Lord Wafflebum

Thanks for this. Much needed. You and Shevek are doing a public service with these guides.

Excellent. Love that you and Sensuki are doing these videos. It makes a dramatic difference. Thank you.

Wow, this got crazy while I was gone. So, I was able to find some time last night to play and I used a kind of hybrid of Sensuki tactics and Shevek tactics on Easy. Playing as a barbarian I was able to get through most battles without too much difficulty as long as I micromanaged party actions and used pause more intelligently. I'll concede my initial argument that combat is too difficult. While initially difficult, it became much more manageable after some training videos from those active here on the forums. That said, combat isn't fun. It feels like a series of tedious chores to advance the storyline. Frankly, I don't have any specific ideas on how to make it better. Even though I feel confident enough to try this on harder difficulties, I still prefer playing on Easy. I guess my preference now, in place on lessening encounter difficulty, would be to reduce the amount of combat management. Shevek did an exceptional job of helping me build a relatively passive party, but it wasn't the party I wanted to play. I want to play a paladin (I know it's broken and I need to wait for it to be fixed), but when the full release comes out I want to have party members with me I like, not the ones I necessarily need. I'm far less angry with the game now, but I am annoyed that on Easy difficulty I still require an overly specific party build to get through the game. I fully believe that on Easy mode ANY party build should be viable. I realize Shevek will likely take issue with that, but that's what would be the most fun for me.

Based on the feedback here and on some of the other threads I've come to the conclusion that all buillds are not currently viable. How you prefer to play and what you play have to mesh up otherwise you're taking an express trip to dead town. Those of us that prefer to concentrate of the role playing aspect are out of luck, at least for now anyway. When I get off work tonight I'm gonna try the advice of the beta veterans and rock out some barbarian action. If it allows me to get at least somewhat immersed in the game again then I'll be much less unhappy.

After I try Shevek's suggestions and watch Sensuki's new tutorial video a couple times I'll try things out again and reevaluate. I admit there's a possibility I'm mainly suffering from lack of tutorial. If nothing else I at least feel optimistic about making some progress again.

@Shevek: Thanks for the advice, I'll try exactly that.

@Razsius: Thank you. That's what I've suspected from Shevek and I being unable to come to any sort of terms of agreement. I truly wish I had more time to play and learn the systems, but I simply don't. It's a factor I think needs to be taken into account for those of us that need Easy difficulty.

@Shevek: 1. I have absolutely no idea how you're managing this. I do use abilities (although admittedly conservatively) and I would build a party that could handle my more passive style of play, but I have no idea how. I try not to be critical of the fact that there's very little guidance on how best to build up your character because it is the beta, but the fact that I've tried multiple builds and consistently failed seems to suggest a larger issue. 2. If that's the case, then the beta doesn't seem like a worthwhile venture for OE. My understanding of the backer beta is to give backers a feeling for how the game is going to play. Did they say otherwise?

@Shevek: But that's exactly what I'm worried about. The beta is supposed to be OE's prime example as to what to expect from the game. I actually didn't have an issue with the town combat. Once outside of town is where my main issue lies. So, I would say some of the game on Easy difficulty is where it should be. I can't figure out if the rest of the beta is ok because they've made the initial encounter outside of town is WAY too difficult. Also, the argument that this is made game is somewhat moot. They give us a bunch of free levels at the beginning of the beta to bring us up to the level we should be at for the area. Level balance exists, but challenge level does not mesh. I very much disagree that reducing encounter difficulty would turn this into a children's game. I think it does a disservice to the flow of the game that I should have to put the thought and effort into every single encounter that I need to for boss fights. I realize you look down on my gaming abilities, but I sure was not having these issues in v278. The only thing that slowed me down getting through the beta content in v278 were the numerous bugs. v333 on Easy feels like a much higher difficulty level.

@Shevek: My ability to comprehend words is just fine. Sensuki also admitted that due to the amount he has played the game his viewpoint might be skewed due to experience. I don't think I addressed my point clearly enough. Why are you so against Easy difficulty being changed to fit better for the casual gamer? It doesn't affect you! You don't play on Easy difficulty.

Heh, this got a bit off topic since I was last here. @Shevek: Since you're the most vocal against those of us that find this game overly difficult, I guess I have to ask you why you don't want casual gamers to have a more relaxed and easier experience? I believe you said you typically play on normal or hard, yes? All I want is for Easy difficulty to live up to its name. Be easy for those of us that don't want an overly challenging game. Frankly, opinions of difficulty (what I think is difficult vs. what you think is difficult) are going to suffer from relative perspectives. Also, as someone pointed out, I may be using difficulty and fun somewhat interchangeably. I'm essentially stating an opinion/preference I would like to see reflected in the game, and since my sentiments have been echoed by several others here it stands to reason that Easy difficulty could use some tweaking for us. Is that not what these forums are for? @Sensuki: Thanks for the heads up on the Paladins. I didn't know they weren't working as intended. Maybe I'll try a fighter again and see if I can make any more progress that way...

@Sensuki: Apparently I need to start watching your videos to learn to play the game. Your initial assumption that I don't pause enough is apparently correct. I might finally be able to get past that part now with my paladin. If we're expected to pause that much to be able to manage combat, do you know why they went away from turn-based combat? Because unless I've misunderstood your play strategy, the only good way to do things seems to be forcing the game to behave as turn based for combat.

I think my original point has been lost in the argument. My opinion is this: While playing on a low difficulty, I should be able to progress through the game relatively easily hence "easy" difficulty. My problem is that I simply cannot progress through the first area I'm directed toward. I've tried several different classes and adjusted my strategy with each new build. Every single time I ALWAYS get wiped out by beetles. You guys bring BG1 up a lot. I very rarely had difficulty progressing through that game as long as I went where the main story line pointed me and did some side quests along the way. If I did hit a rough area I could typically make a tactical retreat, regroup, or go around a tough spot. What happens here is PoE is that my second combat encounter in the game wipes me out no matter what I seem to do. I kill off those guys by the bridge in the village for some slightly better gear and while that encounter is tough you can also see what you need to do to win if you die. When it comes to the beetles it's a matter of how fast I die, but I WILL die. That's not ok for what can reasonably be the very first battle of the game. Also yes, I am say all this knowing that the suggestion that the game would likely be more tactically challenging than most current games, but the old IE games as they sit now are more challenging tactically than most current gen games so that's what level of difficulty I expected. In the old IE games you could have only a toddler-level understanding of how the fighting mechanics work. I didn't realize until my third BG1 play through that a negative armor value was good, but I still played through twice. What the argument against my opinion seems to be is that "casual gamers are not welcome here." Why must I be alienated from enjoying this game because I want to enjoy a different aspect of it (the lore and story)?

Glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way. I agree that this game is so close to the awesomeness that were the old IE games that I spent countless hours obsessing over as a teenager. I really, really hope combat changes before release. I'd really rather not have to use character editors to cheat my way through. @Sensuki: As always, I cannot express well enough my appreciation for all the work you put in to trying to get this game be the best that it can. You clearly have a firm grasp of what I at least would like to see happen with the game, but much more specifically as to be of more use to the devs. I'm sure there are more than a few people like me that occasionally peruse these forums and are happy to see you leading the conversations in the right direction.

Most of the topics on this forum are very in-depth and probably the most helpful for tweaking the game. My problem is that I care very little for the nitty-gritty of the game mechanics, and I'm feeling that those of us that just want to enjoy a game are being overlooked. I think of myself more as a casual gamer. I almost always play on the easiest difficulty. I like a little challenge to my games, but not frustratingly so. This is my major annoyance with PoE as it stands. I straight up hate the combat. I'm not annoyed, irritated, or even loathe it. I HATE it. It is so jarringly difficult (on EASY setting!) that it just tanks my enjoyment hard. Let me explain why. I've found it pretty easy to get immersed in the world. By the time I've talked to everyone and seen everything in town I'm pumped to set off and go accomplish things. That's where I end up rage quitting the game. It takes all of about 45 seconds for my party to get wiped out by beetles. Frakking beetles. It's beyond ridiculous. My very first encounter on easy difficulty and I'm the victim of one of the most one sided battles I've ever experienced. On the difficulty I want to play I don't feel I should have to pay excruciating detail to damage mechanics, what weapons do and don't work on what enemies, flawless tactics and wise use of spells and abilities. This was a huge issue for me in v278, and it feels even worse in v333. I don't know what it was like in v301, because unfortunately it seems being at work is my new hobby. My hope is that someone takes notice of this and tweaks a difficulty setting for folks like me. I have enough analysis and planning to do at work; I have neither the time or patience for it in what is supposed to be my relaxing activities.

I'm hoping that before the game is released we can get a sense for how leveling will feel in the full version of the game. I think it's tough to make any informed argument based on what we have. We can see how leveling works mechanically, but it is kind of impossible at this point to see how Josh's vision for a different leveling works when XP is just given away. I'd love to start at Lvl 1 in the beta, then have the XP system set up to go to level 4 or 5 just to feel how it flows.

This seems like an apples and oranges kind of thing. Bioware tends to make pretty unique games. Comparing the development of these two games is like saying InXile and Bethesda had similar development obstacles with Wasteland 2 and Fallout 3, respectively. It just doesn't jive.

Ha, when someone gives me lip I ransack their house, massacre their family, THEN steal all the stuff of their person. I then wait around for awhile and poison them to death. Good times.

I'm among those that only briefly played 301 due to Wasteland. I'm waiting for the new version to get into it again so that I can come here and agree with everything Sensuki says.

Pickpocketing is how I get most of my money. I find it much less pleasurable buying things with gold I actually had to earn.

I'm in the pro-notepad camp. When I was younger you used to get notepads in almost every game you got. Now you never get things like that in games. Before Diablo 3 came out and there was a notepad in there I probably went the better part of a decade without a notepad. I need the notepad.

@ctn2003 Ignore the hate. I do not get on the forums much, but I appreciate you guys that take the time to be active here. It's nice to see a thread that attempted to be polite and grateful. I, too, would like to echo my sentiment of gratitude to the devs for listening to our wants and concerns. Having only played a little of v301 I noticed how much the devs addressed our feedback. That is with just one update. There is clearly a lot of love going into this game. This is the most money I ever put into a game before, and I feel as though the devs respect how we all contributed by how they have treated us thus far. Yes, the best thing we can do for the devs is play, give feedback on bugs and game play from a development standpoint, but a "Thanks for your hard and continuing work" thread is more than appropriate.

In fairness Stun wan't aware at the time of Josh's statement and corrected himself. I think you guys are far too hard on him in these forums, but that's just me. Overall I still maintain that it's not possible for any of us to be intelligently critical of the xp system because it's going to be tied to story and quests which we know nothing about. It very well may be fair regardless of if you want to fight, sneak, or talk through situations depending on how the quests are set up.

Good post. It gives me ideas to play with now that I'm about ready to explore the wizard class a bit more. Thanks!

I wouldn't count on that. Well, I'm not banking on it. I feel confident when the full game is released I will be more than satisfied with the results, but I think enough people are invested enough in this game that if something is lacking it will be relatively easy to fix and someone will be passionate enough to do so. I seriously doubt OE is going to release an incomplete game.