Prince of Lies

I don't know for sure in terms of overall damage- but it's definitely faster attack speed. For auto-attacking, you go in range for your mainhand, fire, then get in range with your offhand, fire. For full-attack abilities, range is determined only by your mainhand. While with closing the distance it might seem it would have an effect on DPS, I imagine the time is negligible because you would either: fire, move, fire or move, fire, fire. In both instances you still have to move the same amount.

Also wanted to point out that if you use full-attack abilities the reload cycle is different: [Full Attack Ability] -> [Mainhand Reload] -> [Full Attack Ability] -> [Mainhand Reload] -> Repeat With my previous formula it would look like: [Full Attack Ability] -> [Pistol Reload 2.375s] -> [Full Attack Ability] -> [Pistol Reload 2.375s] -> Repeat

Full attacks calculate recovery based off of both weapons, after the full attack (reloading off of each weapon hit, unless it's a full attack ability). Reload replaces recovery and is longer. This will probably be a useful read to you. I believe Scordeo's Trophy would be better in mainhand to utilize Opening Barrage and get -5% Recovery (affects reload) if you ever use abilities that are primary attack only. Because Full Attack Abillities only use mainhand reload, having scordeo (which would have a quicker reload phase with the modal) would mean faster attacks. I'm not sure what the difference in damage would be vs Xefa's Empirical Explication. The Pistol Modal I think only affects the speed of reloading the pistol, not the blunderbuss. I believe it looks something like this: [Pistol Attack 1] -> [Blunderbuss Attack 1] -> [Pistol Reload] -> [Pistol Attack 2] -> [Blunderbuss Reload] -> [Blunderbuss Attack 2] -> [Pistol Reload] It would then repeat from "Pistol Attack 2" onwards. It is not: [Pistol Attack] -> [Blunderbuss Attack] -> [Pistol AND Blunderbuss Reload] So instead of affecting both variables, it would only affect the pistol. Pistols have a reload time of 5s, as do blunderbusses. Below would be the outcome of -5% reload globally, plus the -50% from rushed reload: Pistol Reload = [(5s-50%)-5%], Blunderbuss Reload = [5s-5%] Pistol Reload = [2.5s-5%], Blunderbuss Reload = [5s-5%] Pistol Reload = [2.375s], Blunderbuss Reload = [4.75s] [Pistol Attack 1] -> [Blunderbuss Attack 1] -> [Pistol Reload 2.375s] -> [Pistol Attack 2] -> [Blunderbuss Reload 4.75s] -> [Blunderbuss Attack 2] -> [Pistol Reload 2.375s] -> Repeat from "Pistol Attack 2" At least, that's my understanding of it. Also, obviously the above is simplified and doesn't take into account armor penalties, or bonuses from other pieces of gear, or bonuses from other abilities. Edit: Clarification

Meh. The other unique stiletto is Azure Blade. (in Hanging Sepulchers). It's pretty lackluster (+Accuracy when allies are nearby), unless you have lots of front-liners in your party or use summons. Even then, you wouldn't use it as your end-game weapon as there are easier/better ways to get +Accuracy. Rust's Poignard is utilized mostly because of the bonus to Attack Speed that stacks and applies to both hands, and a fairly decent ability that procs on crit. Rogues with persistent distraction can take advantage of the +Raw Damage vs Flanked. I'm currently rocking Modwyr + Rust's Poignard on my Soulblade/Assassin.... Because Modwyr is BAE and my one true love. Nothing says love like maniacal laughter at the beginning of every combat. T'would probably be more optimal using one of the million sabres out there, but she gets jealous.

I usually "run into him" around level 10. By run into him, I mean brutally murder him for his shiny stiletto. You could probably do it right away though. It's not a terribly difficult fight, but it is a pretty interesting combat encounter.

Ok, now I am at level 16, so I have a much better sense of where things are - and what they do. So a follow-up question regarding some of these items: 1. Realistically, how early can we get Lord Darryn's Voluge and Modwyr in PotD? I assume LDV can be had as early as level 5 or 6 theoretically? But won't you get ganked by everyone before you get there? And I got accidentally dropped into the Old City in a prior run at level 7, and I couldn't handle it even at Classic difficulty. So I assume this is not doable until at least level 9-10 at PotD? 2. If I kill Rusty, then wouldn't the entire Delver's crowd jump me, and I will lose their quest line or something? So wouldn't I have to do it after I am done with all their quests, etc.? 3. I cannot see how I can do Aamina's Legacy at level 10-12 at PotD. I struggled even at level 13 in Classic - albeit I will be better prepared - and simply better - next time! Now I am at level 16 as I said, I cannot believe how many great swords and sabres I have found, and how few even decent warhammers and 1H battle axes are. There is a severe imbalance in weapon type distribution in this game indeed - as others have already pointed out... 1. You shouldn't Have issues for Lord Darryn's Voulge immediately after getting your boat. Modwyr you can get pretty easily if you access the Old City Ruins through the Undercroft. I didn't have any problems at level 11. You could probably stealth through at earlier levels. 2. Rust is in a corner that you can easily stealth-gank him in- you can kill him without turning Delver's Row hostile. He only functions as a possible solution to a quest (there are other, more optimal solutions to it). 3. So long as you are prepared, shouldn't be a big issue. I kinda found Uamoru to be a little bit of a wuss. At level 16, none of these would really be an issue.

Yurp. Pretty interesting battle too.

I feel that's more of a Reputation System issue than poor writing from Sawyer and Kirsch. Eder is probably one of the better written companions.

I haven't had time to download and check it out. Is that the bow equiped? I'm digging the model. Same with the armor/helm. I'm more interested to see what they will do with the new robes in DLC3.

I found the "romances" just a bit shallow. They weren't terribly written (or well written), but they didn't have any depth. When you romanced a character in a BioWare game (just an example) you actually learn about their character's history and motivations beyond what you would learn just being a travelling companion. You also see the characters change and evolve from a more intimate/personal perspective. Regardless if you romance Xoti or not: the end result in her character development is the same- and more importantly, the information the player gets regarding how/why it happens is the same.

I hadn't realize it, but some totems are apparently immune to slashing/peircing damage.

Barbarian Sarafen = Angry Orlan when Wet

Technically you can, it's just sub-optimal because ranged weapons don't take advantage of carnage. If you went pure barbarian with Serafen you'd definitely want to use melee weapons or Melee/Blunderbuss or Melee/Pistol. Personally, it's probably best to run him as a Witch. If you use the new AI system, you won't need to micromanage as much. Actually, I think it can work. Carnage is almost worthless anyway. Rage is an excellent DPS ability. Just to clarify, that first part I meant for a pure barbarian. Yeah, it can definitely work. But a free 33% AOE damage on everything is certainly not worthless. (It's also not as powerful as it was in POE1) To be honest, Ciphers are great (actually my favorite class)- they have access to inexpensive afflictions and inexpensive charm/dominate.

Technically you can, it's just sub-optimal because ranged weapons don't take advantage of carnage. If you went pure barbarian with Serafen you'd definitely want to use melee weapons or Melee/Blunderbuss or Melee/Pistol. Personally, it's probably best to run him as a Witch. If you use the new AI system, you won't need to micromanage as much.

Hanging Sepulchers was just an example. +20 Acc is the cap, but that doesn't mean that +5 or +10 isn't useful. Maybe they need to increase the amount accrued per tick. This is also not taking into account the usefulness of +Damage% (Hunter's Fang) or +Defence (Beast's Claw). I just think that it's a mechanically interesting ability- and I don't think it's terribly overpowered, nor do I think it's terribly underpowered.

I think that's probably the biggest problem with the ranger class as a whole. The Pets are underwhelming. Not only are they mechanically underwhelming, but they are just not interesting. You can't customize their appearance, nor is there really a unique option to choose from to begin with. I'd totally choose a giant beetle or grub if I could.

Yeah, but they also now get Bonded Fury and Heart Seeker. Bonded Fury is +5 to all animal companion attributes and +2 AR, +2 Pen, +50% Graze-to-hit or the ability to remove/downgrade afflictions for 30s all for 3 Bonds. In contrast Hardy Companion (Pet Heal + Hardy for 6s) is two bonds. Heart Seeker is +100% damage, line AOE with +4 Pen and Enfeebled for 20s isn't anything to scoff at either.

So you have to keep using this talent to add stacks? You cant add stacks with just normal attacks? Really? Wtf That is a complete waste of time no? You have to waste 2 level up choices and then basicaly all your bond for probably 4 or 5 fights to get the max stack. And then it only works on one race? And gets wiped when u rest Am i reading this correctly? I respectfully disagree. I actually think that doing it this way makes the use of the ability more tactical. It forces you make a conscious decision to use Hunters Claw often to prepare for a specific fight where it may be useful, or to use other abilities. I could see it being useful in the Hanging Sepulchers, for instance. You don't really need to blow off all your nice abilities in the earlier fights- but could use those earlier, easier fights to stack Hunters Claw on vessels in preparation for the possible battle with Yseyr. It also has the added benefit of making resting not necessarily the best option to prepare before a big fight. It comes at a huge cost for very little benefit that might not even pay off. A first time player would not be able to use this ability pretty much at all. If you had alot of meta knowledge from previous playthroughs you may be able to set this ability up for " the big boss fight" where you will have maybe an extra +10 to 15 Accuracy and 10- 15% extra damage. Even if you do pull it off that is alot of work to get to this very underwhelming point at the cost of a huge amount of bond. You would have to fight through multiple fights applying the talent in MELEE (not using ranged ) to get these numbers. Im sorry but this is beyond stupid. Obsidian you do some really great things and some really stupid things and this is the absolute crowning moment of your stupidity. Why introduce such great and varied talents that have such little payoff at such a huge cost? And again the extra accuracey is just not needed. Rangers allready have about 5 talents they can pick to increase accuracy. Why introduce another one? Completely beyond stupid. It doesn't take meta knowledge to know that there will likely be undead in a crypt. (Hanging Sepulchers) It also doesn't take meta knowledge to know that an island invaded by a mysterious enemy will likely be of the same type/race. (Naga in Hasongo) You probably see where I'm going with this- there are other examples. It's good game design to have enemies varied, but of a similar thematic design to tie down narrative; it wouldn't make sense to have a pack of wolves hanging around in a sealed crypt. So, because of that, this ability essentially takes advantage of the fact that you are usually going to find enemies of the same type throughout the various encounters in any given area/dungeon. Even if you blindly go around whacking things with Hunters Claw, your still going to run into enemies of the same type in the same area.* It's up to you whether to use the per-encounter resources for the stacking potential of Hunters Claw or to not. *yes, I realize this is a generalization- there's going to be some variety in enemy type/race, but in general it holds true.

While that is definitely a good way to balance it- I personally find that the way resting is currently implemented, there doesn't seem to really be any reason to not rest. Implementing abilities that are affected by resting makes the choice to rest or not to rest more impactful on gameplay. (Certain items with stacking bonuses notwithstanding)

So you have to keep using this talent to add stacks? You cant add stacks with just normal attacks? Really? Wtf That is a complete waste of time no? You have to waste 2 level up choices and then basicaly all your bond for probably 4 or 5 fights to get the max stack. And then it only works on one race? And gets wiped when u rest Am i reading this correctly? I respectfully disagree. I actually think that doing it this way makes the use of the ability more tactical. It forces you make a conscious decision to use Hunters Claw often to prepare for a specific fight where it may be useful, or to use other abilities. I could see it being useful in the Hanging Sepulchers, for instance. You don't really need to blow off all your nice abilities in the earlier fights- but could use those earlier, easier fights to stack Hunters Claw on vessels in preparation for the possible battle with Yseyr. It also has the added benefit of making resting not necessarily the best option to prepare before a big fight.

LOL, for just a regular 5-man PoTD party Arcana: Useful if you plan on using scrolls. Must have if you don't have a single-classed wizard/priest/druid for the end-game spells. Whoah, so multi-class Priest or Wizard (both of which I have) are not enough? How high do I need to bring their Arcana then? (I figure it makes more sense to increase Arcana on casters.) Also, when you say cover every skill, how high do I need to go exactly? Like 9-10? If so, I assume one character should focus no more than 2 active and 2 passive each - or something like that? No, they are enough. You just won't have access to PL8 & PL9 spells, or higher PL for the other spells. Instead you get the benefit of whatever you multi-classed them into. Just to clarify for OP, Arcana only affects the PL of scrolls. Ah, ok. So max out 1 active and 1 passive? And having 28-30 in one skill is insane. I don't recall that you can get that high in PoE 1, though I am an old man with a fading memory Having characters with specific high-level skills (I.E. one character with Arcana and Metaphysics, another with Athletics and Survival) is definitely a good way to have all the bases covered. Obviously, certain skills work better with different builds, so you'll have to experiment when you get access to that gear. In the end it's not a huge deal, as you can just reroll your characters at an inn.

LOL, for just a regular 5-man PoTD party He means what you plan on achieving. What's the party made up of? For game mechanics: Alchemy: Put points if you plan on using a lot of drugs, potions, etc. Must have for Nazpalca. Arcana: Useful if you plan on using scrolls. Must have if you don't have a single-classed wizard/priest/druid for the end-game spells. Athletics: Useful for anyone, but definitely so for characters that are going to get hit a lot. Increases the effectiveness of second wind (self-heal). Explosives: Useful for using explosives. I personally don't use explosives (except for sparkcrackers to rob merchants early game). Mechanics: Must have for disarming traps and unlocking chests. Merchants usually have some of their best gear locked in chests/crates behind them, so its a great way to acquire good gear without breaking the bank. Sleight of Hand: Useful for pickpocketing. You can get keys to chests and other containers. If you plan on trying to solve most problems peacefully, this is a great way to get the unique gear off of their inventory. Stealth: Makes you harder to detect in stealth mode. You will need stealth to pickpocket or steal from "owned" chests/crates, also if you plan on using an assassin to get extra damage. The passive skills really depend on what gear/builds you plan on using. For instance, intimidate is a great skill to have for a swashbuckler who uses Casita Samelia's Legacy. Or Metaphysics for someone who is using the Essence Interrupter. Of course, the most important choice in skills for me is usually a roleplaying one, so that will differ person to person. In general, if you "miss-spend" your skill points, you won't be penalized to much. EDIT: Forgot to mention that all skills are used for scripted interactions and some conversation choices. There are some specific situations that warrant having a certain skill, but in general if your party covers all the bases you should be good. A lot of scripted interactions also use your base attributes.

*Takes a hit of whiteleaf* Wake up sheeple, this is what they want you to think, maaaan.

Hey dude, I haven't played Pillars 2 for awhile now - How exactly is Single Class Druid better than a multi? That depends entirely on how you multi them and what subclass(es) you choose. For single Druid, regardless of subclass, I personally like PL8 spells like Entropy and Avenging Storm. PL9 Maelstrom is fun as well with different damage types/different targeted defenses.

Clearly they love trump! Edit: Post fight massages from Konstanten confirmed.