phaze
Exemplar
Posts: 368 
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Post by phaze on Apr 20, 2016 11:46:03 GMT -5
Phew! Made it through the storerooms. Couldn't resist.
That place makes me nervous, and I play more defensively as a wrong step means party is over. Having over 30 stealth is critical to maintain first round choice. I can't fathom playing without stealth.
The party is doing well though I am torn on purchasing equipment. Kincaid's infantry dagger is getting old and lacking in updated damage. Getting by on found equipment has limitations.
Each character is near 19 and solidifying their builds. Selen will move into secondary tank role with QD and Kyera turning to a SP drain machine with 1 Sacrifice. I think it is possible to drain enough with equipment maximization that I can squeak by with minimal investment.
Kjartan will pursue the new immolation though concurrent with BB. While Immolation allows more damage, the passive nature of BB frees up AP for my Kjartan to use MS, potions, scrolls, or hastily retreat. At MS 2, the -4 act is hugely critical for optimizing defensive positions and avoiding damage. Immolation will be developed in Ep 3 as PS and BB mature.
Kincaid now has SP 7 and a total dodge of 28, making him near unhittable but also able to be independent of SP.
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Post by fallen on Apr 20, 2016 12:58:56 GMT -5
phaze - sounds like the group is gelling nicely!
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phaze
Exemplar
Posts: 368
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Post by phaze on Apr 20, 2016 18:13:39 GMT -5
Indeed. Despite me being very familiar with this party set-up, the game changes (equipment, XP, various talents) is making it a fresh play through. The new change to Sacrifice will be interesting to see. Overall, I think the game moves much more smoothly as a result, at least into the very beginning of Episode 2. SP drain was able to make my party much more efficient in Ep 1, enabling more fights per camp visit. Coupled with potion usage as needed, there is much more battle time versus just walking time. I am really curious to see what Matrim and others can pull in for a score  To date, I have purchased three items in the game and just starting Ep 2. I couldn't resist upgrading the infantry dagger (9-18) to the Edged Leaf blade (21-35). There is a point where treasure drops don't cooperate, and weapons are critical reducing the number of rounds battles last. Is that worth the score drop? I guess we'll find out Ep 2 will be much more tempting with store purchases. Granthorn was always critical for armor upgrades to bolster survivability. |
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Post by fallen on Apr 20, 2016 20:51:22 GMT -5
phaze - with my most recent my Nightmare group in E2, I decided to buy without worrying about it. It was more important to have the armor and the right weapon in every fight instead of gambling on the next time a good drop would come my way. In the larger scale of things, that gold is small compared to what you'll earn if you survive longer.
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phaze
Exemplar
Posts: 368
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Post by phaze on Apr 23, 2016 6:08:12 GMT -5
Of course, for this particular challenge to maximize score makes one begrudge any purchase due to the score ding no matter how small in the long run. With a well planned party and knowing the game, players can definitely forego at least some of the equipment purchases. It really pays to have prior experience with the mechanics and battle spawns that allow players to push the boundaries of risk versus safety. |
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Post by fallen on Apr 23, 2016 11:15:48 GMT -5
Of course, for this particular challenge to maximize score makes one begrudge any purchase due to the score ding no matter how small in the long run. With a well planned party and knowing the game, players can definitely forego at least some of the equipment purchases. It really pays to have prior experience with the mechanics and battle spawns that allow players to push the boundaries of risk versus safety. I have found a number of times that pang over the long-term score effects is tiny compared the pain of a team death that could have been avoided by better EQ. As you said, only experience in the game can help you walk that fine line. |
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matrim
Star Hero
[ Patreon ]
Posts: 708
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Post by matrim on Apr 23, 2016 12:36:42 GMT -5
Kincaid grimaced as he cleaned his blade of even more spider goo. By the Faithful, did it have to be spiders!? Why could this highway not be infested with bunnies? He surveyed his companions, taking stock of their abilities and once again found himself surprised at their resilience. The mage winced occasionally but Kincaid could tell that he was in more pain than he let on. Still, he fights admirably and never complains, instead focusing on all the tiny clues that have repeatedly helped them out of many dangerous situations. The rogue is very good at playing the part of innocent damsel. On the surface, all that seems to concern her is treasure and all that drives her onward is the thought of a warm bed at the end. However, Kincaid was trained to see feints and subterfuge, there was more to this rogue than meets the eye. She seemed to be distracted but, by the Gods, if she gets surprised by another group of spiders, he would put her to the rear guard himself! They did not have infinite potions for her to drink.
"Let's press forward. May Logar aid our steps."
Fyona. Kincaid had always thought that bravery was a man's province, that women could only perform a pale imitation. This woman was turning his worldview upside down. She is the first to charge in when battle besets them, spurring them forward with ferocious battle cries. She is also the most singular compassionate person he has ever met. Whenever Selen is bitten by yet another spider, Gods could she not dodge ONE bite, Fyona is at her side with a healing incantation or handing her another healing potion. There was not a trace of judgment in her eyes, she cared deeply for all 3 of them despite only travelling together for 5 days. She ached for Vincent, frequently watching him and offering prayers to Myshana that he be healed of his constant pain. How Kincaid wished that he was the recipient of those stares and prayers. He could not be distracted though, his purpose was clear. After getting out of this Ratkin pit he would be marching right back to Red Hill to take his vengeance. He would make that Orc and Arhaive regret their first breath. He would...
"Ahhhhhh"
Gods Selen, surprised by yet ANOTHER spider, loudfoot indeed!
Oskahold has been reached! This group starts off slow and Act 1 is always a grind. I have a couple days off so I think I might be able to finish Act 1 this week, here's hoping. For reference, score is at 4.8M.
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Post by fallen on Apr 23, 2016 14:10:27 GMT -5
matrim - thank you for this great post. What an enjoyable read -- you've got an amazing grasp of the characters and their interplay 
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Post by xdesperado on Apr 23, 2016 15:26:44 GMT -5
matrim are you not training Selen's stealth or is she just having a run of bad luck? I'm keeping mine around her level plus whatever armor/gear bonus she has and don't think party has lost initiative once in the run to Oskahold. (KKFS for party, Selen is building PS while Kincaid with SP is shielding group)
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matrim
Star Hero
[ Patreon ]
Posts: 708
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Post by matrim on Apr 23, 2016 15:44:00 GMT -5
I don't level stealth until blades is around 10. It's just a string of bad luck, no stealth gear found...I won 2 stealth rolls (against spiders) for the entire prologue, including the dungeons. Selen drank about 20ish potions, I've never consumed that much just to keep her up. I thought it made for an interesting scenario, I could just picture Kincaid fuming more and more as she got jumped on time and time again by hordes of spiders.
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Post by contributor on Apr 23, 2016 16:21:53 GMT -5
It's funny, whenever I do a group with Kincaid and Selen dexy tanking it up front together, I always imagine them in a stiff competition for kills. They can really be so similar that it's hard not to see it. How many times has one landed three hits on a mob and failed to kill it, when the other comes up and crits with 1 AP remaining, finishing it off? I just imagine the laughter and the fury.
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Post by xdesperado on Apr 23, 2016 16:26:22 GMT -5
I don't level stealth until blades is around 10. It's just a string of bad luck, no stealth gear found...I won 2 stealth rolls (against spiders) for the entire prologue, including the dungeons. Selen drank about 20ish potions, I've never consumed that much just to keep her up. I thought it made for an interesting scenario, I could just picture Kincaid fuming more and more as she got jumped on time and time again by hordes of spiders. Guess I'm just used to having Kjartan's CA making majority of things easy to hit even with unempowered attacks relying mostly on dex. Add in a hit with PS and Kincaid tagging targets with DS and very few attacks ever miss. |
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Post by xdesperado on Apr 23, 2016 16:31:00 GMT -5
It's funny, whenever I do a group with Kincaid and Selen dexy tanking it up front together, I always imagine them in a stiff competition for kills. They can really be so similar that it's hard not to see it. How many times has one landed three hits on a mob and failed to kill it, when the other comes up and crits with 1 AP remaining, finishing it off? I just imagine the laughter and the fury. That's mostly how I picture them, sort of a cross between Gimli and Legolias friendly competition and the Three Musketeers with them bantering back and forth while swashbuckling their way around the battlefield. |
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Post by fallen on Apr 23, 2016 18:14:27 GMT -5
It's funny, whenever I do a group with Kincaid and Selen dexy tanking it up front together, I always imagine them in a stiff competition for kills. They can really be so similar that it's hard not to see it. How many times has one landed three hits on a mob and failed to kill it, when the other comes up and crits with 1 AP remaining, finishing it off? I just imagine the laughter and the fury. Lol +1 "Gotcha! Mine!" |
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Post by contributor on Apr 23, 2016 18:31:57 GMT -5
I picture it more like... Selen: En garde mon cheri! -mockingly laughs her head off- Kincaid: -sulking, under his breath- Freaking whore! If I had jugs like that they'd never see my blades either. |
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To date, I have purchased three items in the game and just starting Ep 2. I couldn't resist upgrading the infantry dagger (9-18) to the Edged Leaf blade (21-35). There is a point where treasure drops don't cooperate, and weapons are critical reducing the number of rounds battles last. Is that worth the score drop? I guess we'll find out 
