WebShaman

chopping = applying a blade (slashing) with great force (crush) You'd actually not need to use the backside of the poleaxe to get a crush effect, but a blunt side would be there if (for what ever reason) you only wanted to horribly maim someone's insides without also cutting through their precious coating. Chopping is not crushing! This is about the amount of area that is hitting another. When something with an edge hits something else, and the force is enough, it chops into it. Blunt (large area) does not, but instead tends to reform/burst (crush) said material. The damage done is totally different. You do not sever limbs with crushing damage. Chopping is also not slashing! Slashing is where the edge is drawn across the material and the sharpened edge cuts the material. It requires a different type of mechanical movement to accomplish. "The blade of the pollaxe can be used, not only for simply hacking down the opponent, but also tripping him, blocking his weapon, disarming him, slicing him and blocking his blows. Both the head spike and butt spike can be used for thrusting attacks. The haft can be used on blocking the enemy's blows (the langets help reinforce the head to extend the life of the pole shaft), "cross-checking" and tripping him."

Let us run 6 Rangers, with 3 figurines. What is that, 18 party members in all? Gaaaah!

We don't NEED it, but it'd sure be nice. This has been an irritation for me since the IE days. Apparently other people sympathize. I can't see the harm in addressing that. ^This. Very nice post. And I see elements of the gang-bang "jump on him" crowd have reared their heads. Easier to just fall into a feeding frenzy than to actually stop and consider what the OP is suggesting.

Well, one does have to set them up, but after that, only to maintain new spells as one levels up and gets new spells that supersede old ones. Not as tedious as click-click-click after every rest. And I am not so sure there will be as many outraged outcries here - it is just a form of in-combat buffing. To decry it, one will have to decry buffing itself! The summons figurines already break the game beyond all repair. Just give them to your Chanter, or Ranger, and summon away! A total of 6! creatures (are there more?) before the Chanter summons become active...fun, fun, fun! This is allowed, but not pre-buffing?

Ok, then how about some Contingency and Sequencer spells instead? Now the anti-pre-buff crowd is happy (no pre-buffing! Hrmmpph!) and we, the pre-buff crowd, are at least mollified. And with only one "button" to press, no click-click. Would put a bit more Oompf back in the Wizard IMHO.

Time-sinks are not ingame negative consequences. They are instead RL annoyances. The first instance (if present) would at least support the notion of limiting resting. The second is just causing irritation and annoyance through a poorly implemented mechanic. You may remember how the OC from NWN dealt with this - by having a recall stone (instant transport to save time).

Read the OP'S post again - basically you do have unlimited camping supplies because one can backtrack and rest without consequence other than the time-sink. That totally invalidates limiting resting supplies, don't you think? I personally prefer wandering monsters to this implemented atrocity and farcical mechanic.

Should be chopping damage instead of crushing. A sharp edge hitting with force chops, it does not crush (like a hammer does). Unfortunately, chopping is not in the game. I guess they fall trees with magic *shrugs*

This is a really good point (and obviously a big no-no in fantasy games to force such a mechanic on Players - lazy, ill-thought out and implemented). I was against this, but the anal - retentive got their way (probably not as they thought though, as one can see, backtracking to rest has no negative consequences, making limited resting supplies a farce). Cue the rabid masses to swarm in with rationalisation now.

Obviously any human - constructed game is going to draw from the real world (it is made by humans for humans) so that there are common grounds to relate to. But RL doesn't have soul manipulating, magic, dwarves, elves, monsters, etc. That is why it is called fantasy and not "the reality simulator 2.0" And it is at that point that we need to realize that all other RL stuff needs to be checked at the door. Anybody reading more into such a game needs to relax and learn to let go and have fun. Enjoy the story, enjoy the ride, enjoy the temporary escape from reality. Sometimes humans can be so stupid. And for those trying to push something else, like Animancy vs Genetic Science, ect. Get real. The fantasy environment is not dealing with real lives here. I have been in war (Gulf War - Desert Storm) I intimately know what RL morality conflicts and issues are. No game compares. You do not smell, emotionally feel, sense, nor experience in such a fantasy game what one does in RL. The fantasy environment rarely has consequence as it really would be - in a world of magic and real gods, monsters, etc, do you really think that having mass manipulations of children would have such mild consequences? Do you think that the killing of a Lord would be praised and tolerated? Do you think that the mass - murdering of yellow - coded individuals would be totally ignored? In a world where a Godhammer device exists and was used, do you really think that it would not be used again, for other purposes? And those just scratch the surface. Really, this fantasy environment is just that - fantasy. It is extremely limited in scope, consequence, and RL comparison. And that is a good thing IMHO. That means I can enjoy myself without suffering RL consequences. If your fantasy game is bleeding over into RL, then I think perhaps one should take a break. Muse as one will...but please. Enjoy it as it is - a fantasy game. So enjoy it for what it is (an escape) instead of trying to make it into what it obviously isn't.

*blinks* Being able to use magic outside of combat really opens up possibilities, instead of the opposite. I really liked it in BG where one could Charm someone and get different dialog and endings to quests, etc. What, however, really bugs me about PoE, is that NPC Wizards, etc can use magic outside of combat but you cannot. So no, I can't Charm, Dominate, Change form, etc, but the world around me can. Even Grieving Mother can use her abilities outside of combat...until she joins your party. Oh, all of a sudden she is visible to everyone... Makes no sense, whatsoever.

More thread madness. Much too much seriousness for a video game set in a fantasy setting that has no parallels to our society, etc. I mean...the game is talking about manipulating souls here. At that point, all morality goes out the window. You can't put the cat back into the bag once it is out - so... Just have fun. Leave morality issues for RL.

Again, funny thread. Pre-buffing is already in the game - these are the consumables (which I personally detest, because they are done just like the old buffs - click, wait, click, wait, for EACH character buffing) and in passive abilities that provide either single or party bonuses (ala Paladin abilities, etc). Kind of funny to hear "I don't want Pre-Buffing in PoE!!! Glad it is not in!" when it is already in. Not only that, but one can get somewhat around the limitations as the one poster mentioned, by sending a scout way up front, aggro the X, and then have it dash back to the group which of course is positioning, buffing, laying down X for the coming m0bs. This is basically what I do. It is also tedious, and somewhat boring, but it works. I somewhat agree with PrimeJunta here - it is a better mechanic to use passive abilities, etc instead of click-click-click. So instead of having a Pre-Buff button that one can program (so to speak), easier to have passive abilities that are always active (no push button). Like in DA - they should however put a strain on resources (like lowering Endurance, Con, whatever, as in DA it lowered the amount of Mana available for other options, etc). However, there is a push button, Buff system in D&D, of course. It is the Contingency and Co. spells, that allow one to actually pre-load up some spells as buffs, etc and go to town with the press of a button! Would have been really nice in PoE if the Wizard had this IMHO. I think that would go a long way towards re-establishing the Class. As for those wondering why one would not wish to Pre-Buff before every encounter, real or imagined : well, there is a mechanic made to address this issue (several, in fact). Short-lasting buffs, obviously, combined with the impossibility of replenishing spells/abilities/etc and one has to start rationing resources. It is basically how one deals with most PG type play. DMZ areas, where Pre-Buffs get blown off and areas where magic works sporadically and/or strangely (so...those Pre-Buffs could turn into something else!). And so on. And quite contrary to what has been posted here, I do not Pre-Buff alot in BG/BG2 EE. Only when it is needed - because, as noted, it is tedious to do so (don't need it for m0bs, but do need it for a Dragon, etc). I personally would love to see a Beholder in PoE = dead party. No Pre-Buffs...hehe....hooboy. So we will never see this monster in PoE (sadly enough, I really like the challenge they provided in BG2 and NWN). So, to sum it up : Short-term buffs combined with limited replenishing of resources = ration your resources wisely. I think that pretty much makes sense, no?

I killed the girl (put her out of her misery - I mean...what sort of life did she have left?), killed all the Skaen followers (right idea, but the wrong methods - especially the leader, I think he was secretly just using the rest to further his ends...how appropriate!), and then got extra money out of the Lord (why this gave me extraordinary good with the Village and a bad hit to the Doemengels is beyond me!). Seriously, I think this is bugged. I let him live, and that gets me in good with the Villagers? And gives me a negative hit in Defiance Bay? If intended, you got me.

I like the Stronghold idea. I like building it (and seeing the changes, wish there was more of this). I like the Warden and the Bounties, the extra Adventures for those not in the Party, and the little fights. Haven't got around to nosing about in the Endless Paths...sounds like a dungeon crawl, but with no XP for kills...I prefer to do the Bounties (beaucoup XP, items!). Besides, I don't really have a need to spend my coin on much else - and the Bounties give thousands of coin for each one along with the XP and items. You can basically build the Stronghold from the coin earned through Bounties. Some of PoE I really like. Some stuff is just annoying, some downright irritating, others (Wizard nerf) just teeth grinding frustration. I really liked Wasteland 2. I was able to overlook the Armor catastrophy (really wacked out) and much of the unbalanced stuff because it was just soooo good! PoE I am sort of comparing to D:OS in the fun department, really. Again, some stuff I liked, some I didn't.

The ONLY reason I have used consummables is because there is no other way to pre-buff (other than the sleep for a bonus wtf). Not that one actually needs to pre-buff most of the time. Buuuut...for some fights (because I was being stupid and stubborn) I did resort to consummables. Was more trouble than it is worth. It is much easier to level elsewhere and come back later. The whole consummable thing is IMHO trash. But hey! Eat your Meat, Veggies, and drink your Milk! Better than potions, I tell ya! Don't need magic with a square meal and a beer to knock it down! Good grief, who thought this junk up?

*blinks* I really can't see anyone saying that Easy is not exactly that - easy. Now, there are encounters that one should probably put off until one is appropriately levelled (Lighthouse rings a bell, so does Eothas Church in Gilded Vale). But if one gets at least the first Companions, well...I can't see anyone having any problems. Just level, get some items, and then come back. I never had any problems with the Eothas Church - only had Eder, Aloth, and myself (Death Godlike Ranger). I think we were at level 2 at the time. The Bear was ridiculously easy with a 3 man party (4 with Animal Companion, really). I got up to the top of the Lighthouse at level 3. Took lots of consumables to do it - and positioning, etc. Now that I know how it is, I would recommend at least level 5 before trying it again - when it is a push-over. Now that I have witnessed the power of Kana at higher levels, and the Druid...bleh. I don't even bring the Priest, Durance, with me anymore - I wish Pelligrina was better (she tends to get damaged alot). Sagani is in my Stronghold (almost totally useless around level 4-5 and above compared to the other heavy hitters). So to have a winning Party and make things easy - Main Character - (whatever here, it doesn't really matter - though my next run will be with a Rogue because Wizards suxx0rs in this game, which really, REALLY PISSES ME OFF!). Eder - (he tanks. And tanks. Like an Energizer Battery commercial, he keeps going, and going and going...). Kana - because Chanters are that good. The summons are literally off. the. wall. Grieving Mother - because Ciphers...are just OP The Druid (I always forget his name *shrug*) - see above I suppose the Priest Durance - though I hate him. He sits in my Stronghold. I prefer Pelligrina (though she is kind of weak). So basically, everyone has firearms (except my Ranger, he has a Warbow). Eder and my Bear companion tank and fight up front, the rest rain death and destruction from behind. Pelligrina sometimes puts her firearm away for one of the Greatswords and wades in - if anything is still alive after the Druid unleashes holy hell on things. One the rare occassions (battles, encounters) where things are actually difficult (meaning I can't rely soley on auto-attack or a combo of that and Druid destruction), then the Chanter summons kicks in...mah gawd! Then I throw in some spells from Aloth (yeah, I know...so bad, but...I am a sucker for Wizards *shrugs*). Not that such is really necessary by then, but Aloth needs some love and attention once in awhile, right? Ok, he suxx0rs. I know. So yeah...it is too easy. I am level 5 at the moment, and I have cleared every map (most with auto-attack). Stronghold is almost totally finished (still have Endless Paths to do), and I am working my way currently through the Bounties (fun stuff!) - trying to find this Elmshore place, having problems...bleh. Rambling on...what was the topic?

Well, they are not just "two guys" but are labelled as "Looters" - and they are hostile. Those at the bottom are not immediately hostile, but become so if you attempt to take the cargo (loot). The really bad thing is the negative hit to rep with Defiance one gets for helping the Merchant. I would say a bug.

Just like the Broken Bridge Quest, it is broken (kinda funny, that). By returning the loot, one should get a minor positive rating in Defiance. Same goes for Raedric. Both should be reported as bugs. As for some of the justifications for this mentioned in this topic...the mind boggles. Well, that backfired, didn't it? I suppose that is more hilarious than some of the justifications posted here. Seriously, bugs, report, play on.

Let us take into account the Bounties (that one gets from the Stronghold Warden, when it is purchased) : Over 11,000 XP for the Head of X. Not to mention the items. Let that sink in. And no, you cannot stealth these (try stealing someone's head without them noticing!!!!). That is a LOT of XP for killing. I've been leveling pretty good with them. I hope the Bounties keep on going (got 1 more to go before the next bunch...w00t!) - it is addictive! I have become a Bounty Hunter!

I infinitely prefer Multi-Classes to Prestige Classes. I want total freedom to make my Character as I choose fit, not railroaded into something that someone else dictated for me. Why can't my Warrior cast spells (not from scrolls)? And so on. Why can't my X do Chants? Why can't X attack with bare fists ala Monk? Why can't X do psionic abilities ala Cipher? Druid, Priest, etc. Oh, and why can't my Wizard have a familiar? Would have liked that. And Druids a Companion like Rangers? Don't you all realize that this system is a lot like D&D (the first version) in respects to Class? I thought we left that idea behind ages ago. It is limiting and just...gah.

Lots of Helms with special abilities on them. All of my Peeps have such (that can - two Godlike that cannot - bleh). I like being able to tailor-make my character - so I like all the different "looks" one can make. But I really, REALLY HATE the necklace/cloak thing! Really, I could strangle. Slowly, with ever-increasing pressure until the eyes literally bug out! WORST MECHANIC EVAH!!!!

This. One gets massive Quest XP...and it almost always involves combat *sigh* "Go kill the Xaurips over there before I will help you. Clear out the Lighthouse. Go into the Temploe. Go find the Goods that we need." Bleh. Even those Quests where one can avoid some combat, you run into red-ringed opponents that attack and you CANNOT GET AWAY FROM THEM! This broken mechanic led to me having to kill more than I ever wished to. To that, the fog on the maps. I personally like to have clear maps, without dark on them. Again, often I run into the red/ringed problem...and I can't get away. Add to this the unbelievably easy combat - just auto-attack on the maps. No spells, etc needed. The only time I actually need to use resources is when it is some special Quest, normally. When combat does not drain any resources, and provides useful resources (creature parts, herbs, sellable stuff, and hidden treasures), well...that is also incentive enough. If I was having to battle my behind off to kill Foe X and burn useful resources just to get a mundane part...the effort would not be worth the bother. Because killing tends to not give XP by itself, however...I tend to avoid that combat that I can. For example, in Defiance, I didn't kill a specific person - why should I? I just didn't see the value in it (I got the same XP either way).

The next villian should make Irenicus weep with envy. Spirithold, here we come! Shadows of Eternity! Hehe... Only to culminate in Throne of Spirits! Yup. And in Watcher's Keep, you get to battle the Super-secret God-diety itself! Word.

Watcher/Warden/Bhaalspawn...yup.