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[Enduin]

What are Druids supposed to be doing? They look like off-brand priests with the ability to pop a shapeshift when people get past your fighters and close you in melee range.

I'd say they're more like off-brand Wizards with a nature theme that's focused on crowd control. They have similarly terrible accuracy and deflection, plus pretty mediocre endurance and health. With then the whole transforming thing for added variety.

http://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Druid

 

[Snapshot King]

I'd say they're more like off-brand Wizards with a nature theme that's focused on crowd control. They have similarly terrible accuracy and deflection, plus pretty mediocre endurance and health.

http://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Druid

Mainly it's because I really enjoy druids thematically, but in the BB I'm not sure how I'm actually supposed to play them.

 

[Enduin]

Mainly it's because I really enjoy druids thematically, but in the BB I'm not sure how I'm actually supposed to play them.

They feel like a second line class at best. Stick em with a spear to poke at guys from behind the front line people and pop off AoEs to mess with them and shapeshift into something that can take and dish out a hit if needed.

 

[Labadal]

Someone on rpgcodex has already done some modding for the game. Here's a WiP of the HUD.

What's also great about this is that the different UI elements can be moved around. You can have the portraits on the left if you so wish. Or you can move the combat log, etc.

I will play the game without any mods on my first run, but any subsequent run will probably be played with mods.

 

[Enduin]

Someone on rpgcodex has already done some modding for the game. Here's a WiP of the HUD.



What's also great about this is that the different UI elements can be moved around. You can have the portraits on the left if you so wish. Or you can move the combat log, etc.

I will play the game without any mods on my first run, but any subsequent run will probably be played with mods.

That's pretty damn nice. Wouldn't mind it sans fully connected boarder as well, though the nostalgic feeling is almost worth it.

 

[Arulan]

Yeah, from the examples I've seen, modding has already improved upon the interface, especially the solid background one. Here is another good mock-up example (taken from Grotesque on RPGCodex):

 

[terrisus]

Yeah, from the examples I've seen, modding has already improved upon the interface, especially the solid background one. Here is another good example (taken from Grotesque on RPGCodex):

This looks amazing.

 

[Arulan]

This looks amazing.

I edited my post. Keep in mind they're mock-ups, but I wouldn't be surprised if something similar will be modded in.

 

[Labadal]

I edited my post. Keep in mind they're mock-ups, but I wouldn't be surprised if something similar will be modded in.

The one Bester did is from an in-game screenshot. I do like the one Grotesque is doing, though. Even if it is not an in-game image.

 

[terrisus]

I edited my post. Keep in mind they're mock-ups, but I wouldn't be surprised if something similar will be modded in.

Yeah, I know, but even just the general format/layout looks great.

 

[loganclaws]

Nice for nostalgia but not actually a good UI. A good UI should maximize screen visibility and strive for minimalism IMO.

 

[Sou Da]

Nice for nostalgia but not actually a good UI. A good UI should maximize screen visibility and strive for minimalism IMO.

Some people enjoy the panel within a panel approach, there's a friend I know that has good points about this.

 

[petghost]

Nice for nostalgia but not actually a good UI. A good UI should maximize screen visibility and strive for minimalism IMO.

Agreed. I'm kinda bummed they made the ui solid in the latest bb.

 

[Sou Da]

Agreed. I'm kinda bummed they made the ui solid in the latest bb.

I'm pretty sure it's not solid by default. In fact I remember directly turning it on in the options menu myself.

 

[terrisus]

Agreed. I'm kinda bummed they made the ui solid in the latest bb.

I'm pretty sure it's not solid by default. In fact I remember directly turning it on in the options menu myself.

That's correct, it's transparent by default.

Nice for nostalgia but not actually a good UI. A good UI should maximize screen visibility and strive for minimalism IMO.

Different options for different people.

 

[The Illiterati]

I don't think it will make much of a difference for me,since i plan to avoid combat as much as possible(until there's finally a game that lets you do that,i'm not gonna miss the opportunity).

I hope the new Torment: Tides of Numenera is on your radar. I love non-combat options, and that game is my holy grail.

 

[Enduin]

Anyone else worried about transparency of the environment? A number of the preview videos and numerous Backer Beta vids show things like buildings, overhangs, ruins and trees almost completely obscure your view of characters when they're behind them. There are silhouettes, but they don't look that great for selecting and figuring who is exactly where and doing what.

I wonder why they didn't just make that stuff just completely transparent. Just seems like it will be an occasional, even if rare, annoyance.

 

[petghost]

Anyone else worried about transparency of the environment? A number of the preview videos and numerous Backer Beta vids show things like buildings, overhangs, ruins and trees almost completely obscure your view of characters when they're behind them. There are silhouettes, but they don't look that great for selecting and figuring who is exactly where and doing what.

I wonder why they didn't just make that stuff just completely transparent. Just seems like it will be an occasional, even if rare, annoyance.

Yeah from what little I seen it doesn't even seem that rare. In several vids I've seen instances of combat only being visible thanks to the selection icons underneath characters. I guess time will tell if it turns out to be a big bummer or not.

 

[Enduin]

Yeah from what little I seen it doesn't even seem that rare. In several vids I've seen instances of combat only being visible thanks to the selection icons underneath characters. I guess time will tell if it turns out to be a big bummer or not.

True, I'm trying to think positive and hope for the best. It doubly odd since full, or near full transparency was pretty much the norm in isometric games and the like where foreground objects could obscure your view.

 

[adj_noun]

I'm just excited about picking every (clever) dialogue option I see.

Once more the savior shall be an insufferable smartass!

 

[Dresden]

I'm pretty set on rolling with a cipher or rogue. Probably rogue in the end - I just like stabbing people in the back.

 

[ScepticMatt]

Someone on rpgcodex has already done some modding for the game. Here's a WiP of the HUD.

Is that .. EviLore?

 

[epmode]

Is that .. EviLore?

He's in the game but not in that screen.

 

[Dresden]

He's in the game but not in that screen.

That's his portrait on the bottom.

 

[epmode]

That's his portrait on the bottom.

Aiee, I thought he was talking about the shot with those structures.

Yeah, that's him. I hope it's used for an actual NPC and not just the custom character portrait pool.

 

[Arulan]

Aiee, I thought he was talking about the shot with those structures.

Yeah, that's him. I hope it's used for an actual NPC and not just the custom character portrait pool.

It's a custom character portrait, one of the better ones too I might add.

 

[terrisus]

I'm just excited about picking every (clever) dialogue option I see.

Once more the savior shall be an insufferable smartass!

Yeah, that's my favorite part too - dialogue choices <3

 

[texhnolyze]

Yeah, from the examples I've seen, modding has already improved upon the interface, especially the solid background one. Here is another good mock-up example (taken from Grotesque on RPGCodex):

I love this one.

 

[WetTreeLeaf]

I had this game pre-purchased for a while now but wasnt too hyped for it, but after watching a few videos today my hype is through the roof. Just the thought of exploring a Baldur's Gate-ess game again is really exciting.

 

[Durante]

I'm not one for solid UIs, but that mock-up looks really nice.

 

[Labadal]

Signing Tyme!

 

[Mikeside]

Signing Tyme!

My heart aches that I didn't back for a CE.

Still no word on what the regular edition box looks like?

 

[Sensuki]

WTB BG style UI ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXFgRNn8o0w&list=UULDoful0qkygJxzwo7UC-gQ

 

[ys45]

So I have not followed this game besides the KS updates , what's the consensus on the game for people who played the beta ? Is it good ?
From the screenshots/trailers I saw It look like they perfectly captured the essence of the Baldur's Gate series (seriously it look like a modern BG game) .

 

[Vincent Grayson]

So I have not followed this game besides the KS updates , what's the consensus on the game for people who played the beta ? Is it good ?
From the screenshots/trailers I saw It look like they perfectly captured the essence of the Baldur's Gate series (seriously it look like a modern BG game) .

I played the first beta they let us have access to and wasn't impressed at all by the combat, but everything else was great. It sounds like there's been a lot of progress in terms of making combat fun and not just super fast and insane (which doesn't work for this kind of game, IMO).

I liked what I saw well enough to know I didn't want to see any more before the final release though, so there's that.

 

[Varna]

Speaking of combat speed... is there a way to make the "slow" speed the default action speed? Normal was way to fast.

 

[Durante]

not just super fast and insane (which doesn't work for this kind of game, IMO)

Have you played BG (or any Infinity Engine game, really) recently?

Shit goes down fast.

 

[Labadal]

Speaking of combat speed... is there a way to make the "slow" speed the default action speed? Normal was way to fast.

I'm not sure but you can press S on your keyboard to slow things down. F is for fast mode.

 

[Enduin]

One thing I don't like about the UI mods is that it's not actually scaling the screen space down, but simply overlaying the UI on top of it, essentially cutting off a portion of the screen.

I mean yeah the camera is detached and can be anywhere but I'm still losing that visibility and that bothers me. I do like the idea of a boarder though, kind of like my portal looking into another world. And a nice detailed and organic GUI is my means of interacting with it and not some cold computer interface. I look forward to what else modders come up with and can do upon release.

 

[Kinthalis]

So I have not followed this game besides the KS updates , what's the consensus on the game for people who played the beta ? Is it good ?
From the screenshots/trailers I saw It look like they perfectly captured the essence of the Baldur's Gate series (seriously it look like a modern BG game) .

I played the beta when it frist came out and they nailed the presentation overall. The backgrounds are just gorgeous and full of detail. The 3D characters are a significant upgrade from the odl school sprites, the dialogue trees are out fo this world. The game, even that tiny slice of it, felt lived in and was full of lore and itneresting things to discover.

The combat, on the hand was a bit of a mess. Buggy, confusing, frustrating.

Playing through the latest beta, you can see the polish that everything's gotten, most critically: combat. The game now surfaces critical information to you so that you always know what everyone is doing and to whom. You'll know about status effects and stats at a glance, everythign feels more rensive and the UI is slicker.

Basically, combat is now better than BG2, IMHO. This is the complete package, my friend.

 

[Kinthalis]

Speaking of combat speed... is there a way to make the "slow" speed the default action speed? Normal was way to fast.

I haven't found an option for that, though it's possible they'll add it in.

The combat flow for me goes something like:

- Enemy spotted so game auto pauses (this is an option in the menu).
- Plan out attack and either move character to position in stealth or attack.
- instead of hitting space bar (pause/unpause) I hit "s", this game game unpauses, but it's in slow mode.
- hit space to pause action, move guys around/use abilities, etc as combat develops, then hit "s" again, or if I'm in mop-up mode - no serious threats remain, I'll just hit the spacebar to go to regular time.

 

[Enduin]

Speed up and slow down features seem like great additions to the RTwP formula. While pausing is a huge advantage, often times combat can move pretty fast once you unpause and before you can pause again and so being able to slow that movement down just a little bit will probably prove to be invaluable in getting placement right and field of fire for AoEs and the like.

 

[fallout]

Speed up and slow down features seem like great additions to the RTwP formula.

While I haven't played the beta, I really agree with this. I can still remember many occasions in IE games where things happened way too fast after unpausing for me to react and pause again.

 

[ys45]

I played the beta when it frist came out and they nailed the presentation overall. The backgrounds are just gorgeous and full of detail. The 3D characters are a significant upgrade from the odl school sprites, the dialogue trees are out fo this world. The game, even that tiny slice of it, felt lived in and was full of lore and itneresting things to discover.

The combat, on the hand was a bit of a mess. Buggy, confusing, frustrating.

Playing through the latest beta, you can see the polish that everything's gotten, most critically: combat. The game now surfaces critical information to you so that you always know what everyone is doing and to whom. You'll know about status effects and stats at a glance, everythign feels more rensive and the UI is slicker.

Basically, combat is now better than BG2, IMHO. This is the complete package, my friend.

Thanks for the info, now to wait another month .... we are finally getting a game worthy of the BG series what a great year this is going to be, so glad I backed this .

 

[Enduin]

While I haven't played the beta, I really agree with this. I can still remember many occasions in IE games where things happened way too fast after unpausing for me to react and pause again.

I think this along with the action cool down bar will be really useful. If what I've seen is correct when you perform any action there is then the cool down period afterwards before you will start your next action. This bar is shown above the character. During that time the next action is queued up and can be changed as long as this cool down period is still in effect.

So you could queue up an cone of fire or whatever on a group of enemies, but then if they move out of the AoE you can pause and rework the position if the AoE and it won't affect it's casting time.

This will be enhanced further by slow mode which will give you more time to pause and rework orders if things in combat change. It's only a few seconds at must but that might be all you need, especially with time slowed.

 

[Varna]

I haven't found an option for that, though it's possible they'll add it in.

The combat flow for me goes something like:

- Enemy spotted so game auto pauses (this is an option in the menu).
- Plan out attack and either move character to position in stealth or attack.
- instead of hitting space bar (pause/unpause) I hit "s", this game game unpauses, but it's in slow mode.
- hit space to pause action, move guys around/use abilities, etc as combat develops, then hit "s" again, or if I'm in mop-up mode - no serious threats remain, I'll just hit the spacebar to go to regular time.

The definitely the way I would do things... the default action speed is just way to fast. The lack of AI scripting makes it even more apparent.

 

[draetenth]

I still have no idea which class I want to play as... I usually play through as a "canon" choice or whichever fills in the spots that the NPCs don't cover/that I can build a better character as...

I know I'm definitely going to play on Normal... I don't really care that much about being challenged in battle. I just want to enjoy the world, story, and characters...

 

[Sou Da]

I still have no idea which class I want to play as... I usually play through as a "canon" choice or whichever fills in the spots that the NPCs don't cover/that I can build a better character as...

I know I'm definitely going to play on Normal... I don't really care that much about being challenged in battle. I just want to enjoy the world, story, and characters...

Then play as a Cipher, Monk, or Rogue.

 

[JC Sera]

Then play as a Cipher, Monk, or Rogue.

I'd second mechanics focused rogue or cipher. It will definitely open up some RP options/puzzle solutions.

 

[Enduin]

Then play as a Cipher, Monk, or Rogue.

But we get a Cipher companion, we don't get a Barbarian though. Then again I do think each class due to the way attributes work, as well as other mechanics, makes it so that having two characters of the same class won't be a big deal because you can build them to be very different from one another.