hints

I got 'em but never use 'em. What are the best strategies for when and how to use Redis?

Depends on your build. For most normal builds what people use them for is A) they messed up on a couple of points and change them to another stat and B) they go for 30-45 intelligence then redis them to 10 int when they get to the level they want for their build. Like if I wanted to make a level 100 answerer bot I could do 45 int then redis it to 10 int when I want to get the armours/weapons for it to make it a scorer instead of a int bot. I do this a fair amount because it's a pain to level with 10 int :P

There's also strategies for using them for tournament bots but that's probably better left for another time.

I've crawled to level 88 with 10 int (took a giant break in the middle of my 10 year play time). That is probably a good place to start. Is it also smart to use the points to reach the amount needed for a specific weapon or armor and then distribute back?

Tell me more about tournament builds.

Tourney builds use redis points to get gear which otherwise wouldn't be equippable with your final stats at a given level.

For example, imagine you level up while putting a high number of points to STR (allowing you to equip better armours with a high STR requirement). Once you reach your goal, you can then redis points from STR into CON and have better armours with high HP when comparing to other bots at that same level.

After the redis if you continue to fight/train the durability of the "freaked" gear will eventually hit zero. Once the gear breaks, you won't be able to re-equip those items. Tournament bots will generally just sit at their end-goal level and be used to compete in the monthly tournament.

So a "freaked" build is one which has equipment or weapons that they don't actually have the stats for?

Correct. And a super freaked one is one that has been touched by Rick James.