AndreaColombo

Personally, I could settle for pure reassurance right now. If either Spring or tjay chimed in and confirmed that yes, the mod will be updated at some point, it would be enough for me and I could proceed to installing 2.03. I won't, for now, as I'd rather stick to 2.02 + mod than to update and lose the mod. That said, tjay was online on the Nexus today, so he's totally still around. Guess it's a matter of not having much time (Spring did mention in this thread that updating the mod is not easy as far as programming tasks go.)

I'm on 2.02 but I forgot to remove any items of protection from my characters before running the comparison. Deflection progression is the same for both classes.

There is a finite amount of XP in the game, but that's hardly a concern since a party of six can cap way before the end if you're on a completionist run. Besides, if you respec, you still retain all the XP you gained until that point. Money is not a problem unless you willfully impose restrictions on yourself or play solo, which doesn't seem to be the case. It might look like you're short on gold at the beginning, but your fortune will build up fast in Act II. In Act III, you'll be literally swimming in gold and magical items (I never sell any uniques, and always end the game north of 60,000 gp with my party fully equipped and lots of potions and food in my inventory.) Temple of Eothas can be unforgiving with smaller parties but if you have 5 or 6 companions, you won't have many issues. You can recruit Durance without going too far off your way; Kana if you progress with the plot a bit before going back to Gilded Vale.

I don't think the comparison between Knock Down and Savage Attack is particularly adept—they're separate, they stack, and nothing prevents a Fighter from using them simultaneously for a +40% total damage bonus. The fact that knocking enemies Prone was the exception, rather than the rule, proves my point: Fighters are a class for one-on-one melee combat. Vulgarly, auto-attacking. They are the low-maintenance class par excellence. Their every ability revolves around making their attacks stronger with but a few exceptions, which include Knock Down (and with the +20% damage bonus, now even Knock Down adds to their attacks on top having an additional effect.) Sure, it's nice to knock enemies prone but that's not what makes Fighters worthwhile or tips the fight in their favor. When my Fighters hits for 50 average damage a swing, has 10 DR bypass and her recovery lasts only 15 frames, I don't really care if my enemy doesn't fall to the ground with a Knock Down; they're going to die really fast anyway.

So, it comes down to my inexperience with Paladin as I thought Faith and Conviction was on all the time as opposed to just in combat. I've just tried it in combat and it totally applies to my henchman Paladin. I don't think Paladins should have received a buff to other defenses, as they're already 10 ahead of everyone else (and your PC Paladin can get more than that.) Additionally, it seems to me (even though it is not written anywhere) that Paladins gain 3.5 Deflection per level, whereas Fighters gain 3. At least that's what I get when check the Deflection numbers of my level 14 characters.

Again, Knock Down gives +20% damage besides the Prone effect. Fighters can effectively get 5 attacks per encounter at +20% damage as of 2.03, which is pretty good for a class whose main thing is melee one-on-one. CC was never a Fighter's job in the first place; just a nice little bonus.

Paladins went down from 30 to 25 and Fighters went up from 25 to 30 because Faith and Conviction, so technically Josh's statement is still true. The only problem I see with that is that Faith and Conviction does not apply to Pallegina or henchmen Paladins—not even the base values. So those get nerfed quite a bit. EDIT: Josh just told me on Twitter that base Faith and Conviction should apply to all Paladins. As of 2.02, it doesn't seem to, however. Could someone with 2.03 test this? I don't want to update until the IE Mod is made compatible with the new patch.

For the record, Pilferer's Grip reduces armor penalty by 10%, not 16%. It is perfectly possible to get 0 recovery (or very close to that) without using them (Gauntlets of Accuracy are a better investment for that slot.) But that's beside the point, since the OP is discussing classes with no items or bonuses. Druids in Spiritshift form can be very good damage dealers. They dual-wield 5 DR bypass claws that can be brought to 10 with Vulnerable Attack (20% speed penalty offset by Two Weapon Fighting.) Their base damage is pretty high and their natural armor has 0% recovery penalty. Taking Wildstrike, Greater Wildstrike, and the relevant elemental talent + Savage Attack, Hiravias matched (sometimes outclassed) the Lady of Pain on single-target damage. Of course, Spiritshift is 1/encounter and has a limited duration. But then Hiravias has spells to cast. All in all, Druids are pretty good.

Spiritshifted Hiravias can outdamage the Lady of Pain. Just saying.

Josh's answer

I would back PoE II without thinking twice.

? 2.02 non-beta has been out for a while.

Going by those I normally use: Great Sword 1) Tidefall 2) Hours of St. Rumbalt (for crit builds) 3) St Ydwen's Redeemer (best weapon against Vessels) Estoc - All unique Estocs are pretty much great; can't go wrong with them. Pollaxe - Half Mast. War Bow 1) Sabra Marie 2) Cloudpiercer 3) Borresaine Hunting Bow 1) Stormcaller 2) Lenas Er Sceptre - Puitente mes Principi

I usually go for Great Swords. When I carry a piercing-only weapon (usually an Estoc), I use a dual-damage weapon as backup (usually a Pollaxe.) Only Rain Blights are immune to piercing damage though, if memory serves. That said, there are more unique Great Swords than Pollaxes.

Weapon Focus: Paesant and Two Weapon Style.

My favorite set up includes Zahua, Aloth, Durance, Grieving Mother. As for the other character, it really comes down to what you're playing as your main. Edér or Hiravias would be my choices.

What game version are you on?

Knock Down gives +20% damage besides the Prone effect. I wouldn't say its effectiveness is in question; more like "Slicken" is not an insta-win button anymore.

Hah. Good I find out now. Just started a new game in 2.02; looks like I'll scrap it. EDIT: Did you try retraining your Fighter to see if that fixes the problem?

Just checked in 2.02 and Paladins definitely had 25 base deflection. Weird this wouldn't be mentioned anywhere and frankly I do not understand the reason for the change

^ I'm sure someone from the U.S. could burn updates on a disc and ship it your way?

His problem is not that he cannot reach the stash; his problem is that the restriction can be bypassed through the store interface.

Enjoying a good fight? Level 12 guys deserve to have some fun too (and you'd still have Act IV to enjoy the loot; not a big deal but better than nothing) (If you have TWM pt. I, the level cap is actually 14 btw) EDIT: Oh, and going all-in on a dragon is never a good idea. You should spread your party and initiate hostility with your tank; let the tank take the breath weapon and the rest of your guys flank the dragon.

Unfortunately your save doesn't work for me; I guess that's because you're on 2.03 whereas I'm on 2.02. That said, your being level 9 is likely a big part of the problem. The Adra Dragon is a level-12 encounter, and meant to be the hardest in the base game. It can probably be done at level 9 too, but not without exploiting cheesy tactics like spamming Scrolls of Paralysis. I also seem to understand you are trying to confront the dragon right away. I suggest you agree to help her instead—that will give you the option to end the quest in a different, easier way OR to betray the dragon and come back to the fight with a nifty talent that will greatly help you against this and other dragons.

Thumbs up! Did this happen to you immediately after updating to 2.03?