The more choices you have, the more likely there will be a clear cut best option. The moment there is a clear cut best option, there is no longer any decision to make, you take that option. Without a clear cut best option, you have to weigh up the advanatages and disadvanatges of the options you have. This is the essense of tactical descision making.
So it would be even better if we only had one power and one button?
But, but, but...they said it was for tactical reasons?!
At the very least that was just a disingenuous excuse for foisting the limit on us.
At the very least that was just a disingenuous excuse for foisting the limit on us.
It was because it was designed for controllers. And they wanted the abilities to be accessible immediately because: action action action awesome awesome awesome. And that's the truth of it.
The more choices you have, the more likely there will be a clear cut best option. The moment there is a clear cut best option, there is no longer any decision to make, you take that option. Without a clear cut best option, you have to weigh up the advanatages and disadvanatges of the options you have. This is the essense of tactical descision making.
Well, as far as limitations go, you perhaps, might want to play one-handed to allow for more tactical decision making choices... /sarcasm
However, I suspect the problem perceived by many (including myself), isn't just the limit of 8 compared to it's predecessors, but many of the other inherent limitations in the game. Things that inadvertently make the game more difficult or challenging to play instead of making the game more enjoyable to play; such as how well you could program each character in DA:O so you weren't always having to micromanage each one. A DA:O team was much easier to manage and play, hence more enjoyable, than the almost impossible act of just trying to get DA:I team members to stay in the same spot or do stupid things so constantly.
In DA:O, more options and more choices did make for an enjoyable play-though without making the game 'easy' to play.
By itself, the 8 limit is an annoyance at having to juggle preferences instead of having a larger array of possibilities at your fingertips. People want the fights in a game, not to spend time fighting the game system...
By itself, the 8 limit is an annoyance at having to juggle preferences instead of having a larger array of possibilities at your fingertips. People want the fights in a game, not to spend time fighting the game system...
^ This! It all boils down to this. 100% agreed.
Its pointless limitations for the sake of limitations, who knows its probably some annoying frostbite limit thing...
Its pointless limitations for the sake of limitations, who knows its probably some annoying frostbite limit thing...
I doubt it's a FB thing. I'm more inclined to believe its an EA thing. Y'know, simplify, simplify, simplify, because gamers are too stupid to remember more than 8 skills, apparently.
This game is a fanservice to people who are way too obsessed with the lore. People cried way too much about DA2 which was FINE for people like me who enjoy the combat more than anything else. Unfortunately EA has listened a little too much to the fans and completely sacrificed the combat for the sake of expanding on the lore and side quests.
My fondest memories of DA will always be the moments I had when you could use as many goddamn abilities as you wanted.
I agree. I loved DA2 becuase of the combat. Sure, the story was fun. A lot more fun the DAI. Frankly, if BW didn't reuse the graphics in DA2, I's say it was a much better game than DAI.
I've played DA2 5 times. DAI I BARELY got though one play-through. It's SO boring. Fetch this, collect that, and push the same buttong over and over in combat. BORING.
And the boss fight; Cory was much harder in DA2 than in DAI.
I doubt it's a FB thing. I'm more inclined to believe its an EA thing. Y'know, simplify, simplify, simplify, because gamers are too stupid to remember more than 8 skills, apparently.
As has already been stated its clearly due to the controller radial menu not being ideal for multiplayer and them not wanting to have different UIs for SP and MP. Its quite easy to have 2x4 abilities in SP using a controller alongside the 4 for MP.
I don't have a problem with the eight slot limit. I do have a problem with not being able to swap weapons while in combat which would allow access to different skills and combat styles while retaining this more focused approach.
You could for instance have different combinations of powers that you could switch between during battle using a radial menu. So you have your main 4 which doesn't change, then you can configure multiple versions of secondary powers (what appears when you hold down the left trigger) so you can switch between them depending on the situation.
For instance Barrier, Mindblast, Revive and dispel could be your configured as mainstay powers, then you could have all the lightning powers in a secondary group, all the fire in another and all the ice in a third. Of course you should be able to configure whatever combinations you desire.
As has already been stated its clearly due to the controller radial menu not being ideal for multiplayer and them not wanting to have different UIs for SP and MP. Its quite easy to have 2x4 abilities in SP using a controller alongside the 4 for MP.
Ah. So basically having more choices in a single player game is a casualty due to EA's insistence to make everything MP–sort of like that concept of one size fits all.
Probably some EA exec is trying to figure out how to make a multi-player version of Solitaire?
The eight-slot limit for skills is f***** stupid.
As has already been stated its clearly due to the controller radial menu not being ideal for multiplayer and them not wanting to have different UIs for SP and MP. Its quite easy to have 2x4 abilities in SP using a controller alongside the 4 for MP.
It's not a Frostbite thing. It was a design decision. A decision they should re-evaluate.
So much of DA:I was designed with the console limitations in mind. Even the return of the tactical camera feels like it was just shoehorned in there at the last minute just to say to the long time PC fans Bioware was trying to not completely alienate this time out, "Hey look it's back! Tactics!" And then they go and limit any sort of tactical choice actually in combat scenarios.
Bioware doesn't seem to want to make old school CRPG's anymore, they've gotten their taste of console success, with flashy cinematics and pop over substance and it's driven design ever since. There's a reason why most of the people who designed BG/BGII and even Origins all left the company. The direction they're now taking doesn't have those design goals in mind.
I guess it sort of makes sense to have a limit range of abilities to use if you are the Warden at the beginning of DAO, someone maybe not trained for a tough and fighting life and possibly still young and not used to the dangers of Thedas, but when you are a mercenary, or every single other NPC, at this point, you kinda HAVE TO be able to switch from a vast range of things. Also like someone said it would make sense if you could improve the number when you learn a special talend (and the rift spell)
But, but, but...they said it was for tactical reasons?!
I'm sorry to say it, but that has the distinct fragrance of something that comes out of the wrong end of a cow. I know it when I smell it!
I strongly suspect the real reason boils down to either of the following scenarios:
Brad: Ok guys, game seems to be all wrapped up, we just need to give that final polish to the the PC interface and.....
Brian: PC interface?
Brad: Yes Brian, the PC interface that I asked you to work on six months ago, you do have it ready to go... right?
Brian: Er.... well... I... I thought that was Burt's job!
Burt: No way Brian, it was definitely your job!
Brian: Was not!
Burt: Was too!
Brian Was not!
Brad: Guys, guys! Jeez! Look forget about whose fault it was, I just need a PC interface double-quick! I don't care if you have to tack it on with spit and chewing gum, we just need to get it done pronto, we're shipping tommorow, and EA are on my back like a bad rash!
Brian: Ok ok, I get it... give me twenty minutes, and I'll get something cobbled together.....
Or
Brad: PC interface guys! How we doing?
Brian: PC? PC???? Grrrrrrr damn those losers! Consoles rule! Consoles kick ass!
Burt: Consoles rock! PCs are for squares and boring people who use spreadsheets!
Brian: The console interface is good enough for cool console cats, it can damn well be good enough boring loser PC people too!
Burt: Yeah maybe it will convince them to throw away their stupid PCs and buy a proper console!
Brian: I know!! Why don't we make the PC interface as clunky and awkward as possible, that will teach 'em!
Burt: Hee hee heee yeah, cool.
Not letting the player use all of the abilities he picks during level up defeats the whole point of leveling up anyway. Rotten design choice.
Order probably came from the CEO of EA or someone near him that is like-minded. Everyone knows the CEO said EA games are too complicated and that every game no matter what it is needs multiplayer. Put these two together and you've got your limit of 8.
FAST FAST SIMPLE SIMPLE NON-STOP NO-PAUSING ACTION!
It's like the person who designed the skill trees didn't even know about it because they are very poorly designed around that limitation.
As has already been stated its clearly due to the controller radial menu not being ideal for multiplayer and them not wanting to have different UIs for SP and MP. Its quite easy to have 2x4 abilities in SP using a controller alongside the 4 for MP.
But, but, MP would have no effect on SP! They promised!
/sarcasm
Depends on the character, and how much each player puts into roleplaying.
As has already been stated its clearly due to the controller radial menu not being ideal for multiplayer and them not wanting to have different UIs for SP and MP. Its quite easy to have 2x4 abilities in SP using a controller alongside the 4 for MP.
It is a shame there are only 8 ability slots. It lacks the diversity we had in previous games. It also annoys me how we can't switch abilities/items mid-combat, which is the most annoying thing ever if you're a mage and you meet enemies that are resistant to a certain element. Why can't my mages just strap three staffs to their back in case? Or my Warrior can strap a staff to their backs and carry it for the mages, idc, just give me the ability to change them in combat!
I guess this is a sad trend the game has followed, of basically scrapping tactics (why give us a tactical camera but barely any proper tactics?) and limiting our ability choices.
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