Allan Schumacher wrote...
I can't really answer definitively (or even really speculatively) on what we'll be doing for DAI, as that is outside of my coverage, but it did lead me to a question.
If all classes have the ability to unlock locked items, is there much value in even having locked chests?
That is an interesting question to pose, yes. I can understand the concern. The purose of my request comes down to certain things. Lore is the main one. Freedom of choice is the second.
My thought process goes something like: What are the primary characteristics of a warrior? Strength. A Leader. Someone who comes to the defense of others. What are the primary characteristics of a Mage? Intelligent. Physically weaker than most. (In this game's case: Warrior and Rogue). A mage is someone who deals with magic. What is magic? Magic is everything. It can do anything. It is it's own weapon that can be both good and bad. What is a lock? Something that stops people from obtaining access into something. What is a chest? A container to hold something. Common sense and past example show that with enough force, anything will break. Mind, spirit, atoms, and of course physical items. So a warrior's primary attribute that is different from nearly any other class, is their strength. With enough strength applying force, things can break. So then why cannot a warrior break a chest open to obtain items. Next thought: What happens when something breaks? It becomes damaged. It is no longer the same quality it was whole. So if a Warrior uses brute force to open a lock, the item can be damaged and thus considered useless. Mage. A mage uses magic. Magic is a weapon in it's own right. It is powerful. Magic can be anything, do anything. So by this definition, why is magic unable to open a locked chest? And, because magic is so powerful, the item inside has a chance of being hurt by the magic.
Everything just falls into place that it should be possible for the other classes to be able to force open a chest, but with a penality of the item being damaged.
This does not answer your question, I know. I merely wished to explain to you (being whoever the reader is) one of the main reasons why I have suggested such an action to be available. (Freedom of choice, I would hope, is self explanatory to everyone.)
Now to answer the question: If every class can open locked chests, is there a point to having them?
It is a good question to ask. Which leads to the thought process of: What is the meaning of a locked chest? The answer to that is simple, and most likely understood by everyone. A locked chest is a chest that is locked for a purpose. What is the purpose? To keep people from gaining access. Access to what? Items (or loot, as it's called). So if every class has a way to obtain this loot, even with a chance of destroying/damaging the items within, why should it exist? Why should it not then be an open chest that everyone has access to?
It's a good question. And I have another.
What is the point of a locked chest, if a rogue can open it?
It is even stated in DA2, among one of the loading screens: "Rogues are the only class that can unlock locked chests you may have on your travels. So, having a Rogue in your party is a near essentiality."
So even among the loading screens it is stated that if you wish to obtain what is in a locked chest, you must have a rogue in the party. And, to top it off, there is a locked chest during the start of DA2 that when clicked on, informs you that only a rogue can open this chest. So, right from the start, you missed out on loot because of your preference for a Warrior or a Mage. (Now, I am using DA2 as it's been so long since I have played DA:O as my PS3 has broke and no longer wishes to play any blue-ray disk. But, fortunately, I got DA2 on the computer.)
So, it is not by being mistaken that Warriors and Mages miss out on loot within locked chests; it is because it is programmed that way. If you do not wish to have a Rogue in your party, you are punished by not being able to obtain loot from locked chests. It is your choice, yes. But it is not your choice to miss out on loot, that is made for you. Warriors do not have such a special purpose. Neither do mages. It is benefical to have such classes within your party, but it is not "near essential". You can go through the whole game without just Rogues and Mages or Warriors and Rogues, and you would not be at a disadvantage in obatining anything. Rogues have been made "special" by being able to be the only ones capable of unlocking a chest or disarming a trap.
Now, the trap part is fine. Well..., the disabling part anyway. You'd think a certain Warriors and Mages would be able to tell the signs of a trap, but in this game's case those types of people do not exist, thus nollifying the whole point. But anyone can open a locked chest. Just not as easily as a rogue.
I think I went off point there so let me try this again. Why should there be locked chests if anyone can open them?
And the answer is simple. Because it should be the player's choice as to whether or not they wish to open them. I can just as easily, as a rogue, go right past a chest, and not open it. The only reason why I do open it, is because I can. I mean, why not? But it is the fact that Rogue's are being made special, a "near essentiality" that is limiting the player to include a Rogue or miss out, that is upsetting. That is the purpose of having any class open the chest. And by putting penalties on Mages and Warriors for forcing their way into something, it shows you that it might be in your best interest to include a rogue in the party. I have also concluded (based on interactions with one of the other postets) that this should be limited to chests of lesser value. That only a Rogue can open Master level chests and that as the chests's levels increase, the penalties become more severe on the Warrior and Mage.
It is, well somewhat, essential to have locked chests in a type of game such as this, because it gives the player something to look for. It gives a sense of wonder and slight excitement to want to know what could be inside. The fact that DA also gives experience for opening chests is also an appeal. (Though Warriors and Mages would be denied this XP as they used brute force to open it, and learned nothing). It is not a guarentee, certainly no, that I am asking that Warriors and Mages be allowed the items within a locked chest. I am only wishing to state that the option to be able to, though with a penality, would be a greater way, in my opinion, of allowing different classes the opportunity to obtain loot. That no class have a special purpose.
Another way I have thought of, just recently after reading this quoted post, is that there be special chests that only a Mage or Warrior can open. Perhaps have magical chests that only a Mage is able to open and have special cashes that only a Warrior can obtain, such as have chests behind objects that only a Warrior can get rid of; or maybe have Warriors have to interact with certain people where they must prove their strength to obtain an item or two. Just something, that makes it appealing to have everyone on equal grounds in obtaining loot. Something that makes each class special outside of combat.
I merely mention having all classes able to open chests as (though unfortunately I have no knowledge yet as to if this is true or false) it seems like it would be easier to program and include, than adding class specific chests or events.
So in final answer: Yes, there is a point to locked chests as they are as much a part of an RPG experience as quests. It is viable as it is not as easy or as viable for anyone beside a Rogue to unlock them. The option is there for the other classes to try their luck at forcing open a chest, but it does not guarentee that they will get the item. Yes, there is some people's fear that people will save before trying and just reload over and over until they get the item, but if they wish to waste their time on such an activity then more power to them. But if you were actually in the game (which is the point of an RPG; to bring you into the game) you would not be able to "reload". So the only people who would do so are people on a playthrough other than their first, or people who do not have a wish to experience a full RPG experience.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. I apologize that it is so long, but once I start writing, this happens. It is the reason why I do not post things anywhere unless I truly feel that it is important.
*And don't think I didn't notice most people's failure to comment on my "Talkative Man" idea. Which means they either don't care one way or another, or they think it has potential.
(Or it's such a rediculous idea that they don't feel it worth their time to comment about.... I hope that's not the case. D: )
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