Current Events > Does Pillars of Eternity get better past that sea town in chapter 2?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I was actually having fun with it but then I got to that sea town in chapter 2 and things started to fall apart. I got kinda tired of just running between the districts and the fact that the quest descriptions became more ambiguous, I was having a harder time keeping track of where I was supposed to go / finding things. It was weird since everything up to that point felt pretty clear.

POE2 is coming out soon though and it looks cool with the ship system (I love ships in games >_>), but I know I shouldn't play it without beating 1 first. Just don't know if it's gonna be a slog for the rest of the game.
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I think that's the only city area of that type in the game. I also dislike the "talk to everybody in a town and get all the quests" trope in RPGs, it feels very tedious. They tried to evoke Baldur's Gate but it doesn't have the same appeal. It's mostly open areas and dungeons after that city.
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Buzz Killjoy posted...

I think that's the only city area of that type in the game. I also dislike the "talk to everybody in a town and get all the quests" trope in RPGs, it feels very tedious. They tried to evolve Baldur's Gate but it doesn't have the same appeal. It's mostly open areas and dungeons after that city.

So I should enjoy it more, this is great news.

As an aside, do you have any insight into the dungeon underneath the player-owned fortress? I attempted it when I first discovered it and I got destroyed by the first boss there. I'm wondering if that's due to me sucking at the game, or if it's meant to be conquered later in the game?

Thanks a lot for your answer!!
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That dungeon has 15 floors that get progressively harder with a pretty tough boss fight at the bottom. You can leave and come back later if it's too hard. I think I completed it at level 11.

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Buzz Killjoy posted...

That dungeon has 15 floors that get progressively harder with a pretty tough boss fight at the bottom. You can leave and come back later if it's too hard. I think I completed it at level 11.

I mean is the first one (IIRC it was a dragon of some kind) supposed to be hard to beat when you first encounter it?

Ugh maybe I should just get back into this and beat it.
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I had to read about a little bit because I couldn't remember what dragon you were talking about. There is a dragon you can get to prematurely by jumping into a pit on level 2 that takes you straight to level 5. If that's what you did, you might be better off using the stairs to do the floors in order.

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Buzz Killjoy posted...

I had to read about a little bit because I couldn't remember what dragon you were talking about. There is a dragon you can get to prematurely by jumping into a pit on level 2 that takes you straight to level 5. If that's what you did, you might be better off using the stairs to do the floors in order.

Shoot alright, that's exactly what I did. Didn't realize there were stairs!! Thank you very much for the clarification.

Kind of excited to get back into this. Normally since I haven't played in a few months, but I also remember it taking several hours to get to that point so I'll probably just pick up where I left off.
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There is one other city-like hub later in the game, so you might run into a similar issue with that.

As a general tip regarding combat in PoE, managing buffs and, especially, debuffs is key to victory in tough fights. Hitting enemies with Blind and hard knockdowns is especially crippling to them.

Guess what Wizard and Cipher each have access to? Wizards have a Chilling Fog level one spell that both deals frost damage and blinds the enemies in the cloud. Super effective if you can utilize a decent choke point. Ciphers have a spell that can knockdown all enemies in a cone in front of the target you cast it on.
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I will keep that in mind. Would you suggest I start over with a Wizard main or is it enough to just reconfigure my allies?

Thank you.
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Hexenherz posted...

I will keep that in mind. Would you suggest I start over with a Wizard main or is it enough to just reconfigure my allies?

Thank you.

I don't know which allies you're using, but I can tell you my basic party configuration when I played.

MC - Kind Wayfarer Paladin (off-tank, burst damage, off heals)
Eder - Fighter (main tank)
Aloth - Wizard (debuffs and damage)
Grieving Mother - Cipher (debuffs and damage)
Durance - Priest (heals and buffs)
Sagani - Ranger

I built my Paladin to be a sort of dps/off-tank hybrid. He mostly used a Greatsword and was built for burst Fire damage, but his Paladin defensive perks and switching to a weapon + shield let him pick up enemies Eder didn't have a hold on. Having a second tank was helpful on a lot of fighter. Kind Wayfarer was really nice because it had two talents that heal the party's endurance: one that heals when he kills a target and one when he uses Flames of Devotion.

I list Sagani because she was in my party most often, but the sixth slot was really a rotating spot for whoever I felt like bringing at the time. The other members were the mains.
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Dang maybe I'll restart and follow that configuration, especially if it's easy to use. I was more attracted to the general style of gameplay and story but I am terrible at these traditional CRPGs.
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What kind of party composition have you been using? You don't have to mirror mine, it's just what I found worked well for me.

I like the Paladin archetypes and Kind Wayfarer was the kind of class kit I like. Heals his allies as he kills his enemies. It just so happens that the Paladin specialized talent increases his defensive stats if you role play the proper disposition. If you want to be a good guy, go Kind Wayfarer, if you want to be a bad guy go Bleak Walker, etc.
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The auto-healing aspect of that class at least appeals to me.

It's been a while so I am kind of wasting your time at this point by even pretending to remember what I was using :\
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If you're new to RPG's I don't think any class makes the game easy for that first stretch. I picked Cipher who seems to be one of the more overpowered classes and I still had a tough time for that first stretch of the game (I took a while to get through levels 1-5 in Caed Nua). It was around where you're up to the game started to get a bit easier to wrap my head around and more tactics were available. Now it's a lot easier to get though. I don't think restarting will help you much if you're tempted to quit.

I'm up to Twin Elms and I've been tempted to stop a few times too. But when you progress the main plot I know I'm making the right choice to stick around.
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I'm also spoiled by games where you can level up to like 60 or 100, and it seems like in PoE the max level is ... 13 or 15? I don't remember now, but it's significantly lower. It feels like regardless of how far I get in the game, I'll never reach that point where I can go back to an earlier area (like the dungeon of the stronghold) and be able to just strongarm my way through everything, if that makes sense. That could be completely wrong, since maybe the level doesn't play as big of a role as the equipment.

I appreciate your time and information here, by the way!
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cipher and chanter are both pretty easy imo
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You get Aloth for a wizard really early in the game, so I don't think you necessarily need another wizard. If you have the DLC as well, you can get one of each class in the game, not including your own character. Unless you're seriously not enjoying how your character plays, I'd say just stick with it.

What class is your character anyways? You should be able to build a decent team around them no matter what.

Barbarian (MC), Fighter, Priest, Wizard, Ranger, Chanter is my set up (I loaded it up just for you >_>). IIRC it's set to Easy difficulty, above the "Storytelling" option.

I don't necessarily find the game to be difficult, but I did find it started to drag at Defiance Bay.
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Yeah, your party seems fine. Honestly, I felt that Defiance Bay was also one of the weaker elements of the first game, especially since they didn't do much with whatever faction you side with to progress the story. I would just trudge through it.

IIRC both your priest and the cipher you can get both have quests that seem to progress the longer you have them in your party. If you're going for all the sidequests you can possibly get, I'd say you should side someone out for Grieving Mother temporarily, at least until you finish her quest (if you care to, obviously).

I don't even know if I should go for all the side quests at this point.

When I loaded the game up I looked at the journal and was a bit lost at ... well, everything xfd. I guess I can just look up a guide to at least get back on the right track.
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Hexenherz posted...

I'm also spoiled by games where you can level up to like 60 or 100, and it seems like in PoE the max level is ... 13 or 15? I don't remember now, but it's significantly lower. It feels like regardless of how far I get in the game, I'll never reach that point where I can go back to an earlier area (like the dungeon of the stronghold) and be able to just strongarm my way through everything, if that makes sense. That could be completely wrong, since maybe the level doesn't play as big of a role as the equipment.

I appreciate your time and information here, by the way!

You do get to a point where enemies are easier to manage, but it's not in quite the way it would be in a JRPG where you can steamroll early game content through sheer stat inflation.

It's more because of access to more spells and skills, better gear, and a better understanding of combat mechanics. Getting access to some of the powerful unique gear and weapons does make a big difference, of course.

Granted, if you're playing on Easy, you should be able to breeze through the content with little effort. So, if you're not finding it too difficult but are just bored with the game, I don't know how to help you.

Also, the dungeon under your stronghold is a big side quest akin to Watchers Keep in BG2. You don't have to do it and its designed to get progressively more difficult the deeper you go.
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I never got far in Baldur's Gate 2, either >_>.

Would you say I'm supposed to be able to clear the stronghold dungeon with ease on Easy or is it still going to be a challenge?

Thanks so much for the detailed responses by the way, certainly helps me comprehend some of this stuff when I'm so used to approaching it from a JRPG or MMO mindset.
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Hexenherz posted...

I never got far in Baldur's Gate 2, either >_>.

Would you say I'm supposed to be able to clear the stronghold dungeon with ease on Easy or is it still going to be a challenge?

Thanks so much for the detailed responses by the way, certainly helps me comprehend some of this stuff when I'm so used to approaching it from a JRPG or MMO mindset.

I can understand. Baldur's Gate isn't necessarily very friendly to newcomers. There is a lot to keep track of in that game.

I never played through PoE on Easy mode. I only played Hard mode and there was only two big fights that I can remember being a bit challenging. The final battle of Caed Nua and the final battle of the main game, but I came to PoE having played a lot of Baldur's Gate, which was less forgiving than PoE.

Easy mode should be very light on the challenge, even the optional dungeon.
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Guess I'm just a scrub. Hopefully playing a little bit more will make it easier. If I remember right my key problem there was that fight with the dragony thing after you jump into the pit. I tried stunning or paralyzing it and it never worked.
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I think I'm gonna restart...

It's gonna be like Morrowind (I restarted that like fifty times before I played it thoroughly) and Dead Rising >_>.
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I restarted as a Paladin, we'll see how this goes >_>. Decided to go for the... Kind Wayfarers? order, since I usually play as a good guy anyway.

Already experienced something new... In the past, when I've restarted (again, started like a dozen times), I've always had the dialogue with the guy getting injured in the beginning and then the one chick is like "we gotta leave him behind" and then you have to choose to leave him or let her go. But this time ... I guess he didn't get injured and now I have both of them.

So this is probably gonna be the one >_>.
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Somehow I actually got really stupid lucky and made it past that Drake boss on my second try.

So now I am actually exploring a little bit more. This is exciting.
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Level 11 of the path is kicking my behind in, bad. There are these things that summon rain blights that just evaporate my endurance :\
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Hexenherz posted...

I restarted as a Paladin, we'll see how this goes >_>. Decided to go for the... Kind Wayfarers? order, since I usually play as a good guy anyway.

Already experienced something new... In the past, when I've restarted (again, started like a dozen times), I've always had the dialogue with the guy getting injured in the beginning and then the one chick is like "we gotta leave him behind" and then you have to choose to leave him or let her go. But this time ... I guess he didn't get injured and now I have both of them.

So this is probably gonna be the one >_>.

How did you build your Paladin?

You want a Kind Wayfarer to be able to deal a decent deal of burst damage to finish off enemies that are low on health. Strange Mercy skill restores endurance to allies when the Paladin deals a killing blow. So, Might and Perception are a bit important.

And, yeah, your stats can effect the outcomes of those roleplaying skits.
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I honestly balanced the stats mostly through what the game recommended for Paladins, so he's not like super strong. I do use Strange Mercy and the Zealous Focus modal.

Just made it to the bottom of the Endless Paths and got utterly destroyed in one hit by the dragon lmao.

Also I love that this slave trader came to my castle and I ordered him executed and his slaves freed and I just got a notification that he is angry that I freed his slaves, even though he's dead >_>
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So once I hit Act 3 (who knows how long that will take) should I just immediately start White March or should I finish it while I'm in Act 2 still?
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Ugh, somehow I got "deceptive" :\
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Hexenherz posted...

I honestly balanced the stats mostly through what the game recommended for Paladins, so he's not like super strong. I do use Strange Mercy and the Zealous Focus modal.

Just made it to the bottom of the Endless Paths and got utterly destroyed in one hit by the dragon lmao.

Also I love that this slave trader came to my castle and I ordered him executed and his slaves freed and I just got a notification that he is angry that I freed his slaves, even though he's dead >_>

Did you just focus on the stronghold dungeon? You must have a lot of time to play, you seem to be making a lot of progress.

Hexenherz posted...

Ugh, somehow I got "deceptive" :\

Don't lie to people.
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I bought this game on sale and haven't played it yet, it's been like 5 or 6 months.
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Esrac posted...

Hexenherz posted...

I honestly balanced the stats mostly through what the game recommended for Paladins, so he's not like super strong. I do use Strange Mercy and the Zealous Focus modal.

Just made it to the bottom of the Endless Paths and got utterly destroyed in one hit by the dragon lmao.

Also I love that this slave trader came to my castle and I ordered him executed and his slaves freed and I just got a notification that he is angry that I freed his slaves, even though he's dead >_>

Did you just focus on the stronghold dungeon? You must have a lot of time to play, you seem to be making a lot of progress.

Hexenherz posted...

Ugh, somehow I got "deceptive" :\

Don't lie to people.

Lol I haven't been lying at all. It happened some time in Dyrford Village. And yes I've been playing almost non-stop the past three days, my wife and her mom have just been hanging out going shopping and stuff. Will probably go to the zoo today so less time >_>.

MabusIncarnate posted...

I bought this game on sale and haven't played it yet, it's been like 5 or 6 months.

I don't know what your experience with isometric CRPGs is. As you saw ITT I have like none, and therefore I think it can be sometimes difficult to get into this game, but there's something so friggin' addicting about it. I am literally playing on Easy because I suck at these games (I can not grasp how someone could get this "Triple Crown SOLO" achievement... let alone even playing on the harder difficulties >_>), so the combat itself is more or less straightforward except for a few battles. But otherwise I am hooked on all the different situations you encounter and the options you have to resolve them.
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Hexenherz posted...

Esrac posted...

Hexenherz posted...

I honestly balanced the stats mostly through what the game recommended for Paladins, so he's not like super strong. I do use Strange Mercy and the Zealous Focus modal.

Just made it to the bottom of the Endless Paths and got utterly destroyed in one hit by the dragon lmao.

Also I love that this slave trader came to my castle and I ordered him executed and his slaves freed and I just got a notification that he is angry that I freed his slaves, even though he's dead >_>

Did you just focus on the stronghold dungeon? You must have a lot of time to play, you seem to be making a lot of progress.

Hexenherz posted...

Ugh, somehow I got "deceptive" :\

Don't lie to people.

Lol I haven't been lying at all. It happened some time in Dyrford Village. And yes I've been playing almost non-stop the past three days, my wife and her mom have just been hanging out going shopping and stuff. Will probably go to the zoo today so less time >_>.

MabusIncarnate posted...

I bought this game on sale and haven't played it yet, it's been like 5 or 6 months.

I don't know what your experience with isometric CRPGs is. As you saw ITT I have like none, and therefore I think it can be sometimes difficult to get into this game, but there's something so friggin' addicting about it. I am literally playing on Easy because I suck at these games (I can not grasp how someone could get this "Triple Crown SOLO" achievement... let alone even playing on the harder difficulties >_>), so the combat itself is more or less straightforward except for a few battles. But otherwise I am hooked on all the different situations you encounter and the options you have to resolve them.

If you got a deceptive trait, you must have lied or withheld the truth from someone in a conversation.

Actually, I'm pretty sure they tell you with dialogue options contribute to which disposition. Unless you specifically turn that setting off.
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It must be off by default then? Would have been really nice to know >_>. I've done everything properly and been honest with everyone so I don't know what that darned Dyrford town did to me.
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Hexenherz posted...

It must be off by default then? Would have been really nice to know >_>. I've done everything properly and been honest with everyone so I don't know what that darned Dyrford town did to me.

In your Options menu, look under the Difficulty tab. Check for Show Personality/Reputation.
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Thank you. I think I'm so far in now I might as well just keep it this way. The dialogue options are usually pretty clear cut though so idk.
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imo it's a great game but they definitely have a broken class balance

barbs are the most MAD class in the game which is whack AF
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Darkman124 posted...

imo it's a great game but they definitely have a broken class balance

barbs are the most MAD class in the game which is whack AF

That sounds weird to me, but only because my first character on D2 was a Barb and I sucked ass at it so in turn my build sucked ass.
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These Soulbound weapons feel so good but I can tell it's gonna take a while to max 'em out.
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Finished White March Part 1. A bit underwhelmed at the "reward" of being able to use the forge but that's because I'm lazy and don't want to go around hunting iron ingots. So I won't.
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Hexenherz posted...

These Soulbound weapons feel so good but I can tell it's gonna take a while to max 'em out.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I had one that took for-fucking-ever to max, another that I maxed in about an hour.
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DrizztLink posted...

Hexenherz posted...

These Soulbound weapons feel so good but I can tell it's gonna take a while to max 'em out.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I had one that took for-fucking-ever to max, another that I maxed in about an hour.

Yeah the first one I got, the one in the stone, I was able to max in like two minutes (I... cheated and used a guide >_>).

This other one requires me to revive the guy wielding it 5 times in combat... I just sent him to fight off against like six enemies and somehow he killed them all...
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You know, I got the expansions to PoE and never played through them. I may have to start a new game.

I'd considered playing through as a Bleak Walker, but I will probably just do Kind Wayfarer again. I just really liked that class.
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Ugh I'm trying to resolve a quest peacefully but no matter what combination of dialogue options I choose it always turns hostile.

It's the WM2 quest with the Iron Flail
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Hexenherz posted...

Ugh I'm trying to resolve a quest peacefully but no matter what combination of dialogue options I choose it always turns hostile.

It's the WM2 quest with the Iron Flail

I think you need high resolve/intelligence for that possibly. Or sneak in?

Been ages, but a quick google search suggested those methods >.>
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Funkydog posted...

Hexenherz posted...

Ugh I'm trying to resolve a quest peacefully but no matter what combination of dialogue options I choose it always turns hostile.

It's the WM2 quest with the Iron Flail

I think you need high resolve/intelligence for that possibly. Or sneak in?

Been ages, but a quick google search suggested those methods >.>

Holy eff.
I think you're right. Apparently there's another way, if you're a priest of Eothas.

Finally made it work.

Thanks for the info lol.
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I just did that earlier today.

Getting him to be chill was a HUGE pain in the ass.
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