Namutree

I'm sure the combat will be a bit easier once the bugs are fixed, and I'm sure it'll be more fun. I don't think though it'll make such a big difference that the game's difficulty goes down to BG2 level. I could be wrong though, and I hope I am.

Nerfing the petty enemies exclusively is simply the only solution I can think of that solves the issue. It could be that there are many ways to solve this issue I simply haven't thought of. As for why I doubt that fixing the bugs will be enough: I've already seen how dangerous the mobs are, and while the bugs are annoying; they are only a part of the problem. Why I think nerfing petty enemies is the best way to go: A) Making the trash mobs so strong that almost every petty battle requires micromanagement will almost certainly make the game much harder than BG2/IWD. Making them weaker makes them easier. B) Keep in mind that we are mid level in this beta. Usually once mid level in an IE game the trash mobs are longer a signifigant threat. This is clearly not the case in the beta. This is a major departure in terms of game pace from the IE games. My solution would make poe play more like an IE game. C) Lowering their hp by 10% assures that the battles are faster. As such; players can end the battles before they can get tedious.

Play on normal or higher and you'll see they take a bit longer to beat than on easy.

This also would be helped by lowering petty mobs hp by 10%. Fights against standard enemies are never exciting for long, and benefit from being over quickly.

I have a theory that the game's difficulty is tied to the classes players chose. So for those posting I would be grateful if you tell us what class you chose when you say the game way easy or hard.

I don't think we need to wait for the game to come out for us to have an opinion on this. It is pretty self-evident that a lack of combat xp or objective xp in favor of quest xp which is what we have actually gotten favors quest railroading. In a game about exploring; exploring should be rewarded. It shouldn't need a quest to back it up. Object xp would have been fine because things like finding a dungeon or killing that giant spider would yield xp presumably, but instead objective xp was code for quest xp. It is beyond disappointing; it is a serious threat to poe's ability to feel like an IE game.

It seems my memory was a bit off. Even so; as it stand poe is far above the IWD/BG2 range.

You keep saying things I hope are true, but I doubt they are.

I was a fighter; than Ranger. So it may be easier if I was those other classes.

Yes you do, and if you are very careful you can prevent them from overrunning your party. Again though; these are trash mobs. I shouldn't have to try so hard just to survive against them. BG2 certainly wasn't that hard where every battle was freakin' struggle if you weren't careful. Again, Josh specifically stated that poe wouldn't be harder than BG2. So he has work to do to balance the difficulty.

What class are you? Maybe some classes are just under-powered or overpowered. Making people's game experience different.

Can I ask what difficulty you are playing on? The enemies move too fast and are too tough. As a result; in order to beat them you need to use careful tactics. Consider the lions; if you just follow the path without much concern you will be swarmed by a pack of lions and almost certainly be killed on any difficulty but easy. In order to beat them you have to either bait them in small groups, or use some skillful tactics. Remember, these are trash mobs not bosses. This is not a special encounter, just a few foes meant to break up exploration. It's not that I can't beat them; it's that it requires too much effort. I'll put it this way: I like to fight Bowser, but sometimes I just wanna stomp on goombas.

In the past I asked how difficult poe was going to be. Josh said the difficulty would be about the same as BG2. After playing the beta; I suspect the game will much harder. I want to keep in mind that we didn't get talents which may make the game easier, but even so this is a little much. If trash mobs represent such a threat to a mid level party; it is much harder than any of the IE games. I feel that these mobs make the game too consistently challenging and thus are mentally draining. I suggest that the petty enemies like beetles and lions should receive a 10% hp downgrade. This will make exploring more fun since the player won't have to be super cautious that he doesn't bump into too many enemies at once. Also, this will make the petty battles less of a hassle and make special battles (Like the fight with the Ogre) feel more special. I want to stress that only petty enemies need a downgrade.

Slowing down the combat at this point would be a huge mistake. Already we have petty battles that are an ordeal. If those battles gets slower I'll have to put the game on easy just to keep my sanity. What needs to happen is movement speed across the board needs to go down 10%.

If they did that it wouldn't be much of a successor to the IE games considering all of them have a lot in common with BG.

Just add per discovery & per storybook event. Even if they didn't give a lot of xp it would make a huge difference.

I really don't want to be right, I want this game to be great. I have such high hopes for Obs future in making these games. From reading everyone's comments on the bb, the consensus is that everyone liked everything except the gameplay and it's giving me that gut wrenching feeling. I know this is a beta and far from being finished, but I also feel that Obs took an unnecessary gamble with their "make or break it" game. They could have used the same formula as the IE games, used their own story and setting and once they had the "foundation" game out, they could have branched out in the direction they wanted. I really hope it's just me and that I'm worrying for nothing. I have the same feeling. Obsidian strayed a bit too far from the IE experience and may not find their way back. I really hope they fix this.

That is exactly what Stun and few other said would be the case, lo and behold it happened. I imagine that in the full game with more quests it wouldn't be as bad, but the basic problems would still be there... To be fair some one switched the word "quest" with "objective" which while not an outright deception; does imply a different application than what we got.

This was very annoying to me. I have a giant bear, please let him tank for me. I had a giant bear too. I named her Tina.

They could also give us xp for discovering dungeons and doing events. Like... I don't know... OBJECTIVE XP! Instead; it at least seems to be quest xp only. That and tone down the difficulty of filler encounters.

Neat video. Also, you should work for Obsidian.

I'm not sure which side is right in this case, but I do know I don't want the US involved. Ukraine is not a full member of NATO and thus we aren't obligated to protect it. This issue is none of our business and I hope we lift the petty sanctions we put on Russia. The last thing the world needs is for Russia and the US to be at odds with each other.

I agree completely that Obama has done a good of changing people's perception; all I was saying is that Obama is the same as previous presidents in truth. He just presents himself differently.

This game has serious functional issues as it is. The last thing Obsidian needs to worry about is making sure the animations are neat.

This is my biggest concern. I feel like combat could become a real chore if every fight is such an ordeal. I might just play the game on easy while exploring, and whenever I get into a fight that is important; I'll turn the difficulty back up.