Yosharian

[1: The Watcher] -=-Class: Warlock [Devoted/Enchanter] -=-Roles: damage, crits, spellcasting -=-Race: Human (+1 MIG, +1 RES) -=-Culture: Rauatai (+1 CON) -=-Attributes: MIG16-CON04-DEX18-PER18-INT18-RES04 -=-Final unbuffed attributes: MIG20-CON10-DEX21-PER20-INT22-RES06 -=-Skills: Athletics, Metaphysics -=-Attribute bonus: Effigy's Resentment (Durance) - +1 CON, +5% max Health -=-Attribute bonus: Gift from the Machine - +1 MIG, +5% max Health -=-Attribute bonus: Berath's Blessing - +2 to all attributes -=-Equipment: Pet: Abraham (!) (Reduces Recovery penalty for armor, +10HP on kill) ---[Luminous adra mill: On the upper balcony] Grimoire: Zandethus' Dragon-Scaled Grimoire ---[Delvers' Row: Sold by The Spindle Man] Head: Helm of the Falcon (!) (-10% Recovery with 2H weapons) ---[Crookspur Merchant] Neck: Strand of Favor (!) (+1 Intellect, -10% hostile effect +10% friendly effect durations) ---[Looted/Given by Sugaan during A Distant Light. It may also be pick pocketed.] Cloak: Cloak of Greater Protection ---[Arkemyr's Manor: In the vault; Port Maje Harbor: Sold by Well-traveled Supplier (with Berath's Blessing "Unique Item Vendor" enabled] Armor: Devil Breastplate (!) (Legendary, Intellect Affliction resistance, +2 Max Power Pool, -20% Recovery time, +2HP/3sec for 6sec on crit) ---[if Devil of Caroc spared Harmke in the imported Pillars of Eternity save, it is available for purchase in Marihi's shop in Periki's Overlook.] Hands: Aegor's Swift Touch (!) (+1 Dexterity, +5% Action Speed with weapons, While above 50% HP 5% chance to avoid ranged dmg) ---[At the very top of the map, to the left of Kohopa's Fang, on a Plagued Ship] Ring1: Drunkard's Regret (!) (Alcohol without hangovers) ---[Quest: Lost Dues in Good Faith; save/loot Oswald] Ring2: Chameleon's Touch (!) (+1 MIG, +1 Athletics, +1 INT, +1 Arcana) ---[Looted from Bounty - Nomu the Marauder] Belt: Girdle of Eoten Constitution (!) (+3 CON) ---[Can be looted from Beina during Bounty - Beina] Feet: Slippers of the Assassin (!) (Invis on killing blow) ---[The Deck of Many Things: Sold by Captain Thaenic.] Weapon: Chromoprismatic Quarterstaff (!) (Damage) ---[in a chest below the Statue of Nemnok in the Sanctum of Drowned Barrows (at 8'35" 36'38"), which is accessible via Junvik Village.] Afflictions/Inspirations -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Might: Resistance (Body Control) Constitution: n/a Dexterity: Resistance (Unstoppable), Immunity 1/encounter (Free Action), Tier3 (DAOM) Perception: Tier2 (Tactical Barrage) Intellect: Resistance (DoC Breastplate), Tier2 (Tactical Barrage) Resolve: Resistance (Fearless), Tier2 (Unbending Shield) Spells -=-=-=- Level 1: Spirit Shield (En), Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff (Cj) Level 2: Arcane Veil (Cj), BATE (En) Level 3: DAOM (En) Level 4: MAR (En), Flame Shield* (Ev) Level 5: Llengrath's SG* (En) Level 6: Arcane Reflection* (En), Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst (Ev) Level 7: Zandethus' Draconic Fury* (En) Level progression -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1: Disciplined Barrage, Spirit Shield 2: Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff 3: Fast Runner 4: Fighter Stances, Arcane Veil 5: Two-Handed Style 6: Determination 7: Tactical Barrage, Deleterious Alacrity of Motion 8: Combat Focus 9: Bulwark Against The Elements 10: Fearless, Minor Arcane Reflection 11: Body Control 12: Unstoppable 13: Conquerer Stance, Rapid Casting 14: Unbending 15: Armored Grace 16: Weapon Specialization, Spell Resistance 17: Reaping The Whirlwind 18: Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst 19: Unbending Shield, Tough 20: Unbreakable [2:] -=-Class: Swashbuckler [unbroken/Trickster] -=-Roles: tank, flanker -=-Race: Human (+1 MIG, +1 RES) -=-Culture: Old Vailia (+1 INT) -=-Attributes: MIG10-CON07-DEX05-PER18-INT19-RES19 -=-Final unbuffed attributes: MIG10-CON10-DEX06-PER20-INT21-RES20 -=-Skills: Athletics, Metaphysics -=-Equipment: Head: Blackened Plate Helm (!) (+1 enemies Engaged, +1 Intellect, +1 Perception) ---[Dropped by Quartermaster Harka in the Sea-Lashed Crypt interior on Splintered Reef] Neck: Baubles of the Fin (!) (+1 CON, +1 INT, +3% damage aura 5m) ---[Received for completing Broodmother's Fury peacefully, or simply by killing the broodmother] Cloak: Cloak of Greater Deflection (!) (+7 Deflection) ---[Port Maje Harbor: Sold by Well-traveled Supplier] Armor: Blackened Plate Armor (!) (12 armor, Decay/Poison/Disease attacks heal for 25%, +2 Enemies Engaged, Raw damage aura, random Mind inspiration on Bloodied for 60s) ---[Dropped by Quartermaster Harka in the Sea-Lashed Crypt interior on Splintered Reef] Hands: Bracers of Greater Deflection (!) (+7 Deflection) ---[sold by Engari in the Temple of Toamowhai on Kazuwari after completing the Rite of Passage] Ring1: Ring of Greater Regeneration (!) (+3 Health restored per 6 sec) ---[The Brass Citadel: Sold by Orlan Peddler; Boot-suck Bog: Dropped by the Bog Warden] Ring2: Etonia Signet Ring (!) (+2 Defenses per engagement (stacks 5 times), +2 Diplomacy) ---[Fort Deadlight: In the shrine to Skaen.] Belt: The Undying Burden (!) (+1 Athletics, Grants +1 use of Second Wind, -10% damage (increases to -30% based on missing HP), +2 CON) ---[Delvers' Row: Sold by Imuani] Feet: Rakhan Field Boots (!) (+3 Corrode AR, grants No Quarter (Teleport to enemy attack)) ---[Dropped by a Mercenary Paladin on the Spire of the Soul-Seers rooftop during the quest Skipping Ahead] Weapon1: Kapana Taga (!) [Champion's Relic, All Comers] + Shield (Superb, Deals Crush/Slash, +5% Damage as Raw, 20% Daze-on-hit, +2 enemies Engaged, 3% Melee Damage per Engaged target, Immune to Flanking Afflictions] ---[Looted after killing Fyrgist in ship combat near unnamed volcanic island south of Tikawara.] Shield: Akola's Apex Ward (!) (+1 enemies Engaged, Superb: +6, 33% Crush Riposte, +10 Acc, -100% weapon dmg when <50% HP) ---[On a Huana vengeance ship. You need -4 reputation with them for that ship to appear. ] Weapon2: Eccea's Arcane Blaster + Akola's Apex Ward (!) (Legendary, deals Raw damage instead of normal, Imbued Ammunition) ---[Dropped by Eccea in the Collapsed Coal Mine on the player-nameable island at 7° 49' S, 57° 16' E] Shield2: Cadhu Scalth Afflictions/Inspirations -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Might: Resistance (Body Control) Constitution: n/a Dexterity: Resistance (Unstoppable) Perception: Tier2 (Tactical Barrage) Intellect: Tier2 (Tactical Barrage) Resolve: Resistance (Fearless), Tier2 (Unbending Shield) Level progression -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1: Crippling Strike, Disciplined Barrage 2: Fast Runner 3: Arms Bearer 4: Fighter Stances, Weapon & Shield Style 5: Determination 6: Blinding Strike 7: Tactical Barrage, Riposte 8: Hold The Line 9: Gouging Strike 10: Unstoppable, Persistent Distraction 11: Body Control 12: Fearless 13: Guardian Stance, Deep Wounds 14: Superior Deflection 15: Armored Grace 16: Overbearing Guard, Slippery Mind 17: Unbending 18: Reaping The Whirlwind 19: Unbending Trunk, Deathblows 20: Unbreakable [3] -=-Class: Ascetic [Helwalker/Lifegiver] -=-Roles: damage, healing -=-Race: Pale Elf (+1 DEX, +1 PER) -=-Culture: The White That Wends (+1 PER) -=-Attributes: MIG15-CON10-DEX12-PER20-INT18-RES03 -=-Final unbuffed attributes: MIG16-CON10-DEX13-PER21-INT21-RES04 -=-Skills: Alchemy, Metaphysics -=-Shapeshift: Boar -=-Equipment: Head: Heaven's Cacophony (!) (+2 Intellect, +1 Religion, Grants Shout of Hosts and Avenging Storm) ---[Queen's Berth: Sold by Wanika] Neck: Wahaki Tua (!) (+5 all Defenses except Deflection, Resistance to Resolve Afflictions) ---[???] Cloak: Mantle of the Seven Bolts (!) (+2 Shock Armor Rating, Grants Storm of Seven Bolts (Chain lightning spell) 1/rest, Shock AOE on death) ---[Periki's Overlook: Sold by Iolfr of Iolfr's Raiments] Cloak: Cloak of Greater Protection ---[Arkemyr's Manor: In the vault; Port Maje Harbor: Sold by Well-traveled Supplier (with Berath's Blessing "Unique Item Vendor" enabled] Armor: Deltro's Cage (Conductive Storm) (!) (Exceptional: +2 Armor, +2 All Electricity Power Levels, Relentless Storm (Shock AOE spell)) ---[Worn by Ezzali Bardatto and can be obtained if you side with House Valeras and kill the Bardatto] Hands: Boltcatchers (!) (Grants Crackling Bolt Lvl3 Wizard spell, 33% Reflect Electricity, Shock Damage on Melee Crit) ---[Looted during Bounty - The Steel Preacher] Ring1: Kuaru's Prize (!) (+5% Damage with Spells, +1 Intellect, +1 Perception) ---[Ori o Koiki: Sold by Kipeha] Ring2: Ring of Clenched Muscle (!) (10% on Hit random Tier 1 Affliction for 10.0 sec, +10% on weapon Hit random Tier 1 Inspiration for 10.0 sec) ---[???] Belt: The Maker's Own Power (!) (Near Death activates Reforge The Flesh (sanctuary heal-type ability), +1 Might, +2 Crush AR) ---[Dropped by Torkar during Bounty - Torkar] Feet: Boots of the Stone (!) (+1 Dexterity, +1 Resolve, Resistance to Might afflictions) ---[Dropped by Eamund the Fox when he attacks you during A Tidy Performance] Weapon1: Lord Darryn's Voulge (!) (Exceptional, 10% on hit activate Lightning Strikes Monk ability) ---[Can be scavenged from a shipwreck to the southeast of Neketaka Island, at the coordinates 37° 21' S, 55° 30' E] Weapon2: The Weyc's Wand (!) (Legendary, Refresh recovery after using Empower, 25% on hit Confuse 8sec, 50% on crit to deal Raw damage, After Empowering an ability, gain +3 Power Level for 20.0 sec) ---[in a chest in the contaminated section of The Archive in Forgotten Sanctum DLC] Weapon2: Amaliorra (Legendary, On crit Shaken vs Kith/Wilder, +10 accuracy vs Vessel) ---[Dropped by Menzzago in the Glowing Outcrop on Splintered Reef] Afflictions/Inspirations -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Might: Resistance (Boots of the Stone), Tier2 (Thunderous Blows) Constitution: n/a Dexterity: Immunity (Form of the Delemgan), Tier1 (Swift Strikes) Perception: n/a Intellect: n/a Resolve: Resistance (Wahaki Tua) Level progression -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1: Nature's Mark, Swift Strikes 2: Lesser Wounds 3: Fast Runner 4: Two-Handed Style, Dance of Death 5: Long Stride 6: Taste The Hunt 7: Returning Storm, Swift Flurry 8: Two-Weapon Style 9: Combat Focus 10: Heart of the Storm, Enduring Dance 11: Duality of Mortal Presence 12: Thunderous Blows 13: Relentless Storm, The Long Pain 14: Form of the Delemgan 15: Practiced Healer 16: Spell Resistance, Turning Wheel 17: Parting Sorrow 18: Rapid Casting 19: Accurate Empower, Instruments of Pain 20: Heartbeat Drumming [4: The Elf Queen] -=-Name: Elanna -=-Class: Wizard [Evoker] -=-Roles: damage, crowd control -=-Race: Wood Elf (+1 DEX, +1 PER) -=-Culture: The White That Wends (+1 PER) -=-Attributes: MIG18-CON08-DEX19-PER20-INT10-RES03 -=-Final unbuffed attributes: MIG18-CON08-DEX21-PER20-INT10-RES03 -=-Skills: Arcana, Survival -=-Equipment: Grimoire: Ninagauth's Teachings (!) (Grants several unique and powerful spells) ---[Arkemyr's Manor: In the vault] Head: Whitewitch Mask (!) (Bloodied: activates Ryngrim's Repulsive Visage, Grants Ryngrim's Enervating Terror, +1 Illusion PL) ---[Delvers' Row: Sold by The Spindle Man; Delvers' Row: Can be stolen from the chest to the left of The Spindle Man.] Neck: Amulet of Greater Health (!) (+25 Max Health) ---[The Deck of Many Things: Sold by Bauble, Port Maje Harbor: Sold by Well-traveled Supplier] Cloak: Ruata's Walking Cloak (!) (+1 Diplomacy and Survival, +20% Stride scaling with Survival, +5 Reflex) ---[Reward for completing Eulogy for the Dead] Armor: Spider Silk Robe (!) (Legendary, +3 Slash AR, Immune to Dex Afflictions) ---[Dropped by Menzzago in the Glowing Outcrop on Splintered Reef] Hands: Firethrower's Gloves (!) (+2 Dexterity, +2 Explosives, +1 Arcana, +1 All Evocation Power Levels) ---[The Jagged Keep: (E) area, 8 Mechanics Chest; Port Maje Harbor: Sold by Well-traveled Supplier] Ring1: Ring of Greater Regeneration (!) (+3 Health restored per 6 sec) ---[The Brass Citadel: Sold by Orlan Peddler; Boot-suck Bog: Dropped by the Bog Warden] Ring2: Ring of the Marksman (!) (+4 acc and +1 PEN with Ranged weapons) ---[Queen's Berth: Dropped by Royal Dreadfire Company sailors on top of The Wild Mare during A Bigger Fish] Belt: Upright Captain's Belt (!) (Immune to Push and Pull effects, Grants Concentration at start of combat) ---[Given to you by Captain Furrante in the Balefire Beacon in Dunnage, as reward for completing the quest Symbols of Death.] Feet: Bounding Boots (!) (Grants Barbarian Lvl5 ability Leap 2/rest) ---[in a locked chest (4 Mechanics check) in Deadfire Donjon, in a room to the left from the Command] Weapon1: Eye of Wael (!) (Superb, 25% on crit Invisibility for 8sec, 5% random Illusion spell on target on hit, +3 Illusion PL) ---[Reward for solving the puzzle in Hall of the Unseen (located south of Tikawara on the Black Isles)] Weapon1: Whale of a Wand (!) (Superb, On hit 8% Polymorph, On Spell hit 10% Charm, Target ally cannot die for 10s) ---[The Orrery during Bekarna's Folly] Afflictions/Inspirations -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Might: Resistance (Boots of the Stone) Constitution: n/a Dexterity: Resistance (Wood Elf) Perception: Tier2 (Eldritch Aim) Intellect: n/a Resolve: n/a Spells -=-=-=- Level 1: Spirit Shield, Eldritch Aim Level 2: Curse of Blackened Sight*, Miasma of Dull-Mindedness, Bulwark Against The Elements Level 3: Ninagauth's Death Ray* Level 4: Minoletta's Concussive Missiles, Ninagauth's Shadowflame* Level 5: Ryngrim's Enervating Terror Level 6: Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst, Chain Lightning Level 7: Ninagauth's Killing Bolt* Level 8: Wilting Wind*, Wall of Many Colors Level 9: Minoletta's Missile Salvo, Meteor Shower* Level progression -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1: Spirit Shield 2: Eldritch Aim 3: Two-Weapon Style, Miasma of Dull-Mindedness 4: Bulwark Against The Elements 5: Combat Focus, Snake's Reflexes 6: Bear's Fortitude 7: Minoletta's Concussive Missiles, Spell Shaping 8: Scion of Flame 9: Rapid Casting, Ryngrim's Enervating Terror 10: Secrets of Rime 11: Chain Lightning, Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst 12: Heart of the Storm 13: Penetrating Empower, Accurate Empower 14: Potent Empower 15: Farcasting 16: Wall of Many Colors, Great Soul 17: Tough 18: Bull's Will 19: Minoletta's Missile Salvo, Prestige 20: Spell Resistance [5] -=-Class: Templar [Priest of Magran/Bleak Walker] -=-Roles: tank, healing, fire damage -=-Race: Human (+1 MIG, +1 RES) -=-Culture: Old Vailia (+1 INT) -=-Attributes: MIG18-CON10-DEX09-PER18-INT19-RES04 -=-Final unbuffed attributes: MIG18-CON10-DEX12-PER18-INT21-RES04 -=-Skills: Mechanics, History -=-Equipment: Head: Thaos' Headdress (!) (+1 Intellect, +10 Will vs Mind-affecting aura, +5 acc & +10% damage to flanked) ---[Worn by Aloth if he became the Leaden Key grandmaster] Neck: Bone Setter's Torc (!) (+10% Healing Done, +5% Hit-to-Crit) ---[Can be looted from a chest in Pahowane Underground, which is reached during the quest Skipping Ahead] Cloak: The Giftbearer's Cloth (!) (+1 Quick Item slots, +1 Weapon Sets, up to +15 non-Deflection defenses (History)) ---[Cave of Threshing / Fampyr's Crypt] Armor: Fleshmender (!) (Superb, +1 Quick Item slots, +1 Weapon Sets, 15% incoming Hits to Grazes, +3 Regenerating AR, +5HP/12sec) ---[bounty - Ikorno: Looted from Ikorno] Hands: Burglar's Gloves (!) (+1 Dexterity, +2 Mechanics, +2 Athletics) ---[Periki's Overlook: Sold by Iolfr of Iolfr's Raiments] Ring1: Ring of Focused Flame (!) (+10 Accuracy with fire attacks) ---[The Dark Cupboard] Ring2: Halgot's Warmth (!) (+3 Priest Restoration PL, +3 Burn AR) ---[Quest reward for finishing Harsh Medicine] Belt: Physicker's Belt (!) (+10% Healing, +1 Alchemy) ---[Port Maje: Sold by Henric] Feet: Footprints of Ahu Taka (!) (+15% Healing, +2 Dex, +1 Lvl2 Priest casts) ---[scripted event in Whenura Cleft at 8° 4' S, 56° 56' E] Weapon1: Magran's Favour (!) + Shield (Legendary, +2 Fire PL, 15% Firelash (heals)) ---[Kohopa's Fang: Can be looted from a corpse in the temple area] Weapon2: Thundercrack Pistol + Shield ---[Poko Kohara ruins: In a trapped crate, in the Xaurip camp to the east] Weapon3: Modwyr (!) + Shield (Superb, Immune to Charmed, Confused, Dominated, +2% AS on hit (stacks 15 times), 20% Fire/Icelash) ---[Found in the hideout in the northeast of the Old City Ruins beneath The Gullet district of Neketaka] Weapon4: Animancer's Energy Blade (!) (High armor targets) (Fine, Raw damage instead of normal, Increased attack speed) ---[spire of the Soul-Seers Loot on a mercenary during the quest Skipping Ahead] Shield: Lethandria's Devotion (!) (Superb, +1 Engagement, -25% Crit damage taken, +3HP/6sec 2.5m aura, 50% confuse/charm on incoming crit) ---[Periki's Overlook: Sold by Fassina in The Dark Cupboard] Afflictions/Inspirations -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Might: Tier1 (Holy Power) Constitution: Resistance (Iron Gut) Dexterity: n/a Perception: Resistance (Clear Head) Intellect: Resistance (Mental Fortress) Resolve: n/a Spells -=-=-=- Level 1: Restore Level 2: Withdraw Level 3: Divine Mark Level 4: Devotions for the Faithful Level 5: Searing Seal Level 6: Pillar of Holy Fire Level 7: Resurrection Level progression -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1: Lay On Hands, Holy Power 2: Deep Faith 3: Retribution 4: Zealous Aura, Withdraw 5: Weapon & Shield Style 6: Divine Purpose 7: Shared Flames, Divine Mark 8: Aegis of Loyalty 9: Combat Focus 10: Exalted Endurance, Devotions for the Faithful 11: Iron Gut 12: Clear Head 13: Mental Fortress, Searing Seal 14: Scion of Flame 15: Practiced Healer 16: Righteous Soul, Rapid Casting 17: Inspired Path 18: Spell Resistance 19: Stoic Steel, Resurrection 20: Virtuous Triumph

You ought to go into more detail on why you rated each level of abilities the way you did.

Does this build still work?

> But if you loved Bioware and whatever tropes and patterns the company follows, I suspect Pillars - which almost goes out of its way to not just be the same RPG story, and be more grounded and introspective, and ask uncomfortable questions and have intentionally imperfect solutions to hard problems - is not satisfying. 'Obsidian's stories are just too grounded, too introspective, too uncomfortable, too intentionally imperfect, for you, a Bioware drone, to find satisfying.' How convenient. This is only one or two steps away from being a Rick and Morty meme. > The Last Jedi to some extent got the same response from Star Wars fans. It subverts expectations, which is cool, but some people were attached to the kind of stories that produce those expectations. Unsurprising, given the previous paragraph, that you'd be peddling the same nonsense when it comes to that pile of dross The Last Jedi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPStG2f50v4

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. There's nothing wrong with Barbarian/Rogue, just don't play it like a class that wants to get hit/flanked.

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective. Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time. Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

Obsi just doesn't have the deep pockets for this kind of mega-dungeon

> I really enjoyed playing a Wizard Slayer in BG2 back in the day and it was really strong Lol

Are the negative reactions from pushing back the game more damaging than releasing the game in a buggy, unbalanced, unpolished state? I don't think there's anything worse than releasing your game in such a state, but there may be more to it than meets the eye, I suppose.

what difficulty are you playing on? Ive tried numerous playthroughs now with a cipher on POTD and they arent working at all. They probably would be fine on the easier difficulties On POTD they just cant be justified taking up a party slot when you take into consideration there very limited spell roster, mediocre effects and stupidly short ability duration's and they have to build up focus. And ontop of that some of there spells dont even work at the moment look at defensive mindweb, go try using defensive mindweb on POTD and see what happens. Nothing will happen you will cast a spell for aboslutely nothing because anyone taking even 1 point of damage is straight away taken out of it Completed the game on POTD Dominate in particular was instrumental in winning the final fight

> In every way that isn't a charm bot Umm... Why would you ignore charm? It's virtually the signature ability of the Cipher. Obviously if you look at everything but charm, the Cipher will be outperformed.

> I think the issue is, most encounters don't last long enough for the Cipher's primary advantage (infinite resources) to matter. Cipher can still be strong, but I've come to the realization that it will only feel that way if you're literally neglecting all of your other party members - and that's exactly what most Cipher mains will do, as Ciphers are already one of the most micromanagement-heavy classes in the game. There are other issues that make this problem something that needs to be tackled at multiple angles, but this is what it essentially boils down to. 1) The hardest encounters in the game are those that will last the longest, often. So Ciphers have a lot of power when it matters the most. 2) You don't have to 'neglect' your other party members. This is a real-time-with-pause game. Set the game to pause after each ability is cast, and simply issue a new command to your Cipher each time he finishes an ability. Or, use the AI.

Immunity to Engagement is not useless, but by itself it's hard to justify casting this over Fleet Feet, I'll admit I respecced out of this spell when I realised Fleet Feet gives almost the same bonuses.

Are we playing the same game? My Cipher/Barbarian Serafen is an integral part of my team. He deals crazy bonus damage on his physical attacks, he casts good debuff spells, and his charms/dominates win battles. Silent Scream later on is very useful for Raw damage, and Disintegration is insane. He also has infinite casts due to his replenishing resource, which is crazy powerful in longer fights.

I almost never found damage spells to be worth it unless they did Raw damage. I took Silent Scream and Disintegration because they do Raw damage and so they are useful against tough enemies. Otherwise, it's far more effective to get disables or debuff spells that last a long time, and significantly boost the damage caused by physical attacks (from the caster of the spell, even).

Hmm, I think POE1 had quite good itemization but the way that the stat bonuses functioned worked was detrimental the enjoyment of the game. As in 'oh sweet, a +3 strength belt! Oh wait, my hat gives +2 strength and +1 constitution, so this belt isn't worth equipping...' Which is pretty much fixed in Deadfire. POE1's items were quite diverse and most of them felt quite useful, as long as you could jigsaw them into your character setup.

> Adding hyperlinks in ship combat should be a good move. Yes, that would be ideal.

When I say 'completed', I mean... I used the Unity Console mod to speed things up a bit at the end because I just wanted to end the game and not spend another 15 hours grinding side quests in order to beef up my ship and upgrade my items. But anyway. My thoughts. These are all my own opinions. PROS --------- Mechanically the game is massively improved: skills and their implementation, customizable AI, UI, how PCs handle in combat, etc Graphics are amazing Performance is better than the first game Main quest is generally quite interesting, and has some pretty epic moments in my opinion (it doesn't bother me that it's short) Companions are extremely well-designed, aesthetically, and some of the voiceover work is excellent, such as Serafen (my favourite character by a mile) Itemization is vastly improved from the first game conceptually (many unique abilities instead of flat bonuses) Some music tracks are quite memorable, and the way the music system is designed is quite clever The way the main quest is told represents a quantum shift in storytelling over the first game; lots of visual storytelling (especially with the gods, excellent work there) and a lot less reliance on exposition dumps - although they are still there, you can ignore them most of the time because the main plot is very easy to understand, visually and thematically A lot of the exploration elements really work well. Discovering a random dungeon on a random island, going inside not knowing jack **** about it, discovering a quest organically... this is really good stuff. This is FAR BETTER than the usual 'go to quest NPC, get quest, go to quest location, do quest, return to quest NPC, get reward' bull****. Multi-classing feels reasonably balanced and offers a lot of customization Dialogue/conversation generally feels far, far better than the first game. Dialogue itself is a lot tighter, easier to read, more vibrant. The majority of the narrator dialogues are easier to read, or you can just ignore them if you want. So overall it's a lot better than the original, which felt bogged down by tons of impenetrable dialogue & description CONS --------- Irritating bugs, even post-1.1 Respec is too expensive given how important gold is, and is quite buggy, even post-1.1 Side quests are generally poor, feel like busywork; sharp contrast to the main quest; too much reliance on aforementioned 'quest NPC -> quest location -> quest NPC -> reward' fetch questing. Factions are boring, didn't grab my attention at all Some VO elements are lacking: Xoti's voiceover feels very out of place and the narrator gets irritating fast (and can't be turned off/down? this seems like a rather obvious oversight) Companions generally feel like wallpaper, despite having reasonably frequent interjections and banter. I didn't consider the loss of full creative control (stats, starting abilities, class selection) to be worth what they brought to the table, despite some excellent VO work. This seems contradictory, but... I felt like they were just very nice wallpaper. They didn't feel as alive as BG2 NPCs. The companion sidequests I engaged with (Serafen's and Xoti's) were distinctively lacking in vibrancy and memorable moments (I loved Serafen in spite of this). Itemization, cont.: ...but in practice a lot of these items are just garbage and will never be used; I feel sorry for the people who designed items that 99% of players will never buy because they are utter rubbish Frequently nonsensical/out-of-place disposition placement in dialogues/choices Customizable AI really needs more work, but this is somewhat forgivable given how much of a vast improvement it is over the first game Music quality is not quite as impactful as the first game, with the exception of a few tracks. The first game's music literally made me stop playing at some points and just sit there enthralled by the music. Deadfire didn't have that effect. Still, I think the music is ok. I have seen complaints about instruments not being in tune in some pieces, but I don't have the musical ear to pick up such nuance. Ship combat feels a little undeveloped, due to the lack of strategies... at least, as far as I was able to tell. Why is it that the heaviest ship in the game, The Junk, can outpace the Dyrwoodan Sloop in combat? The sloop should be able to escape a Junk encounter easily, but it can't, making ship progression essentially linear. Lack of ship combat tutorial/explanations. WTF is a 'jibe'? Oh, it means turn around? Why not just say 'turn around'? Oh well. It's very authentic, but it's disorienting.

I was worrying that Obsi were going to nerf it. It's incredibly powerful.

> I'm on my fourth restart Why?

I really think Priest works best as a multiclass. Xoti kicks ass as a Monk/Priest, so much utility combined with great damage output.

Your ignorant shaming language isn't needed or wanted. Go away.

Companions are one of the the most expensive parts of the game. Adding more companions in a patch is doubtful, especially considering there are a lot of immediate problems that need fixing such as game balance and bugs.

Isn't Obsi already doing this?

Ok, so this is awkward. I figured out why Xoti isn't casting Swift Strikes. It's because I upgraded it to Lightning Strikes, but didn't change the AI behaviour to the new ability. So Xoti can't cast Swift Strikes because she doesn't possess that ability anymore. Oopsie. The other behaviour is still occurring, though.