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[Bogey]

What a great game. Played 2 hours or so, already loving it!

I don't quite understand rogue mechanics though, especially stealthing.

My rogue level 2 & has the backstab ability. But how can I properly sneak up to enemies to backstab/ambush them? When I go into scouting mode and only use my rogue to walk up to them, I'm being detected way before reaching the enemy. I haven't tried approaching from the back, but since most rooms are somewhat narrow, and enemies often in a group, that doesn't seem to promising either.
Anything I'm doing wrong?

Also, how do you guys begin fights when there's a rogue in your group, do you let him open? Mine is very suishy; unless my paladin takes over really fast, most other classes seem to fall like flies (rogue, mage, priest)

 

[dude]

Heading to Defiance Bay after

Spoiler

killing Raedric. Didn't really want Kolsc in power, but I figure he's the lesser of two evils. I actually was thinking of going with Raedric for a while but I sensed Eder wanting Raedric dead so I just went for it.

This game makes me connect to the world and its characters in a way I haven't for such a long time.

What a great game. Played 2 hours or so, already loving it!

I don't quite understand rogue mechanics though, especially stealthing.

My rogue level 2 & has the backstab ability. But how can I properly sneak up to enemies to backstab/ambush them? When I go into scouting mode and only use my rogue to walk up to them, I'm being detected way before reaching the enemy. I haven't tried approaching from the back, but since most rooms are somewhat narrow, and enemies often in a group, that doesn't seem to promising either.
Anything I'm doing wrong?

Also, how do you guys begin fights when there's a rogue in your group, do you let him open? Mine is very suishy; unless my paladin takes over really fast, most other classes seem to fall like flies (rogue, mage, priest)

You don't have to attack from the back for backstabs. The enemy has to either not see you or be afflicted by one of the afflictions listed on the talent. I'm playing a rogue with a crossbow/gun and I usually position my party at a favorable position for ambush, sneak attack an enemy and then run to the ambush with the baddies following me.

 

[Ourobolus]

The Two Weapon Style talent works with barehanded monks, right?

 

[Shaldome]

Alright

Spoiler

Readric

down in the third try. Was not that bad, ended the fight with three of the six chars still standing.

Spoiler

I placed one noxious blast trap in the middle of the throne area which damaged nearly everyone rushing to Edér.

Edér tanked everything like a champ an used I used one potion and some heals on him during the fight.
Stacked nearly all protection items that stack on him.

The Two Weapon Style talent works with barehanded monks, right?

Someone earlier in the thread said that, yes, you get the attack speed bonus on the unarmed monk.

 

[Kyuur]

Just completed the tutorial bit.. and I think I messed up on my Chanter. Got both the Spectre and Skeleton spells, but it seems I can't use them both at the same time. :| Guess I'll restart, since it won't take that long.

 

[Jhriad]

For those of you that have done the Maerwald choice can anyone tell me what happens if you

Spoiler

choose the third option and draw upon the energy of the rope for knowledge

 

[Gaz_RB]

If you haven't grabbed the horn that the blacksmith sells in Gilded Vale... Do it.

 

[Enco]

Played this game for about 40 minutes.

Does it get fetch quest heavy or are the quests fun and interesting?

 

[Durante]

Also, how do you guys begin fights when there's a rogue in your group, do you let him open? Mine is very suishy; unless my paladin takes over really fast, most other classes seem to fall like flies (rogue, mage, priest)

My general style for battles at this point is:

• Opening up with my rogue's arbalest and crippling strike, also having 2 other characters shoot their arquebus
• Switch one of those to a melee weapon, and move the other and the rogue back quite some ways.
• Walk my tank up to intercept and lock down as many of the incoming enemies as possible.
• Let my other 2 characters who are decent at melee intercept any enemies which are left over.
• At this point, there's significant branching:
  • if one of my non-melee characters is engaged, focus his or other's skill on getting him or her out of it;
  • if there are still a lot of enemies left, try to get them with some AoE stun, root or confusion and then fry them;
  • otherwise, focus casters on supporting the melee characters, starting from the one in most trouble/facing the strongest enemies.
• Then the battle mostly varies in the order I tackle enemies and how many not-per-encounter abilities I use depending on how it's going.

Of course, layout makes a huge difference, e.g. often in dungeons I might pull enemies back to a doorway or other useful structure.

 

[Ourobolus]

Alright

Spoiler

Readric

down in the third try. Was not that bad, ended the fight with three of the six chars still standing.

Spoiler

I placed one noxious blast trap in the middle of the throne area which damaged nearly everyone rushing to Edér.

Edér tanked everything like a champ an used I used one potion and some heals on him during the fight.
Stacked nearly all protection items that stack on him.




Someone earlier in the thread said that, yes, you get the attack speed bonus on the unarmed monk.

Cool. Thanks.

 

[Durante]

Played this game for about 40 minutes.

Does it get fetch quest heavy or are the quests fun and interesting?

There hasn't been a single thing in the game marked as a "quest" so far that wasn't interesting and varied. Even the "tasks" (smaller quests as far as I can tell) are generally more involved than the "sidequests" in many other games.

 

[KingKong]

So are 4 characters at level 4 just not enough to beat Raedric?

I don't think I'm even coming close to doing any damage. I've turned it down to Easy, tried to stand in the doorways with my tanks, but everyone just gets murdered before I can even take one enemy down. I don't know what else to really be doing, I just get swarmed, and I haven't had too much trouble in the castle on the way to him

 

[Shake Appeal]

You don't have to attack from the back for backstabs. The enemy has to either not see you or be afflicted by one of the afflictions listed on the talent. I'm playing a rogue with a crossbow/gun and I usually position my party at a favorable position for ambush, sneak attack an enemy and then run to the ambush with the baddies following me.

Just to unpack this:

The Rogue starts with an ability called Sneak Attack that kicks in when you hit an enemy in the first two seconds of combat, or when you hit them and they're afflicted by a range of status effects, including being Flanked. You want to be using Sneak Attack all the time, and doing everything you can to make it kick in.

The Backstab talent is separate and optional. It gives you massive bonus damage when you attack from Stealth (i.e. scouting mode) or from Invisibility. This is harder and rarer to do, especially the former. You can also get Backstab before you get Shadowing Beyond, the ability that lets you go Invisible twice per rest, which is kind of counter-intuitive.

 

[Alastor3]

Alright

Spoiler

Readric

down in the third try. Was not that bad, ended the fight with three of the six chars still standing.

Spoiler

I placed one noxious blast trap in the middle of the throne area which damaged nearly everyone rushing to Edér.

Edér tanked everything like a champ an used I used one potion and some heals on him during the fight.
Stacked nearly all protection items that stack on him.




Someone earlier in the thread said that, yes, you get the attack speed bonus on the unarmed monk.

I put the ring from the pre-order edition to Edér, it's really helpful

 

[dude]

Just to unpack this:

The Rogue starts with an ability called Sneak Attack that kicks in when you hit an enemy in the first two seconds of combat, or when you hit them and they're afflicted by a range of status effects, including being Flanked.

The Backstab talent is separate and optional. It gives you massive bonus damage when you attack from Stealth (i.e. scouting mode) or from Invisibility. This is harder to do, especially the former.

Oh right, sorry, I got the two confused.
It's harder to do, but you get a talent later on that let's you turn invisible a couple of time per rest.

 

[Skel1ingt0n]

Is there any way to buy a physical copy of this game?

Also, does it support cloud saves on Steam?

 

[Gaz_RB]

So are 4 characters at level 4 just not enough to beat Raedric?

I don't think I'm even coming close to doing any damage. I've turned it down to Easy, tried to stand in the doorways with my tanks, but everyone just gets murdered before I can even take one enemy down. I don't know what else to really be doing, I just get swarmed, and I haven't had too much trouble in the castle on the way to him

Do you have priest buffing?
Are you pulling all of them at the same time?

 

[Durante]

So are 4 characters at level 4 just not enough to beat Raedric?

I don't think I'm even coming close to doing any damage. I've turned it down to Easy, tried to stand in the doorways with my tanks, but everyone just gets murdered before I can even take one enemy down. I don't know what else to really be doing, I just get swarmed, and I haven't had too much trouble in the castle on the way to him

You can always come back later and/or with a full party.

 

[ZZMitch]

Is it normal that the first bear you run into can one hit me and my animal companion? Cuz damn son

 

[KePoW]

Is there any way to buy a physical copy of this game?

Also, does it support cloud saves on Steam?

does have Steam Cloud

 

[Taruranto]

Does Raedric's Keep have a time limit anyway?

Like, do I need to complete if before act 1 or something?

yes, come back later

The wonders of a world without level scaling. ~

 

[Alastor3]

Is it normal that the first bear you run into can one hit me and my animal companion? Cuz damn son

yes, come back later

 

[Bogey]

You don't have to attack from the back for backstabs. The enemy has to either not see you or be afflicted by one of the afflictions listed on the talent. I'm playing a rogue with a crossbow/gun and I usually position my party at a favorable position for ambush, sneak attack an enemy and then run to the ambush with the baddies following me.

Interesting. I would have figured that kind of strategy was inteded for rangers, while rogues would be supposed to stick to melee weapons rather than bows. But I think I'll try using a bow for an opener.

My general style for battles at this point is:

• Opening up with my rogue's arbalest and crippling strike, also having 2 other characters shoot their arquebus
• Switch one of those to a melee weapon, and move the other and the rogue back quite some ways.
• Walk my tank up to intercept and lock down as many of the incoming enemies as possible.
• Let my other 2 characters who are decent at melee intercept any enemies which are left over.
• At this point, there's significant branching:
  • if one of my non-melee characters is engaged, focus his or other's skill on getting him or her out of it;
  • if there are still a lot of enemies left, try to get them with some AoE stun, root or confusion and then fry them;
  • otherwise, focus casters on supporting the melee characters, starting from the one in most trouble/facing the strongest enemies.
• Then the battle mostly varies in the order I tackle enemies and how many not-per-encounter abilities I use depending on how it's going.

Of course, layout makes a huge difference, e.g. often in dungeons I might pull enemies back to a doorway or other useful structure.

Also very interesting, not used to game mechanics requiring that much repositioning - but I'll try this as well.

 

[Alrus]

So are 4 characters at level 4 just not enough to beat Raedric?

I don't think I'm even coming close to doing any damage. I've turned it down to Easy, tried to stand in the doorways with my tanks, but everyone just gets murdered before I can even take one enemy down. I don't know what else to really be doing, I just get swarmed, and I haven't had too much trouble in the castle on the way to him

I did it with four characters on hard(the 3 named companions you get up to that point and my Cipher), while starting in a terrible position. I ended up casting a Rolling fireball which destroyed a bunch of his goons (and my priest too) then the fight was manageable.

 

[SoCoRoBo]

For those of you that have done the Maerwald choice can anyone tell me what happens if you

Spoiler

choose the third option and draw upon the energy of the rope for knowledge

Apparently, it unlocks

Spoiler

two rooms at the bottom of the Endless Paths that you otherwise can't get into

 

[Gaz_RB]

Apparently, it unlocks

Spoiler

two rooms at the bottom of the Endless Paths that you otherwise can't get into

Awwww I wish I would have known.

 

[Apt101]

So, I seemed to have a caused a rift in my party. Do I side with the Nathon Fillion like dude or the questionable lithe companion who "gets me". There's probably an amazing gay porn scene that could be conjured up here.

 

[Durante]

Also very interesting, not used to game mechanics requiring that much repositioning - but I'll try this as well.

It's more about initial positioning and putting the enemies in useful places from the start in this one.

Repositioning is quite hard (as it should be) and requires use of specific skills/specifically specced characters because of engagement.

 

[Tukker]

If you haven't grabbed the horn that the blacksmith sells in Gilded Vale... Do it.

Why, what is it for?

 

[zonezeus]

What does "Finishes on turn X" means after assigning one of your companions to a quest?

 

[KingKong]

You can always come back later and/or with a full party.

Well this is good advice, literally the next area I find a chanter that can summon things

 

[Sir Garbageman]

The Chanter phantom is no joke. He is the MVP on my squad right now. Just pop him behind enemy lines after a few rounds and watch him rip people apart.

Also, beat

Spoiler

....................Raedrick...................

on hard. Nothing fancy or too cheesy outside of having Eder initiate the dialogue. Eder was buffed like crazy with super heavy armor and a shield and was able to tank the paladins like a boss. Locked down the enemy mages with various stuns from my mages and then it was just a long battle of attrition.

 

[voodoopanda]

Is intellect any good for Ciphers?

 

[Sir Garbageman]

Is intellect any good for Ciphers?

Arguably the most important stat for them. General consensus for casters is INT > MGT > DEX from what I've read.

 

[decoyplatypus]

The Chanter phantom is no joke. He is the MVP on my squad right now. Just pop him behind enemy lines after a few rounds and watch him rip people apart.

Also, beat

Spoiler

....................Raedrick...................

on hard. Nothing fancy or too cheesy outside of having Eder initiate the dialogue. Eder was buffed like crazy with super heavy armor and a shield and was able to tank the paladins like a boss. Locked down the enemy mages with various stuns from my mages and then it was just a long battle of attrition.

That was a great fight. I got slaughtered the first time with my party exposed on all sides, but my strategy for the second go-round worked wonders. I had most of the enemies slipping in grease for most of the fight. Chanter and Eder tanked like hell, and my rogue lit 'em up from the back line.

I am amazed how well my party snapped into place once I splurged on rogue hireling.

 

[arts&crafts]

Question regarding those NPCs with yellow names

Spoiler

That you can look into their soul

Is there any reason to do this other than lore?

 

[Alastor3]

Question regarding those NPCs with yellow names

Spoiler

That you can look into their soul

Is there any reason to do this other than lore?

nope!
except maybe for an achievement, i don't know

 

[Galileo]

Spoiler

Raedric's castle

quest was awesome, I saw at least 3 different ways to enter the keep and the

Spoiler

disguise

part was very satisfying too.

Also, the soundtrack in Defiance Bay is just beautiful

 

[arts&crafts]

nope!
except maybe for an achievement, i don't know

Alright so far I have been doing it to all of them but it gets tedious when there are 5 standing together. Also I don't want to miss side quests or something that may come about.

 

[FACE]

Do fighters get more interesting skills later on? They seem a tad lacking on that front.

 

[Alastor3]

Alright so far I have been doing it to all of them but it gets tedious when there are 5 standing together. Also I don't want to miss side quests or something that may come about.

the lore, characters, feel of atmosphere, those deaths, I suggest you do them when you will have time, as well as reading the books. And if you want to learn even more tipbit of information, read the description of the magical items you can find in dungeons

I loooove a well constructed universe.

 

[GrandHarrier]

What would you guys suggest as a Weapon Focus Group for a Paladin that would like to switch between 1H and Shield to 2 Handed, as the situation requires?

Adventurer (1H: Flail, 2H Estoc and Pollaxe)
Knight (1H: Battle Axe, Sword, 2H: Morning Star)
Soldier (1H: War Hammer, 2H: Great Sword, Pike)

 

[Rawket Lawnchair]

Played this game for about 40 minutes.

Does it get fetch quest heavy or are the quests fun and interesting?

I really like the game. However, people will tell you that it's "different" than other RPGs simply because it's Obsidian's work, but sure enough one of the first quests you come across (lady asking you to go two screens south to fetch something from someone, when you get there that someone asks you to kill something and fetch something else for her) and a few others moving on (go downstream to fetch something from a group of people) are run-of-the-mill fetch quests.

The game is a champ in terms of atmosphere though, and the story is interesting so far.

 

[dude]

Do fighters get more interesting skills later on? They seem a tad lacking on that front.

I like the knock back talent, its a great way to break engagement.

I really like the game. However, people will tell you that it's "different" than other RPGs simply because it's Obsidian's work, but sure enough one of the first quests you come across (lady asking you to go two screens south to fetch something from someone, when you get there that someone asks you to kill something and fetch something else for her) and a few others moving on (go downstream to fetch something from a group of people) are run-of-the-mill fetch quests.

The game is a champ in terms of atmosphere though, and the story is interesting so far.

It's basically a fetch quest in the way it's constructed, but you have an interesting role playing choice in the quest. I wouldn't call it a "simple" fetch quest at all.

 

[r3n4ud]

One of the toughest aspects of the game is micro-managing. I have enough trouble managing my character in battle and I gotta manage others in my party as well. Shit!

Wish there was an ultra easy mode where the party members can take care of themselves, by using the right attacks and formation for the correct situation. Let me control my guy and the AI controls their own stuff. Not sure if that is possible to do, but it would help lol.

 

[Durante]

I really like the game. However, people will tell you that it's "different" than other RPGs simply because it's Obsidian's work, but sure enough one of the first quests you come across (lady asking you to go two screens south to fetch something from someone, when you get there that someone asks you to kill something and fetch something else for her) and a few others moving on (go downstream to fetch something from a group of people) are run-of-the-mill fetch quests.

I really think that's an oversimplification. Yes, you are right, there are certainly quests where you fetch something, but they are generally not what is commonly known as "fetch quests". When people say "fetch quests" they usually mean filler using existing content, without any interesting story or lore background.

The quests you describe involve unique NPCs with actual character and dialogue options that can go either way, and they offer choices and some storytelling/character building nuance. They also use unique content which exists only for that quest, making the exploration much more interesting and rewarding. To take the example you offered, you go fetch that potion from a map which is not involved in any other quest or main quest. It also features some unrelated points of interest (such as one of the

Spoiler

set of items and letters from the unlucky adventurer

). After multiple steps in the quest you then find out that this potion is

Spoiler

not quite what you or the quest giver expected

. You have multiple roleplaying options of dealing with that situation, which influence your character's global reputation as well as your local reputation in the area.

The fact that you are fetching stuff in quests is not truly the issue, as long as (i) it's not the only thing you do, (ii) it has an interesting lore background, (iii) it involves unique content and (iii) it's mixed up with some unexpected twists.

 

[Snapshot King]

So folks, I'm curious, how's the game been holding up for you guys bug wise? I've run into a few book titles that were the wrong size, and occasionally because my text is much larger than normal, it scrolls slightly too far past beginning statements, but aside from that I've only seen one enemy kind of slide around in a downed state (and that was a troll, I figured I had to blast him with corrosion or fire).

 

[OverturePT]

^ Outside of some problems with sound (like some of Durance's lines starting late and mid-words) I encountered no bugs.

 

[epmode]

I really miss the map notes system from the Infinity Engine games.

By the way, is it possible to do the Raedric's Hold quest in Act 2 or do I have to finish it before finishing Act 1?

So folks, I'm curious, how's the game been holding up for you guys bug wise?

Dragging items around will occasionally screw up as though my mouse stopped pressing the button even though it's clearly still held down. There are workarounds for this.

I also have some text alignment issues when mousing over a character on the main world screen. The text isn't centered as it should be.

It's in pretty good shape otherwise.

 

[Durante]

My general style for battles at this point is:

• Opening up with my rogue's arbalest and crippling strike, also having 2 other characters shoot their arquebus
• Switch one of those to a melee weapon, and move the other and the rogue back quite some ways.
• Walk my tank up to intercept and lock down as many of the incoming enemies as possible.
• Let my other 2 characters who are decent at melee intercept any enemies which are left over.
• At this point, there's significant branching:
  • if one of my non-melee characters is engaged, focus his or other's skill on getting him or her out of it;
  • if there are still a lot of enemies left, try to get them with some AoE stun, root or confusion and then fry them;
  • otherwise, focus casters on supporting the melee characters, starting from the one in most trouble/facing the strongest enemies.
• Then the battle mostly varies in the order I tackle enemies and how many not-per-encounter abilities I use depending on how it's going.

Of course, layout makes a huge difference, e.g. often in dungeons I might pull enemies back to a doorway or other useful structure.

To expand on this, here are a few examples.

Using a doorway.

This one is simple.

1. Retreat to the doorway (or other narrow part of the map).
2. Block it with your melee characters. Note the exact formation here with the arc. This is designed so that only a single enemy can enter the doorway and be attacked by multiple melee characters.
3. Nuke away. You can make good use of non-Foe AoE to also catch enemies which might make unexpected moves.

Open field battle.

1. Here, I opened up with my rogue shooting her arbalest. I generally target non-melee enemies with that, and in this case instagibbed the skeleton archer.
2. Then, I moved up Eder to intercept the melee dudes, and target them with single-target range characters.
3. When I see how their positions will settle, I launch the nukes and it's over in less than 3 in-game seconds.

A harder fight, semi-open.

1. In this case, the initial positioning is a bit delicate. The 2 characters slightly in front are my 2 wizards, and I use Eder to pull the enemies with an arrow.
2. Almost at the same time, I launched both Fan of flames spells.
3. As expected, the enemies ran into them.
4. As soon as the casting was finished, I immediately moved the casters back (so they don't get caught up in engagement) and closed the melee line behind them.