55 réponses à ce sujet

[PocketDragon]

Yesterday I posted because I needed help with my 2 handed lvl 10 dwarf warrior on nightmare difficulty my first attempt. I am stuck at level 10 on the breach story mission after aiding the mages, getting pawned not much fun I could tediously progress, but.....

 

I restarted using a human mage nightmare difficulty. HAHAHAHA WTF? I am level 6 cutting swaythes through the Hinterlands, practically invicible. I rarley paused combat, I raerly use potions, I rarely change characters.

 

I am a fully speced storm mage with static field, Solas a full speced spirit mage revive, Varric mostly bow but uses posion weapon, Cassandra mostly sword and shield. I killed a bear at level 5. I have completed most of the Hinterlands on a single pass in a few hours gameplay. Wiping only one on the ice demon rift 2 phase, near the farm, where there are 2 ice demon mages, I am too low level. Killing Templar and mage mini boss missions and clearing the wolves.

 

Early days to fight a dragon, but I am loving nightmare. Mobs go down before they can say hey, they are in constant CC from static field and lightning bolt paralyze..

[Manki]

Not to take away any of your happiness, buuuuut you could just do this with your level 10 Warrior, just with an NPC  .

 

In all seriousness, I'm glad you found a play style that works best for you. Happy hunting!

[Siham]

Do you have Friendly Fire on ? Because Nightmare without FF is not really Nightmare. 

[PocketDragon]

I ran into real trouble on nightmare with my dwarf 2 handed warrior. Bad talents spec's on Ai I know I could change. But it was the entire laborious experience and the amount of potions used. I opted not to fight Envy because he wasn't any fun, and I was stuck completing mostly everywhere else. Level 10 the game felt too annoying and that I was playing it wrong.

 

 

The joy I am having now is pure pawnage. I feel invincible a massive change. Not having to issue a million comannds and constantly pause.  Or running out of potions. Now on this mage I don't have to do nothing much apart from send the buffed tank in, occasionally ordering an attack on certain targets, before any ranged decide to go kamikaze. There has been no nightmare, I know I am still low level, but this won't impact too much.

 

Ewww don't chain lightning my parade AH HAHAHA

[Manki]

Do you have Friendly Fire on ? Because Nightmare without FF is not really Nightmare. 

 

While normally I would agree, if I don't have the ability to add real tactics, FF becomes a nightmare (no pun intended). Too slow of gameplay for me. I'll take my nightmare just how it is thank you  .

[Anelyn77]

You are very early in the game, clearing most of Hinterland quests is not a problem for a ranged party with a tank that taunts and gets barriers etc. Wait until you meet enemies who will bull rush your back line, teleport, cast fire mines, can't be taunted or CC-ed etc.

 

Don't misunderstand me, am happy that you're having fun in NM, but it's the very early game, you can't base your decision on that - it's like I'd make a game on NM and hang out in Haven and say wow the game is so easy I don't need weapons or armor to walk around! Give it time and try other areas like storm coast / oasis / mire and then come back and tell us if it was same easy

[Blackstork]

Game is not easy. Also i assume you playing w/o FF. If you are playing without FF your nightmare is fake, mage friendly, and untrue. 

Play NM FF on - thats only NM which could be considered NM. And game is pretty hard. It is challenging. It require you to learn tactics and different approaches vs different enemies.

[Adhin]

@Siham: NM with FF on is broken. And I don't mean that in a difficulty manner, I mean FF is broken. Potions aren't effected by it, Firewall isn't effected by it but Chain Lightning is? A spell you have no control over where it goes outside of the initial target and it's it'll pretty much always fry your group. It means its a spell you can't use with FF on. On top of all this enemies aren't subject to FF when its on either. They can AoE all they want and they aren't effected. The whole point of FF is that additional bit of realism and tactical consideration on both sides (using the enemy against them selves while putting that Immolate in just the right place). Current FF doesn't work for that.

 

 

On topic - yeah lot of demons will screw with your idea of static cage. I got a 15 2H warrior, mage isn't using static cage and I haven't had to bad of a time getting through NM except on a few small occasions. Sounds more like warrior doesn't mesh with how you play. Good thing the AI is doing a good enough job for you.

 

-edit-

Oh also Static Cage is FF friendly, another spell that shouldn't be but is. All this 'must have FF on' is bullpoop. Yall are just pulling a high road and ignoring how broken FF is atm. The major difference with it on or off, atm, is what spells you can effectively use. Which mostly means no Chain Lightning and ignore the Winter Grasp upgrade. Not exactly a giant game changer. Static Cage, Firewall? All FF-friendly, and both extremely powerful, especially combined. And as I said earlier - all potions... Antivan fire anyone? FF friendly, dance in that **** and rejoice.

[Manki]

@Siham: NM with FF on is broken. And I don't mean that in a difficulty manner, I mean FF is broken. Potions aren't effected by it, Firewall isn't effected by it but Chain Lightning is? A spell you have no control over where it goes outside of the initial target and it's it'll pretty much always fry your group. It means its a spell you can't use with FF on. On top of all this enemies aren't subject to FF when its on either. They can AoE all they want and they aren't effected. The whole point of FF is that additional bit of realism and tactical consideration on both sides (using the enemy against them selves while putting that Immolate in just the right place). Current FF doesn't work for that.

 

 

On topic - yeah lot of demons will screw with your idea of static cage. I got a 15 2H warrior, mage isn't using static cage and I haven't had to bad of a time getting through NM except on a few small occasions. Sounds more like warrior doesn't mesh with how you play. Good thing the AI is doing a good enough job for you.

 

-edit-

Oh also Static Cage is FF friendly, another spell that shouldn't be but is. All this 'must have FF on' is bullpoop. Yall are just pulling a high road and ignoring how broken FF is atm. The major difference with it on or off, atm, is what spells you can effectively use. Which mostly means no Chain Lightning and ignore the Winter Grasp upgrade. Not exactly a giant game changer. Static Cage, Firewall? All FF-friendly, and both extremely powerful, especially combined. And as I said earlier - all potions... Antivan fire anyone? FF friendly, dance in that **** and rejoice.

 

I was actually in the middle of writing my own post to say the exact same thing, if only I could multi-like a post.

 

Exactly what they said, I will expand on my point previously, If I don't have the ability to have characters automatically leave AoE effects without manually controlling them, then its a waste of my time. Id rather not turn my already 50+ hours logged in the game into at least double that by living in Tac mode. Different strokes. If the tactics were available in any form, and I could actually tell my mages to only cast spells when allies weren't in harms way, or if i could tell characters to always move out of aoe, without the micro managing of Tac mode, then I would.

 

Outside of that, the fact that FF mode basically mean "Nightmare+more damage to you" instead of "Nightmare w/FF". I'll happily leave it off. Also, I don't know how far through the game ya'll have gotten, but this is not a mage friendly world with FF off by any means.

[Adhin]

Yeah I'm fine with the pause to tell em to do the AoE and all that. I have em not use AoE (or did, when I played with FF). It's just all the bits kinda add up to making the mode feel like an afterthought no one put any time into making sure it wasn't garbage. Heh but that is definitely what it is, NM with more dmg to you. Cause it doesn't effect enemies at all, sadly. It kinda makes this weird disconnect. You want FF on for the whole believable thing, but then enemies aren't effect by there own crap, and you can stand in your own fire? it just... meh. Hopefully they patch it in some day, but for no FF can stay off till then, it ruins my experience instead of adding to it like it has in the past.

[PocketDragon]

My problem with the 2hand level 10 warrior was constant pause for Ai who couldn't grasp how not to blindly charge in, constant potion use, and aoe. i didn't mind tactic's but when my abilities which weren't on CD, some of these couldn't be used in pause. Sometimes enemies would be unable to be hit from melee because my warrior would walk around, and around, trying to climb up a stone or just not hitting. I was getting annoyed. I had deathgrip but again in pause, ARGGGGHHHHHH, on the targetting etc...

 

Then I got somewhat stuck, where to go to level efficeintly? I had completed Most of Hinterlands except the bear area, north west, and the dragon area. Most of the Oasis apart from opening the temple and the endless spider spawned dungeon. Most of the Storm Coast apart from some big troll and dragon next to the islands. Forlorn Swamp I lit a beacon, and it was like the Alamo, all hell spawned on my party. I tried Envy he was a ******, so I did the mages line. I tried a little of the Breach story mission, getting past the first phase of trebuchets. I could easily rearrange my party, respec talents and labouriously continue. But melee is annoying, possibly best left to the AI who do it a lot better?

 

I love tactics, I am a veteran of turn based strategy like XCOM, CIV's, FinalF, Heroes. There are many many more such like games, that I cannot think of because of sleep deprevation. This game is not comparable I realise, but the comparisions were there for the summary of what is different here.

 

I wish this tactical game didn't load or go blank in the tatical phase and wasn't so wonky esp when targeting various enemies like wraiths which are almost invisible. There was full control upon pause with all abilites available that aren't on CD. Better targetting.

 

I am suffering none of these issues now on my Storm mage, my combat plays mostly in realtime, apart from when I am killing large groups, or setting up the intial attack. 4 wolves went down in less then a minute. I know that I am still low level and bosses require more strategy, possibly, and party options. Envy I will take two tanks, maybe a later respec, possibly putting a few talents into spirit for barrier as back up. Although I am quite curious to see if I actually need much, his smaller version of demon, from the rifts are dead in seconds. There aoe doesn't even come close, rarely, touching my current party of 3 range. But this nightmare now is a breeze. Yes I am geared, upgraded, my party is all nice, etc, with everything that is available. Funny how I'm getting 3x level higher level items from chests and drops. I know I am doing something right.

 

Friendly Fire Gad No!!! Without dedicate healer's isn't really all that viable. With some broken abilities melee swings, some spells do and don't, no grenades. Unless you have multiple barrier casters and lose some damage. You must be a flogging post HAHAHA....

[noctred]

You are very early in the game, clearing most of Hinterland quests is not a problem for a ranged party with a tank that taunts and gets barriers etc. Wait until you meet enemies who will bull rush your back line, teleport, cast fire mines, can't be taunted or CC-ed etc.

 

Don't misunderstand me, am happy that you're having fun in NM, but it's the very early game, you can't base your decision on that - it's like I'd make a game on NM and hang out in Haven and say wow the game is so easy I don't need weapons or armor to walk around! Give it time and try other areas like storm coast / oasis / mire and then come back and tell us if it was same easy

 

It doesn't really change.

 

I've cleared the coast, mire, western approach, and parts of other zones on nightmare - with a properly built party and updated equipment you can sail your way through most of it without ever having to use the tactical cam. Bosses are a different story though.

[simpatikool]

I switched up to Night Mare as Hard was not hard enough. But NM I seem to use the Tactical Cam more.

[Gigamantis]

For the first 5 levels I found my 2h Warrior to be a lot easier than my Mage.  Mages are kinda crap early on; long cooldowns and high mana cost on low damage skills, die fast, the only skill that justifies their existence is barrier until you're higher level and have access to specializations. 

 

I'm not sure where exactly the turning point for Mages is, but Mage is the only class I've tried on Nightmare that required constant tactical camera and manually using all of their skills; the AI LOVES wasting mana and cooldowns on non-critical targets.  Either way, I think Nightmare is sufficiently challenging if you don't abuse broken stuff like Knight Enchanters god mode. 

[themaxzero]

For the first 5 levels I found my 2h Warrior to be a lot easier than my Mage.  Mages are kinda crap early on; long cooldowns and high mana cost on low damage skills, die fast, the only skill that justifies their existence is barrier until you're higher level and have access to specializations. 

 

I'm not sure where exactly the turning point for Mages is, but Mage is the only class I've tried on Nightmare that required constant tactical camera and manually using all of their skills; the AI LOVES wasting mana and cooldowns on non-critical targets.  Either way, I think Nightmare is sufficiently challenging if you don't abuse broken stuff like Knight Enchanters god mode. 

 

Barrier + Static cage + Fire Wall can pretty much carry you through every non boss encounter in the game. Throw in Immolate and Barrage (which you pick up along the way anyway) and you can basically handle everything.

[Gigamantis]

Barrier + Static cage + Fire Wall can pretty much carry you through every non boss encounter in the game. Throw in Immolate and Barrage (which you pick up along the way anyway) and you can basically handle everything.

I'll have to try this combination, but it's still a heavy point investment.  I also feel like I need fade step for Terror demons on Nightmare, so this setup is a pretty hefty point investment and probably doesn't come together until levels 7-10.  I've only really played Mage up until level 5. 

 

I've found Warriors and Rogues to be useful and able to fill their roles right out of the box, though. 

[themaxzero]

I'll have to try this combination, but it's still a heavy point investment.  I also feel like I need fade step for Terror demons on Nightmare, so this setup is a pretty hefty point investment and probably doesn't come together until levels 7-10.  I've only really played Mage up until level 5. 

 

I've found Warriors and Rogues to be useful and able to fill their roles right out of the box, though. 

 

Static Cage > Terror demon.

 

If they are inside it if they try to teleport out they get pulled back and stunned.

 

If you are human you can have barrier and Static Cage the second you finish the prologue and respec using the amulet in Haven.

 

Respeccing is important as a Mage because the starting skills they give you (unlike say what they give Rogues) kinda suck. An archer Rogue with stealth and Long Shot is good right out of the box. A Mage with Chain Lightning and that crappy fire spell not so much. Imagine if you Mage started with Barrier and Barrage and how much difference that would make?

[Saresi]

Flashpoint isn´t bad.

It is bad from a damage:mana ratio point of view, but it is the best early CC effect in the game. It can take out every "leader" mob for ever, while you slash away his minions. Till you get Necro/Rift-Mage and their crowed control, this is beast if used correctly.

 

Situational though.

[mrkab]

You are very early in the game, clearing most of Hinterland quests is not a problem for a ranged party with a tank that taunts and gets barriers etc. Wait until you meet enemies who will bull rush your back line, teleport, cast fire mines, can't be taunted or CC-ed etc.

 

Don't misunderstand me, am happy that you're having fun in NM, but it's the very early game, you can't base your decision on that - it's like I'd make a game on NM and hang out in Haven and say wow the game is so easy I don't need weapons or armor to walk around! Give it time and try other areas like storm coast / oasis / mire and then come back and tell us if it was same easy

 

It's still pretty easy...

[Gigamantis]

Static Cage > Terror demon.

 

If they are inside it if they try to teleport out they get pulled back and stunned.

 

If you are human you can have barrier and Static Cage the second you finish the prologue and respec using the amulet in Haven.

 

Respeccing is important as a Mage because the starting skills they give you (unlike say what they give Rogues) kinda suck. An archer Rogue with stealth and Long Shot is good right out of the box. A Mage with Chain Lightning and that crappy fire spell not so much. Imagine if you Mage started with Barrier and Barrage and how much difference that would make?

Good points.  I always try to put off respeccing as long as possible, so I can get a feel for what the class needs before wasting my freebie, but maybe those starting skills are the entirety of what's wrong with Mages early on.

[themaxzero]

Flashpoint isn´t bad.

It is bad from a damage:mana ratio point of view, but it is the best early CC effect in the game. It can take out every "leader" mob for ever, while you slash away his minions. Till you get Necro/Rift-Mage and their crowed control, this is beast if used correctly.

 

Situational though.

 

Very situational. Not something that should be given to a starting Mage. Barrier plus Immolate, Freeze or Barrage would make a lot more sense.

[Saresi]

It is not situational if you can use it in every fight.

I guess you are just unease with the fact that it is a CC-spell for all what´s worth, not a damage-spell.

[themaxzero]

It is not situational if you can use it in every fight.

I guess you are just unease with the fact that it is a CC-spell for all what´s worth, not a damage-spell.

 

I love CC spells. Static Cage and Fire Wall are my two most favourite spells in the game. Its why I respec as soon as I can to grab one of them.

 

Both spells can pin down entire packs of enemies AND give great damage support.

 

Flashfire does neither of those things.

 

Add to that my biggest limitation in the game is the limited skill slots. Why would a spend one of my precious skill slots on such a limited skill?

 

My favourite setup is:

 

Immolate/Fire Mine

Fire Wall

Barrage

Static Cage

Stonefist

Pull of the Abyss

Barrier

Focus ability

 

Which of those would you replace with Flash fire and why?

[The Earl Of Bronze]

If theres no friendly fire then its not nightmare.

[Saresi]

I don´t find Friendly Fire especially tedious. In fact, it adds a lot of fun and thinking to every difficulty level.

And yes, without Friendly Fire even nightmare is a joke, at least with one Mage(rift/necro) and a solid Tank.

 

However. What makes ne turn friendly fire off is not the challenge, but the immersion: Enemies are not subjected to friendly fire, and there is no logic behind which spells cause it or not.