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General discussionPillars of Eternity questions(21 posts)(21 posts)
(21 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted November 05, 2015
I'm agonising over whether to buy this in the sale. I have under four hours to decide and have some questions. I'm interested particularly in the opinions of Infinity Engine games fanatics (not just ordinary "fans", if you know what I mean), as those games are my all time favourites.

1. Is the Royal Edition worth the extra money ? It contains the huge 512 page Prima guide, right ? Or wrong ? I read the manual last night and the game sounds amazing, but the rules and the way combat works are not explained very thoroughly there. Does the guide provide more specific and in-depth explanation ?

2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?

3. D&D fans (especially 2nd edition ruleset) : do you like the combat ? I personally loved the combat in the IE games, partly because I just like the way D&D rules work, but partly also because having six party members with very different strengths and weaknesses made for tactically complex and very absorbing battles. In PoE the party of six is back (yay !) but is the combat anything like D&D combat ? If it's more like the combat in Dragon Age I think I'll pass.

If I do buy the game I will also buy the Expansion Pass, as I would like the full experience (and the higher level cap). Even at sale prices this is going to set me back a pretty penny :

Hero Edition + Expansion Pass = £36.48
Champion Edition + Expansion Pass = £41.48
Royal Edition + Expansion Pass =£52.98

That's costly gaming, even at sale prices, so I would like to be sure it's going to be worth it. Perhaps I should just wait until the prices eventually drop anyway ?
Posted November 05, 2015
Sadly, I can't answer your questions, as I only just bought the Hero Edition myself. But from what I learned, there is a patch in the works that will also add new content to the game, so if you want the full experience, it might pay off to delay your playthrough, unless you plan to replay the game anyway.

And I didn't see any reason to buy the Expansion Pass now. Why not just play the main game to see whether you like it and if you're hooked, you can still buy the expansions later, either at a discount during a sale or at any time for the full price, which will be the same one you would pay now.
Post edited November 05, 2015 by Leroux
Posted November 05, 2015
I enjoyed the Hero edition I got, although all these different version would now put me off. I am the same, I want the whole package. The game is good, but if I knew then what I know now, I would wait for a complete edition. But then I have plenty of other games to play :o)

As for the Prima guide, just play the game, you never need these pointless expensive magazines telling you how to play your game.
Post edited November 05, 2015 by nightcraw1er.488
Posted November 05, 2015
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Leroux: Sadly, I can't answer your questions, as I only just bought the Hero Edition myself. But from what I learned, there is a patch in the works that will also add new content to the game, so if you want the full experience, it might pay off to delay your playthrough, unless you plan to replay the game anyway.

And I didn't see any reason to buy the Expansion Pass now. Why not just play the main game to see whether you like it and if you're hooked you can still buy the expansions later, either at a discount during a sale or at any time for the full price, which will be the same one you would pay now.
Thanks. I was thinking of buying the Expansion Pass straight away in order to immediately gain the higher level cap, but also to get the Prima guide. I could just use game wikis but I would like the extra info (assuming the guide provides that ?) in one place in pdf format. But the level cap is just as important.
Posted November 05, 2015
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Theoclymenus: I'm agonising over whether to buy this in the sale. I have under four hours to decide and have some questions. I'm interested particularly in the opinions of Infinity Engine games fanatics (not just ordinary "fans", if you know what I mean), as those games are my all time favourites.

1. Is the Royal Edition worth the extra money ? It contains the huge 512 page Prima guide, right ? Or wrong ? I read the manual last night and the game sounds amazing, but the rules and the way combat works are not explained very thoroughly there. Does the guide provide more specific and in-depth explanation ?

2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?

3. D&D fans (especially 2nd edition ruleset) : do you like the combat ? I personally loved the combat in the IE games, partly because I just like the way D&D rules work, but partly also because having six party members with very different strengths and weaknesses made for tactically complex and very absorbing battles. In PoE the party of six is back (yay !) but is the combat anything like D&D combat ? If it's more like the combat in Dragon Age I think I'll pass.

If I do buy the game I will also buy the Expansion Pass, as I would like the full experience (and the higher level cap). Even at sale prices this is going to set me back a pretty penny :

Hero Edition + Expansion Pass = £36.48
Champion Edition + Expansion Pass = £41.48
Royal Edition + Expansion Pass =£52.98

That's costly gaming, even at sale prices, so I would like to be sure it's going to be worth it. Perhaps I should just wait until the prices eventually drop anyway ?
I personally would pick the least expensive option, the extras aren't required or even that good.

As a dedicated D&D & Pathfinder RPG player I personally love the game and the combat, but it's VERY different from D&D although not so much that experience with it is worthless. Try out different auto-pause options and remember that combat is real-time and pause is your invaluable constant companion.

I would take advantage of the price as it is now I doubt you'll see better for a long time.
Posted November 05, 2015
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nightcraw1er.488: I enjoyed the Hero edition I got, although all these different version would now put me off. I am the same, I want the whole package. The game is good, but if I knew then what I know now, I would wait for a complete edition. But then I have plenty of other games to play :o)
Thanks. I can't stand the way games are sold these days ! Hopefully gog will allow us all to upgrade the cheaper editions at some point ?
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Theoclymenus: I'm agonising over whether to buy this in the sale. I have under four hours to decide and have some questions. I'm interested particularly in the opinions of Infinity Engine games fanatics (not just ordinary "fans", if you know what I mean), as those games are my all time favourites.

1. Is the Royal Edition worth the extra money ? It contains the huge 512 page Prima guide, right ? Or wrong ? I read the manual last night and the game sounds amazing, but the rules and the way combat works are not explained very thoroughly there. Does the guide provide more specific and in-depth explanation ?

2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?

3. D&D fans (especially 2nd edition ruleset) : do you like the combat ? I personally loved the combat in the IE games, partly because I just like the way D&D rules work, but partly also because having six party members with very different strengths and weaknesses made for tactically complex and very absorbing battles. In PoE the party of six is back (yay !) but is the combat anything like D&D combat ? If it's more like the combat in Dragon Age I think I'll pass.

If I do buy the game I will also buy the Expansion Pass, as I would like the full experience (and the higher level cap). Even at sale prices this is going to set me back a pretty penny :

Hero Edition + Expansion Pass = £36.48
Champion Edition + Expansion Pass = £41.48
Royal Edition + Expansion Pass =£52.98

That's costly gaming, even at sale prices, so I would like to be sure it's going to be worth it. Perhaps I should just wait until the prices eventually drop anyway ?
avatar
DemoJan777: I personally would pick the least expensive option, the extras aren't required or even that good.

As a dedicated D&D & Pathfinder RPG player I personally love the game and the combat, but it's VERY different from D&D although not so much that experience with it is worthless. Try out different auto-pause options and remember that combat is real-time and pause is your invaluable constant companion.

I would take advantage of the price as it is now I doubt you'll see better for a long time.
I take your point regarding the price, but it's still very expensive !

I'm very familiar with the auto-pause options from the IE games and am glad to see that PoE has the same. I just wondered whether the combat is as complex as D&D combat ?
Post edited November 05, 2015 by Theoclymenus
Posted November 05, 2015
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Theoclymenus: 2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?
I played through the game and the expansion and I can tell you there is no need to worry about reaching the level cap too early, you just level really slowly. And I did almost all quests, except a thing or two I might have found morally reprehensible, but I can't remember.
Posted November 05, 2015
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Theoclymenus: 2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?
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Daniel_M: I played through the game and the expansion and I can tell you there is no need to worry about reaching the level cap too early, you just level really slowly. And I did almost all quests, except a thing or two I might have found morally reprehensible, but I can't remember.
Thanks. I did a lot of googling last night and am still digesting what I read. I like the idea of a level cap, but not a level cap which is too low and allows you to max out well before the end of the game. Sounds like a few people maxed out about 75% into the vanilla game, which sounds a bit crap to me ! I will buy the expansion to get a level cap of 14, but of course the extra content will offset that.
Posted November 05, 2015
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Daniel_M: I played through the game and the expansion and I can tell you there is no need to worry about reaching the level cap too early, you just level really slowly. And I did almost all quests, except a thing or two I might have found morally reprehensible, but I can't remember.
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Theoclymenus: Thanks. I did a lot of googling last night and am still digesting what I read. I like the idea of a level cap, but not a level cap which is too low and allows you to max out well before the end of the game. Sounds like a few people maxed out about 75% into the vanilla game, which sounds a bit crap to me ! I will buy the expansion to get a level cap of 14, but of course the extra content will offset that.
Btw during Christmas games are on sale too, so if you want, you can wait for the Christmas sale. But usually you'll get a cheaper deal only if there is an PoE bundle or the game itself has its price slashed (or they decide to do a bigger discount).
Posted November 05, 2015
I have the Hero edition and finished the game just fine without the strategy guide. For me the higher tiers contain just fluff. I also have the expansion, it feels a bit more difficult than the main game but manageable. The level cap is not an issue as you mostly gain xp from quests, killing humans for example gives no xp and monsters give only the first n time until you discover everything about them in your bestiary.
Posted November 05, 2015
I am not an IE veteran by any means.
But I played the whole game through (and without the expansion). And I can tell you that if you are like me , that is, you want the finished and complete experience - patched, balanced with full content, then definitely wait.
They are throwing huge (1 to 2 GB) patches to this game all the time (and we are currently many months since it's release!).
The game is not finished. Stronghold is pointless and unfinished, crafting is not balanced, there still will be patches and new "expansions" . Save yourself frustration and the feeling of playing something unpolished and unfinished and wait till they got it right.
there will be Enhanced/Ultimate/Complete (you name it) edition after some time and it will probably cost less, so why not to wait?

My feeling is that i made a mistake and bought this game too early. It's good (in some aspects), but definitely I would have so much more fun if i played it patched and complete.
Posted November 05, 2015
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blotunga: I have the Hero edition and finished the game just fine without the strategy guide. For me the higher tiers contain just fluff. I also have the expansion, it feels a bit more difficult than the main game but manageable. The level cap is not an issue as you mostly gain xp from quests, killing humans for example gives no xp and monsters give only the first n time until you discover everything about them in your bestiary.
Yes, I read about how XP is gained and it sounds quite original. I'm sure I won't NEED the strategy guide and will be able to work out how the game works, but reading the manual for complex games has always been part of the "ritual" of playing games like these. The PoE manual is not bad, but it doesn't explain combat very thoroughly and it's obviously not the same as D&D. Thanks for your reply, this is all helping me to make a decision.
Posted November 05, 2015
It's interesting that there are no upgrade packages.
Posted November 05, 2015
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inc09nito: I am not an IE veteran by any means.
But I played the whole game through (and without the expansion). And I can tell you that if you are like me , that is, you want the finished and complete experience - patched, balanced with full content, then definitely wait.
They are throwing huge (1 to 2 GB) patches to this game all the time (and we are currently many months since it's release!).
The game is not finished. Stronghold is pointless and unfinished, crafting is not balanced, there still will be patches and new "expansions" . Save yourself frustration and the feeling of playing something unpolished and unfinished and wait till they got it right.
there will be Enhanced/Ultimate/Complete (you name it) edition after some time and it will probably cost less, so why not to wait?

My feeling is that i made a mistake and bought this game too early. It's good (in some aspects), but definitely I would have so much more fun if i played it patched and complete.
These sounds like wise words. Perhaps I will wait, then. Thanks for your honest opinion.
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Smannesman: It's interesting that there are no upgrade packages.
I've just been having a discussion about that with another user and I agree. As far as I understand, Steam DOES offer upgrades from the cheaper editions. This would seem to be forcing us into a "now or never" decision when deciding which version to buy. Unless you buy several editions, which is just financial suicide ! I wonder why GOG cannot offer upgrades and whether it will do so in future ?
Post edited November 05, 2015 by Theoclymenus
Posted November 05, 2015
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Theoclymenus: 1. Is the Royal Edition worth the extra money ? It contains the huge 512 page Prima guide, right ? Or wrong ? I read the manual last night and the game sounds amazing, but the rules and the way combat works are not explained very thoroughly there. Does the guide provide more specific and in-depth explanation ?
No idea. I have the hero ed., and it's already very nice (and the in game encyclopaedia does a decent job explaining most combat mecanics.)
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Theoclymenus: 2. The level cap (12 for the vanilla game, 14 for the expanded game) is putting me off somewhat. I don't like the idea of character development coming to an end well before the end of the game, since that's half the fun of an RPG in my book. The IE games were very well paced and balanced in this regard. Has this spoilt the game for anyone ?
I'm near the end, and I just hit level 12. Note that I'm somewhat a completionist regarding side quest (meaning I do all those that don't conflict with my character concept. No pillage-and-murder quests for my goody-two-shoes Eothasian priest, for example, but I still did 90% of them.), but I only played 5 of the 15 levels of the optional mega-dungeon, so a real hardcore completionist that does the mega-dungeon before ending the main quest will hit lvl 12 far sooner than me.

Still, the leveling is slow. So if you are not sure, I would advise to wait before buying the expansion. No sense to pay to unlock level 13-14 if you get bored of it before lvl 8. By the time you hit level 6, you should know if you like the game or not (for me, it was a very loud "YES!!!").
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Theoclymenus: 3. D&D fans (especially 2nd edition ruleset) : do you like the combat ? I personally loved the combat in the IE games, partly because I just like the way D&D rules work, but partly also because having six party members with very different strengths and weaknesses made for tactically complex and very absorbing battles. In PoE the party of six is back (yay !) but is the combat anything like D&D combat ? If it's more like the combat in Dragon Age I think I'll pass.
The game really "feels" like some D&D3 (the mage gains spells from scrolls and must prepare a pool of them, while the priest has access to all of them, there is an "armor class" of sorts, characters gain both general "feats" and character class special abilities when they level up, the warrior can specialize in some weapons far more than other classes, etc...) mixed with some D&D4, but the combat mecanics underneath are very different from D&D.

I would say they are more complicated than D&D (4 different AC, 6 different DR, 2 different HP gauges, many special attacks and abilities, many different status alterations), although they've been done so that IE players would be in familiar territory. Learning those mecanics has been quite fun for me, and they allow for some nice tactics.

Add to this a story that starts slow, but takes up steam and becomes quite epic, and VERY good dialogues and NPCs, and overall, it's really good stuff. You should enjoy it :)
Post edited November 05, 2015 by Kardwill
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionPillars of Eternity questions(21 posts)(21 posts)
(21 posts)