[game] Pillars of Eternity RPG by makers of Baldur's Gate

Its kinda like those strategy games. Starcraft, Civilization etc...

 

The battle system looks way too slow for me to enjoy. Judging from that battle in the video it will take hours to kill a boss. If it was more like Diablo 2 that would have been cool.

 

I noticed the same thing. The writing is pretty good, but I've only played a few minutes into it. I just got into Gilded Vale or whatever that town is called. After playing a Wizard, I'm not sure how much I like it. Either I don't understand or there's way too damn much resting involved to solo with this class. lol. It's like I can use my spells a couple of times and that's it. I have to rest. And to rest, you need equipment that gets used up. And yes, I find myself dying as a solo character but maybe I shouldn't be attempting some of the stuff I'm attempting yet. Anyhow, I guess I'll continue as a wizard for now.

 

Wizards are weak. The spell cap per rest sucks and once you are done with those you are useless...rest again.

I would rather go with a druid.

That being said, what the heck are you doing trying to solo with a low level wizard?? You are doing it wrong! lol

Personally, I am trying to find out how to make the best tank to start off with.

Either Paladin or Fighter.

 

lol. I know solo'ing with a mage in any game is probably lame, but I figured this early in the game the fights would be a pushover just so you'd at least get the hang of your class, but crap - I'm getting my tail handed to me by a damn bear. I've barely started playing and am already looking for help. The spell cap really sucks, but I've always loved playing a mage/battlemage in most RPG's. I could try something else, I guess, but not sure what yet. I'll play a bit more just to try the wizard out a bit more, but it's looking like I'll end up being something else.

 

I think that's why many classic RPG players hate Diablo and call it more of an arcade game or a "mindless clickfest". I personally like Diablo, but also like more of the classic RPG's like Ultima, the BG series, or like this one's shaping up to be. Given the choice, I'll take a Baldur's Gate game over any of the Diablo games, though.

 

Yeah, you definitely shouldn't try to solo for very long as a wizard. Wizards are useful, but really only as part of a team. Too squishy (well, unless you pumped points into CON, PER, DEX, etc., instead of INT, RES, etc.). The rest limit is a downside (didn't like that with previous "D&D" style games either), but wizards are really good at AOE/crowd control. Make sure to invest in Slicken (either for your wizard, or the wizard companion).

The bear is actually pretty challenging (maybe one of the toughest enemies in Act 1, especially in close combat), and unless you had maybe a fighter (with good equipment), I'm not sure you can take it on by yourself. At least it's somewhat optional (only part of a sidequest IIRC).

There are two "free" companions in Gilded Vale: a wizard and a fighter. Plus if you collected enough stuff, you can probably create another companion at the Inn, bringing your party up to 4 members. You can create more, though there are also 3 other "free" companions you can get before you finish Act 1, putting you at 6+ (and you can only have 6 total in your party).

I've been going with a chanter tank, which I mentioned earlier. It really is a powerful build. My deflection and defense values are so high, enemies can rarely do any significant damage. Meanwhile, I'm (passively) buffing the party, doing some melee damage, and summoning skeletons/phantoms to aid in the battle. I kind of alluded to this already, but I got through Act 1 today. I still have some sidequests to do, and I'd like to mess with my stronghold more, so I haven't completely wrapped up everything possible in Act 1. I've been playing on Hard just because I don't want to miss any items in the game (I usually play on Easy/Normal), and I actually haven't found it that difficult so far (I'm sure things ramp up in Act II and beyond though). Borderline easy actually (I haven't even tried enchanting), though I've been cheesing the AI sometimes. FYI, if you find big groups of enemies together, you can attack one from afar, then run away. At some point the AI will quit following you, and you can just rinse and repeat, reducing the numbers until things are more manageable.

Definitely enjoying the game. The writing is impressive. I'm actually more interested in the storyline than I was anticipating. It took a while to figure out and get used to, but I'm enjoying the gameplay mechanics as well. It is more micromanagement than most might be used to from other RPGs, but once you get used to it, fights don't take that long (at least not yet). Loving the graphics and overall presentation.

edit: If anyone is curious, I've put in around ~15 hours. I'd expect future acts to take a bit longer. The 40-60 hour estimates seem fairly accurate, especially if you want to complete sidequests, upgrade the stronghold, and go through the bonus dungeon. Actually, might even be well past 60 hours with all of that.

 

Thanks, RC. I did pick up 2 characters in Gilded Vale, but haven't gone to battle with them or anything yet. I'm somewhat relieved that resting at Inns can be free. I'm also starting to understand the game mechanics of the wizard a bit better, I think. I'm going to continue playing him. My problem initially was still thinking like this was a solo RPG instead of realizing I'd be controlling a party like "in the old days". lol. I think I'll be alright. I think I need to go back and take care of that bear first ...

 

And I believe I read that the lower level spells will turn into per encounter instead of per rest when you get higher level.

 

What classes do you all use in your group.

I am thinking about
Druid (me)
Barbarian
Fighter
Rogue
Ranger
priest

However. I want to use the cipher. But not at the expense of the ranger or rogue.

Also i want a healer. But i am not a fan of the priest. Does the chanter also heal? And ia it a good suppporting class.

 

Some bosses in D2 took hours to beat too, if you were lucky enough for Uber Diablo to pop up in your game.

 

Chanters have a passive ability that regenerates 0.8/2.8 (depending on talents I think) endurance for anyone in the party nearby. It's not much, but it's something. Other than that, they don't have any healing abilities I believe (none of their phrases or invocations involve healing IIRC).

Right now, I've just had my chanter and the 5 companions from Act 1. So:
Chanter - Me, tanking and summoning (plus party support through chants I guess)
Fighter companion - dealing damage and knocking down enemies with knockout
Chanter companion - mostly for range damage/support+more summoning, unlike my tank role
Priest companion - range damage+support
Wizard companion - crowd control/range attacks (lots of Slicken), super squishy
Ranger companion - Range damage/crippling, but the pet joins the fighter in doing damage up front

Before the Ranger, I had a Monk, which I was treating as a tank. That worked out pretty well too, but I think he needs some more levels before he becomes more useful. I'm a little worried about his fists damage not scaling as I go further in the game, but I am trying for the "burning monk tank" build, so maybe it won't be too bad.

There's a Cipher in Act 2 I believe, and I'd like to try her out. A Cipher was my second choice. I can probably replace the 2nd chanter in my party, and maybe the priest/ranger. The priest is useful at times (especially against undead I believe?), but I don't really need much healing/buffs. My party right now usually tries to avoid getting hit too much, so I don't worry too much about healing.

FYI, the Raedic quest line available in Act 1 can really net you a lot of loot and money. I spent most of the day on that quest today, and I was amazed at how much I collected.

 

Can skill points be saved? Or do you have to use them all on each level or else you lose them?

 

They carry over to the next level. Or I'm about 90% sure they do. Pretty sure that's the only way to get really high values in some skills.

 

I'm just taking whatever NPC's want to join at the moment, so I have a fighter, 2 wizards (I'm one of them), and a priest at the moment. Needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of another meat shield. lol.

 

so, would you guys recommend it?

 

Only if you like classic RPGs.
Its a great game, but I can see how not everyone might like turn based RPGs.

 

You are right, I was thinking of Divinity Original Sin's system.