27 réponses à ce sujet

[Avaflame]

I know that the DA team have moved away from keeping Varric limited to using Bianca as a weapon, he'll now be able to use other ranged weapons or even daggers, we just can't sell Bianca. What I'm wondering though is whether it will be viable for players to have Bianca equipped on Varric throughout the game, for those of us who enjoy that character trait. I just assumed that this would be the case until I was just having a shower (I mean, I don't think about Inquisition in the shower, that's ridiculous...) and realised 'Crap, what if Bianca is just an unsellable, regular weapon that will become redundant just like the others?

Has there been any word on whether or not Bianca improves throughout the game?

[In Exile]

I don't think they'll have Bianaca not level-uo. It's too iconic of a weapon. 

[Eveangaline]

I don't think they'll have Bianaca not level-uo. It's too iconic of a weapon. 

 

I don't know, stens sword that was his entire quest and reason he could make it back to his homeland was under-leveled compared to some nice gear.

[Jawzzus]

I'd like it if you took it away and gave him something else, the whole time in party banter (when it pops up) he whined about you taking Bianca away from him.

[LOLandStuff]

At lvl 21 she'll be an epic weapon and gain an epic skill which will enable her to talk.

[TheForgottenOne]

If we can't sell Bianca then she'll have to level up. Else all she'll be is a useless item in our inventory.

She's more iconic than Sten's sword in any case. Varric made it clear enough in DA2 and the comics that she's more than just a weapon to him.

[TKavatar]

Asala is literally Sten's soul. It's just as iconic as Bianca is.

[Mistic]

Asala is literally Sten's soul. It's just as iconic as Bianca is.

 

I think it's more about being iconic for the players than being iconic for the characters themselves. Bianca's name has become famous thanks to being Varric's only weapon, being mentioned in several conversations and the references in the comic series. Sten's sword... not so much.

[mlgumm]

She better. I always thought it was weird that Sten was willing to use another sword when he had his soul back. I always kept him equipped with it even when there was better equipment. Seeing Varric without Bianca would just be wrong.

[TheForgottenOne]

We've all gotten accustomed to watching Varric wield his crossbow. I find it nearly impossible to picture him in action as a dual wielder. And the Fade dream from the comics makes us more attached to Bianca. Asala... well Sten's personal quest was never too hard so it didn't feel like an achievement on completion. In fact I was more attached to the heartwood bow and that awesome sword Wade gives us in Awakening since I had to work a bit for the Grandmaster runes and stuff.

[In Exile]

I don't know, stens sword that was his entire quest and reason he could make it back to his homeland was under-leveled compared to some nice gear.

 

Asala is literally Sten's soul. It's just as iconic as Bianca is.

 

DA:O didn't have a "level-up" mechanic. It does "level-up" depending on when you get it because the material changes, so it does do more base damage. But it is a tradition of older RPG's for gear to become outclassed.

 

Bioware seems to have learned from our desire to separate out stats from appearance, so if they allow us to keep the skin of certain armours/weapons but change their stats  it might be that Bianca doesn't level up but it does acquire the traits of a regular bow. 

 

The other thing with Bianca is that it's a unique model that requires it's own animation. If it didn't level up, why would Bioware invest all that time and energy into animating it? 

[KaiserShep]

Asala is literally Sten's soul. It's just as iconic as Bianca is.

 

Whether or not something is literally someone's soul is questionable, since, after all, it's just a sword. As far as we know, it's not infused with Sten's essence like Sauron's ring or Tom Riddle's horcruxes. What his "soul" means to him might be different than to us, considering that we don't really know much about the basic tenets of the Qun. Anyway, there's no way that a plot gift that players can avoid is more iconic than something that is an inextricable part of the characterization of a companion. No matter what, Bianca is part of Varric in both story and gameplay, whereas Sten will never mention the loss of his sword unless you become his friend. When Varric is introduced, it's the first thing we see, and comes up far too often in conversation to be forgotten. Besides, Sten's sword is largely inconspicuous, despite being a big two-handed weapon.

[In Exile]

Whether or not something is literally someone's soul is questionable, since, after all, it's just a sword. As far as we know, it's not infused with Sten's essence like Sauron's ring or Tom Riddle's horcruxes. What his "soul" means to him might be different than to us, considering that we don't really know much about the basic tenets of the Qun. Anyway, there's no way that a plot gift that players can avoid is more iconic than something that is an inextricable part of the characterization of a companion. No matter what, Bianca is part of Varric in both story and gameplay, whereas Sten will never mention the loss of his sword unless you become his friend. When Varric is introduced, it's the first thing we see, and comes up far too often in conversation to be forgotten. Besides, Sten's sword is largely inconspicuous, despite being a big two-handed weapon.

 

I think the basic idea - though the writing on the Qun is inconsistent - is that they don't have a notion of "personhood" like we do, based on individual autonomy. Instead, their notion of "personhood" is integrally tied to roles. Who you are is defined by what you are, i.e., Sten is a "Sten", a Qunari squad leader. His weapon, forged for him, is as much a part of his role as a Sten as his physical body. So, losing it, it means he lost the embodiment of his role (because he didn't die with it in his hand or whatever). 

[Cyberbobmkii]

Asala is literally Sten's soul. It's just as iconic as Bianca is.

And yet when he becomes Arishok he wields a maul.

[Maria Caliban]

"When I woke up without my soul, I went on a murderous rampage, killing the innocent farmers who'd chosen to take me in and nurse me back to health."
"Where is it now then?"
"Oh, I traded that in when I got my new job. This awesome maul is so much better than that old thing."

[Al Foley]

I don't think it will level up automatically per se but I do believe there will be ways for us to upgrade it.  Crafting resources, runes, doing different things and adding different abilities and modes to the bow.  Faster fire rates is likely or more power or penetration...of armor.  I think that might be how they will treat a lot of things in the game, it is the gist I got.  That if you like an armor set you can make it stronger where you do not have to upgrade to the next thing if you do not want to.  It will be interesting to see how exactly this system works but thank the Maker fotr that.  At the end of Act 2 of DA 2 my Hawke had the perfect Bow/ Armor for her, but it quickly became redundant because there was so much better and the bow was starting to feel like using a pop gun on enemies.  So I had to upgrade to the Champion Armor (which was pretty good but not as iconic to my Hawke's character to me) and the next bow. 

[NoForgiveness]

I feel like all items with sentimental value should level up with the character. I mean there has been a bunch, Bianca, Asala, Duncan's shield, zevrans dalish gloves and howes bow... I always feel weird about selling them if I get something better.
 

Also Sten says that Asala was given to him the day he joined the berasaad. So I think the day he became "Sten" that's when he got Asala. So when he becomes "Arishok" he may view it as getting a new role, a new weapon and a new life and soul. Just a thought....

Modifié par Ratonhnhaketon01, 16 mai 2014 - 09:50 .

[Al Foley]

I feel like all items with sentimental value should level up with the character. I mean there has been a bunch, Bianca, Asala, Duncan's shield, zevrans dalish gloves and howes bow... I always feel weird about selling them if I get something better.
 

Also Sten says that Asala was given to him the day he joined the berasaad. So I think the day he became "Sten" that's when he got Asala. So when he becomes Arishok he may view it as getting a new role, a new weapon and a new life and soul. Just a thought....

What I tend to do (unless I forget...sorry Isabella) is put these sentimental items/ starting items in storage when I get the chance.  THat way I still have them so when they leave my party they can have their things back and what not but at the same token they are not using anything too silly and underpowered.  Like Leilianna's Chantry robes.  Get her out of those ASAP. 

[NoForgiveness]

What I tend to do (unless I forget...sorry Isabella) is put these sentimental items/ starting items in storage when I get the chance.  THat way I still have them so when they leave my party they can have their things back and what not but at the same token they are not using anything too silly and underpowered.  Like Leilianna's Chantry robes.  Get her out of those ASAP. 

 

I don't necessarily mean starting items... I actually sell those as fast as I can. But id feel like a dick if I sold Sten's soul for about 1g... 

 

[efd731]

I don't necessarily mean starting items... I actually sell those as fast as I can. But id feel like a dick if I sold Sten's soul for about 1g...

I sold it for 2, Gorim always had the best prices. On topic though, I imagine Bianca will level with varric, simply because while she can be un-equipped, she can't be removed.
Also, saying asala is on the same level as Bianca is silly. If you played DA2 you knew about Bianca, that means iconic to me. If you left sten in the cage, or told him to leave, or never did his loyalty mission, or didn't care about the name of a single sword that wasn't (stats wise) exceptional, then saying asala will leave most people scratching their heads.

[Al Foley]

I sold it for 2, Gorim always had the best prices. On topic though, I imagine Bianca will level with varric, simply because while she can be un-equipped, she can't be removed.
Also, saying asala is on the same level as Bianca is silly. If you played DA2 you knew about Bianca, that means iconic to me. If you left sten in the cage, or told him to leave, or never did his loyalty mission, or didn't care about the name of a single sword that wasn't (stats wise) exceptional, then saying asala will leave most people scratching their heads.

Plus Bianca is a unique creation, from what I gather, in the world of Thedas.  For whatever sentimental/ religious value Sten assigns to his sword Bianca is the closest thing to a machine gun you will ever see in Thedas.

[Deflagratio]

Bianca will probably be increased in power through the standard Reforging/upgrading/crafting system of the game. I remember in the NerdAppropriate podcast the idea of using your "Same Weapon" through the entire game is theoretically possible because of the crafting they're planning on putting in, allowing iteration in power while keeping the same physical model of a weapon. Bioware was quick to point out that there will still be "Artifact" class equipment that's totally unique though, and that the crafting/reforging is designed more from a "Customization" direction rather than a Replacement for standard loot drops/purchases/treasure.

 

If you've Ever played Kingdom's of Amalur, I think that's the direction they're approaching this from, at least in mostly theory. Who knows what's made the cut or been developed through at this point.

[Kingthlayer]

I hope so.  I plan on keeping Varric with Bianca the whole of the game.  Perhaps towards the end of the game if I get a really good bow I'll hook him up with it, but I can't see myself ever having Varric go melee.

[Al Foley]

Bianca will probably be increased in power through the standard Reforging/upgrading/crafting system of the game. I remember in the NerdAppropriate podcast the idea of using your "Same Weapon" through the entire game is theoretically possible because of the crafting they're planning on putting in, allowing iteration in power while keeping the same physical model of a weapon. Bioware was quick to point out that there will still be "Artifact" class equipment that's totally unique though, and that the crafting/reforging is designed more from a "Customization" direction rather than a Replacement for standard loot drops/purchases/treasure.

 

If you've Ever played Kingdom's of Amalur, I think that's the direction they're approaching this from, at least in mostly theory. Who knows what's made the cut or been developed through at this point.

That jives with what I have heard.