28 réponses à ce sujet

[OldSwede]

Hello everyone, I have a question (or more) about playing on casual and the (constant) battles/fighting.

Before my question, I should state that I am a 49 y/o woman, who really rather would play without fighting at all in Dragon Age, but I've grown fond of the lore (after, very much to my own surprise, having played and loved Mass Effect 1 & 2 …I'd rather not discuss ME3 here)….No wait, now I'm not entirely honest, I do like being mage, fighting, if it's reeeeealy easy. 

So, if I'm on Casual (I believe it's called, the very easiest bang-boom-smach-flop-crash-ouch-my-head-lol-making-fun-of-myself-now level), will someone like me be able to enjoy this game?

From a stream I found, there is a guy playing as a mage on Normal, and he talked about the Dragon (as he answered chat replies) in the (in?)famous Hinterlands.

(lol, after everything I've read about the Hinterlands, which I think is beautiful btw, I keep having this Swedish song in my head…maybe one day I'll make English subtitles to it and post it here, haha ).

Anyway, he said he was getting info on how to defeat it, and he was by then only level 6-7, and got the answer that it was kind of difficult even on Casual…hmmm…

But then again, this may very well be because he was on such a low level, since I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but I do have concerns about it.

I mean, I've read other things, too, that concerns me, regarding this game and battles, battles, battles, and everyone loves the fighting, but me ...except for mages

...and I get this feeling, if we'd take away the very beautiful sceneries, the exploring-feeling, etcetera, etcetera, that it may as well have been a DLC for DA2 (meaning, having to chose sides continuing Mage-Templar, and also regarding the end - the man/guy that I follow (he's kind of very much a "completionist"    ), hasn't come that far, so I don't know much about the ending myself, only the little I've read here, but it seems - to me at least - as it is more like Awakening ---again, IF stripping out the very huge areas of exploring and beautiful sceneries etcetera, which kind of concerns me a bit too.

 

And...well, there are other things...maybe I should just watch it until the very end, regarding that. before I decide (I don't mind spoilers that very much, on the contrary more likely )

 

Anyway, I have concerns, as the old woman I am - at the moment, mostly regarding the (constant) battlels.

 

Thank you very much in advance (if anyone but me is ever playing on Casual, that is    )

 

I hope you all enjoy the game - or will come to love it (I know I had struggles in the beginning of DAO, when I did not know anything. It's very different now, after 100's of playthroughs). DAI really looks beautiful. 

 

PS: I know, I'm using too many smileys. I can't help it...it's an obsession, and I do try to strip it down LOL

[Tatsuki]

Long story short.
Yes.

 

On casual the combat is basically only there to show off your pretty moves and everything within reason will be a cake walk.

Enemies levels are based on the area so yes fighting a high dragon at lvl6 even on casual will get you killed, but just come back later when you are the correct level

and you can get by without any troubles.

 

And no matter how much of a completionist you are, there are lots of tiny little differences between playthroughs, I strongly suggest you get the game and give it a go.

[Julia Luna]

You can enjoy, it is very easy specially as a mage. I would avoid Melee Rogues if you like simplicity, and Sword+Shield warriors, Two Handed Warriors and Bow+Arrow rogue are kind of easy too, but really mages are probably your choice

 

Just make sure to spend a lot talking to companions and try to check main quest from time to time, also, on casual, just to avoid frustration try to start the quest one level above the minimun, so if it says recommended level 4~7 do it by level 5 and you're fine.

 

Oh I almost forgot the most important... do not explore. I mean, explore enough to reach the places where quests point you but go carefully and try not to go very far away since you will find very very hard, sometimes impossible enemies/rifts/giants/dragons

[OdanUrr]

I faced that dragon at level 10 on Casual and it wasn't casual. I used up all of my potions, had to revive each of my companions at least once, and finished the encounter with so little health I couldn't see any on the screen. And there were two mages in my party (myself included) who would cast Barrier every other day of the week.

[Vasudeva]

I've heard also go Knight Enchanter on the mage, or use vivenne or something, they're very op and get warrior to have 1,000 cuts ability, that plus casual.  I have a daughter like you.  When her horse got killed in Oblivion, she cried and cried.  Had to mod her game to make horse invulnerable practically give her an insta kill spell and she loved rp'ing in the world.  I totally understand where you are coming from 

[Kohaku]

I faced that dragon at level 10 on Casual and it wasn't casual. I used up all of my potions, had to revive each of my companions at least once, and finished the encounter with so little health I couldn't see any on the screen. And there were two mages in my party (myself included) who would cast Barrier every other day of the week.

 

This. I tried to do this one rift in the Mire and got served by this Templar that was harder than any of the other monsters that came out of the same rift or any other monsters in the area and I was level 7-8. He hit my character for 3/4ths of her health bar. It was stupid and so I left. I normally play some RPGs on Casual/Easy because I'm just there for a story but I do like a challenge. That wasn't a challenge. It was frustrating.

[OdanUrr]

This. I tried to do this one rift in the Mire and got served by this Templar that was harder than any of the other monsters that came out of the same rift or any other monsters in the area and I was level 7-8. He hit my character for 3/4ths of her health bar. It was stupid and so I left. I normally play some RPGs on Casual/Easy because I'm just there for a story but I do like a challenge. That wasn't a challenge. It was frustrating.

 

Well, I usually play on Easy/Casual because of time. If the game's about 150 hours large, for instance, then how much longer will it take me as I increase difficulty?

[Tatsuki]

You are all talking about fighting enemies higher lvl than yourself.

It can happen like I said, enemies can be higher level in some spots just be careful.

As for high dragons, take the damage resistance potion for the dragons element, you will be laughing at them.

[Uriel]

Sure you can. Don't worry about the dragons, except one, you just don't obligatory need to fight them (and the one you will have to will already be badly injured). For the rest, take some time to level up in the Hinterlands, sure there are some hard points (enemies in red), but it is mostly the easiest region.

[OldSwede]

Oooh, thank you so, so very much everyone!

 

 

You have given me hope again, and more than I could have asked for - and great laughs too   - in such a short time. I honestly thouht this thread would perish  (and I guess I've read too much into other, different things, better to experience that for myself, I suppose, but this - about the battles - I just had to ask.

 

Thank you, thank you thank you!!

[Chadness]

While I would certainly take everyone’s advice – and I don’t mean this to disparage anyone who responded to this thread – but sometimes those of us who are more “hardcore” gamers don’t really understand the direction a truly casual gamer comes from. For example, if I play a game on Normal difficulty and someone who is a “casual” gamer plays it on Easy difficulty, I may think that the encounters/fights in the game would be ridiculously easy, but to someone who is not used to that stuff, even the easy mode can be quite challenging.

So, when someone basically says that if you play on Easy or Casual, as the case may be, that it will be a cakewalk, it may be to them, but not to the truly casual gamer. It’s funny this thread came up because, just yesterday my wife wanted to make a character (she likes character creation, go figure), and I got her to actually give the game a shot. We got all the way through the prologue and into the Hinterlands to clear out Crossroads. It was hard for me to understand why she was having such a hard time with it (the game was on Casual difficulty), but she is a “casual” gamer, so it was still difficult for her, even though things seemed easy to me.

All that being said, if you’re used to RPGs like this, but still don’t like to fight in them, you’ll probably be ok. Some random fights you can “faceroll”, but a good number of them, even on Casual difficulty to a casual gamer, you’ll have to pay attention to. Even on Casual difficulty with the more elite enemies that are out there, they can still hurt and you can quickly go from a healthy party to a hurting party if you’re not paying attention.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, even on Casual difficulty, these games aren’t necessarily meant to be casual. There’s still some thought involved. You will still die to a high dragon at level if you don’t pay attention. You can still get overrun with demons at a rift and die if you don’t pay attention. You still need to know how to fight and defend yourself – maybe not for every standard encounter out there, but for a lot of them. Also, like others have said, many things are optional, as well. So if there’s something you don’t like or are having issues with, just skip it – if not permanently, then until you get a couple levels higher than the quest.

I still highly recommend purchasing it and playing it, even more so since you’re really into the lore, because this game is just packed full of all sorts of good lore-related stuff. Just be aware that the difficulty of combat in the game (even on Casual) is based on YOUR skill level, not that of someone else.

[OldSwede]

Again, thank you so much, Chadness! (I really wish there was a thumbs-up smiley here now )

 

Yes, I mean, I've played DAO so many times and Flemeth and the High dragon is still challenging enough (for me lol), although not the dragon in DA2. I guess it's because of the combat in DA2...maybe

And I do like some action now and then (I really do like Lara Croft) but those times, I choose, myself, to play an action game. Otherwise, I really wish there were any adventure games (like "in the old days") but I am limited, due to not being able to sit by my Mac very much and playing on Xbox (360) and PS3...which I have recently got as a gift from my sister (she likes games too) so I have yet to explore the PS3-games.

 

Edit: Haha come to think of it...yeah, I really do suck at action games nowadays. I got one of the Call of Duty to play Co-Op with my brother (I am disabled and really need games to "keep away the pain" and the stress of not being able to do much, and he had an accident and couldn't work for a few months) and so I started the game by myself first, to see how it worked...Well...a voice kept telling me it was inappropriate to kill innocents - all the time - and I tried over and over again, until I finally gave up (it's a long time ago since I played Tomb Raider, too)

[Freygea]

I play on casual so I can enjoy the story for my first play through. I actually have been able to play the main story missions under the required levels. The game is just as much fun playing the story as opposed to accomplishing combat on higher difficulties, at least for me.

 

I am 50 and female if that counts. 

 

I use a mage and just run if you end up finding a mob in a much higher level. I really hope you try the game on casual as I am convinced you will enjoy it. 

[Uriel]

I played casual (I'm not a nightmare obsessed, I just like playing, talking, discovering... And yet, I'm a 35 years old guy. ) There were some hard parts, but just because I went into places with a too high level for me at that time. 

[Vanth]

I am playing on hard with friendly fire switched on and it is still pretty easy. It is way easier than DA:O was. In DA:O I found I had to use tactics and direct my companions but so far I haven't had to do that at all in DA:I (which is just as well considering the tactical camera). I just hit things until they die, no tactics required. 

[Sylentmana]

Been playing on casual and I havn't had any problems yet. I haven't tried to kill any dragons yet. I'm still to intimidated by how big they are.

[OldSwede]

Wow! I'm amazed! And here I thought I was the only one. Thank you so, so very much - all of you, and those of you who had problems, you've given me insight on your feelings as well (since I can imagine me being in that very position), it really means a lot.

 

 

And Freygea, you rock! It sure counts! 

 

I did read that thread - a little - about that Mage specialization. I will read it again (and edit this post to give a link for those interested). It sounded as if even I just might handle it on higher levels, a few things at least.

 

Edit: Link; http://forum.bioware...od-among-mages/

[Bekkael]

I'm a 40 year old lady that plays DA games exclusively on Casual, and yes, DAI IS much harder than DAO and DA2 combat. I dislike the fact, but it's really what comes with no level scaling and healing restricted to just a few potions. (This is also coming from the perspective of someone who found ME3 Insanity great fun.)

 

For instance, I fought through a mission yesterday at lvl 17 with the same level enemies, and a mini-boss had 30,000+ health to my character's 600!!!  It took ages to chip away at that ridiculous health bar. He also had a 1 hit kill and took out every member of my party except me, at least once during the fight. Ridiculous on the lowest difficulty, in my opinion! I actually had to leave after that fight and fast travel back to a camp to refill potions, and I have my potions upgraded to 12 healing and 5-6 health regen potions. I didn't feel I should carry on and fight the boss with less than full potions, but funny the "boss" (Imshael) was actually much easier than the mini-boss (a giant), and no one died against the boss. Go figure.

 

I also killed the first dragon in the Hinterlands yesterday who was a Lvl 12 and my party was lvl 18, and though none of us died, she still managed to be a challenge and we all had to guzzle a potion or 2-3 each.

 

My advice is just to make sure that whatever the recommended level for an area or mission is, that you are at least a couple of levels above it if you want the fights to be less stressful. Even closing fade rifts at my same level can sometimes be a challenge with multiple elite bosses and mini-bosses all appearing at the same time.

 

Also, I play as a mage, usually with 1 rogue, 1 warrior, and 1 other mage in my party. What I find helpful is to use tactical camera to issue the first command of spell/talent to the whole party, then if the foe isn't a super powerful one, let it run in real time. If it is a hard enemy, I do the whole thing in tac cam with pausing. Hope this helps!

 

Another quick tip I forgot: when you level up a bit and start hitting tougher fights, it helps to have a mage in your party with Revival. One fight Varric went down, but Solas rezzed him before I had time to blink, it was awesome.

[Mikka-chan]

I let my kid niece goof off sometimes while I was playing, switching difficulty over to casual for her.  (She's not a big video game player, especially not on keyboard + mouse, so I'm not talking about some prodigy who spends all her time platforming in Assassin's Creed or something.)

 

She did, for the most part, fine, once I explained what did what.  Dragons and giants were hard for her (and at the beginning, bears, but bears are mean in this game); however, all three foes can be outleveled, and dragons can be utterly avoided* (you can try to avoid giants and bears, but that's a bit tougher).  For instance, most foes in Ferelden don't level up past 8, then 11, then 15.  Go further out, and in the Dales, they don't often level up past 19.  21 seems to be around where things stop leveling: and, say, a level 21 Dragon is much easier at level 23/24 then if you're trying to do it at say, 18.

 

(* Depending on your choices, you may have to fight one dragon, and it will be your characters's level: however, despite that, it's the easiest dragon in the game, as you only have to get it to half health and it doesn't use armour.)

[movie_diva]

I play on casual so I can enjoy the story for my first play through. I actually have been able to play the main story missions under the required levels. The game is just as much fun playing the story as opposed to accomplishing combat on higher difficulties, at least for me.

 

I am 50 and female if that counts. 

 

I use a mage and just run if you end up finding a mob in a much higher level. I really hope you try the game on casual as I am convinced you will enjoy it. 

 

I do this play on casual for the first go round  and I am also female and 50. I run a Female warrior, then I will do other classes. I love the Dragon Age games, and played the others over and over.  We should start a old broad clan LOL   have fun with the game and play the way you enjoy.

[Nefla]

The combat is difficult/annoying for a few reasons

 

-The companion AI is terrible and requires micromanagement in a lot of fights. Your ranged people will stand there in a dragon's face and not fall back to a safe distance, they can't seem to decide on a target and in one specific fight I had Cole, Cassandra, and IB running back and forth between two lesser enemies (who were on opposite ends of the battlefield) as a group attacking one and then attacking the other no matter how many times I switched to tactical mode and moved them/assigned them to attack the more powerful enemy in the middle, they would run off and start their dance between the weak ones (which kept appearing until the strong one was killed) right after. They also will often forget to use potions and require you to switch to them and do it manually.

 

-You can't set tactics like you could in previous games

 

-There's a LOT of combat

 

-You can't change your mapped abilities in the middle of combat and you can't use the radial menu to use other abilities anymore

 

-No healing magic and extremely limited potions

 

-When trying to target something on a higher elevation with certain types of spells, the spell wouldn't just pop up the cliff, you had to trail it around a hill or path like you were walking instead of aiming something.

 

-You also can't change weapons or equipment during combat...I hope your melee fighters don't need to attack something on an unreachable platform because that emergency bow will do you no good.

 

-It seems like there are fewer abilities and spells than previous games (the "upgrades" pad out the skill trees and make it seem like there are more but...)

 

It's worth playing for the story, characters, role playing, and beautiful environments but I absolutely hate the combat. My advice is to keep it on the casual setting, bring a lot of warriors and one mage, and try to keep yourself overleveled. That way you wont have to take much notice of it most of the time.

[frostajulie]

36 yo female gamer casual is not easy.  But at least if you die you can avoid that place for a while and return in a couple of levels. I usually always play on casual and when possible enable the developer console but that is not an option in this game. Good luck to you.

[cJohnOne]

I'm playing on Casual and found spots that are still pretty challenging.  In the Hinterlands there are some level 12s that almost kilt me. Don't want to spoil the other spots. It isn't like DA2 which only had the Ancient rock wraith and the pride demon at the docks at the end.  DAO on easy was pretty challenging before the patches. 

[Vasudeva]

65 year old gamer here.  ALWAYS remember there is a disengage button in game you can press and simply run for cover.  SO if you get over your head or feeling you are hit disenagage

[Bekkael]

The combat is difficult/annoying for a few reasons

 

-The companion AI is terrible and requires micromanagement in a lot of fights. Your ranged people will stand there in a dragon's face and not fall back to a safe distance, they can't seem to decide on a target and in one specific fight I had Cole, Cassandra, and IB running back and forth between two lesser enemies (who were on opposite ends of the battlefield) as a group attacking one and then attacking the other no matter how many times I switched to tactical mode and moved them/assigned them to attack the more powerful enemy in the middle, they would run off and start their dance between the weak ones (which kept appearing until the strong one was killed) right after. They also will often forget to use potions and require you to switch to them and do it manually.

 

-You can't set tactics like you could in previous games

 

-There's a LOT of combat

 

-You can't change your mapped abilities in the middle of combat and you can't use the radial menu to use other abilities anymore

 

-No healing magic and extremely limited potions

 

-When trying to target something on a higher elevation with certain types of spells, the spell wouldn't just pop up the cliff, you had to trail it around a hill or path like you were walking instead of aiming something.

 

-You also can't change weapons or equipment during combat...I hope your melee fighters don't need to attack something on an unreachable platform because that emergency bow will do you no good.

 

-It seems like there are fewer abilities and spells than previous games (the "upgrades" pad out the skill trees and make it seem like there are more but...)

 

It's worth playing for the story, characters, role playing, and beautiful environments but I absolutely hate the combat. My advice is to keep it on the casual setting, bring a lot of warriors and one mage, and try to keep yourself overleveled. That way you wont have to take much notice of it most of the time.

 

I agree with everything you wrote, and especially with the bolded and underlined part. The combat design for this game really seems to have given the finger to casual players, and side-questing is actually NOT optional as it should be, since it's the only way to get your level high enough to keep from getting slaughtered.

 

I wish there wasn't such a move towards harder combat in this game, since it's the first time I have actually detested the fighting in any BioWare game, rather than enjoying it. Not everyone wants a bloody Dark Souls experience in combat. I want more story and to get to a god-mode level which is what I love in RPGs, but with this combat design I wonder if it will ever be possible to feel really powerful? My Inquisitor still fights like a wuss against many enemies the same level or higher. Just....ugh.