Parasol_Syndicate

In the earliest schisms in AD&D, it was easier to build a fighter for melee damage, due to only needing a high STR and having access to specialization. Paladins required a whole bunch of stats, but got auras and immunities. So yes, the 'roots' of the class are as a defensive tank. Not that that applies wholesale in POE.

You don't have a lot of experience with flintlocks, do you OP?

As someone who likes the lore and feeling of playing a barbarian, I have to say I agree with the issues posted so far about the class. The fighter should be a better tank: This is achieved in spades. The barbarian should have higher dps rate: this largely isn't. Certainly not in the harder fights in the game (dragons, ogres, bosses) Of course, with any semblance of balance, the barbarian would have the potential for higher single-target damage, too, because he's incapable of tanking. Nevermind the huge gulf in defences, and the fact that the fighter essentially gets heavier armor for free twice (through talents and less attribute dependency) A frontline barbarian should not just be a rogue with muscles. Not precisely on topic, but I'd really love if the game provided for an OP barbarian. As it stands, not so much.

I've successfully done it with stuff I've read on other forums. The easy way is to initiate hostility with Penhem BEFORE he starts talking. Then tell Osric you had to kill some people to get it. It's apparently possible to do it through conversation, but is tricky as hell.

This thread makes me wish they had left One Stands Alone, er, alone.

Not even that far before the game, as she's already reached the Dyrwood.

It's bad design, and bad immersion to say a stat works one way when pushing on a wall, and another way when casting a spell. It's particularly egregious when there's no weight system, so you have a 2 Might paladins marching around in full plate. I understand that by design, this is not D&D, but sometimes the verisimilitude suffers for that. (and sometimes it benefits, of course)

I can sort of relate to this, as I like to play barbarians. POE is the first time I can think of where I've been encouraged to place intelligence over resolve to be good at getting mad at stuff. The game's pretty good, but that's just not working for me.

I've had good results Making a 2H barbarian with high MIG, DEX, and RES. Went Aumaua for aesthetic reasons. Does lots of damage, quickly, and gets to do stuff in conversations. Is it optimal? Not hardly. Is it playable? Yes very.

I understand that this is a whole can of worms for a lot of people, and dismissals are flowing fast and furious. All I can say is that I have no agenda other than enjoying the game. But I think that adding some art here has merit. Five interchangeable sketches, along with a prompt that some time has passed would be great for immersion. The reasoning being this is how your character is spending their time, just like Orlan's Face. Some feedback gets us more into character. It's not just a Brothel thing, either. I can think of a few times through the game where such scene-setting would be welcome. Like meeting with the warden when you accept/turn in bounties. And maybe a few of the Iovara flashbacks (although I get those are supposed to be disorienting). But given that the Salty Mast scenes involve time-lapses, it seems a bit more unrealized there.

The song was pretty good, but Pallegina's still jingoistic about Valia and her duties. She's also quick to take offense. I don't mind the character, and find her useful, but she's a bit more distant than most of the others.

The million dollar question- Are there items which grant you those chill spells, and what are they? Would scrolls work? For roleplaying reasons I can't see myself ordering Aloth into a burning building- or rather I can, but I doubt he'd do it.

From what I've seen, the two to avoid are Pallegina and G-Mom. They're somewhat sympathetic, but don't really get along with others, and it's a stretch to think of either as affectionate. I actually like including Durance, because while he's intentionally abrasive, and prone to bullying other party members, he really does clarify your motives if you follow his conversation path. Also, your party is thick-skinned enough to take it, and some of their responses are absolutely worth the price of admission. Two in particular from Kana and Eder are just savage. None of the companions are evil, but they all have their own goals.

Eder, Aloth and Kana have a lot to say in the final area. Other than mercs, you're going to hear from all of your party on their opinion of your quest, and the opposition. I found Pallegina useful for these fights, but underwhelming in conversation. Hiravias is absolutely brutal on his takedown of a major npc. Really, your first time through, you should take whatever balanced party you like best.