Eternity Pillars of Eternity + The White March Expansion Thread

[Riddler]

How much of a first timer are you? If you have played the IE games I would absolutely recommend going for PotD rather than Hard since the difficulty falls of hard and fast in both games after the first few levels.

I've played all the IE games, but it's been years since I really touched any of them. As far as PoE, I've only played through the prologue several times and beginning of Chapter 1 to experience different classes.

Then i would recommend PotD. It might be a bit tough in the beginning and don't be afraid to leave some content and come back for it a level later (or with more companions). Doing the temple of Eothas with only 2 companions at level 2 can be pretty tough, but after chapter 1 almost everything should be a breeze. PotD does in no way require powergaming but you will have to read the spell descriptions and be a bit creatíve at the very start.

 

[aeroaeko]

Im nearing the end of the game. Is there a point of no return where i can't finish the rest of the sidequests? I also haven't started white march either other than the initial quest that tells you to go there or w.e

 

[Butter]

Im nearing the end of the game. Is there a point of no return where i can't finish the rest of the sidequests? I also haven't started white march either other than the initial quest that tells you to go there or w.e

Yes. Don't jump into the pit at Burial Isle until you're ready to finish the game.

 

[chuft]

Is there a consensus on the IE Mod? Do the people trying it generally like it?

 

[aeroaeko]

Im nearing the end of the game. Is there a point of no return where i can't finish the rest of the sidequests? I also haven't started white march either other than the initial quest that tells you to go there or w.e

Yes. Don't jump into the pit at Burial Isle until you're ready to finish the game.

THANK YOU! I literally just finished the quest to earn the approval of the gods and was about to do this.

 

[Prime Junta]

Then i would recommend PotD. It might be a bit tough in the beginning and don't be afraid to leave some content and come back for it a level later (or with more companions). Doing the temple of Eothas with only 2 companions at level 2 can be pretty tough, but after chapter 1 almost everything should be a breeze. PotD does in no way require powergaming but you will have to read the spell descriptions and be a bit creatíve at the very start.

PotD as a first playthrough is punishing although it is true that you don't need metagame information or really hardcore powergaming with it. However I would only recommend it for a first playthrough if you enjoy learning things through frequent reloading because you will be doing that a lot. There are also some areas that will roflstomp you on PotD if you go in too early -- and it's easy to go in too early.

Story- or lorefags should start at Normal.

For everyone else I recommend Hard. It's pretty close in difficulty to Core Rules in the IE games.

 

[Riddler]

Then i would recommend PotD. It might be a bit tough in the beginning and don't be afraid to leave some content and come back for it a level later (or with more companions). Doing the temple of Eothas with only 2 companions at level 2 can be pretty tough, but after chapter 1 almost everything should be a breeze. PotD does in no way require powergaming but you will have to read the spell descriptions and be a bit creatíve at the very start.

PotD as a first playthrough is punishing although it is true that you don't need metagame information or really hardcore powergaming with it. However I would only recommend it for a first playthrough if you enjoy learning things through frequent reloading because you will be doing that a lot. There are also some areas that will roflstomp you on PotD if you go in too early -- and it's easy to go in too early.

Story- or lorefags should start at Normal.

For everyone else I recommend Hard. It's pretty close in difficulty to Core Rules in the IE games.

I don't remember but can you upshift the difficulty to PotD during the game? Perhaps a reasonable compromise is running hard for chapter 1 and PotD thereafter (when difficulty takes a nosedive).

 

[JDR13]

Then i would recommend PotD. It might be a bit tough in the beginning and don't be afraid to leave some content and come back for it a level later (or with more companions). Doing the temple of Eothas with only 2 companions at level 2 can be pretty tough, but after chapter 1 almost everything should be a breeze. PotD does in no way require powergaming but you will have to read the spell descriptions and be a bit creatíve at the very start.

PotD as a first playthrough is punishing although it is true that you don't need metagame information or really hardcore powergaming with it. However I would only recommend it for a first playthrough if you enjoy learning things through frequent reloading because you will be doing that a lot. There are also some areas that will roflstomp you on PotD if you go in too early -- and it's easy to go in too early.

Story- or lorefags should start at Normal.

For everyone else I recommend Hard. It's pretty close in difficulty to Core Rules in the IE games.

I don't remember but can you upshift the difficulty to PotD during the game? Perhaps a reasonable compromise is running hard for chapter 1 and PotD thereafter (when difficulty takes a nosedive).

Unfortunately, no.
https://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Mode

 

[Lacrymas]

Difficulty takes a nosedive on PotD as well, the system just invites this gradual degeneracy.

 

[Riddler]

Then i would recommend PotD. It might be a bit tough in the beginning and don't be afraid to leave some content and come back for it a level later (or with more companions). Doing the temple of Eothas with only 2 companions at level 2 can be pretty tough, but after chapter 1 almost everything should be a breeze. PotD does in no way require powergaming but you will have to read the spell descriptions and be a bit creatíve at the very start.

PotD as a first playthrough is punishing although it is true that you don't need metagame information or really hardcore powergaming with it. However I would only recommend it for a first playthrough if you enjoy learning things through frequent reloading because you will be doing that a lot. There are also some areas that will roflstomp you on PotD if you go in too early -- and it's easy to go in too early.

Story- or lorefags should start at Normal.

For everyone else I recommend Hard. It's pretty close in difficulty to Core Rules in the IE games.

I don't remember but can you upshift the difficulty to PotD during the game? Perhaps a reasonable compromise is running hard for chapter 1 and PotD thereafter (when difficulty takes a nosedive).

Unfortunately, no.
https://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Mode

Then I suggest you either mod this or power through the early game on PotD. I'm no IE strategy aficionado (I've not played the IWD games and never used SCS) and I managed just fine even the first time.

 

[JDR13]

Also, would you say that PoE II is easier than the first game? That seems to be a common sentiment.

 

[PsychoFox]

Also, would you say that PoE II is easier than the first game? That seems to be a common sentiment.

Yes, for two reasons:

AI and pahtfinding is better so your characters don't get stuck behind each other and so they can be effective.

The pacing of the combat is a little slower, giving you more time to react to situations.

 

[Grunker]

PoE II drops off in difficulty even more than PoE I once you get to 10-11th level and higher - but Megabosses are a notable exception. Easily the hardest encounters in both PoE's.

 

[Sergiu64]

I mean... you could run it with all those challenges on in PoE2. No idea who finds that fun - but you could.

 

[JDR13]

The pacing of the combat is a little slower, giving you more time to react to situations.

Yeah, but can't the player also set that speed in PoE 1 if they wanted? I haven't messed with that option yet. Does it make the animations look awkward?

 

[JDR13]

I mean... you could run it with all those challenges on in PoE2. No idea who finds that fun - but you could.

I read about the challenges. Looks like a bunch of random stupidity to me.

 

[MajorMace]

The pacing of the combat is a little slower, giving you more time to react to situations.

Yeah, but can't the player also set that speed in PoE 1 if they wanted? I haven't messed with that option yet. Does it make the animations look awkward?

I think poe2 is easier if only because of the very design of some monsters.
A look at some monster sheets and you'd notice some discrepancies. Fire giants, krakens, dragons (!) are much weaker than fire nagas for instance.
In a word : most content is designed for level 3-13 around the world. Only a few locations are higher levels.

I think that even on slow mode, poe1 remains better in that department (but still kinda weak as you progress - that's mostly the base game though, encounters in white march were very good in my memory)

 

[Shadenuat]

Fire giants are main quest stuff. So is (almost) 1 or 2 of dragons, kraken is also in one side quest. In PoE1 they are shoved a bit further into the game or are an expansion material.

 

[Quillon]

So I finally played & finished MotB... sooo WTF!? PoE1 is a TOTAL RIP-OFF OF MotB! And I've been sitting here reading people comparing it to IE shit for years... fucking combatfags.

 

[Lacrymas]

We've been comparing it to MotB forever. It's just not as good and poignant.

 

[smaug]

I am starting POE.

Uhh, what difficulty options should I enable for first run?

 

[Prime Junta]

I am starting POE.

Uhh, what difficulty options should I enable for first run?

Somebody else just asked this a page or two back. RTFT

 

[smaug]

Is dumping a stat okay? (Resolve)

Apparently barbarians need intellect

 

[Prime Junta]

Is dumping a stat okay? (Resolve)

Apparently barbarians need intellect

Most power builds pump and dump stats, but to make and use them you need to understand the system pretty well. For a first playthrough I wouldn't worry much about the stats, just pick a class you like, don't dump anything below 8, pump the starred stats, and roll with it. If you're getting roflstomped then the enemy is attacking a weak defence of yours, so find a way to pump it; if you can't seem to do any damage, then you're probably attacking a strong defence with a weak offence or are using a damage type to which the enemy is resistant or immune, so try something else -- everything you need to know is in the combat log and the enemy stats that pop up when you focus on it.

Once you've figured out how it works -- and this doesn't require a full playthrough -- feel free to roll up a power build. Note that there are a lot of items in the game that synergise really well with each other or with particular character abilities; once you find something interesting, try to figure out how to best make use of it.

(And yes intellect is highly useful for barbarians.)

 

[Shadenuat]

Unless u make tank barb. I think it's combination of one stands alone & sickening aura + ohshit button.
Otherwise you can max str int dex, dump else, run naked, and use reach weapon. put flame aura from bard on the weapon for more pain. I used Tall Grass I believe.