay, do:  buy up all of Burz's Medium and Light Heal potions and start mixing away.  Remember the four steps of for endless wealth:  Buy, Mix, Identify, Sell.
 
Each character begins the game with 13,000 experience points, enough to level up to 5th level.