Gameplay experiences

Yesterday I had my first really taxing fight against a big drake in a cavern. For the record, I'm playing on hard with 4 custom characters (fighter, ranger, wizard, priest). They were all level 7. Kyle wasn't at 100% health, but I thought he'd manage. He did before, right?

Well, he did splendidly, until he succumbed, at which point he was revived by "second chance". A little drake broke out to pester my ranged characters. Halted by Aileya, another little drake was kept busy by my Lily's pet. Meanwhile, two enemy high priests and some champions plus the Big One kept pummeling on Kyle, but I couldn't get to him. Still Aileya managed to heal him eventually and put out all the defensive spells she knew. Mistral was soon out of spells, but luckily the last rolling fire ball flattened some of the remaining foes.

Eventually, after having exhausted all spells and abilities, no enemy was left standing, except for the Big One at 4/5 health, while Kyle was down to 70% endurance with barely any health left and would die (mamed) once he reached 0. He could chuck another potion but with only autoattacks left from the others, it was a race against time. 3/5.. Kyle died. Lily's pet kept going! 2/5… pet died. Lilyana was the next in line, switched to melee weapons when the drake was upon her. 1/5.. Lily died. Mistral was the next. One last "arcane veil" to get some defense up (no more elemental shields left)… Mistral died. Aileya was still only auto-shooting with a scepter, which missed most of the time and grazed at best. Drake moves towards Aileya … "Die, dammit!".. a few feet before her, she hit. The drake died.


Alas, no screenshot of the deed, because I didn't know how. There's a Steam shortcut for that I heard? Anyway, what a fight! Reminded me of the one against Nessie in Wizardry 8. Good times.

Had a similar fight with only one left standing against

Originally Posted by Arhu
There's a Steam shortcut for that I heard?

F12 by default.

I got wiped out quite a few times when I fought this lot first time (on normal). Worked up couple of levels and went there again. This time co casualties

After about an hour of trying and re-trying, I had to give up on that Dyrwood. I think I was level…5? at the time, which was probably way too low. I came close a couple of times, but the enemy party always had a few terrible spells that would debilitate and destroy my party whenever I got close to victory. Other attempts, when the dice rolls were not kind, my whole party got wiped in a matter of seconds. I'm looking forward to coming back and seeking my revenge once my party reaches level 8.

Always satisfying to be able to do that.

Note this hasn't happened to me yet. But close!

Thrasher, you Braggart!

It's funny, at first I was thoroughly irritated at not being able to complete this quest. But then I realized how refreshing it is to play a party-based RPG where you can be humbled when it makes sense. In this case, this is supposed to be quite a powerful character, and of course his disciples are as well. This shouldn't be an easy fight.

Because of the challenge and ultimate defeat/retreat the first time around, emerging victorious later will be much more satisfying and memorable. As I play the game, I still think of that quest, and that character, and how much I look forward to finally overcoming him and his servants.

If I had been able to simply breeze through that battle, it would merely be another side-quest checked off the list, and would quickly dissipate from memory. It's a fine line to walk, but I think POE does a pretty good job of balancing difficulty while being fair about it.

My playstyle is very conservative though. It sounds like you went off in one direction and didn't stop until you got stomped. I always follow a spiral circle outwards with these kind of "open world" games, afraid I'll miss something, or spoil a quest, if I go to far first…

I actually have a somewhat similar approach Thrasher, but I was caught off-guard because Dryford is an area that is accessed fairly early on in the main story - I wasn't expecting to get stomped there!

Originally Posted by Thrasher
I always follow a spiral circle outwards with these kind of "open world" games (..)

This. When a dude says "go east" I will most certainly go west first, just to make sure my back is covered.

But level 5? I'm at level 6 and still doing quests in the Bay… Banshee almost stomped me, though… I'm currently looking for a cheap way to raise my resolve by 4 points to avoid having to buy a god awful expensive pendant off a whore…

Banshee? I may have missed that one…If it's not a major plot-related quest, would you mind briefly describing it in spoiler tags? I thought I was pretty thorough-ish in the Bay.

Then again, I don't really like staying in cities or towns for too long in games like this, so I may have just missed it in my lust for adventure.

Originally Posted by Thrasher
But level 5? I'm at level 6 and still doing quests in the Bay… Banshee almost stomped me, though… I'm currently looking for a cheap way to raise my resolve by 4 points to avoid having to buy a god awful expensive pendant off a whore…

yes, I reached Dyrford at level 9 (on hard not sure if that makes any difference exp-gaining wise)

I run back and forth; I do a few things in DB, then I go to the village; back to DB, off to a dungeon, etc. I enjoy the variety.

I fired the game back up tonight, and I'm having some absolutely epic battles in the Endless Paths! I don't know how you guys have gotten through this place unscathed. It's a madhouse when Fampyrs and Darguls are attacking in packs, charming my party members and generally wreaking all types of havoc! I've pulled some battles out by the skin of my teeth. It's not easy!

Originally Posted by Nerevarine
Banshee? I may have missed that one…If it's not a major plot-related quest, would you mind briefly describing it in spoiler tags? I thought I was pretty thorough-ish in the Bay.

Then again, I don't really like staying in cities or towns for too long in games like this, so I may have just missed it in my lust for adventure.

Yeah, I mix between wilderness and in-town exploration / questing. But open quests impinge on my soul, except for the main quest…

When I speak of the Banshee, I speak of the dreaded lighthouse of death.

Oh, the Lighthouse. I've been avoiding that one - wisely, it would seem! Where is the lighthouse, anyway?

Originally Posted by Nerevarine
Oh, the Lighthouse. I've been avoiding that one - wisely, it would seem! Where is the lighthouse, anyway?

Ondra's Gift, Defiance Bay. Southwest corner.

There's only one semi-tough fight there if you choose the peaceful option on the top floor.

Originally Posted by Fluent
I fired the game back up tonight, and I'm having some absolutely epic battles in the Endless Paths! I don't know how you guys have gotten through this place unscathed. It's a madhouse when Fampyrs and Darguls are attacking in packs, charming my party members and generally wreaking all types of havoc! I've pulled some battles out by the skin of my teeth. It's not easy!

Do a few levels go back up and play a quest or two, get some camping supplies and head back down is how I did it. Either that I feel you have to wait until you are leveled up 9 plus.