Thoughts on adding to attributes

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:25 pm

Just that: different character configurations, and where and when you'd add to their attributes.

Ragin Cajun · Post by **Ragin Cajun** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:24 pm

Not sure I follow the question Fable.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:09 pm

Ragin Cajun wrote:Not sure I follow the question Fable.

You've created a dwarven specialist XYZ. You then suggest to others what attributes you would raise when you get points to spend. Ditto, any other race and career combination.

Blood mages, for example, would look like prime candidates for putting constitution right up there alongside or slightly behind magic and willpower. Haven't played one yet, but that seems the case.

Ragin Cajun · Post by **Ragin Cajun** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:17 pm

gotcha. I'm still trying to figure out how to pick my specialty at level 7. Says it's not "unlocked" yet. Like I need a trainer or something.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:19 pm

Ragin Cajun wrote:gotcha. I'm still trying to figure out how to pick my specialty at level 7. Says it's not "unlocked" yet. Like I need a trainer or something.

I know for a fact that at least one or two specialties require finding an object, but no more than that. It's not something I'd like to know in advance, myself.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:57 pm

Spoiler:

Spoiler

So far I have seen three specializations that can be learned by reading a tome: Templar, Ranger and Shapeshifter. I just got Arcane Warrior while doing one of the main quests.

As for stat distribution, I'm going to focus on only two attributes, Magic and Constitution.

Also, what effects an enemy's chance to resist a spell, or rather, what can you do to prevent that? Is there an attribute which governs that?

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:34 am

Crenshinibon wrote:Also, what effects an enemy's chance to resist a spell, or rather, what can you do to prevent that? Is there an attribute which governs that?

Let me add another question to that: some items add "spellpower +X" when equipped, but it's never clear what they affect. They don't actually seem to increase spellpower or any stat. What gives?

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:30 am

Perhaps the increase is hidden?

GawainBS · Post by **GawainBS** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:24 am

I think Spellpower is the equivalent of attack & damage rolled in to one: it is governed by an ability (Magic), but can be affected on its own.

I'm using a Dualwield Warrior, going Champion & either Templar or Berserker, and planning to up DEX to 36 for the DW talents, then secundary STR for damage, attack & armour usage, and the remaining points in CON & WIL, since stamina is pretty important and you never can have enough HP.

For my Mage/Arcane Warrior, I consider raising MAG & WIL, and leftovers in CON and probably just enough CUN for the Coercion talents.

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:48 am

Playing as a Rogue, I've been raising DEX and Cunning as needed for my Rogue/Dual wielding talents, and STR as well so I can wear armour. STR seems to be rather important, as it definitely governs how good your armour is.

I boosted CON a bit, but you can only raise so many stats.

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:05 pm

From a technical aspect, I like the ability to add to your attributes. From a role play aspect, it leaves something to be desired. As a Duelist Rogue most of my combat is up-close and personal. Does it make sense that my magical affinity (or lack thereof) can improve when I cast no spells? An archer's dexterity and perhaps strength would go up considerably in comparison to his constitution.

I suspect that would take a lot of work to make the game self-thinking in that regard, plus remove the freedom of customizing your character. Still, it's a trade off.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:41 pm

Well, magic also governs how well potions affect you, so perhaps by consuming such substances, your body gets more attuned to them? Perhaps some of your gaining abilities could come from the Darkspawn taint?

GawainBS · Post by **GawainBS** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:08 pm

STR would definitly increase for an archer.
MAG could also be considered your knowledge of magical applications, so maybe if you use a lot of poultices and such, it's just that. Or your Rogues studies them in his downtime.

Does anyone have an idea on how the mechanics work exactly? Like, how much does DEX contribute to melee? How much does STR? What does "X" armour mean? How does "XY" attack relate to "YZ" defense in % chance to hit? How is spelldamage calculated? (Based on spellpower, which is derived from MAG, but the exact numbers?)

probo · Post by **probo** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:55 am

Seems to me that one should max out the primary stat entirely in this game, with almost any class.

For the warrior strength gives a lot of damage, it improves attack as well. The downside is supposedly that you don't get defense, like dex provides, but with a warrior you will usually have such high armor that you don't need that much defense.

For your tank constitution will probably be enough to have lifegiver ring, and then the bonus con from high approval (npc).

For mages it would seem that the magic stat is super-dominant, even more so than strength for warrior. You can skip willpower entirely since having ~225 pool or so will suffice, magic makes you regain more mana from lyrium potions so it effectively raises you mana pool anyway. Magic also passively increases your damage. Keep in mind that you can mass produce lyrium potions and have a tactics slot to drink one when they are low on mana.

I'm unsure if strength helps to knock people down (active abilities), but I read that somewhere. Maybe Magic (spellpower) helps to penetrate enemy resistance aswell.

I got no idea for rogue, but potentially the best build might be full dex and dualwield daggers, except for the dex-bug.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:12 am

probo wrote:For mages it would seem that the magic stat is super-dominant, even more so than strength for warrior. You can skip willpower entirely since having ~225 pool or so will suffice, magic makes you regain more mana from lyrium potions so it effectively raises you mana pool anyway.

Doesn't willpower increase your magical resistance?

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:15 am

Speaking of magic, does anyone know if the Arcane Warrior gains bonus to attack from Magic through Combat Magic or do I need to put points into Dexterity?

I've also heard that Combat Magic uses Willpower to determine the attack score, though I haven't seen it confirmed.

GawainBS · Post by **GawainBS** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:25 pm

fable wrote:Doesn't willpower increase your magical resistance?

It does. Not to mention that with multiple sustained spells, 225 mana might be a tad low.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:20 pm

GawainBS wrote:It does. Not to mention that with multiple sustained spells, 225 mana might be a tad low.

Which explains why I raise magic, willpower, and constitution. (Already have a cunning of 15.)

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:49 pm

Huh. I've been toying with the Blood Mage part of my character, and apparently, spells cast through Blood Magic do not suffer any (or suffer severely reduced) added cost from fatigue. My character has around 85% fatigue. A spell that costs around 80 mana to cast, only cost 52 through Blood Magic, which makes Willpower completely useless if you ever intend to take the Blood Mage specialization.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:05 pm

Crenshinibon wrote:Huh. I've been toying with the Blood Mage part of my character, and apparently, spells cast through Blood Magic do not suffer any (or suffer severely reduced) added cost from fatigue. My character has around 85% fatigue. A spell that costs around 80 mana to cast, only cost 52 through Blood Magic, which makes Willpower completely useless if you ever intend to take the Blood Mage specialization.

But if you hit Blood Mage as your second specialization (and I've not encountered it yet, so I've no idea whether you even have a shot at it for your first), then you have a great deal of in-game time where willpower does matter. This seems to be a tradeoff: you raise an attribute that ultimately is useless.