Pillars of Eternity

[+Asmodai MVC]

I'm a bit surprised there isn't already a topic on this.  Is no one here playing it?

 

I'm a kickstarter backer but I don't have loads of time right now so I haven't had much of a chance to play it yet.  It's been getting great reviews though and I've overall enjoyed what I have managed to play so far but I'm not too far in.  I'm still at the first town and currently working on the Raedrics Hold quest.  I don't even have a Keep yet (there as UI button for it so I guess it's a big deal)

 

Having played D&D in it's various forms since the early 80s (pen and paper) as well as tons of various cRPG adaptions I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around this ones games mechanics.  My mind wants it to work like Baldurs Gate and D&D in general but it clearly doesn't.  For example I don't get what weapons and such I should equip on my people.  Is there an advantage to having a single weapon in one hand and leaving the other empty? Are there penalties for dual wielding?  Is it better to dual wield two smaller weapons (daggers for example) or a large and a small (sword + dagger) or is it fine to dual wield two large (two swords)?  Is this all explained somewhere I totally missed?

 

The weapon groups they have make no sense to me.  For example Rod and Scepter are in the "Noble" weapon group but Wand is in "Adventurer"... these are all "wizardy" weapons to me.  Maybe I'm just supposed to throw out those preconcieved notions though... so should my Wizard be running around with a hunters bow instead?

 

The priest NPC I got comes with a special Quarterstaff which is in the "Peasant" group but his faith talent gives him a bonus to swords which is in the "Knight" group.  The fighter I got comes with the "Ruffian" weapon skill that covers Sabre, Stiletto, Club, Pistol, and Blunderbuss.  All the melee weapons in that list are all one handed so I gave him a shield in the other hand since he's my "tank" but I really have no idea if that's actually a good idea in this system or not.  I could go on but hopefully this illustrates my issue.  Again I just feel like this should be explained more clearly than it has been or perhaps it was but I just totally missed where that was.

 

The difficulty seems to be all over the place too.  I breezed through everything until the first town.  Once there I got slaughtered attempting the ruins in town so I went and did more side quests (which is fine) and then went back once I had another level and gained another party member (so far so good).  Now I'm doing Raedrics Hold and I've breezed through most of it until the end which I don't even seem to stand a chance at... if I wasn't high enough level for this it would have been nice to clue me in with some difficulty in the other battles (I even found secrets, unlocked doors, etc. making me think I'm in the right level range) but the final battle is one an entirely different difficulty scale.  So I'm hoping I just missed something and I'm going to look around the keep some more but if that's not the case then it's going to suck if I have to backtrack after pretty much clearing the entire place but the final room and then come back later after I've leveled some more... (not even sure how I'd do that though since this was my last side quest left anyway... the game doesn't give XP for battles)

 

I'm not looking for spoilers here I'm mainly just wondering of other peoples experience is in any way similar and hoping that maybe I just missed something that explains how some of this stuff (game mechanics) works.  Most of the stuff on the net I see just seems to be endless praise (which again, I do like the game) and I could of course get spoilers for where I'm stuck by just watching youtube videos and such but I don't want specific solutions spoon fed to me I'm just wondering if there is some general game concept I missed or some misunderstanding of the games systems I'm falling victim to or something.

 

[JonathanVP]

I just finished DAI and I decided to take a look at Pillars of Eternity. It is similar to The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing and so far I am enjoying it! Yes, there are issues, and one needs to get the latest patch to fix the still prevalent bugs. I am working on the missions in Defiance Bay. One major issue I do find with the game is that game balance is still not right. One can get killed with minor level enemies. There is a steep learning curve and you definitely need to learn to enchant and suit up your players correctly. Also, the game direction can use some work and repeating old areas can get very tedious (the Endless Paths of Ol Nua). Another thing is the way inventory is setup. I have 9 pages of junk that I collected during the game and still more to go! It is a very fun game despite its limitations!

[+Asmodai MVC]

I just finished DAI and I decided to take a look at Pillars of Eternity.

That was the last game I finished as well, rofl. I played DAI on the PS4 though and I have PoE on PC (from GoG).

It is similar to The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing and so far I am enjoying it!

I'm enjoying it overall as well but again I'm not very far in. I've never even heard of The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing.

Yes, there are issues, and one needs to get the latest patch to fix the still prevalent bugs.

I don't believe I've ran into any bugs and I think I do have the latest patch. I didn't even start playing the game until the after the patch that fixed the double click item passive ability loss bug so I luckily missed out on that fun.

I am working on the missions in Defiance Bay.

Haven't even been there yet.

There is a steep learning curve and you definitely need to learn to enchant and suit up your players correctly.

THIS is my problem. Where am I supposed to do this learning? How do I know if I'm suiting up my players "correctly"? Do they seriously expect you to scour the internet and watch youtube videos to figure out how to play the game? Is there tutorial information that I missed?

Also, the game direction can use some work and repeating old areas can get very tedious (the Endless Paths of Ol Nua).

No idea what this is. Probably just haven't gotten to it yet. Again I'm still in the first town.

Another thing is the way inventory is setup. I have 9 pages of junk that I collected during the game and still more to go!

I think you're supposed to sell that, rofl. I had the opposite issue in that I didn't get that you had basically limitless storage at first so I was dropping a lot of junk so I was hard pressed for money.

I knew the stash existed but I thought it was for crafting and quest items only until eventually I actually clicked on it and realized that you could put weapons and armor and other things in there as well.

I don't really MIND this, once you understand how it works it's fine it just would have been nice for them to explain it more clearly from the start. You probably be selling your junk every time you get to a store instead of letting it build up so much.

Now I just try to keep the best weapon of each type I have and for armor I keep the best of each type with a different graphic and sell everything else. They give you A TON of the same weapons, armor, etc. and selling it all is my primary source of income.

It is a very fun game despite its limitations!

I agree! Again I don't want to make it seem like the games not fun. I'm not mad or disappointed in it. I just have this nagging feeling of confusion despite the fun, a feeling that I'm just not quite grasping something about how the games systems work.

[+illumination Subscriber²]

I also backed them on Kickstarter. Haven't had time yet, but planning on taking a look soon. I still have Wasteland 2 to play too, so lots to keep me busy.

[+Zagadka Subscriber²]

Wish I had the monies, but it is definitely on my to play list. Miss those old more pure RPGs.

[+Asmodai MVC]

I also backed them on Kickstarter. Haven't had time yet, but planning on taking a look soon. I still have Wasteland 2 to play too, so lots to keep me busy.

 

I too have Wasteland 2 yet to play (backed on Kickstarter, delivered through gog.com).  I was actually going to play that first but I was finishing up DAI and they announced the upcoming move to Unity 5 and Game of the Year version so I figured I'd just wait for that to get started.  I also backed Torment: Tides of Numenera which will probably be out before I finish both PoE and Wastelands 2 so I've got a nice selection of PC RPGs queued up. (Not to mention Witcher 3 coming out soon)

[+illumination Subscriber²]

I too have Wasteland 2 yet to play (backed on Kickstarter, delivered through gog.com).  I was actually going to play that first but I was finishing up DAI and they announced the upcoming move to Unity 5 and Game of the Year version so I figured I'd just wait for that to get started.  I also backed Torment: Tides of Numenera which will probably be out before I finish both PoE and Wastelands 2 so I've got a nice selection of PC RPGs queued up. (Not to mention Witcher 3 coming out soon)

 

Yup, backed Tides of Numenera too. Lots to keep me busy 

[spaceelf]

I liked the world design but the gameplay....  Wasteland 2 doesn't even have that going for it.  I guess this old remake stuff is just not for me.

[+Asmodai MVC]

I liked the world design but the gameplay....  Wasteland 2 doesn't even have that going for it.  I guess this old remake stuff is just not for me.

 

I'm curious as to what specifically about the gameplay you don't like if you don't mind elaborating.

[Osiris]

Very fun game, think I got over 30 hours from it my play through. 

 

The game isn't 100% polished and certainly some things that could be improved but very enjoyable story, characters and combat none the less.

 

Its a shame they didn't split the priest or pally into defence/offence classes, would like to play an evil priest or pally but too supporty not enough attack - cypher was my main and one of the more fun classes due to the lesser restrictions, the resting bonus for wizards was painful.

 

Eitherway if you like old school rpg's or games like Divinity Original Sin, this is right up there.

[spaceelf]

I'm curious as to what specifically about the gameplay you don't like if you don't mind elaborating.

 

I'm only going from what I've been told here, but from what I know there's basically a complete lack of combat AI for anything but the party members basic attack.  Sure, that might have made sense in the period this game was modelled after but now?  I expect capable party members to heal when people need healing, at the very least.  That should never be something I have to micromanage.

 

With that and having to roll your own party members just to get through one of the first dungeons the game just feels a bit too awkward.  I'm sure I'll get back to it someday (as I said I enjoy the world design so far,) but I have plenty of other things to play at the moment.

[+Asmodai MVC]

I'm only going from what I've been told here, but from what I know there's basically a complete lack of combat AI for anything but the party members basic attack.  Sure, that might have made sense in the period this game was modelled after but now?  I expect capable party members to heal when people need healing, at the very least.  That should never be something I have to micromanage.

You're right then, this type game is apparently not your thing. That is true but it's not a flaw in the game it's how it's designed to be. It's a party based game where you can make your entire party if you like and you control everyone not just your main character. The whole pause thing is so you can give orders to everyone. It's not like they implemented party AI and it just stinks so bad that you are forced to "micromanage" them anyway. The game is designed specifically for you to "micromanage" your party and some people (myself included) actually enjoy that. If you don't that's fine but you're right... it's probably not your type of game then.

With that and having to roll your own party members just to get through one of the first dungeons the game just feels a bit too awkward.

I don't think this is true. I'm still early in the game so maybe I'm mistaking what you're referring to but I haven't rolled any party members other than my main character and I've been doing ok up until the boss fight Raedrics hold.

If you're talking about the ruined temple in the first town you can't just plow through it when you first get through town but you're mistaken if you think you have to fill out your party by rolling up NPCs. The game doesn't scale difficulty so in this instance and throughout the game you will run into tasks that are just too hard for you at the current level. What you're supposed to do when that happens is leave and come back later when you've got more experneice, better gear, and yeah possibly more followers but you shouldn't HAVE to roll any up. I and a lot of others don't like everything scaling so nothing is ever too hard and it's refreshing to find something that kicks your butt but then come back later and crush it. It gives a sense of accomplishment and growth instead of just rolling through everything in the game as it scales to whatever you are at the moment. I tried the first ruin in the town, got beaten pretty bad, did other side quests (along the way found another NPC that I didn't have to roll up) and then went back and didn't have any issues with it. That's GREAT IMHO and how it should work.

My issue with Raedrics Hold is that unlike that temple ruin which advertised it's difficulty right away (I had some trouble with the mobs right away, couldn't detect or disarm the traps, didn't find the secrets, etc. so it was clear I wasn't high enough level) Raedrics Hold seems to mislead you into thinking you're of the right level (I've found secrets, found all the traps and disarmed most of them, and haven't had any major issue with the mob fights) then all of a sudden you get all the way to the end and realize you've got no chance against the final fight... I don't mind coming back after I level some but if I'm not high enough level they should clue me in before the very last fight in a rather long mission (the keep isn't tiny and it takes a while to sneak all around it). But again, I may not even be playing it right myself and maybe if my people were set up properly (whatever that means... I'm having trouble grasping the systems) the last fight wouldn't be to hard either.

[spaceelf]

 I tried the first ruin in the town, got beaten pretty bad, did other side quests (along the way found another NPC that I didn't have to roll up) and then went back and didn't have any issues with it.

Me too.  Those other quests just happened to be in other games.  

[+Asmodai MVC]

I am working on the missions in Defiance Bay.

I got to Defiance Bay this weekend and am currently running side missions through it. I prefer the more dungeon/outdoors missions to the city ones but that's just a personal preference and not anything wrong with the game.

There is a steep learning curve and you definitely need to learn to enchant and suit up your players correctly.

I'm still having trouble with this. Despite being farther in the game I still don't feel like I have any sense at all as to what "correctly" is. I have no feel what so ever as to what is a good balance between speed and protection for the various character classes.

How heavy of armor should a wizard wear? Well my NPC Wizard came with special armor with his name on it that is heavier than I would have thought a Wizard would use based on D&D and such so I just leave that on him... (and enchant it to make it better)

My priest I don't know if I should throw on heavy armor or not either (in D&D priests where heavy armor but this isn't D&D so I'm not sure what's good here).

The priest NPC I have came with a special Quarterstaff which is from the "Peasant" weapon focus but his faith (Magran) gets the "Inspired Flame" talent that buffs Sword ("Knight" focus) and Arquebus ("Soldier" focus) so his weapon selection seems like a train wreck.

It's also odd to me because of all people my Priest has the highest mechanics skill so my priest is the one who detects and disarms traps as well as finding secrets. (doesn't seem very priestly to me but the NPC came with high mechanics and I figured I should embrace it instead of trying to backfill)

I have no idea what is good for armor or weapons for a Chanter. I'm not even super clear what that is but in my mind I try to equate it to a D&D Bard.

I finally noticed the "Blast" ability on my wizard that gives them a bonus when using a Scepter, Wand, or Rod but I still find it odd that Wand is in the "Adventurer" weapon focus while Rod and Scepter are in the "Noble" one.

Also, the game direction can use some work and repeating old areas can get very tedious (the Endless Paths of Ol Nua).

Finally got here as well and I think that Endless Paths thing is just the stretch goal dungeon that they kept adding levels to at various milestones. As such the whole thing can probably be skipped as it's just an "extra" but since you don't get xp for fighting and you do for new maps (dungeon levels) as such it's a good place to go "grind" if you find yourself to weak to go on in the main quest.

I've only done like the first level of it then left for Defiance Bay but I may go back later.

[+Asmodai MVC]

cypher was my main and one of the more fun classes due to the lesser restrictions, the resting bonus for wizards was painful.

lesser restrictions? resting bonus for wizards?

[Osiris]

* poorly worded.

 

Lesser restrictions in the sense that wizards can only use x number of spells per (spell) level, cyphers spells/abilities in contrast are limited only by the "mana" they generate over the course of encounters.  Resting penalty for wizards (not bonus), eg to get back to their full use of x number of spells, wizards need to rest - in contrast to the cypher which only needs to rest due to fatigue, like all classes.

[+Asmodai MVC]

So I never got out of Defiance Bay... my whole uncertainty on how things worked left me open for distraction and when Witcher III came out my gf took over the computer and I moved to the PS4 and started working on Arkham Knight.   Now she's moved back to yet another run through of Dragon Age: Inquisition on the PS4 and I've been playing Shadowrun: Hong Kong but it looks like today they've released the first expansion for PoE: The White March - Part 1.  Seeing as I haven't even finished the main game I'm not sure if I should go ahead and buy the expansion or not.  My understanding is that it adds a lot of new stuff to even the main game but there seems to be some confusion on what ONLY comes with the expansion and what will come even to the main game without the expansion via the latest patch.  Anyone else still following this game?

[spaceelf]

Anyone else still following this game?

Sort of?  The patch added the companion AI I needed so I'm tempted to play again.  Just...in the middle of so much stuff.  I need to stop buying games entirely to catch up. 

[Osiris]

Bit disappointed at the implementation of the new expansion/DLC.  Wish it continued on or was implemented differently, as many reviewers have said its not motivating to load a mid game save of a game you've finished already. 

Great news for people who haven't finished or haven't played the game yet, a lot of the updates in general look solid. 

Since DoS2 isn't out till late next year might revisit this at some point after WM part 2 is also released.