NEVAH.

I only do if I'm completely and utterly stuck. Other than that I try to avoid them.

Usually only for sidequests and item collecting. I do buy strategy guides for games with multiple endings like Star Ocean.

Rarely do. Only time I would use them is to figure out what or where to go next, or if I want to do extra missions or collecting.

Yeah I try not to but there comes a point when if your stuck they are handy.

I used one in Dragons age to solve a minor sidequest puzzle. The solution was staring me in the face but I had missed it and as a result spent countless hours trying stupid solutions in the wrong room.

I find as long as I tried myself beforehand, the guides are a great crutch to help enjoyment.

Depends on what type of game and what for.

For RPGs and large adventure games, I only usually use them for side-quests (& collection quests) and I'll usually wait until the 2nd playthrough. Even then I'll only consult if I'm really stuck and to make sure I get all the side-quests.

Otherwise, only if I get really stuck and I'm completely out of ideas. Usually it turns out to be something really simple that I overlook or don't realise I can get to area x by simply doing y.

yah... mainly to trophie hunting... and had some problems with psico mantys (or what ever she is called) in MGS4...

always try to figure it out by my self...