I just beat the main game on Veteran, and I was wondering if I should switch to elite or ultimate and go again, or progress through all the dlcs on veteran still? This is the first ARPG I’ve played so I was wondering if there was a more “recommended” way to play between the two. I was thinking of switching to elite, as I didn’t have any problems with Loghorrean(?), however I haven’t managed to beat a skeleton key dungeon boss yet.
I really enjoyed the game, and am already thinking about what other characters could be fun to do. Probably one that’s a bit more tanky lol (I’m running Inquisitor/Demolitionist).
Do you like enjoying new content in the same difficulty and ultimately playing all the content 2x or playing the same content 3x on different difficulties per character?
I strongly recommend continuing the campaign on Veteran.
Because i think that’s the best way to keep your immersion in the story.
I actually finished the story on Veteran, and it was extremely satisfying.
I’m fine with replaying content if it ends up offering new challenges, and more interesting loot options and build potentials (I used an Incendiary Casque as my helmet slot pretty much the entire game).
Good to keep mind! Might be better to just finish everything on Veteran on the first character and maybe try doing power leveling or something on other characters if i decide to make them.
I would do FoA, AoM, and FG before jumping into elite or skipping elite and going into ultimate. I like this game a lot, so I do a full playthrough on each difficulty. Of course, lately I have shelved my level 100’s vs continuing the content. I like making alts. Once I have a long list of L100’s, then I will pick which ones will stay dusty and which ones will make it to the finish line.
Tho, in early Covid during the shutdown, I did a full playthrough with a 2-handed Vitality Damage Death Knight (Soldier + Necromancer) before I did Shattered Realms or Crucible runs. I didn’t do very well in the Shattered Realms, but I tore the Crucible a new one on each difficulty.
Of course, I don’t remember the build at all, or I would recreate that toon in a heartbeat. With every break I took from this game, I deleted my toons (big mistake imho) and started each session from scratch.
That’s a pretty good idea as well, seeing which builds are the most fun to play. Might try making a second once I get to level 100. Speaking of, at what point do you max out on devotion points? Will that be before or after level 100 on average?
That’s so funny you mention that, that was exactly the same idea I had for what I wanted to make after I was done with my current built lol.
Elite doesn’t offer anything that veteran does except having to restart your campaign run, Ultimate does have new exclusive content. I very much recommend full clear normal/veteran → full clear ultimate/ascendant. Elite can be skipped completely.
So many different combos with the 2-class model (make one archetype class). There are a ton of builds to reference too, just in case you get stuck on a skill or ability. Plus, there is GrimTools (has an item, monster database, and character calculator) for you to theorycraft till your mind melts. It’s especially useful when figuring out the best path for your devotions.
I usually max them at level 73. That’s about 80% of the time. The other 20% is around level 75-78. However, with the new content, I was well into my 80’s before I started elite mode to pick up the last 4 devotion points.
Totally worth it and fun (and easy) to play as well. Honestly, I need to remake mine. It’s been on the back burner for a while now. Every time I see vitality damage items, I save them for future use.
I find elite mode to be a good steppingstone for ultimate, especially for a new player. I rarely have what I need (resistances mostly) by the time I finish norm (veteran for the kicks) to be able to do ultimate mode.
Of course, over time, with enough level 100’s and mules (or Grim Stash), that can be mitigated fairly well. However, there are those times when I get a nice fat slice of humble pie served to me. OOPS!!! I guess I was a little too aggressive with my playstyle. Time to dial it back a notch or two. But first, the long walk of shame because I forgot to drop a rift before battle. DOH!
Plus, I really like this game, so I would still do elite mode, even if I am prepared for ultimate mode a bit earlier than usual.
Then again, I would be considered a filthy casual… so there is that as well.
I was only rarely playing Elite, already. But with FoA, I stopped completely. Because I always clear full content in Normal, I feel well equipped for Ultimate and my level is around 75 with just one devotion point missing. Monster level scaling will take care of keeping me well and alive. So, for me it’s usually 2 full passes of the campaign, with the second pass containing all the new content from Ultimate.
I also find what is important to note for people who start out with Grim Dawn, and have their very first playthrough; and especially if they 're focused on campaign & story (maybe also Lore-Notes): I’d suggest finishing everything in Normal/Vet to begin with, to keep up the Momentum und to see the most content (outside of the Ultimate exclusive stuff) for the first time.
also you want to unlock all your reputation npcs. So you can get rep for killing mobs. By unlocking on normal the rep continues on elite/ult by killing the mobs before you even reach the npcs on elite/ult. & to be able to access the components/equipment they have to offer. Resists are very important by the time you hit ultimate.