bringingyouthefuture

I disagree - BG2 was pretty easy ... it could be hard but in general the main game was a breeze. Sorry late to the convo ... Yes, for you. BG is easy IF you understand all the systems. When I first played it as a kid I didn't give anyone armour because I couldn't understand why it lowered my armour value. I played after playing NWN which does the exact opposite... does it explain in the game anywhere about THAC0 and Armour Class? I don't remember. oh ... I mean yeah if you didn't play D&D / AD&D it would be quite a mean spirited surprise ... or if you didn't know haste was a solution for about 90 percent of tough combat encounters

I read that you can only get through the first part of the game the tutorial on Unfair by heavily kiting - not sure that is true ... I got through most of the first chapter on Hard ... but realized I was running out of healing potions lol. I think I could do the whole game on Hard, and might try Unfair, but not that interested anymore. Close to the end so going to finish it and then never look back !!! good game, lots to do, but talk about Combat - I am not sure half the abilities work like they should, or ever will ... I should warn that the difficulty spike in chapter 6 is absolutely ridiculous, and frankly not even worth the challenge of trying to go through it in hard difficulty or beyond. But thankfully the difficulty can be changed at any moment in the game, so you can always try to see up to where you get to with it. I said I think!! I didn't say I could, wouldn't be the first time I had to eat my words I was also debating if I could even get through the first bloom on hard, but with the right amount of rest I have no doubt!!

Somewhere between 25 and 30 percent I can check, I should be level 19 going on 20 right now, but am 16 going on 17 - with 3 major main story quests to go - Ashen Maw, The Coming Storm, and Ukaizo - with Splintered Reef, Nemnok and the DLCs as side quests - so yeah I will reach level 20 before the end, if I do the DLCs and all side quests I am guessing before I went to Ashen Maw? I would at least be back at level 19 for sure. Interesting I heard that last difficulty patch they bumped the end game again - was excited about that but regardless, getting even to where I am now has been a pretty constant challenge, and I am finding Beasts of Winter challenging for sure. So four more levels of fun!! I am game! Edit: That being said I look for the steeper challenge and am willing to play a fight 10-30 times if I must - so yeah I would definitely go for more difficulty in POE3. Did you take part in the Beta test? So there was this thing they put in with Sandblights that made them impossible!! Everyone said it was too much, but I was on the fence kind of like maybe too much but it was also fun having to figure out how to beat it ... not saying I could play the whole game like with that much difficulty but I can handle sections or encounters like that.

I read that you can only get through the first part of the game the tutorial on Unfair by heavily kiting - not sure that is true ... I got through most of the first chapter on Hard ... but realized I was running out of healing potions lol. I think I could do the whole game on Hard, and might try Unfair, but not that interested anymore. Close to the end so going to finish it and then never look back !!! good game, lots to do, but talk about Combat - I am not sure half the abilities work like they should, or ever will ...

I played through the first half like 30 times as they kept patching. I waited to do the end for when they did the final POtD patch - didn't want to just walk-through it single hitting enemies to death and spoil the fun. I definitely am aware of the level up issue I figured that out my first playthrough that I abandoned waiting for them to fix PoTD, that is why I put on the mod, I am level 16 and have nothing left to explore - maybe a few islands to burn through - and on PoTD with level scaling up - I went to Nemnok's island and realized I wanted to wait for another level, though I think I could of slogged through those fights - I am playing with only the companion characters. I am doing the DLCs now but paused to play Pathfinder, I got obsessed with trying to build a character that could get through the first chapter on Unfair ... Which I have now given up on ... I have no interest anymore with playing it on Unfair. I must say though I think with the experience mod, for me at least I have been surprisingly challenged. I mean I wasn't just speaking out of my a!! about how many hours I have put into POE2 and comparing it to DOS2 - the thing is I just keep starting over, maybe because I don't want to beat the game - maybe some weird obsessive thing, like once I beat it I have to put it down lol Edit: I bumped this thread sorry!

Hah, my own experience with Alice Alisceon the fire witch was also brutal, she steamrolled my party like 5 times, despite me teleporting her on the beach to fight her minions first. But you can also teleport her to Jahan and he instakills her, which is kinda cool, there are always countless ways to approach a situation in this game. You can even kill Alexander in Fort Joy with death fog barrels so you don't have to fight him later. And yes - like I said DOS2 is fun like that, just for me not as rewarding in terms of combat. I mean my favorite move was to turn people into a chicken and hamstring them, and then catch them on fire ...

Hmm ... double posting sorry! Hmm, I put on an experience mod so I couldn't level up as fast - and am still lvl 16 with the majority of the game finished. The quick answer - I can say the same thing about DOS2 - it just stopped really being challenging after the first Chapter. I don't know, I just find myself (again not totally leveled up) having to figure out many of the set fights, and trying different things to win, different spells, etc. While DOS2 I found encounters became the same fight over and over again.

Also want to respond to your comment about magic and armor defense - this is actually want made the game super simple for me - I had basically 3 strategies to get at any enemy - one that targeted the physical - one that targeted magic - and my archer to get to higher ground ... once I found those I rarely needed anything else. The Bloodmoon fight, it was tough, not as tough as the Scarecrow in the fire for some reason ... I think I teleported the scarecrow to the beach at one point for fun and fought her in the water lol I don't think it made a difference ...

Yes I agree that is really what makes it so groundbreaking, and that they brought back turn-based combat. I just think it is a system that isn't so much tactical as just fun to play around with - at the end of the day like I said a water balloon and a single source point freeze spell always was the most effective for my style of play. I would actually like to see some terrain advantages built into POE3 - I could dig higher ground giving advantage, just not sure that damage is the correct factor. I mean think about for instance penetration. In POE2 if you get your archer in a position above the fight - I could see an added ACC bonus and maybe a penetration bonus - but an arrow is an arrow But since he is up there out of the fray doesn't he lose on deflection, or maybe reflex? I don't know but I think I could dig higher ground if it gave an ACC bonus, maybe penetration - not sure though. As for the elements - less is better in my mind. Like I don't think freezing someone completely helps DOS2, slowing down movement and attacks yes! Not all poisons should explode, none should actually. Standing in a puddle doesn't mean you should get electrocuted and maybe stunned - standing in a slog zone and electrocuting it - I am torn - I mean these lightening bolts striking people, are they really strong enough to hit everyone like a real lightening bolt? Maybe some extra damage, but stunning?? I could see some being added but DOS2 really went all in with them, which like I said was fun but I wouldn't want to see them implemented the same in a game like POE where combat is already leagues beyond in terms of tactical ... at least for me.

Yes I remember reading they redid Chapter 3 and 4 actually - both needed some polish. I am interested though - did you think having the levels of terrain added a lot to DOS2 - I mean would a bow really do that much more damage, I get added distance and perhaps bonus THACO (old term), but damage? Or did you find yourself really using the responsive elements like water, poison, etc a lot? I think I used ice the most as it was an easy solution. I only ask because I think Larian went somewhat unrealistic with it and made it extremely in your face, but I could see this in some form becoming a staple in all future RPGs, and wondering if people would like to see it in a POE game in some form? I could go for things like ice attacks slowing movement - but I am not sure all poison clouds should explode - that seems strange for poison ...

That is the thing with all video games endings, they are all totally anti-climatic ... I got annoyed with DOS2 because of the responses I got from Julius, it may have been a bug at the time but I tried multiple options, and he acted like I let him win in an instance where I clearly didn't. It just really annoyed me they probably fixed it though. I also got annoyed with some of the story stuff that seemed like bugs but is probably fixed to in regards to the ELF ladies quest - I kept getting these nonsensical responses from the elves ... I think DOS2 had ambition in their ending when I think back on it, but it was poorly executed, maybe? I haven't thought on it much at all, but I was more annoyed than awed at the whole thing. Edit: Okay thinking on it more - so you get setup with all these options in DOS2 right? And not one of them sets up the story for anything more, I just Googled them to remember. All of them were so extreme in their finality, I almost felt like none of them were earned. DOS1 did a much better job with the ending, nicely tied up all the loose ends etc. DOS2 in comparison is somewhat like a buffet of $20 dollar sensational options with little flavor to just have something there. I don't know ... open to peoples thoughts.

@AlexDeLarge yes I played it on the most difficult if that is what Tactician means : ) And I played with the NPCs, I forget if you can create a whole entire custom party. I haven't played the Definitive Edition, and not sure I will, I mean I was already deep into POE2 and now I can't stop playing Pathfinder ugh!! But after I plan to explore POE2 more with the God challenges so I don't think I will get back to DOS2 - I mean I already did much of everything you could with the DOS2 story, unless they add new content. Can we talk about the DOS2 ending for example - I mean all video game endings upset me, I swear but DOS2 really upset me. The most positive thing about DOS2 - the whole first chapter!!! It was amazing. So don't get me wrong I love DOS2 combat, I have this conversation a bunch with people. It is just kind of silly for me compared to POE2, and kind of like Pathfinder, it gets very formulaic for me. We sound like we are just having very different experiences with games. So not saying your experience isn't valid - and maybe since DOS2 is so popular maybe the mainstream - but I don't find that to be the case. POE2 is definitely more difficult in terms of combat than DOS2. edit: I should say varied, challenging, inspirational and fun etc

I disagree - BG2 was pretty easy ... it could be hard but in general the main game was a breeze. Sorry late to the convo ...

That my friend, is the question of the century. I only played a little, but I hated Divinity Original Sin 2's cheesy humor. I'd love to see a long side-by-side comparison review by someone who has played both games to the end. I actually think DOS2 is easier to pick and play - POE2 requires a lot of previous experience, and reading, and trial and error. I think DOS2 you can pretty much play with a controller and the systems are simple (and complicated when you get further along, so I'm not just saying they are simple) but they are simple enough to start going. Plus it has the old RPG aspects of being able to touch and move everything which is fun in itself, kill everything, etc. People mention the multi-player which is really popular too. I just think the learning curve is steeper in POE2, but when you get into it, it is way more rewarding - but I think for most young gamers that isn't fun, or even first time RPG'ers. Perfect example - Super Mario Brothers - maybe one of the most popular NES games ever. Want to know what a way better game is whose story is amazing Faxanadu. The only thing was Faxanadu took a lot more reading and the learning curve was steep, but still to this day I will never forget that game, it took me on a journey. I can say the same thing about POE - intimidating as hell and seems impossible, but once you learn it one of the best games ever.

@AlexDeLarge I am gonna say the DOS2 combat is fun, but in no way as fun as Deadfire, or as interesting, or as challenging I rarely ever reloaded on DOS2 battles ... I have said this before but DOS2 reminds me of a Marvel Super Heroes game, if you like to fly around and shoot laser beams, then you like Marvel characters - or for you maybe its some weird comic like Alt-Hero? I prefer Japanese comics myself. I do like DOS2 - not so sure ... but I think Pathfinder would be closer to DOS2 combat if they went turn-based. What catches me about Deadfire is how much certain encounter can push the limits of your party ... of course you disagree as you already stated, but maybe can agree to disagree. Also the SJ hidden agenda comment lol ... well watch out for the facts man, one day they will come back to haunt you ...

ignoring hand mortars and aoe weapon interactions (i know i know a big caveat), soul whip necessarily lends itself to single-target focus, and many of their effects are limited aoe or single target. they do have aoe effects, but they tend to have really weird targeting based on a specific target (beams, bounces, aoe effect centered on target who gets a stronger effect). i think an effect like phantom foes or secret horrors, however much i love them, are more exceptions than the rule. Whereas the opposite seems to be true for a wizard/druid - they have tons of aoe effects, and single-target stuff tends to be more of the exception (necrotic lance... sunlance... thrust of tattered veils). i think possibly in practice ciphers feel less single-target because they can just repeatedly spam one's favorite aoe effects, whereas once a wizard/druid uses up their single-target stuff they can't get them back normally, so the general design of the class is more apparent. well i didn't say it was great the health loss can be relevant, but most of the time the duration isn't long enough to notice, and the health loss itself will never kill anyone (only reduce them to 1). i mostly like it for shutting down healing and lowering fortitude by 10, especially around paladins of any stripe (which is what i thought you are referencing for paladins of woedica). on dorudugan a sickened/weakened can mean literally hundreds of health loss. too bad the fight is so long it's hard to make that meaningful. See put the game down for a month and you start to forget how everything works ... your right it hits resolve which equals deflection ...

I disagree, the companion quests in PK are basically go to one area, kill something complete the quest ... yawn - with dialogue that is something between a grunt and a moan depending if you are romancing the character. There is a few exceptions - Harim for one and the other I can think of is Tristan, maybe Nok-Nok - their quests are embedded into the main story which is great. Deadfire is just as much a culprit, but hands down the writing for the characters is better in Deadfire - and plainly I felt more stakes for say the companion stories they did okay with say like Eder or Serefan, I like Xoti (I may be the only one lol), Beast of Winter one is great. I will say both have there good points, but I somewhat feel like PK put too much in with very little payoff, where the payoff in Deadfire is more colorful and not as simplistic in its execution. Enough said - I will compliment PK on one character quest - if you can convince Jeathel not to kill for her final quest - that was a happy surprise

I don't know I was a little let down by companion quests in both POE2 and PK - but I think most of the Pk companion quests resolved themselves like a "See spot, see spot run, good spot" style of writing - consequences be damned I just choose the neutral good option always and everything is hunky-dorey and they all love me - and after if they are around there is no indicator that anything ever happened ... In my opinion the dialogues with companions in POE2 shines way more than PK - the writing in regards to quests in POE2 is way more original - I mean how many times have you fought a lich raising an army, trying to conquer the world? Where PK really shines is the scripted text encounters - I really dig them a lot - not so much the dice rolls but at lest the writing in them is solid. POE2 does them well too don't get me wrong, but there is a lot of variety in the PK scripted encounters and I enjoy reading them.

I like to use Fractured Volition on enemy Paladins of Woedica - but that could be more from the irony of it than my theory that it lowers their total health and deflection. ... edit: I just looked it up and it doesn't reduce deflection at all, but I will settle for the action speed.

To be fair Jhod called him an idiot ...

Lol in the case above if you are in that area with Tristan and he dies ... guess what, game over lol not even quest failed ... I hate Tristan I still am pondering why I let him back in the Kingdom (other than needing the advisor role and too lazy to walk across half the kingdom looking to fill his shoes)... they need the option "execute the traitor" and if there is one I am sorry I missed it ...

I agree I am pretty far through PK and no game breaking bugs yet - I started after the new year though.

Who would win, the slayer of Thaos/Dragons/Concelhaut/Llengrath, or 8 shooty bois from the grocery gang? Nemnok's henchmen ...

And this is why POE and Deadfire have the best combat out of any RPG in my opinion ... so much cool stuff you can do.

im one of the first to get ratty when peeps lionise bg2 at expense of progress - and efforts of devs currently making a living from crpgs. regardless, i think bg2's a wonderful big-hearted game that id recommend with little reserve. its enthusiasm overshadows many of its peccadilloes imo. Sorry wasn't clear in my post, wasn't referring to the game, was just referring to the combat -- oh BG2, you're like that best friend from middle school who was the first to kiss a girl ...