Molcho

As far as gameplay goes, there is no reason not to be scouting all the time, making the skill kind of pointless. The only drawback can be mitigated by activating fast mode and you're bound to miss hidden items if you're not scouting. It's not a big problem by any means, but it's not good either.

What do you mean by GCD? Thanks for the input

It's not a big thing, really. The first few maps are littered with free camp material, so you're never forced to go and rest at the inn anyway. You have to be a bit clever in choosing when to use which skill, but that's the cool thing about it. It's not like a Cypher spamming spells without repercussions, it requires thought and planning and is immensely rewarding if done right. This build is definitely not more useful than others, but that is not the point - It is different, demanding and fun to play/experiment with.

Why would you want to play a character who is frustratingly ill-suited for their role? All of this aside, I would like to see some more anime fightan magickz in the expansion - multiclassing, more magical abilities for existing melee classes, talents, whatever. I want me some magic sword dudes, and also a ranger skill which transforms their companion into an arrow because BEAR ARROW. I wouldn't and it is not the case. Try it out - I've done it and it works. Bear Arrow? Sign me up.

Don't forget that they also throw iceshards of doom,

Of course it isn't optimal, but why would you want to play an optimal character? Thing is, the wizard can be an amazing tank for a short duration and still dish out damage while doing so. After that you need to adjust accordingly, but if you do it right, the fight is over by then. I can't say how it plays out in later stages of the game or even in PotD, but on Hard Mode it worked out swimmingly so far.

Why wear a fancy pink hat, when you could wear a +2 might leather cap?

There are two main issues with this: The first "sustainable" Deflection-boosting spell that Wizards can get is Llengrath's Displaced Image, available at level 5 (and with only 4 casts at level 7). That's a fairly long time to be waiting for a solid Deflection score. This also precludes you from actually using Tier 3 and below spells for offensive/CC purposes, since you mainly have to spend them on improving your defense or offense instead. Wizard buffs do not stack with the buffs of other party members, meaning that, unlike other classes, you won't get the increased benefits of Circle of Protection (for Deflection, at least)/Scroll of Valor. It's not that you can't get into melee combat as a Wizard, but that there aren't a lot of good reasons to (save for 1/encounter Grimoire Slam). I suppose that comes down to your preference. For some people actually making it work is reason enough to do it. As for issue Nr. 1: Arcane Veil (Hardened Veil) will bridge the time till lvl 5 easily and, from there on, turn you into a pseudo-tank (for 13 seconds, at least). Also, there are still the two weaker deflection granting spells at level 1 and 2 respectively - they are not great, though. Nr.2 is not an issue if you aren't trying to use other spells in the first place. Having an exceptional weapon with fairly high damage from lvl 1 on, which also comes with draining and x1.8 reach is a very good reason to get into close combat.

One might think that, but those spells are all either instant or fast, so that's not a problem. You get one action for free at the beginnig of the fight and by the time the enemy closed the gap, you're all set up.

I think about 39. Wizards have pathetic stats, but the buffs will mitigate that just fine.

I posted a thread about my close combat wizard literally one minute ago. Should be up any minute How does 109 deflection at lvl 5 sound? Without even using a shield, that is.

The Close combat Wizard The idea always intrigued me and I figured that, with all those self buffing spells the wizard has in stock, there must be a way to make a close combat wizard work. This build is sort of an off-tank/damage dealer, depending on which buffs are being used. I will only take spells into consideration that only affect the caster, because those are fast and I want to spend as little time as possible casting, so I can whack people with my staff instead. I'm close to Defiance bay with a party of six (the premade companions) around level 5 in hard Mode. So far the build has been a lot of fun and very flexible due to the different ways to approach each battle. Other fighters usually have a fixed approach, but the Wizard requires a bit more finesse and attention. Human - I like fighting spirit Aedyr - not important if not min/maxing Might 17 - to bring the pain Constitution 10 - no real impact anyway Dexterity 3 - dump stat because the spells I'll be using are either instant or fast Perception 16 - deflection and reflex Intelligence 16 - buff duration and bigger aoe for Arcane Blast Resolve 16 - deflection, concentration and will Talents: Arcane Veil: Albeit not a spell, this second core ability is also limited per rest (2x). When upgraded, it gives a whooping +45 instant deflection, which is desperately needed for the squishy wizard in order to survive face to face battles. Only downside is the duration (13.5s base with 17 Int). Use this wisely, because it will make the difference. Hardened Veil: Upgrade to Arcane Veil Arcane Blast: This one comes for free and is a nice way of putting out some damage whenever you are not hitting stuff. I usually send my main tank ahead, wait for things to clump up on him, blast everything twice with Arcane Blast and switch to close combat. This Talent is fast, per encounter and has 8m range, so use it often. Spells (LvL1): Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff (fast, 60s): This and Arcane Veil are the core of the build. With this you get an Exceptional, 21-30 dmg crushing weapon with x1.8 weapon reach and draining that also happens to look amazing. The inherent Accuracy buff is vital for the Wizard and the weapon reach keeps you out of harm's way for the most time. Draining is just the icing on the cake. Only downsides are the limited uses and the fact that you can't enchant it any further. Eldritch Aim (fast, 13s): The Wizard has terrible base accuracy, which is already mitigated by Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff. With + 15 Accuracy for 13s, this spell allows you to push it even further and hit those pesky Shades that will otherwise drive you mad with their 60 some deflection. Downside: In the same category as our weapon spell, so use it sparingly. Spirit Shield (fast, 60s): +3 DR and +30 Concentration for 60s. Decent defensive spell that also shares the same uses as Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff and Eldritch Aim. Good alternative for when Arcane Veil is not aveilable, otherwise I usually don't use it. Wizard's double (fast, until broken): + 20 Deflection agains a single hit. I'd rather be hitting things with my staff instead, but it can be useful in a pinch, buying time for support to come in Spells (LvL2): Infuse with Vital Essence (fast, 60s): +50 Max Endurance and Health - a no brainer, really. Great buff for most situations Mirrored Image (fast, 60s): +20 Deflection that gradually decreases with each hit taken - A better version of Wizard's Double. It lasts longer and doesn't contest with our core spell. Bulwark against the Elements (fast, 81s): +15 DR against Burn, Freeze, Corrode and Shock - Situational but live saving against certain enemies. Spells (LvL3): llengrath's Displaced Image (fast, 45s): Another upgrade for the deflection-tree. This time around the spell will last, no matter how often you get hit - Invaluable. Deleterious Alacrity of Motion (fast, 40s): x1,5 Attack Speed, +2 Movespeed and -12 Endurance. Im not convinced that this spell has any use apart from kiting. The endurance drain is small but unnecessary, in my opinion. Attack Speed is nice, but I'd rather have one more llengrath's Displaced Image. That's as far I've gotten. At Level 5, with Arcane Veil, llengrath's Displaced Image, Eldritch Aim and Infuse with Vital Essence active, my Wizard has 109 Deflection and 127 Endurance. This way I can tank fairly easily if need be and, If not, I can always push my accuracy to 55 instead, shoot Arcane Blasts and hit things from behind the main tank. I will probably get Weapon Focus: Peasant and Two-handed Weapon Style at some point, as they both synergize with Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff. This thread will be updated as soon as I have made further progress. Feel free to comment and make suggestions. I know that this build is not perfect and there's probably a lot of room for min/maxing, but this is supposed to be a fun build, first and foremost. I was kind of surprised how strong it turned out to be and I can only recomment trying it out yourselves, if you are looking for a slightly different close combat build.

The existing VO is very well done, in my opinion. The thing that bugs me is that it is so inconsistent, e.g. the first sentence of a dialogue is voiced, then the next 2 lines are not and line 3 and 4 are voiced again, because they are somehow more important. Just voice the whole conversation.

It doesn't matter that she looks like a man. She could look like a flamingo, for all I care. Judging from her twitter feed, her life is a mess and I pity her for that. If this change is a small personal victory to her, I'm ok with that.

I knew it was offensive. It was meant as a joke, you know...an offensive one. What fault is there in expressing myself with something controversial? Nothing at all. Especially not in this context.

Any new insight on this? I'm about to roll a Ranger and I still haven't decided whether to go ranged or melee...

For those who want to avoid losing xp: Just install IEMod and set the newly recruited companion to the right level.

Yup, the Wolf is still all 10s. If you check the other creature companions, they have all a total of about 65 statpoints, so you could edit your wolf accordingly via the console (which I did). In order to do that you have to do the following: 1. Install IE Mod 2. Open the console 3. Enter iroll20s -> This activates cheats and deactivates achievements. Reloading after you modified everything will re-activate achievements. 4. Enter FindCharacter "companion Name" Example: FindCharacter Itumaak -> You will see the console name for your companion in the combat log now 5. Enter AttributeScore "companion console name" attribute value Example: AttributeScore CRE_ArcticFox_Animal_Companion(Clone)_11 Might 15 ->This will set Itumaak's Might to 15

Is there any way of knowing the actual stats of animal companions? How much more damage does the wolf deal in comparison to the boar etc.

Also, why do I need two shields when I just want to swap my one handed weapon?

I wonder if any of you people were walking the streets, screaming "I am charlie" recently.

People are being way too emotional about this. I don't think anyone of the the people discussing this topic hates the game. We're investing time and effort in order to get it to work poperly and I, for one, am enjoying the game in its current state despite the bugs. Even when my progress was wiped due to the Raedric's Keep bug, I started a new game because the gameplay is fun and the world is interesting. it's like a dream come true, really. However... no matter how strong my emotional attachment to this particular game is, I cannot deny that Obsidian botched the QA. It won't ruin the game for me, because I can make it work. I put more than 100 hours into PoE already, so you can see how much of a basement dweller I am. But the world does not revolve around me and circumstances might change. Other people cannot invest this ridiculous amount of time and simply go "Whatever, I just start all over again". So when they buy a supposedly finished release that is riddled with bugs, some of which will hinder their progress - I'm not talking about minor inconveniences, but things that make it impossible to progress and render hours of playtime virtually useless - then that is wrong and should not be excused or condoned by anyone. Yes, the game is great. Many people knew that it would be and backed it back in the day. Even more people pre ordered it or bought it on release - we have shown our appreciation as fans and customers! It is great that such a game can be created by a communal effort, but that doesn't mean Obsidian should get a free ticket for their incompetence in certain areas. I think everyone here is looking forward to future content from this IP and wouldn't it suck when you were suddenly one of the (supposedly) few people who cant finish the game then? This is why we complain, so that the next time Obsidian gets it right. You apologists are actively working against that, while bringing nothing to the table at the same time. The developers don't need you to hold their hands - they know the facts. They know the numbers and can decide how to mitigate the problem.

It's definitely the loot. Killing the human group nets you a magic estoc and there are two pairs of magic boots in a chest behind the Ogres, if I remember correctly.

1. You said that you and many other people never encountered any game breaking bugs, making a funny remark on the side about what some silly people consider game breaking. There is no point in saying that. The information is not relevant. 2. Just because other titles have bad releases, this doesn't mean that every developer can neglect QA as a result. 3. There is a point in complaining: Obsidian might do it better next time around 4. There is, indeed, no point in complaining about people who complain.

I think that surviving a deathstorm followed by hallucinations and constant nightmares about dead people calling for you, followed by the revelation that your condition might eventually drive you into madness, as all your previous incarnations impose themselves on your mind, is a pretty good reason to find out what the **** is going on. Oh, and the land you chose to settle in is cursed so that every newborn dies after a short time. That's there, too.