Cantousent

I honestly can't think of a game, no matter how hard they try, where bartering of any sort isn't basically a noob trap. On the other hand, I think giving a bump to increase the chances of finding more/better items is a nifty idea that could be tweaked to be more than boring without being completely overpowered. Also, using it to get more options for sale out of merchants gives a benefit that comes with a cost. After all, you get to see some shiny things but you must still pay for them. That allows more exciting stuff with an offset for for the advantage. Unlike simply finding better stuff, which means the items can't be toooo powerful, you have access to even better things for which you must pay. ...And the trick to money in virtually every game I've played isn't the ability to accumulated it. It's the ability to part with it at judicious and opportune moments.

So, from what you're saying, your rogue is a melee guy? I would think that it's easier for the bad guys to target someone close-by than your ranged folks? That could be a problem because this game doesn't have 'aggro' in the exactly the traditional sense. There are various tricks to avoid attention or to divert attention away from yourself as a rogue, and you might try these. Nevertheless, a melee character will always require more finesse than a ranged guy for the purposes of avoiding targetting. Plus, a higher level never hurts.

Welcome aboard, atarb! I'm going to finish my hard run and then do a PotD soiree myself. However, I just can't help myself but to include one of those wizards with his watery AOE spells. :Cant's wink and broad grin icon:

Typically, if you can edit to remove your comments and rename your thread, it's probably okay just to leave it. Normal traffic usually buries threads fairly quickly during normal times and lickity split when there's something interesting afoot, like a new release. I don't mind obliging folks who want to have threads removed, but I'm leaving this one so folks can know that the best way to get quick action is either to report your thread or PM one or two of the forum moderators. In a case like this it's no biggie, but I've had folks want things changed that they can no longer edit and have been typed with angry fingers in the heat of the moment or inebriated fingers after indulging in adult substances. In that case, as long as no one has responded, I can remove the vexing post. If someone has responded, it's not fair to remove it, but I can clean up the language while keeping the gist of the message. The single fastest way to get these results is to PM a couple of the mods online at the time, because reported threads can take a while to be apparent to the whole mod team. ...But, all in all, don't worry about most posts. Take it from someone who has had more than his share of humiliating moments, the people here are pretty forgiving of slip-ups or embarrassing posts as long as you don't create a history of acting like a troll. ...And if you're a troll, you undoubtedly enjoy folks being irritated, angry, or derisive of you anyway.

Welcome to the board, nolwe! I haven't read the thread other than to push posts, but I will say that the reason I'm going to get the xpac is because it was part of the kickstarter campaign, but I would have bought it anyway. The reason I would have bought it for myself is because I enjoyed the game. I gave a couple copies of the game to friends as gifts, and so I might buy the xpac for them as a gift, especially if it comes out around X-mas.

Yeah, and if it's the same thread I remember about it, some of the members here were quite invested in *not* having a respec option. I don't see why I should care if folks get a respec option or not, although, as we've discussed, I wouldn't clamor for it just to change the attribute stats. The way attributes work in the game, it's just not big of a deal. Really, none of the NPC characterisitcs is all that important and the reason I say that is, if you're having an undue amount of difficulty beating the game as is on normal, then the problem is probably more with inexperience or the inability to grasp some of the gameplay mechanics. That's not a dig at folks. After all, there's no shame If you're simply new to the genre or something like that. Even if you're experienced but find these games difficult, there's neither shame nor servitude in that either. However, if the problem *is* grasping game mechanics, then respeccing won't do you much good. You have to know what a good build is before you can respec to something significantly better. If you don't know what to do, then there's no use in respeccing. Conversely, if you do know what to do, you can create a better build for your NPCs, but you won't need to do so because the builds as they exist are perfectly viable.

I actually don't mind sub-optimal NPCs. Sometimes you see builds that are just plain crazy for NPCs and *those* sometimes get on my nerves. As long as there's a story based reason for the decisions and the character is viable, I'm pretty happy with taking NPCs the way they are. Even with all that, I'll probably still use the respeccing option if they put one in because of exactly what you said, Nobear. It's just cool to tweak your party to exactly what you want and still keep the NPC dialogue.

Even on hard, though, the stats (attributes) are less important than the rest of the build in terms of function. If you're playing on the hardest settings for bragging rights, then nothing else matters. I'm on board with respeccing. That's all good, but it just seems to me that Pallegina isn't such a bad tank as long as her perks (whatever they're called) are selected properly. I mean, in my first full run, Eder managed to do pretty well with nothing more than his initial build. Of course, that's my take, so I expect push-back where folks feel some personal investment. That and I'll just claim diminished capacity at this point. Furthermore, I'm all for allowing respeccing. I don't think it's necessary, but I think it's cool for players, although I also think there's something to be said for players overcoming sub-optimal builds for *NPCs.* Players should *generally* be able to decide the specifics about the PC, of course.

Frankly, I think stats aren't nearly as important as abilities. However, I'm trying to remember and I don't think that the setting allows for the resetting of stats. It does, however, allow the player to select attributes from level 1 as I recall. I would at least try it before you install a mod to do the same thing. EDIT: I was posting this as you responded, so I guess the answer is to assess how important it is to you.

If I remember from the last time I played, there's a setting to allow you to respec your companions. Let me dig around for it and then I'll let you know... assuming one of our most erudite members doesn't beat me to it. :Cant's expectant grin icon:

To be honest with you Grom56, I kind of think of everyone who came and participated in the discussions here on the Obsidz boards as being backers. I know. To get the distinction, you had to be one of the people who ponied up the cash up front. However, that doesn't mean that everyone is important, from the fellow who paid enough to create an NPC to the guy who hears about it today and buys a copy, aren't important. I know I know! STFU and quit blowing smoke, Right? Well, I really feel that way. I paid in at my tier, but there were people who didn't get in on the kickstarter campaign because of various reasons (funds, didn't hear about it, whatever) who have contributed immensely more to the game than me. All I did was toss in an (extremely modest) sum of money. I'm just a volunteer mod, serving at the pleasure of the powers that be, so I don't know anything, but I would be *very* surprised if Obsidz didn't do another kickstarter campaign. If they do, then you can buy in to get the shiny backer badge thing. ...But if you stick around and participate, you'll already have contributed to the project. Okay, I'd better end the pep talk before the flame throwers come out. :Cant's pensive and weak grin icon:

I'm thinking of picking this up. It's actually relatively easy to get the wife to play adventure games compared to most others. It looks good. Soooo tempted!

Generally speaking, you can do quests in the order and in the time frame that suits your tastes and desires. Your quest/task log identifies main quests and side quests, so I would simply take a deep breath and do the quests that interest you or are most convenient at any particular time. Don't panic about the sheer number of quests. Just start doing them and the list will go down soon enough. That's if you're a completenic. However, I will say that you might want to do those quests that interest you within the act that you get them. Some can't be finished straight away and will only progress in different acts, but there might be areas that are temporarily inaccessible as the story progresses, so you don't want to leave things hanging. On the other hand, you should find it pretty easy to complete the game without excessive side-questing. Happy hunting!

Nice. I might get my wife to play a game with Spanish and English selected. That would be cool. It's going to have to wait, but maybe later.

There wouldn't be anything wrong with complaining anyway. That's your God given right and we respect it here on the Obsidz boards. :Cant's wolfish grin icon: Seriously, though, I don't mind folks complaining it's too hard to solo the game, although it can sometimes be frustrating because the game was clearly meant to be tough enough to require a party. Folks who solo want bragging rights (yeah yeah, cue protests (both too many and too loudly to be genuine in every case)) and you can't brag about your cool solo run if it's easy. It *should* be hard. I know you weren't complaining, DKReborn, but no biggie even if you were. At least you weren't one of those folks who complains about every game being too easy while he polishes his fingernails on his shirt and then hooks his thumbs behind his suspenders. <.<

Hey guys, the consensus seems to be that it's okay to post the link, so we're all good. I haven't tried the mod personally, so use at your own risk. If you try and like it, come back and let everyone know.

...But these aren't reasons *not* to have any of these characters as a romantic interest. In fact, these issues would add a certain necessary piquancy to the relationship. I actually don't want resources to go to romance in PoE either. I would rather the efforts go into making relationships generally more believable and interesting. The odd relationship between Eder and Aloth (both Aloths) is a great addition without a tremendous amount of effort. It accomplishes much without excessive text. It implies camaraderie and even romance (in a strange sort of way) with a tremendous amount of finesse. I think Fensterwhatever did Eder's character, and he did a great job with a situation far more confusing and convoluted than the ones you describe. Sagani's, homesick, lonely, and missing her family, is *precisely* why a romance with her could be absolutely believable. However, as I said, I would rather more effort be put into fleshing out the PC's relationship with her than take the drastic step and tremendous undertaking of making the relationship 'romantic.' ...And this idea that there must be a romance to fit every sexual predilection and romantic inclination cheapens the idea in the first place. Tell you what, I yield. Don't put in a romance to appeal to a heterosexual middle aged white guy. Because if the game has something for everyone, it's to have damned little for anyone. EDIT: forgot the not.

This is an interesting idea. The plug for the page on the end can be problematic, but I approved the post and I'll check with the squad to see if it's okay. Always begging for forgiveness... that's me.

I also quit playing during Firelands, and that after about half of the bosses. I liked feeling like I was useful and, as a healer, I was never sidelined during raids, but I also felt like the game itself had taken a life of its own. I think the idea of making raids less excruciating by doling out some of the great gear for 10 man raids. After that, it was a lot harder to get larger raids going. Really, ever since I left WoW, having completed WotLK *before* they tweaked it down, the early Cataclysm raids, and about half of the Firelands, I don't even look at MMORPGs anymore. I did play a tiny bit of the Old Republic, but I just can't get into the grinding anymore. I'm not even sure I remember the WoW experience very well, it's been long enough.

I would say that having a priest, and a priest of one of two specific gods, is going to open things more for you. I still prefer a wizard and I think a lot of folks would suggest that a druid is the best idea from a powergamer perspective. However, the thing I would suggest most of all is to play the character and class you like the most. That's the best idea from any perspective.

I don't understand why you're questioning motives, Bruce. On the other hand, I think I've seen other folks question yours, so I guess it might be a little bit of what went around coming around sort of thing. For myself, I will completely say that I find the vast majority of romances cringe worthy. When you say they make me uncomfortable, I guess maybe in a way. Not in a 'he denies his emotions' or 'lacks self-awareness' sort of way. That's not just wrong, it's silly. ...But it's not the very idea of romances that bugs me. It's the idea of taking something so complex and boiling it down to simple utility. I've been married damned near 20 years now. I met my wife when I was 13. I gave up every dream I had of higher education, including a post-graduate education in Classical Studies at UCLA for which I didn't even have to pay. I didn't take the LSAT because my wife had a career and that was more important than pursuing my particular dreams. (and on top of that, my appendix burst literally two days before the test and she got it into her head it was fate. <.<) Now, *I'm* cringe-worthy. Talking about this stuff will make about a quarter of the people on this board uncomfortable and a solid half smirk and make fun of me. This isn't even some idle statement. There are people on this board who know me in real life. So, when I say that I find it hard to get into the sorts of trivial romances I tend to see in computer games, take me at my word my friend. I really mean it. I'm probably one of the most emo people on this board. For that reason, the best romance in any game is one with a ghost. Deionarra to be precise. Still, no hard feelings. I'm still good for both the beer and the cheese! You'll have to bring the couch, however. :Cant's big beefy grin icon:

Hey, that Ravel thing was *classic* message board entertainment. ...And what's more, both of you were advocating against romances in games. Good times, man! Just to chime in, I also think of Annah and Falls From Grace as romantic in nature. One is more sexual heat done extremely well. The one is a very mild form of romantic interest that is, as far as I could ever tell, mostly left in the imagination of the player. In terms of actual *heat,* I would say that the Annah dialogue was way the hell hotter than any of the fade to black explicit sex scenes. The reason the Ravel issue was so thorny is because some folks hate the idea of romance so much that they don't want to use the term to describe things they've enjoyed in any game. Romance isn't a dirty word, simply something that hasn't been implemented well to my tastes for the vast majority of games.

Oh, I'm around all the time, Bruce. I just tend to approve posts more than I make them, but recently I was interested in the modding thread and it got me to posting more again. I don't doubt that some things do creep me out in a natural way. For example, I don't have a problem with homosexuality as an idea, but when I see two men kissing, it does kind of disturb me on some sort of level. Does that make me bigoted? I don't think so. It's an immediate reaction that I don't choose to have. Of course, it's not like I can't get past the reaction and still enjoy the show, like Sense8 or whatnot. However, I don't think that's my reaction to romances in games. After all, I enjoy the odd romantic comedy every now and then. I don't mind romantic elements in action movies. Hell, if anything, I find gratuitous sex scenes more offputting than romance. ...And it's not like I didn't serve overseas in the navy. I don't have any problem with sex. I just think it tends to be unnecessary to progress the story in most cases. We don't tend to see a lot of urination/defecation in movies, and it's even more urgent of a natural act. The reason we don't is that it tends not to progress the central themes of the book, movie, or game. That's how I see it at any rate. On the other hand, I do appreciate the free session. If I ever meet you in real life, I'll buy you a beer (and some great imported cheese) and you can psycho-analyze me. :Cant's crazy grin icon: EDIT: Took my time so I added Bruce's name so as to make this post less confusing.

You might want to try following the game in Steam. That way announcements show up on the feed. An even better idea is to keep hanging out with us here on the forum. I see you have a few posts under your belt. Keep reading and posting and debating with folks and you'll keep abreast of things very well and enjoy the camaraderie of our little spot o' the internet at the same time.

Okay, that was a funny post, gk. Goes to show you there's still some entertainment value in these Romance threads, even after hundreds of pages of them for just PoE. I don't like the idea of having three different women in three different age groups writing the romances for women in every computer game. With that line of reasoning, we'll have 10 different women writing for even more variety of age groups. We'll have 50 different women divided by age, ethnicity, and skin color. We'll have to have women who have been divorced and women who are married and women who have never been married. ...And, of course, good luck getting the elvish, dwarvish, orcish etc writers to cover *those* angles! :Cant's tongue in cheek grin icon: The answer to the poor quality of romance writing in games is better romance writing, and that only requires one good writer. After all, both men and women write romantic comedy screenplays, right? And the best ones aren't done by committee. Men can and do enjoy romance elements in other stuff, but nailing it (not an innuendo) in a computer game is tougher, especially since romance is often tertiary at best to both the gameplay mechanics and the premise of most of these games. A really great computer romance would have a story built around the romantic element, but that's out the window because now games must accommodate every possible permutation of romantic involvement. Honest to God, I would rather have one really good transgender romance in a game than a dozen crappy romances across the entire spectrum. It's not that I have any interest or stake in transgender romances, but in the hands of a talented writer, what I have going in (keep your mind out of the gutter) doesn't matter nearly as much as what I find when I arrive. EDIT: forgot the icon.