Mor

The only sad thing is the importance you subscribe yourself or your posts. Assuming that everyone has the patience for your silly intent persona, or hearing your opinion on dozen of rehashed topics that has been covered hundred times before. (not that there is anything wrong with rehashing old topic, new prescriptive are always welcome, but whatever you had in your head had nothing todo with my post) and the ironic bit is your speaking about maturity, while you can't stop bickering.. and over what? you initiated it over a one liner summary post, that wasn't directed at you, mentioning a keyword\feature that hasn't been noted before (linking the OP to wealth of information from developers and forum discussion, in this feature locked game). So, yes, my reaction was more then adequate in emphasizing my surprised at seeing you bringing your bad blood, or the bats*** crazy suggestion that you even cross my mind up to that point. I don't care if its your ego, insecurity or whatever. Either way, you need to let that go...

I agree, Russia don't need aggravation in Europe, when competition in Central Asia sphere grows, if Putin Russia push its luck it will over extend ( which is how the excursion into Afghanistan ended ). Which is the point of this economical leverage, to balance out Russia brawl beating Ukraine into submission. Although from EU perspective Iran isn't better then Russia, just another player with regional ambitions, trading one monopoly for another won't help. Btw on topic of pipelines, iirc there were two conflicting projects to the Iran-Europe pipeline. The Azerbaijan-Europe and the Saudi Arabia-Syria-Europe one. The later has been hampered by the Syria civil war in which Iran and Russia are neck deep, while Azerbaijan face the same threat from Iran that Georgia faced from Russia.

Interesting, I don't recall anything particular that might lead to traditional infanticide in this setting, except those who born with fractured souls or without a soul at all. Though it might be some kind of sub quest investigation to learn about the rural areas.

I can't but feel that Racism is widely overrated, prejudice and bigots who act upon it were never limited to race... EDIT: Indeed, and it remind me a quote from Terry Pratchett: "Racism was not a problem on the Discworld, because -- what with trolls and dwarfs and so on -- speciesism was more interesting. Black and white lived in perfect harmony and ganged up on green." Very good point. IMO our racial mix might be a conscious choice by Obsidian, the use of Races as metaphor to deal with current social issues is not new, and this allow them to thematically focus on what bring those races together as oppose to what makes them different (i.e. the exhausted trope of dwarfs vs elf's) thus reinforcing our commonality beyond our racial traits like height\looks\etc.. I think that beyond that metaphor, things break up. If "humanoid" races can't mate, we are basically different species. So in this setting Humans vs Dragons is the same as Humans vs Aumaua... and i am not very optimistic about such setup coming together in that time, after all Humans always tend to exterminate the dragon threat...

Kerry warns Russia the US will 'raise the costs' as Ukraine crisis intensifies US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday warned Russia that the US and its G7 partners would “raise the costs” Moscow could face, unless it curbed weapons flowing into Ukraine and cut ties with pro-Russia separatists. This statement comes after Ukraine rebels shoot down a large military transport plane in eastern Ukraine, reportedly killing 49 people on board, and an earlier statement this week that "a convoy of military vehicles, including three tanks, had been transported from a Russian depot into Ukraine this week. Three T-64 tanks, multiple rocket launchers and other military vehicles crossed from Russia into Ukraine near the town of Snizhne, the state department said, describing the action as unacceptable. The vehicles – apparently out-of-use Russian tanks – appear to have been commandeered by Ukrainian separatist forces".

what?!?!?! dude take your head out of your ass! no one follows you across multiple threads, or cares about some silly guy with an internet persona, who seem to let his ego get in his way, come off as intentionally obnoxious. The OP asked about being able to tinker with different builds, for the specific purpose of min/maxing, a topic that has been discussed MANY times before, thus I provided him with the two keyword summary "Adventurers hall" and "modding", directly address that.

Nope, you have absolutely no logical basis to claim that stopping the south stream improves energy security, none at all. [...] That is yet another crock of **** straw-men argument. No one suggested that "stopping the south stream improves energy security", but that replacing it with similar project such as white stream would advance EU energy security goals further by removing it dependence on specific supplier, notably the Russian monopoly (as well as few other strategic goals) and that was only said in the context of: Since you are the one who brought up 'energy security', in an BS outrage: In what is obviously to everyone an economic leverage in an ongoing crisis due to Russia's continues unchecked actions. With the only ironic thing is how fast you jumped to deflect with your usual: sanctions on Russia would be either a double edged sword for west or wont have any effect on Russia.

"But why not combine the two to some degree? When I pick up an NPC character into my party I mainly want the personality, but may not like the class. Of course, some NPCs may fit only certain classes, but I'd be fine with basic limitations as long as I got freedom to mess with all the details." That would probably be available through modding or a save editor, that is tinkering with existing companion or create new ones.

@Odd Hermit, yes you can build your own NPC in the 'Adventurers hall' to tinker with various mechanics\builds, playing min\maxing or testing if indeed all builds in PoE are viable.

I got Bathrobes and a verity of very yami pictures on that same search As for male Wizards, as long as those are not ICU robes I don't mind ...

What if there is a god of evolution? What if the gods were an evolution? We still know very little about PoE gods and their connection to souls, but isn't possible that they are just very very strong souls? what if the Engwithan who (were first to?) master soul magic over two thousand years ago and disappeared, has "ascended" beyond the mortal form?

You mean right now in East Ukraine, on top of its previous direct military action in Crimea instigating its secession and indirect actions such as the ongoing propaganda campaign destabilizing Ukraine or its intelligence assets that were arrested working in Ukraine. I agree that it would be foolish not to assume that Russia isn't involved right now, after its action in Crimea, past action in the region, and all it has invested in Ukraine. Although i'd take what Ukrainian PM says with a pinch of salt, right now the name of the game is information war, where the target audience isn't us, and they are badly trying to take the initiative from Russia.

What a crock. Russia has never threatened.. Let me stop here, the only crock is the straw-men argument you started to make. EU energy security through diversification intended to end its dependence on specific supplier, chief among them is Russia. If not for EU dependence on Russia as supplier, limiting its options in this and previous Russian power moves in the region, Putin wouldn't be so bold to act. And yes energy independence, would be served well by a pipeline into Caspian region, allowing to by pass Russian monopoly, being able to buy gas directly\cheaper from Kazakhstan as well as providing alternatives (right now they are locked in a "union" headed by Russia) and improving relationships with other Central Asian countries, which is basically what China has been doing causing a lot of trouble for Russia.

well Chernobyl is much further west and north (near the border with Belarus) and instead of nuclear it is presumably white phosphorus (the stuff that Russia has been raining down in Chechnya). In the meantime, here is a nice article on US policy and Russian studies, has some interesting historical facts that I wasn't aware of. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/why-washington-must-understand-kremlin

Interesting: 1. Dyrwoodans the trampling colonial empire? that seem like an fitting description of Ayder Empire, who was colonizing the region and hasn't stooped its exploitation attempt in Glanfathan even after Dyrwood revolution. But Dyrwood is no empire, and we are told that they stopped Ayder practices, banned slavery of Glanfathans, and that their relations with Glanfathans has warmed up, to the point that Glanfathans cooperation led to breakthroughs in Animancy ... although that might be the prelude for the current conflict i.e. conservatism vs progress. 2. Glanfathans, murky history? their mind hunters in the war or something else from their past? 3. Interesting bit on Glanfathans attitude toward that ungodly research, even if expected. We previous learned that the consider the ruins sacred, and have been told that Glanfathans lives in Twin elms are dominated by religion and temples, but I don't think that JS has revealed who is/are their gods..

So that why I couldn't find him on your wiki list (he is listed as Area Designer), I should have known you'd get them all

I just picked it up as well on my coffee break. Overall it is a nice summary, but except few new names( you missed Jeff Hughes), it should be familiar for all.

Here is the first intervew since E3 (and that I seen for a while), it provide a nice recap of the setting, but offers nothing that people who frequent those forums haven't seen before, certainly no hint of the new info from E3 (still under embargo) http://www.redbull.com/en/games/stories/1331658188490/pillars-of-eternity-interview

Depending on how many of those you seen in discussion touching on realism, the more the Humorous part tend to blend with done to death thus looking for references..

Oh so now I can't dual-weird arbalests like all the other pros eh? Thanks Josh, dream = ruined! Uhm, not sure what was your point, but Arbalests have always been two-handed, so no. However, if the dual wield comment refers to the the previous post, where I mentioned two flintlock pistols, then I was actually suggesting a consecutive use, to cut down the reload time. (i.e. Draw first, shoot, throw away. Draw second.. Draw sabber ) Which is realistic, and it make more sense, more accessible and more wieldy setup then most other things you can put in same 3 weapon slot e.g. Arbalests, War hammer\Shield, pike .. by the time you can swap you Arbalest with whatever on your back, you are dead twice over.

I thought they fixes that, it used to be the link on that gem mention in the OP about half year ago.

Btw, do we have a special ammunition slot, is it equipped as part of the 'weapon set' (unless some projectile weapons aren't considered 'two hand' weapons and can be used with a shield) or they drawn directly from Pack slots? Also any thoughts on ammo stacks limits? I know that most people hated them. Ranged weapons allow you to deal damage from distance and stay away from harm. With little gamy tactics you can keep it up for as long as you have ammo, which IMO made Ranged weapon bit overpowered without stack limits. So considering that inventory management in PoE has been designed with tactics in mind, I think it would be prudent to make ammo a limited resource. Good? I was planning a playthrough with Vailian pirate/slaver party, with every character having at least one Firearm, two if I can manage it: to squeeze more of that godlike stopping power, before we do a short work of them with the more exotic melee weapons in our arsenal.

Not just ranged to melee, but any weapon\shield combination that you decide would serve you best in that situation. I am also curious about the possibility of using ranged weapons in melee as last resort and if we have throwing knifes? However, the disengagement bit doesn't sound right, why would ranged weapons have any benefit over melee in melee situation?! and if every weapon can allow you disengage then what the point in engagement mechanics.. its just extra clicks.. It was considered, but due to poor backers feedback has been removed long ago.

1. Any idea what is the damage type of Guns\Crossbows, is it Piercing damage? if so what is the best armor against ranged foe? 2. Do we know if Ranged attack require LOS i.e. can I duck into a room to force them to come to me on my own terms, because if there is no cover from Ranged it gives them a huge advantage in all situations where the enemy comes from one side.

"mini?) Update tomorrow / PE E3 stuff" - YES please !!! I agree. I don't know of any company that would show their games design from concept, to pitch, to the multitude of different development stages, the distribution of the game, and much more. No other company has shown more transparency than Obsidian. lets not go over board, almost every indie project has been doing that, and I have been reading dev diaries on paradox boards about their grand strategies before crow-funding made into a thing.