pstone

My devouted/trickster crithunter is pretty tanky: * 22 Swashbuckler * 57 level * 10 resolve * 20 Refreshing Defense * 4 Tuotilos * 8 Legendard (Tuotilos) * 7 Cloak * 6 Weapon+Shield Style * 4 Superior Deflection * 30 deflection from Mirrored Image --- 168 Could be pushed to more with rest and escort bonus, items etc, but the main focus was high crits. Also persistent distraction could be considered another +5 bonus (debuffs engaged enemies perception). Double chance for riposte (rogue+shield), high base penetration and better crits for weapon and shield from devoted (interestingly, devoted is proficient in hand to hand from monastic training AND weapon of choice). Natural crits are only about 1/5 due to low accuracy (124/128 without buffs) but due to several sources of hit to crit (orlan, ring, hat, feats), and auto flanked condition the actual crit rate is a lot better. Also high penetration + crit -> overpenetration, and crits are quite good (+95% due to feats, items, devoted).

Ok thank you, that seems worthwile for a ring slot. Really wish they would add some visibility to the character overview (or at least to the fight console). Also wonder whether its a flat 15 % max of if you get all the lower chances as well...

The Deck of Many Things sells a potentially interestring ring called "Ring of Prosperity's Fortune" that has the ability "The Power of Money" Imroves hit to crit rate based on current wealth. However, the ability does not show up on the character screen, and its completely unclear how it actually works, i.e. how much money is required for what rate improvement. I don't even know whether it works at all. -> Does anybody know how to view total hit to crit or how the item works exactly ?

Is this really a question? Don't know how you managed to even get the DLC without updating the game.

In the Beast of Winter DLC, several important skill checks that have no reason to be main character only (normal conversations with NPCs, strength checks etc.) are tagged to use the main characters' skills and abilities only. For example diplomacy and religion with Brythe in "The Higher Ups" and Nyvardir in "Toasting the Dead". Was quite unsatisfying to have no good options (except respeccing the main character) despite having great diplomats (Pellengrina, 23) and religion experts (Vatnir, 19) in the party. Same for examining the frozen statue next to the vytmadh - why can i not ask party members with the required skill or ability? For the strength check there i even get to select the party member - but all except the main character are greyed out. Made a potentially great DLC to one of the most frustrating experiences with deadfire so far, since in my eyes i failed all those quests and checks for no good reason due to main char only 16+ skill checks.

OK will do so, thanks didn't consider that.

I'm very sure those checks were not Watcher-only for me, at least not all. I specifically remember boosting Tekehu's religion skill with drugs to pass the check. So I guess at least party assist must have worked. Party assist does indeed work, but if my main character has 3 religion then party assist from a member with religion 20 only pushes it to 10, 2 more from consumables but still not enough for the very high skill requirements. Don't really understand why the checks cannot be made by other party members here, especially since it works just fine outside the DLC. E.g. make a strength check to pry loose the armor. My main char has str 8, but another has str 18 (with equipment) - yet only the main character is allowed to try (and fail). It wouldn't be so frustrating if the game didn't have the option to use the party normally, but only the DLC has this strange restriction.

Really hate all those high level skill checks that are main character only. Why can i not ask a diplomat like pellengrina to convince the brewer that adding caustic poison is a bad idea, or let a priest with high religion skill get me lore background for certain checks. Makes no sense and took all the joy from the DLC for me. Stopped playing at the gate when yet another main character only check prevented me from finding out more about the frozen guy there, despite my party standing right next to me with all the necessary skills and stats. Combat is fine, some great animations, interesting culture & setting etc. So, potentially great but currently too frustrating for me.

In the Beast of Winter DLC, several important skill checks that have no reason to be main character only (normal conversations with NPCs) are tagged to use the main characters' skills only (in part with party assist, but that doesn't help for religion 16 checks, religion 3 + party assist from religion 19 is still too low). For example diplomacy and religion with Brythe in "The Higher Ups" and Nyvardir in "Toasting the Dead". Was quite unsatisfying to have no good options (except respeccing the main character) despite having great diplomats (Pellengrina, 23) and religion experts (Vatnir, 19) in the party. Same for examining the frozen statue next to the vytmadh - why can i not ask party members with the required skill ? Made a potentially great DLC to one of the most frustrating experiences with deadfire so far, since in my eyes i failed all those quests for no good reason due to main char only 16+ skill checks.

Iirc PotD wasn't implemented correctly at release. The battles got more challenging for sure. However PotD is what i would call veteran difficulty. A reall PotD should be a challenge even to veterans (which is not the case). But still, miles better than release.

However fighting 24 people is quite fun. If you keep all companions and sidekicks up to date and well equipped, those fights can be won. However the DR is a bit high. I usually leave fighters for last due to high DR and regeneration ability. Use my main char with invisibility to get to the squishies (mages, priests, crew) and keep everyone else in my killzone (circle of protection, friendly chilil fog, paladin aura). Summoned Wurms (by Pellengina=pal/chanter) to focus crew and ranged. Also i give everyione 2 sets of weapons (including crush) to make sure i don't have to hit the highest AR... (learned that the hard way vs. steel construct)

As i clearly stated at the beginning of this thread, i wrote an opinion on a mechanic of the game and asked other users for their opinions. And you know what ? Turns out that many people have interesting ideas. The one who is not constructive at all here is you. You are not giving an opinion, nor a suggestion. You are simply stating that in your opinion i'm ranting. But even if i were, telling me that will surely lead us nowhere. If you think i'm wrong, state clearly the reasons. Be constructive, show me why i'm wrong. I was on the verge of writing a similar post as Boeroe, since what you describe in the first post is so different from my experience that i thought it had to be flamebait or by someone who didn't actually play the game. But since you seem to really have had this experience, here are some pointers: 1) After a few days of sailing, you get an ship event where you outline the mission of your ship. I choose force of good, work hard and so will i for you, no piracy etc. 2) The crew is what you have available at first. But every harbor has more crew members, so you can remove complete drunkards etc (see their traits in the description) 3) Your crew are just regular sailors (i.e. not military). Your can still run a tight ship in random events, but you are not part of a navy. 4) You can avoid privateering and piracy altogether. Any faction you are in good standing with won't attack you (including pirates!), and i never attacked neutrals (like merchants) 5) Gold for food and drink will soon be plentiful. At first many islands have fresh fruit, which will offset the moral malus of water. But i usually just buy them cheap rice wine to keep em happy So in my experience, you are not forced to piracy. You sometimes need to put your foot down when crew members have a "great" idea, but this is always possible.

Apart from just boarding the enemy ship (starts normal party combat), you can outrun them. If you are in good standing with the faction they belong to, you also don't get attacked automatically anymore (but need to initiate combat yourself).

Cipher has lots of unique dialogue options due to their mindreading, but in general those specific areas of expertise are covered using skills like insight, history, metaphysics, arcana, religion etc. My recommendation: get beraths blessings (+2 all class skills), rest at neketaka brothel (200gp, +1 to all skills till rest), be entertained by lady in dunnage inn (+1 to all skills main char till rest), get skill training by trainers (+1 to all skills main char) and develop the "interesting" skills at level up. Also, many items add skill boni, too. Mystic, scholar etc don't seem to have a big effect. They do come up but don't unlock new information by themselves (mostly flavor). But they do add a bonus to important skills of course.

Just to be sure, you didn't kill him/sacrifice him in PoE I right ? If you did, he will stay dead in Deadfire..