Stasis_Sword

VahnXIII I'm glad to hear it's going well. I had a similar character in mind I've been wanting to start. Do you mind a few questions? 1). Did you go with Wolken3156's stat distribution and talents or something else? 2). What did you do for skills (trying to figure out how to balance mechanics with other skills)? 3). What is your current party makeup and how are you managing aggro? 4). Any other comments/advice?

I think you guys/girls talked me into getting the DLC Currently lean towards one of these two options: Druid PC, Grieving Mother, Durance, Eder, Aloth, Zahua/Pellagina Monk PC, Grieving Mother, Durance, Eder, Aloth, Hiravas They look reasonable right? Any other advice/comments?

Actually that raises an important question. Am I correct that each companion has their personal quests as well as specific reactions to people, places, events? While I normally try to complete all companion quests available, I usually have a core party that I experience the important events of the game with. Trying to figure out who to include in that party was what I was thinking for question #2.

First thanks MaxQuest and Boeroer for responding. Second it seems people may be a little hesitant to answer #3 so let me ask it this way: Roughly how many hours does the DLC add, and did you find the new story worthwhile?

Hi everyone, I'm gearing up to start my first playthrough of PoE and had a few questions. I've played several infinity engine games (just finished up planescape torment). I've also read some other forum posts so I'm familiar with most of the classes/stats, but obviously lots of things have been changing recently. 1). Class recommendation. Leaning towards Druid, Melee Cipher, Rogue or Monk. I'm less interested in "best" compared to fun/interesting/interactive. I tend to like fighter/mages, bards or thieves for a mix of melee combat and tactical abilities. Also please mention any 3.0 changes that might influence my decision. 1a). Druid - Are the elemental spells fun, and how is the shape shifting? 1b). Melee Cipher - Does it make sense to have 2 ciphers (might bring Grieving Mother)? How squishy are they? 1c). Rogue - Are they tactical or more stand behind target DPS? 1d). Monk - How frequently do you get to use abilities and are they interesting (cool effects as opposed stat bonuses)? 2). Pretend their are no stats, no classes, no combat. Which 5 companions would you experience the story with (feel free to include why)? 3). In your opinion are the 2 DLCs worth getting? Roughly how many hours does the DLC add, and did you find the new story worthwhile? EDIT: I realize these questions are all subjective/opinion based and vary from person to person, but I find hearing multiple opinions helpful.

We're definitely going to start with traditional forms but we plan to expand the roster over time. I like weresharks as much (more?) than anyone, but I wouldn't put a wereshark form ahead of a werewolf or werebear. @J.E. Sawyer - I have nothing agains werebears, werewolves or weretigers except that often feel very similar. They are all furry with powerful teeth and claws, usually with only minor stat differences. I have faith that you guys will find a way to make them feel different but it's a challenge when the base creatures are so similar. Some were forms I think would be interesting: Werebat - Wings, sonic screams, seeing in darkness Wererhino - Giant horn, thick armor Werespider - Extra arms/legs, poision, webbing Weresnake - Scales, poison fangs Werescoripion - Claws, exoskeleton, giant stinger Weredrake - Wings, claws, tail, fire breathing (pretty please)

I have never played actual p&p d&d so i have a question. Do the spells in the rule book also have these nerfed limitations, or is this something that's just in the game? At least in 2nd edition the only limitation was since the character retained there own mind they did not gain powers based on supernatural intelligence. If you turned into a vampire you drained levels, if you turned into a dragon you could breath fire.

@Greydragon - I agree. Any inclusion in the main story: enemies, allies, NPCs would be great. Scenarios where the shifters special abilities could be put to use (like how thieves pick locks/disarm traps) would be great. @Arch-Mage - My concern is that the forms are often implemented as flat modifiers: dex+2, thaco+2, 1D6 claws. Great at level 1, lousy at level 15 when the warrior has 10 better thaco and deals 1D10+10 3 times a round. % based bonus may help with "natural" scaling or building levels into special abilities (firebreath level/3 D6 of damage). Spider form would be cool, I'm really excited to see what else they come up with.

@Greydragon - I would love to see that, but given that there is no guarantee the player can shapeshift I understand not having a lot of shape****ing specific content. @Prometheus - Thanks for that informative quote. The ability to cast spells while forms will help with balancing relative to other characters, but I the issues I raised in the first post still apply. There is an additional issue of distinctness, how is casting flamestrike as a were-tiger different than casting flamestrike as a were-bat? Forms don't scale - Melee damage, ability damage and defense still need to scale with other characters. 3D6 firebreath is lame if wizard is doing 20D6. One useful form - Is there a "tough" form (were-rhino) with a defense bonus that most players will use 90% of the time? Nerfed forms - Can my were-creature do all the things I think it should be able to? The requests for defensive resistances/abilities, offensive abilities and distinct appearances remain and may be even more important as differentiators.

For BG2: Unkitted druids get brown bear, black bear, wolf of which brown bear is the best. You're right that the sword spider is useful for poison damage (as the salamander is for hitting as a +3) which is why I prefer the avenger forms a lot (although even they have scaling issues). You're correct that on a certain level my requests are "basic" as I intended them to be. They're almost a don't mess it up list, which every game I played has failed to meet aspects of.

In this update it looks like a full creature: https://eternity.obsidian.net/news/update-72-death-godlike-and-expected-ship-date Or are you saying that they will be player specific forms not creatures regularly existing in the game.

I have always loved the concept of a shapeshifting. The idea of being able to morph into different creatures as the situation dictates is incredibly appealing to me. While it's been attempted in several games I feel it falls short in most of them mainly because it hasn't been thought through. Common pitfalls (to avoid): Forms don't scale Baldur's gate 2 gives you a bear form at level 7 unless you have TOB you have that same form (same AC/attacks/damage) for the entire game. In general you either need level based bonus (like monks in most games), or forms that improve/get replaced as you go. One useful form You can be a spider, bear or wolf. They are similar except the bear hits harder and has more attacks per round. Why would I ever turn into anything else? If you're going to have different forms ask yourself why/when would the player use this form. Nerfed forms You can turn into a mindflayer but you can't stun, you can't drain intelligence and are pretty much a druid who looks like a mindflayer. I understand sometimes unlocking abilities over time, but if I can turn into a form let me use it's powers. Spiders can poison, basilisks can turn things to stone, nymphs can charm ect... What's important to me: Distinct Defensive Advantages I want defensive resistances/abilities that matter. The ability to turn into a serpent and be immune to poison, or a fire elemental and walk on lava, or a creature that's skin is so tough arrows bounce off. Abilities, Abilities, Abilities I don't expect forms to be as good in melee as a well equipped berserker, but I assume that comes with the tradeoff I can do things a fighter can't. Can a werewolf howl and cause enemies to flee? Can a demon curse opponents? The ability to have unique and meaningful powers is a major part of what makes classes like this fun. Appearance matters I want forms that look cool and are interesting. Wolves are nice and all, but I want forms that are visually impressive. Creatures like: towering minotaurs, fiery elementals and trents.