AndreaColombo

Hi Nobear, 1) I'm pretty certain everything that says "attack speed" in the game only affects recovery except DEX (which affects everything) and stuff that explicitly relates to reloading (e.g. Gunner talent and one of the Chanter's chants.) I can test it next weekend to confirm. 2) Quite certain. Generally, bonuses in Pillars of Eternity are additive, then multiplicative. DEX is an exception when it comes to actual animations (e.g. attacking or reloading), as in those contexts it is applied last with a X / (1+Y) formula. Not sure why that would be the case, but that's what makes the math return true Next weekend I will probably open a new thread to run and discuss these tests.

Attack Speed comparison (with an Arquebus) One more attack speed test, this time with the pure-ranged build of the Lady of Pain. For this test I had the Lady of Pain don Sanguine Plate, even though for the pure-ranged build I suggest you wear lighter armor (how much lighter is for you to decide.) So: 22 DEX (+36% attack speed which applies to everything); plate armor (50% recovery penalty reduced by 16% with Armored Grace); Penetrating Shot (20% recovery penalty); Gunner (20% faster reload). 10-DEX Fighter (w/ Gunner talent) Attack: 53 frames Recovery: 76 frames Reload: 162 frames Total: 290 frames Lady of Pain Attack: 44 frames [53/(1+0.36)=39 ; 5-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Recovery: 85 frames [50*(1+0.5-0.16+0.2-0.36)=90 ; 5-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Reload: 120 frames [162/(1+0.36)=119 ; 1-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Total: 249 frames Measuring attack speed with firearms is a lot more tricky than with melee weapons; however, the overall mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior is 1 frame (249 observed; 248 expected.) which equals 0.033 seconds at 30 fps; not really something that would dramatically impact your DPS unless the fight was extremely long (which isn't often the case in PoE; much less so when using the Lady of Pain.)

It is indeed the Crowns of the Faithful spell (its +6 bonus to PER is overwritten by Champion Boon's +10 bonus.) One thing I forgot to mention about those screenshots is that they do not show the effects of Frenzy, which adds +4 MIG [doesn't stack with Champion's Boon], +4 CON, and +33% attack speed (my character had not been critted when I took those.) A good strategy is to cast Crowns of the Faithful on the Lady of Pain immediately after she gets critted, so she can reap the benefits of Frenzy while being protected from further hits/crits. Attack Speed comparison (with a Great Sword and Frenzy) I've run another attack speed test by recording a 30-fps video with Shadow Play. This time I wanted to check the impact of the Frenzy ability's +33% attack speed bonus (everything else is the same as in the previous video.) As expected, the bonus only applies to recovery time, leaving the actual attack speed unchanged. Here's what I observed running a frame-by-frame analysis: Attack: 24 frames [30/(1-0.36)=22 ; 2-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Recovery: 46 frames [50*(1+0.5-0.16+0.2-0.36-0.33)=42.5 ; 3.5-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior*] Total: 70 frames [(70/84)-1=16.7% actual increase in total attack speed] * The recovery bar over the character's head actually takes exactly 42 frames to go from full to empty, thus corroborating the math. However, there seems to be a 4-frame delay from the moment the bar is empty to the moment the character attacks again. This is consistent with what was observed in this thread I linked earlier.

I know this is likely not the answer you are looking for, but I'll drop it anyway because it worked so well for me: I disabled engagement (as well as that super-duper dumb recovery penalty while moving) with the IE Mod.

Hi KDubya, 1) I do not know whether INT affects the duration of the Consecrated Ground spell from Shod-in-Faith; if it does, it would be one more reason not to dump it as Consecrated Ground is an integral part of this build. However, the reasons why I chose not to dump INT are actually these: In general, I don't particularly enjoy min/maxing; therefore I chose not to go for extreme min/maxing with this build. There is something about seeing an abysmal score in any given stat on my character sheet that just rubs me the wrong way. I dropped CON by 3 points because I knew I could wear a belt that would make up for it; likewise, I dropped RES by 3 points because I knew I could gain them back through a Dragon Egg dish or a Dragon Meat dish. I like INT as an attribute and generally try to pump it when I can, and not to dump it in any case. For this build in particular, I wouldn't like to shorten the duration of my Knock Downs (in fact, I wish I could pump INT to 18 to make them last 7 seconds instead of just 5; in two seconds I could likely score one or two more crits on my prone target.) Both points boil down to personal preference, and it is certainly possible to apply min/maxing to this build to further optimize its DPS. 2) For this particular build I really wanted to pump MIG as high as possible to see how high a damage figure I could get in my character sheet, but sacrificing a couple points in MIG to further boost DEX is certainly a good alternative (choosing Dead Fire Archipelago and/or sacrificing Hiravias instead of Edér to the blood pool.) 3) Indeed; I noticed dwarves also have +2 MIG shortly after posting this thread. I guess that's a testament to how little I play dwarven characters I would still go for Aumaua because I like the character model better and I'm big on aesthetics, but dwarves are certainly a viable alternative (if not an even better one due to the Accuracy bonus you mentioned.)

Doppel--actually, damage-type immunity for enemies is something I wanted since day 1

Brace yourselves: Damage-type immunities are coming! http://jesawyer.tumblr.com/post/125232883136/hi-josh-im-greatly-enjoying-pillars-of-eternity Yay! :D

Thanks for chiming in, Brandon!

Addendum I forgot to mention that this build (in all its variants) makes extensive use of Rauatai Sweet Pie to further boost its DEX score (as seen in my screenshots, where the Lady of Pain has 22 DEX.) The Rauatai Sweet Pie can be crafted from Cocoa, Sugar, and Fruit which are all fairly common, low-cost ingredients; alternatively, it can be bought in taverns; chances are you won't have a problem keeping some in your quick slots at all times. It provides a handy +2 bonus to DEX (which is what we're really after) as well as +10 Endurance which is a nice bonus since the Lady of Pain's CON ain't her strongest attribute. It is worth mentioning that the pie also has a whopping 300-second duration. When I play the Lady of Pain I tend to pump its Survival skill to 10 (to which Sanguine Plate adds another +2 for a total of 12) which makes it last north of 400 seconds. So you'll be walking around with a DEX score of 22 more often than 20. Errata In the pure-ranged variant's description, I wrote that your level-12 Accuracy remains unchanged at 116 when fully buffed. That is incorrect: Because you'll also have the Marksman talent—and you'll likely be targeting distant targets over 90% of the time—your Accuracy is actually 121. Attack Speed comparison (with a Great Sword) I recorded a video (locked at 30 fps) of the Lady of Pain attacking the same target as a 10-DEX naked Fighter to compare attack speed. The Lady of Pain had a DEX score of 22 (36% attack speed bonus), she was wearing Sanguine Plate (50% recovery penalty reduced by 16% with Armored Grace), and she had the Vulnerable Attack modal active (20% recovery penalty.) Both characters were almost perfectly synchronized; however, because DEX also affects attack animation speed, the Lady of Pain landed her hits a few frames before the 10-DEX Fighter. A frame by frame comparison revealed the following: 10-DEX Fighter Attack: 30 frames Recovery: 50 frames Total: 80 frames Lady of Pain Attack: 24 frames [30/(1-0.36)=22 ; 2-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Recovery: 60 frames [50*(1+0.5-0.16+0.2-0.36)=59 ; 1-frame mismatch between math and observed in-game behavior] Total: 84 frames How attack speed works is subject to debate, although frame by frame analysis suggests things don't work exactly as advertised in-game. I plan on running more tests in the future; these are just some results I got by running a quick preliminary test out of curiosity. When The White March is released, I will post updated screenshots at level 14 and explain my talent and ability choices for levels 13 and 14. I will not, however, post any updates concerning the equipment until I've beaten the expansion (I don't want to spoil the loot for myself for the sake of the thread.) I will also probably post a new character build with a catchy name in a separate thread

In the upcoming patch, PER is likely to become a DPS (+Accuracy) stat.

Eric, thank you so much for fixing these and for updating us! Having done some copy-editing for BG:EE and BGII:EE, I can certainly appreciate the amount of work that goes into this. Many developers wouldn't even bother, which makes me all the more thankful toward you. I also gladly volunteer to help you with any further textual fixes that might be necessary in the future, if you so wished

If you really want an item from Azzuro's inventory for your character, cheating is the way to go. Don't waste your time waiting for something that may never come; get it straight away and enjoy the game right now

GoG is simpler

Druids in PoE are a lot more powerful than druids in AD&D, imho. I never wanted to play a druid in the latter, but I certainly enjoy having one around in PoE. They have a lot of very good AoE spells. Wizards are also pretty good, though more single-target oriented (they also have AoE spells, though.) Priests are almost purely a support class. Very handy to have around (some of their higher-level buffs are crazy good) but not particularly good at anything else.

I'll provide a saved game with repro steps in early August when I'm back home if the OP cannot.

Josh has just mentioned on Twitter that CON has been changed from 3% to 5% endurance and health. That's a start!

Hi. Backers are people who put money toward the development of the game. It was really only possible to become one before the game was released; now it is only possible to be a buyer, which you already are from the sound of things I don't use Steam, so I'll let someone else answer your other questions.

Quite the opposite: The mechanic I described exists precisely to prevent that very scenario. Uniques will sill exist and be viable; however, if you want your rapier-wielding fighter to use the soulbound great sword, you can. Your talents will apply to it automatically, so you don't really lose anything.

Nope. That person was correct. I don't see how that contradicts what I wrote, however.

Unique weapons are going to stay and soulbound weapons automatically receive the focus/spec/mastery of the character they are bound to regardless of their type.

Alternatively, if you have a high-deflection tank in your party, send them ahead and let them take the breath weapon while you buff the rest of your party in the background (worked with Pallegina tanking for me and she survived the fight.) The wizard spell "Gaze of the Adragan" is also pretty great to lock down the dragon. Or that druid spell that deals damage and petrifies (can't recall its name.)

The moment they say anything other than "soon", the vast majority of the people (except the 10 of us who understand it is an approx estimate rather than a commitment; we're a minority) will start counting the days to the "projected" release date and vocally complain when it is not met. I too, however, do not understand the radio silence. They could give us teasers that go beyond a partial screenshot on Josh's instagram. For example, sample new spells and abilities; sample balance changes (including ones that are still being tested and are subject to change; they could specify that in a disclaimer); sample new equipment; new screenshots; lore and concept art for new monsters (not all of them, of course; one or two)... Just throw us a bone on a regular basis to kill the wait, you know?

Hey, could someone from the dev team confirm whether this is going to be fixed in 2.0?

A small shield would give you some deflection, but not really as much as to justify taking it instead of dual-wielding. Rogue is a DPS class; it is not meant to off-tank. Two-Weapon Fighting, on the other hand, grants you a +20% attack speed that offsets the penalty from Vulnerable Attack quite beautifully. If you get Gauntlets of Accuracy to offset the penalty from Savage Attack too, your enemies will be in for a treat. Ideally your Rogue should not go into the fray and be engaged. They should flank enemies and sneak-attack them while they are busy trying to hit your tanks or off-tanks. Deflection really isn't that important on a well-played Rogue unless you are soloing.

I disagree with you on this one, Luckmann. Respeccing is indeed a tedious and boring procedure. The only circumstance under which I would respec is if, for whatever reason, I lost interest in my character but didn't want to lose my progress by starting a new game. That was the case when I decided I wanted the Red Knight: My mind was dead-set on it and I wasn't interested in playing my estoc-wielding Fighter anymore; yet I was already in Twin Elms and I wanted to finish the game. I respecced so I could get the character I wanted and enjoy the last part of the game. I would never respec before every dialog just to get all options, and I can't possibly conceive anyone actually going through that kind of trouble for the purpose of reducing their re-playability. If I was so keen on getting all options, I would cheat to give my character 18 in all stats, as that would be infinitely more efficient (and wouldn't cost me in-game money to boot.) If someone wants to spoil their fun by abusing a feature clearly not meant to be used that way, they are welcome to be my guests; I know I wouldn't do that 'cause the point of playing the game is to have fun and respeccing every other second is quite the opposite of that.