inherit
Scribbles
185
0
May 15, 2024 22:54:13 GMT
30,264
Hanako Ikezawa
22,370
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Oct 5, 2018 4:16:31 GMT
edit: the only thing I dislike is that after DAO, Varric is the only person in the universe able to wield a crossbow. Wtf? I was a crossbow-wielding dwarf before it was cool! Considering in the comics Tessa can use a crossbow, hopefully in the next game they allow others besides Varric to use a weapon that was commonplace before him.
|
|
inherit
1587
0
May 15, 2024 20:52:13 GMT
1,674
Walter Black
1,257
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Oct 5, 2018 20:21:54 GMT
To be fair, most Companions' special abilities were mix and matches of existing skills. For example, Fenris' Specialization could be seen as combination of Templar and Berzerker talents, with a little Rogue damage evasion. Ironically, many of Shale's strike me as retextured Mage spells; i.e., glyphs and sigils for auras, and Stonefist for her Boulder Smash. If Dragon Age 4 Companions had personalized skill trees again, all they would have to do pick and choose which ones best suit each character. Though hopefully more well rounded and diverse this time, as DA2's Specializations were far too rigid for my liking.
|
|
inherit
7671
0
1,046
NotN7
1,080
Apr 15, 2017 17:34:16 GMT
April 2017
notn7
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by NotN7 on Oct 5, 2018 21:09:55 GMT
To be fair, most Companions' special abilities were mix and matches of existing skills. For example, Fenris' Specialization could be seen as combination of Templar and Berzerker talents, with a little Rogue damage evasion. Ironically, many of Shale's strike me as retextured Mage spells; i.e., glyphs and sigils for auras, and Stonefist for her Boulder Smash. If Dragon Age 4 Companions had personalized skill trees again, all they would have to do pick and choose which ones best suit each character. Though hopefully more well rounded and diverse this time, as DA2's Specializations were far too rigid for my liking. That In my opinion is true, myself I believe because of the nature of the beast so to speak there is only so much that the coders can do to make newer and appealing abilities, of course that's me take it for what you will
|
|
inherit
1265
0
1,669
isaidlunch
794
Aug 26, 2016 22:27:12 GMT
August 2016
isaidlunch
|
Post by isaidlunch on Oct 6, 2018 2:30:07 GMT
I don't see what was wrong with how it worked in DA2. Even if most of the specializations were copy-pasted, they were at least thematically relevant to the companion and had a unique ability. The only problem I had was Merrill not having the Creation tree. I also don't see what was wrong with DA2's companion tactics and control system, but that's already a lost cause .
|
|
apollexander
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 350 Likes: 775
inherit
9079
0
775
apollexander
350
July 2017
apollexander
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by apollexander on Oct 6, 2018 4:52:18 GMT
I'm fine with either. Unique abilities help to create the personality while they also tend to decrease the freedom of builds.
|
|
inherit
1587
0
May 15, 2024 20:52:13 GMT
1,674
Walter Black
1,257
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Oct 6, 2018 20:09:41 GMT
I'm fine with either. Unique abilities help to create the personality while they also tend to decrease the freedom of builds. Honestly, at this point I think the best compromise would be a hybrid of Origins' and 2's systems with everyone having more than one Specialization. But this time Companions start with their own unique skills, and another set the player can choose to have them trained in later. Yes, the trade off would be Specializations having less abilities as a whole, but they could alleviate that by making the base classes more versatile again.
|
|
apollexander
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 350 Likes: 775
inherit
9079
0
775
apollexander
350
July 2017
apollexander
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by apollexander on Oct 7, 2018 2:23:26 GMT
I'm fine with either. Unique abilities help to create the personality while they also tend to decrease the freedom of builds. Honestly, at this point I think the best compromise would be a hybrid of Origins' and 2's systems with everyone having more than one Specialization. But this time Companions start with their own unique skills, and another set the player can choose to have them trained in later. Yes, the trade off would be Specializations having less abilities as a whole, but they could alleviate that by making the base classes more versatile again. I prefer just one specialization for everyone. And I like the idea in a mod of DAI where everyone has unique passive abilities. (https://www.nexusmods.com/dragonageinquisition/mods/1885)
|
|
psychomegify
N1
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: ThePsychomegify
Posts: 32 Likes: 113
inherit
9988
0
113
psychomegify
32
Mar 18, 2018 10:20:23 GMT
March 2018
psychomegify
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
ThePsychomegify
|
Post by psychomegify on Oct 7, 2018 11:07:18 GMT
I tend to go back & forth on this.
On principle I think it's a cool idea to have companions who have their own unique abilities. Especially those who are from more distant cultures.
But on the other hand I'm thinking, "Well if they they learned this, why can't I?" Or just have them teach me. Even more so if they have cool abilities that *I* really want. At the end of the day though... I'm fine with it either way. I think a good compromise would be something similar to mass effect, where once you complete a companions questline and have a high enough friendship you can learn one of the skills in their tree. Of course, you wouldn't be able to learn abilities that have special requirements, but for all the other skills it seems like a good idea.
|
|
inherit
4406
0
602
duskwanderer
Awesome
1,011
Mar 12, 2017 22:45:38 GMT
March 2017
duskwanderer
|
Post by duskwanderer on Oct 7, 2018 15:35:17 GMT
I prefer my party members to have unique things. I also expect to have unique things too.
|
|
michaeln7
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 445 Likes: 829
inherit
10102
0
Sept 26, 2022 23:28:28 GMT
829
michaeln7
445
April 2018
michaeln7
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by michaeln7 on Oct 7, 2018 16:39:06 GMT
Put simply, yes.
I also like it when the player character gets a unique ability independent of class or specialization. Especially if it changes based on moral standing, i.e.
HERO: "Your example is an inspiration to your team. They stand united with you." - any teammate that goes down instead gets back up with half their health, triggers once per battle. -
ANTI-HERO: "The results of your actions are felt throughout. You may not be respected, but you are certainly feared." - every enemy kill has a 25% chance to cause other enemies to panic. -
Having the "flavor text" with the - mechanical function - really sells it for me.
|
|
inherit
2159
0
May 15, 2024 13:03:00 GMT
4,080
jjdxb
Sweet wonderful you, you make me happy with the things you do
1,464
Nov 22, 2016 11:07:32 GMT
November 2016
jjdxb
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion
|
Post by jjdxb on Oct 9, 2018 20:53:45 GMT
Our companions should be unique and a product of their experiences and world. The natural outcome of that is that they will have skills and abilities that we, the player, do not. If they didn't bring anything special or unique to the table, there's really no point having companions à la Bioware.
|
|
inherit
4964
0
Jun 17, 2017 17:29:55 GMT
3,700
arvaarad
1,465
Mar 18, 2017 16:32:40 GMT
March 2017
arvaarad
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Jade Empire
|
Post by arvaarad on Oct 9, 2018 21:07:41 GMT
I prefer unique abilities for each person. Preferably with more gated trees than DA:I had.
Adds to diversity of the party’s tactics, because I won’t just beeline to the same “optimal” abilities for each warrior/rogue/mage.
|
|
LadyofNemesis
N5
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 4,834 Likes: 11,957
inherit
10314
0
May 15, 2024 16:34:12 GMT
11,957
LadyofNemesis
4,834
July 2018
ladyofnemesis
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
|
Post by LadyofNemesis on Oct 10, 2018 18:53:26 GMT
yes please! I really enjoyed the fact that the companions of DA2 each had unique specializations (even if they were combinations of several other spec's), and depending on how you build your character in Origins they are also unique from the companions you have available I was a bit saddened that in Inquisition the Inquisitor was more or less a carbon copy of whichever companion spec they chose, didn't help that they greatly dialed down the talent/spell trees as well
as for unique items and gear, I think that is also a great idea I loved that if you crafted new armor for the companions in Inquisition that they held true to that character
for example, Cassandra's Seeker of Truth symbol and Blackwall's Grey Warden chest plate DA 2 also had unique items for companions, but they didn't level alongside them so they became pretty useless eventually (except Bianca )
I think having unique gear and items for companions that level alongside them will be nice to see and maybe add the ability to chose what characteristics these items will have, for example if you have a two-handed sword...add a new blade or inscription that adds to the weapon's strength or gives it a new ability like say...summon a bank of mist that confuses enemies and adds a sneak bonus to nearby allied rogues
|
|
inherit
1587
0
May 15, 2024 20:52:13 GMT
1,674
Walter Black
1,257
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Oct 10, 2018 20:13:34 GMT
yes please! I really enjoyed the fact that the companions of DA2 each had unique specializations (even if they were combinations of several other spec's), and depending on how you build your character in Origins they are also unique from the companions you have available I was a bit saddened that in Inquisition the Inquisitor was more or less a carbon copy of whichever companion spec they chose, didn't help that they greatly dialed down the talent/spell trees as well
as for unique items and gear, I think that is also a great idea I loved that if you crafted new armor for the companions in Inquisition that they held true to that character
for example, Cassandra's Seeker of Truth symbol and Blackwall's Grey Warden chest plate DA 2 also had unique items for companions, but they didn't level alongside them so they became pretty useless eventually (except Bianca )
I think having unique gear and items for companions that level alongside them will be nice to see and maybe add the ability to chose what characteristics these items will have, for example if you have a two-handed sword...add a new blade or inscription that adds to the weapon's strength or gives it a new ability like say...summon a bank of mist that confuses enemies and adds a sneak bonus to nearby allied rogues
A lot of players rejected personal Companion weapons and armor because they felt it took away from customization. For the longest time I suggested both; unique, Companion specific sets that leveled with them, but players could still equip other sets if they wished. Now I'm not so sure, as the unique skins would probably be DLC .
|
|
inherit
1439
0
May 15, 2024 11:07:08 GMT
12,457
witchcocktor
4,036
Sept 6, 2016 10:00:37 GMT
September 2016
witchcocktor
Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by witchcocktor on Oct 10, 2018 21:20:39 GMT
Only if I get some special treatment as well, totally.
Also previously mentioned unique passives could be fine too.
|
|
inherit
ღ I am a golem. Obviously.
440
0
24,190
phoray
Dreadnaw Rising
12,573
August 2016
phoray
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
|
Post by phoray on Oct 10, 2018 23:47:47 GMT
Yes. Loved DA2 for having each companion their unique thing
|
|
michaeln7
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 445 Likes: 829
inherit
10102
0
Sept 26, 2022 23:28:28 GMT
829
michaeln7
445
April 2018
michaeln7
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by michaeln7 on Oct 11, 2018 13:34:19 GMT
...I think having unique gear and items for companions that level alongside them will be nice to see
and maybe add the ability to chose what characteristics these items will have, for example if you have a two-handed sword...add a new blade or inscription that adds to the weapon's strength or gives it a new ability like say...summon a bank of mist that confuses enemies and adds a sneak bonus to nearby allied rogues...
I second this. I like my companions having unique equipment, but I don't like it when it doesn't scale with level. Bianca is amazing like that.
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
May 15, 2024 22:54:13 GMT
30,264
Hanako Ikezawa
22,370
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Oct 11, 2018 17:19:04 GMT
I am absolutely not a fan of unique equipment for companions. I didn’t even like how armor changed to suit them that they did in Inquisition. Please go back to how it was in Origins in this regard.
|
|
inherit
1587
0
May 15, 2024 20:52:13 GMT
1,674
Walter Black
1,257
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Oct 11, 2018 19:42:22 GMT
I am absolutely not a fan of unique equipment for companions. I didn’t even like how armor changed to suit them that they did in Inquisition. Please go back to how it was in Origins in this regard. Just out of curiosity, why not?
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
May 15, 2024 22:54:13 GMT
30,264
Hanako Ikezawa
22,370
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Oct 11, 2018 20:30:09 GMT
I am absolutely not a fan of unique equipment for companions. I didn’t even like how armor changed to suit them that they did in Inquisition. Please go back to how it was in Origins in this regard. Just out of curiosity, why not? Multiple reasons. For starters: 1. Creating unique armor sets for each character means less sets overall. We saw this in Dragon Age: Inquisition where there were only about three sets per person. 2. Creating unique armor sets means that others can't use them. For example I liked Cassandra's armors, but because they were Cassandra's I couldn't use them. 3. Some of the unique armor sets are ridiculous. For example in Mass Effect we had characters wearing things in environments that according to the lore would cause them to be dead. 4. Limits roleplaying. What if I wanted to make my group look professional or match in some way since we are a part of a unit?
|
|
inherit
9583
0
Nov 27, 2017 14:40:55 GMT
803
warden
1,158
Nov 25, 2017 22:12:36 GMT
November 2017
warden
https://images4.alphacoders.com/101/thumb-1920-1010967.png
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by warden on Oct 11, 2018 20:33:20 GMT
if the abilities/spells are more badass and more worked and well done than mine then no.
|
|
inherit
529
0
7,815
Nightscrawl
3,266
August 2016
nightscrawl
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Nightscrawl on Oct 11, 2018 22:40:50 GMT
Some of the unique armor sets are ridiculous. For example in Mass Effect we had characters wearing things in environments that according to the lore would cause them to be dead. What? You mean Peebee and Jaal having a tiny face mask in toxic/harsh environments while everyone else wears a full-on suit is ridiculous??
|
|
inherit
Champion of Kirkwall
1212
0
8,023
Sifr
3,737
Aug 25, 2016 20:05:11 GMT
August 2016
sifr
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
|
Post by Sifr on Oct 12, 2018 5:16:53 GMT
I don't doubt that Anders is more powerful than your average mage, I just don't think he's stronger than Hawke. Yes, I see: Hawke has the Power of Varric's Words! And Hawke's special, of course. My reckoning is that Anders may be better trained (due to being in the Circle), but Hawke may have more natural talent. And even though Anders should be more powerful due to Justice, Hawke is far more experienced as a fighter.
I know there's nothing lore-wise to support it, but I always imagined the key difference between Circle Mages and Apostates should be that Circle Mages know how to fight using magic, whereas Apostates know how to fight and use magic.
It would only be practical for Apostates to learn how to conventionally fight without magic (to avoid detection), thereby making them better overall fighters than Circle Mages, despite their lack of formal training.
---
But to return to the topic, yeah, I'd prefer to see a return to DA2's unique skills/abilities for party members.
As talented as a mage Warden is said to have been in Origins, I simply don't see how they could have potentially mastered Shapeshifting, without years of training that Morrigan had to go through to gain those abilities?
|
|
inherit
Wanted Apostate
127
0
May 15, 2024 21:43:37 GMT
18,242
Catilina
11,030
August 2016
catilina
Top
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Catilina on Oct 12, 2018 13:03:26 GMT
Yes, I see: Hawke has the Power of Varric's Words! And Hawke's special, of course. My reckoning is that Anders may be better trained (due to being in the Circle), but Hawke may have more natural talent. And even though Anders should be more powerful due to Justice, Hawke is far more experienced as a fighter.
I know there's nothing lore-wise to support it, but I always imagined the key difference between Circle Mages and Apostates should be that Circle Mages know how to fight using magic, whereas Apostates know how to fight and use magic.
It would only be practical for Apostates to learn how to conventionally fight without magic (to avoid detection), thereby making them better overall fighters than Circle Mages, despite their lack of formal training.
---
But to return to the topic, yeah, I'd prefer to see a return to DA2's unique skills/abilities for party members.
As talented as a mage Warden is said to have been in Origins, I simply don't see how they could have potentially mastered Shapeshifting, without years of training that Morrigan had to go through to gain those abilities? Anders experienced fighter, he's a veteran of Amarantine/Vigil's Keep. He's not a typical bookworm, he has raw talent, just like Hawke. But of course, he educated too – despite his escapes and punisments, he was one of the best students (WoT2). And Justice also makes him stronger. Warrior Hawke can be experienced fighter – but never will be as strong like an similarly experienced mage. But I know, it's just my imagination – I can't ignore, that Anders (and Fenris as warrior too) is special, like Wynne, or stronger. Hawke can be as strong s Anders/Fenris but there's no any clue, why would be – if not because s/he's our protagonist.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 15, 2024 14:56:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,812
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Oct 12, 2018 18:56:38 GMT
I liked that each companion had a unique specialisation in DA2 and would also be happy if they had other special abilities appropriate to their background. However, unless it is something with significance to them, like Varric and Bianca, I don't like them have unique items or armour that no one else can use if they are the right class. Even worse, I didn't like the fact that you couldn't give them different armour in DA2. It was so frustrating picking up all these cool items of clothing only to be told they were only usable by Hawke and so if they were the wrong class they were useless. I don't mind that certain armours are class restricted so long as everyone with that class can use them. I liked being able to craft matching armour for my party in DAI as it made it feel like we were all part of the organisation. It was also good that items you found as loot would often look different depending on who was wearing them.
I would also prefer going back to having a greater range of basic spells such as we had in DAO and being able to customise your own character to a much greater extent as a result. Also having more than one specialisation even if they are generic specialisations rather than unique to your PC. It was frustrating and limiting to have only one choice in DAI and then essentially be duplicating a companion's specialism.
So far as weapons are concerned I definitely would like to see them go back to what we had in DAO, when your ability to use them depended on your strength, dexterity, etc, and not simply your class. Also a warrior could train in dual wielding if they so wished and a rogue could dual-wield more than just daggers. Cross bows were something that everyone could use provided they had the strength and it was simply the more powerful long bows that were restricted to someone with the right stats (implying the right training).
I also liked the ability to swap between ranged and melee weapons as was appropriate to the confrontation, simply by toggling between two alternate slots. The graphic still had you putting one down before you could use the other, so it was entirely realistic. Then DA2 forced you to go to the inventory screen to swap between the two, which only rogues could do anyway, and DAI regressed still further by stopping you from changing at all during a fight (again only relevant to rogues).
So pretty much I would prefer to go back to the system used in DAO for most aspects but with the unique specialisms for companions that we had in DA2, which had only applied to Dog and Shale in DAO.
|
|