I’m new to GD but not to ARPGs. However I really have no idea what I’m doing here. Anyone have a good beginner guide that is actually up to date and relevant as of 10/20/2014? (I know it’s not a fully released game so a lot probably changes frequently)
I have a lot of questions and curiosities too. I’m sort of a min/maxer nerd at heart so I’m wondering…
Difficulty: I chose easy. Does that influence drops/exp/anything other than difficulty? Do I replay content at a higher level after beating the game like Diablo/POE or is it more like Torchlight difficulty?
Factions: Is there an optimal faction to help/avoid helping? What influence do they have on choices you get to make regarding gear or other reward type things?
Character Stats: Any breakpoints for stats (for example, how much Physique do you need to wear any item in the game? Are certain items so rare or conditional that you would not even need to reach that much physique unless you were playing the one build that utilized that item? etc)
And is there a respec mechanic or do I need to start from scratch if I make a mistake? Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices and I’m sure I’ll have to experiment quite a bit.
Difficulty: Currently there is Normal and Normal Veteran mode. Veteran mode is just like normal but has increased stats for enemies, more heroes (mini bosses), and more champion enemies (yellow named enemies) - so this would indeed impact drops/exp and difficulty. Later 2 difficulties “Elite” and “Ultimate” haven’t been released yet.
Factions: The actual factions aren’t in the game yet, however there are quest choices that can improve your relations with some of the factions is in already - some of these choices in higher exp, faction standing, or perhaps items. I would suggest just playing through the game and figuring it out as you go. A bit confusing in that the actual faction system is kinda in the game but isn’t - act 3 we’ll actually get different groups we can join or fight against - the factions right now are more quest oriented.
Character Stats: Uses these for figuring out stat requirements on items - or creating a build. Usually you can use items to get more stats in order to equip items that have high stat requirements. http://gracefuldusk.appspot.com/items and http://grimcalc.com/
Respec: You can only respec points that you invest in the actual skills. You can’t respec points put into the Main Mastery Bar (gives passive stats and unlocks later skills/skill modifiers), stat/attribute points (1 points give 8 into physique, cunning, or spirit), or respec out of the mastery that you choose should you put a point in it’s mastery bar and exit out of the screen afterwards.
If you want you could try and create a character and try and get to like level 10 (when you can choose a second mastery) without using stat or skill points. This way if you don’t like your character or want to do something different you can just restart at level 10 instead of 1. Or keep back up files of your character if you make a mistake.
Grim Dawn doesn’t really hold your hand so the first playthrough may be a bit confusing at times - otherwise use the tips that pop up every once in awhile, read the quests so you know where to go, and use the forums if you become stuck or want some advice.
DeMasked got pretty much everything down in his post. To build on it, however, there’s no “magic number” of stat allocation yet, as we only have access to 35 stat points and we can only equip gear up to level 35 while there is gear in the game that requires level 70/75. Keep in mind that this is still Early Access, and content is still being rolled out.
But tbh, I don’t think the devs really want a “magic number” of stat allocation, otherwise every character ever does things the same way.
welcome, and congratulations on joining us Grim Dawnians.
those are just base stat points, if all you did was farm. there are quests that awards stat points. I’m not sure which build they were release in Merciful End
But, yes Ceno is right, there is no actual right right number to allocate to which one, though im sure when there is there will be alot of palm to faces. lol. I know i look at how ive built my Arcanist as a gaint battery and just barely enough phy. and cun to get by I will be one of those.
There are a few quests that also award skill points, but I cant think of which one they are at the moment.
palm to face I should proof read better, Ceno is right. lol
see I did say id be one to palm to face lol. you only get 34 from lvls but have to do the quest for the last stat point… I swear that was how it read in my head lol
