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[Kimaka]

probably not in screenshots, but you compare both games in motion and you can see PoE is far, far more fluid and "fast". BG2 is cumbersome and stiff. I still think it looks great, though - and playing it with the widescreen mod lets the backdrops shine!

Re: the new twitch stream - I missed, any way to watch it again? Is there a stream archive?

This looks like this is it at 1:35:50.

 

[Altazor]

Found a youtube version of the newer stream. This time, bug-related party deaths are ogre.

...

...
...

yeah.

EDIT:

This looks like this is it at 1:35:50.

THANKS Kimaka! Your link looks much much better, so I'll use that instead!

 

[Labadal]

Some time spent in character creation.

Shows German text. Some things don't show up because not all of it is translated.

Screenshot of new dungeon? Maybe the one they don't enter in the beta. Huge image incoming. Send beetles after me if to large.

 

[Enduin]

I'm so freaking close to dropping another 25 on this for the beta access. That'll put me at a $95 for this game.

 

[Altazor]

Some time spent in character creation.

Shows German text. Some things don't show up because not all of it is translated.

Screenshot of new dungeon? Maybe the one they don't enter in the beta. Huge image incoming. Send beetles after me if to large.

oooh, that dungeon looks NICE.

Also, gotta love dat

Spoiler

BIG HEAD MODE

 

[adj_noun]

Well, they made it past the beetles.

HAX!

 

[Altazor]

I remember hearing, a while ago, about how they changed the "rest to learn/replenish spells" from the AD&D ruleset: some of them are still beholden to that "rest to replenish" rule but some of them are now based on a timer, like... well, a lot of modern games. I wonder what the criteria are behind putting a spell in one group instead of the other: overall power? efficiency? level?

And I also wonder which spells are precisely behind a timer and which are still tied to "rest".

 

[Labadal]

I remember hearing, a while ago, about how they changed the "rest to learn/replenish spells" from the AD&D ruleset: some of them are still beholden to that "rest to replenish" rule but some of them are now based on a timer, like... well, a lot of modern games. I wonder what the criteria are behind putting a spell in one group instead of the other: overall power? efficiency? level?

And I also wonder which spells are precisely behind a timer and which are still tied to "rest".

I think as you level up, more and more spells will be possible to use as much as you want during fights. So let's say a level 3 mage can only use magic missile two times per battle. A level 10 mage would be able to use it an unlimited amount of times.

 

[adj_noun]

Phew, that Ogre conversation has a Perception 16 check and an Intellect 18 check.

...I bet that Intellect check is a booby trap. It's an Ogre, for crying out loud.

Well, unless you're pulling some Odysseus stuff.

 

[Bananajama]

Seriously looking forward to this - I thought Wasteland 2 would be my much needed RPG but the more I see the more I know it's going to be PoE

 

[Altazor]

I think as you level up, more and more spells will be possible to use as much as you want during fights. So let's say a level 3 mage can only use magic missile two times per battle. A level 10 mage would be able to use it an unlimited amount of times.

that makes sense. I don't particularly like tying the spells to "rest" - I know it's the way AD&D did it at the time but I don't think it translates that well to a CRPG, especially when you can (sort-of) abuse the "rest" function and it becomes more of a hurdle than something essential.

Phew, that Ogre conversation has a Perception 16 check and an Intellect 18 check.

...I bet that Intellect check is a booby trap. It's an Ogre, for crying out loud.

Well, unless you're pulling some Odysseus stuff.

I'm interested in seeing how many of these encounters can be bypassed/solved by talking, or "verbal sparring" if you'd like. The player character "pulling an Odysseus" would be a thing to behold, though. I'd very much like that.

 

[Enduin]

that makes sense. I don't particularly like tying the spells to "rest" - I know it's the way AD&D did it at the time but I don't think it translates that well to a CRPG, especially when you can (sort-of) abuse the "rest" function and it becomes more of a hurdle than something essential.

Well they specifically have addressed the "rest" abuse by requiring the use of camping kits to sleep which expire after use and you can only carry so many and I don't think they're cheap so you can't stock up on them. So you may only be able to carry 2 or 3 at a time which will force players to be strategic about when to rest and when not to along with everything that comes with it like conserving per rest spells and abilities.

 

[adj_noun]

Possible beta bug to look out for (non beetle):

From Brandon Adler on the Obsidian forums:

This is a bug that crept in before the Gamescom build. We didn't have time to fix it.

For some reason characters are not autoattacking and if a player is given an ability/spell command they are "forgetting" to autoattack afterwards. It will be fixed shortly, but I am not sure if it will be in for the first iteration of the Backer Beta. may have to wait a couple of weeks depending on how complicated the fix is.

 

[Durante]

Well they specifically have addressed the "rest" abuse by requiring the use of camping kits to sleep which expire after use and you can only carry so many and I don't think they're cheap so you can't stock up on them. So you may only be able to carry 2 or 3 at a time which will force players to be strategic about when to rest and when not to along with everything that comes with it like conserving per rest spells and abilities.

Yeah, per-rest spells should be about resource management.

 

[SerRodrik]

Phew, that Ogre conversation has a Perception 16 check and an Intellect 18 check.

...I bet that Intellect check is a booby trap. It's an Ogre, for crying out loud.

Well, unless you're pulling some Odysseus stuff.

In this video here, Josh says that the ogre is actually very smart, which I think is pretty neat. I always like when races aren't just limited to "big dumb evil brute." The intellect check could very well be using smarts to reason with it.

 

[adj_noun]

In this video here, Josh says that the ogre is actually very smart, which I think is pretty neat. I always like when races aren't just limited to "big dumb evil brute." The intellect check could very well be using smarts to reason with it.

Oh, that's awesome.

 

[Altazor]

Well they specifically have addressed the "rest" abuse by requiring the use of camping kits to sleep which expire after use and you can only carry so many and I don't think they're cheap so you can't stock up on them. So you may only be able to carry 2 or 3 at a time which will force players to be strategic about when to rest and when not to along with everything that comes with it like conserving per rest spells and abilities.

yeah, the change to the rest mechanic is VERY interesting and I'm anxious to see how it pans out. I don't try to rest constantly in BG2 but sometimes after a very unfavorable battle for my party... it becomes a necessity. Tying rest to a specific item/resource turns it into a strategic resource management situation, a bit of a change. Do you know if those pesky rest interruptions will appear in PoE?

Possible beta bug to look out for (non beetle):

From Brandon Adler on the Obsidian forums:

Ouch, hope they manage to fix that before the beta.

 

[Arkeus]

I remember hearing, a while ago, about how they changed the "rest to learn/replenish spells" from the AD&D ruleset: some of them are still beholden to that "rest to replenish" rule but some of them are now based on a timer, like... well, a lot of modern games. I wonder what the criteria are behind putting a spell in one group instead of the other: overall power? efficiency? level?

And I also wonder which spells are precisely behind a timer and which are still tied to "rest".

None are put behind a timer.
There are three categories of spells:
+At will ones (you can do them as much as you want whenever).
+Per encounter spells (you can only do a number of spells of this level a number of times per encounter, and then no more for the encounter).
+Per rest spells (you can only do it a number of times before resting).

This is done in order to maximize strategic thought on where and when to use a spell.

 

[Altazor]

None are put behind a timer.
There are three categories of spells:
+At will ones (you can do them as much as you want whenever).
+Per encounter spells (you can only do a number of spells of this level a number of times per encounter, and then no more for the encounter).
+Per rest spells (you can only do it a number of times before resting).

This is done in order to maximize strategic thought on where and when to use a spell.

that is great, thanks for the answer!

 

[LurkerPrime]

None are put behind a timer.
There are three categories of spells:
+At will ones (you can do them as much as you want whenever).
+Per encounter spells (you can only do a number of spells of this level a number of times per encounter, and then no more for the encounter).
+Per rest spells (you can only do it a number of times before resting).

This is done in order to maximize strategic thought on where and when to use a spell.

This sounds great, though it does make me wonder how easy it will be to escape encounters so as to refresh the per encounter spells.

 

[Enduin]

This sounds great, though it does make me wonder how easy it will be to escape encounters so as to refresh the per encounter spells.

I would assume it would require the death of the creatures/persons encountered or a significant distance or time lapse between them at which time they would possibly regenerate their health so you could abuse the system.

 

[Kacho]

None are put behind a timer.
There are three categories of spells:
+At will ones (you can do them as much as you want whenever).
+Per encounter spells (you can only do a number of spells of this level a number of times per encounter, and then no more for the encounter).
+Per rest spells (you can only do it a number of times before resting).

This is done in order to maximize strategic thought on where and when to use a spell.

That's incredible. Just shared this with my buddies and they were pleased to hear this. PoE keeps sounding better and better.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

None are put behind a timer.
There are three categories of spells:
+At will ones (you can do them as much as you want whenever).
+Per encounter spells (you can only do a number of spells of this level a number of times per encounter, and then no more for the encounter).
+Per rest spells (you can only do it a number of times before resting).

This is done in order to maximize strategic thought on where and when to use a spell.

That's it. I'm plating mage/sorcerer again.

sorry, other classes

 

[adj_noun]

That's it. I'm plating mage/sorcerer again.

I just about always play a wizard, but I think for this one I'm going Chanter. Some of those Invocation names, man.

"If their Bones Sleep Still Under that Hill, None Can Say" is a heck of a lot cooler than Animate Dead.

 

[Enduin]

I have no idea what class I will play. I always really hated playing magic based characters in the Infinity engine games, only recently in DA have I enjoyed playing a mage of any sort. Most likely I'll just roll a Fighter, Rogue or Ranger. I do really enjoy the rogue play in Infinity engine and older cRPGs because they generally allow you to actually be really stealthy and do lots of prep-time stuff with encounters, so I expect that here.

 

[Altazor]

I've been playing as a Paladin (Undead Hunter) in Baldur's Gate 2. "Turn Undead" has been fucking useless to me except for one time.

Then again, on another thread, people told me my character had to be relatively high level for Turn Undead to become useful. In the meantime, I still get #rekt by vampires

 

[Dr.Acula]

I'm so freaking close to dropping another 25 on this for the beta access. That'll put me at a $95 for this game.

95? Wow.

I wonder how much I put in.

*checks portal*

WTF I backed at 160?!

Okay I guess.

I'm not surprised at the GAF shoutout, didn't people pool together 5k for an inn? I'm pretty sure Evilore threw in a G for a custom character.

 

[Altazor]

I'm not surprised at the GAF shoutout, didn't people pool together 5k for an inn? I'm pretty sure Evilore threw in a G for a custom character.

yup
(from the thread in the Community Sub-Forum)

 

[Labadal]

 

[Labadal]

 

[Kimaka]

I'm so freaking close to dropping another 25 on this for the beta access. That'll put me at a $95 for this game.

I'm about ready to give in. It's going to be hard not to once the beta releases and people start talking about it.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I'm in for Big Head mode

 

[Altazor]

he'll never live it down, ha. Obsidian should have a small throwaway reference to that situation in-game.

 

[Enduin]

I'm about ready to give in. It's going to be hard not to once the beta releases and people start talking about it.

They're closing down shop I think next week so you might not have the chance. Or maybe that's just for new Pledges and not add-ons as well.

 

[adj_noun]

he'll never live it down, ha. Obsidian should have a small throwaway reference to that situation in-game.

Absolutely. The tale of the sassy paladin that led her companions to doom on beetle road must be immortalized in story and song.

 

[Vlodril]

For all the crappyish art they had at the kickstarter they certainly did a fantastic job with the game so far.

 

[Kimaka]

They're closing down shop I think next week so you might not have the chance. Or maybe that's just for new Pledges and not add-ons as well.

I think it is for both. They said they are going to end the crowdfunding period on the 22th and only allow preorders after that. The beta releases on the 18th so there will still be time to decide to add it on until it's locked down.

 

[Enduin]

I think it is for both. They said they are going to end the crowdfunding period on the 22th and only allow preorders after that. The beta releases on the 18th so there will still be time to decide to add it on until it's locked down.

Crap, now I'm really likely to give in if I still have a few days to hear impressions and still buy it.

 

[Kimaka]

They are about to demo it again. http://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive

Fake edit: And the stream died. It might start up again.
Edit 2: Up now.

 

[Altazor]

They are about to demo it again. http://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive

Fake edit: And the stream died. It might start up again.
Edit 2: Up now.

IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVEEEEEEE

 

[Enduin]

Hearing the Backer Beta is only 3-5 hours long makes me less inclined to drop that $25.

 

[Kinthalis]

Hearing the Backer Beta is only 3-5 hours long makes me less inclined to drop that $25.

That's actually perfect for me. I don't want a significant portion of the game spoiled until the full release, and yet 3-5 hours is perfect for playign with the systems and being able to give contructive feedback, IMHO.

Which is the only reason you should be considering paying for a beta anyway.

A lot of people always complain about payed betas thinking it's some sort of disservice ot the customer. Payed betas/early access are about supporting the developer in their endeavour to create a game you WANT and the publishers refuse to finance. Getting the chance to help development and getting to play with ealry game systems is a bonus, IMHO.

 

[adj_noun]

That's actually perfect for me. I don't want a significant portion of the game spoiled until the full release, and yet 3-5 hours is perfect for playign with the systems and being able to give contructive feedback, IMHO.

Not to mention all the race/class combos to try.

 

[Altazor]

Not to mention all the race/class combos to try.

and different abilities and solutions (hey, let's try to talk to that Ogre! Hey, let's explore that dungeon! hey LET'S KILL EVERYBODY)... so while it seems a bit short at first glance, I think you can sort out some nice combinations of races and classes and abilities and all that to whet your apetite for a while instead of spoiling a big part of the game.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

So the backer beta is a "vertical slice" around 3 to 5 hours long where weck bang on the in-game systems and fugue out mechanics? Not to mention help iron it bugs.

Sounds great to me.

 

[TrueMenace]

Need to try out the Monk and Cipher!!!!! Those are my 2 go to classes right away for the beta.

 

[RulkezX]

You don't have to pay $125 for the beta. On the website, you can add it to your pledge for $25 until August 22.

Are you sure? When you click the button to show what's included in the package only the 125+ ones lost beta access

 

[Kimaka]

Are you sure? When you click the button to show what's included in the package only the 125+ ones lost beta access

You can go here (https://eternity.obsidian.net/) to manage your pledge. There you can just add the beta as an addon.

 

[Strife In a Teacup]

I think you still can, but there isn't much time left. (Same for buying the game at reduced price, for those who are on the fence)

I bought the add-on backer beta to my slacker backer pledge yesterday. (Admittedly after watching the footage in the OP). I wasn't sure you still could, but there it was, $25. Worth it for Obsidian. Plus I couldn't resist.

 

[Altazor]

I'm jelly of all those who will be able to play the beta... but most of all, I'm jealous of everybody who had the money to back this project in the upper tiers. I know I would've, if I had the money

Spoiler

and the possiblity of actually use Kickstarter, 'cause I don't have a credit card

Oh well, I'll still be able to play this - and I can't wait!