Larian Studios Forums Divine Divinity (English) Suggestions Great Expectations?

Yes.
What's next?
Stepping into your screen and taking part?
Be at least a little realistic...

OK. I believe you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

We wouldn't reach today's technology level if all inventors and explorers of the past thought like you. Dreaming is the way to create! Science-fiction is the future not the impossible.
I know that wouldn't be a esay task but it is still doable. (Even what Egin said, but much later.) You will (I wish) see that one day these come true and I hope Larian makes it.

Stepping into screen?! No. I don't think that that will be the case. Did you watch "The Gardener"? I think that will be what we are doing in the future. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Good point Kaan.

We would have still lived in the caves using wooden sticks to catch food.
Development is impossible without imagination, without ideas even most utopic ones <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
And we are here to discuss and imagine. We are not urging anybody to implement this, just discuss and share thoughts <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the support! It is good to see that I'm not alone.
Imagination wins again! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

It always wins <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif" alt="" />

So we agreed on 3D gfx and more interactivity with NPCs. I also have another point which confuses me: Multiclassing in DD.

I think that MCing in DD adds a lot of fun. But it also allows you to overpower the game. So, I have a feeling that MCing should have its own downsides.
Maybe it should cost more skill points to get another class' skill or it could cost you Xp points. (Less XP from monsters.(Only monsters not quests!))
Something like that...

I am kinda neutral about multiclassing. It has it's pros and cons.
But, Larian made a good job in making their own multiclass like model. You can use all 3 classes skills, combine them as you wish and get a nice mixture, still being focused on mage, survivor or warrior.
How do you see that multiclass working in DD?
To make multiclass you need class specific skills restricted to that class only.

Skill trees! I know I keep saying it, but I think it would work. You can't get super powers without first learning the basics for each class.

Skill trees may be a good idea but don't forget that they will limit your skill points further. Think DiabloII where you had to spend skill points on low level skills to get higher ones. That means that you will have less points to spend on skills of your choice.
MCing in DD is too free, I think. It is so free that you can choose "Warrior" to start and end with a powerful "Mage". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> There should be some disadvantages.
Egin, I can't see any downside of MCing. Only difference between classes is on secondary stats such as damage, defence/offence, life/mana etc.
I think that Larian should work on MCing some more before they release DD2.

Maybe, there is sence in making some skills depend on some other skills. This should let players focus more on their specific class. For example, augm damage can only be trained after 5* in weapon expertise. Or that master summoner after 5* in demonic aide. That mean that warrior will thing twice before specing in summoning <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />
But, but this again brings us to the model of skill tree, maybe more simple one.

Kaan, I agree <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's what I say! Skill tree or something like that is needed but not so complicated and hindering the development of characters. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

Skill trees are nice, but i like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> the way it is... i really think, that my (not that i have one) master summoner doesn't really need to know how to summon vermin in order to summon demonic aide; my fighter could be multi-weapon versatile warrior and wouldn't get proficiency in any kind of weapon, but, instead, would get such skills as augment damage and poison/fire/spiritual/lighting damage; my thief doesn't need to know how to ulnock doors in order to know how to hide or how to loot people; my healer doesn't need to know how to bless; my archer doesn't need spiritual arrows, cause he can have exploding arrows; and my boomeranger doesn't need to know how to put charm in his weapons... in <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> i can spend points on skills that i need and not waste them on some useless (for my class) skills; that's why i proposed once to make starting classes get 2 free skill points instead of 2 skills, because woman warrior has skills every character might find useful (mage, warrior and thief need sight; mage, warrior and thief need level 1 repair); but a male mage has summon vermin (i found minor use for them after i started my 5th character) and meteor strike (what if i'm a summoner or i like spikes more?) which are not as good.

Looking through the Dungeons and Dragons core books, they have a great list of "feats" that you can select (one every three levels, more for Humans, Fighters and Wizards). A number of feats require other feats be purchased first and tend to be more of a level increase than a new skill. The feat-trees in D&D involve, at most, 5 or 6 feats, just enough to prevent a player being over powered at low levels.

Another idea I had is minimum attribute requirements for skills. For example, a Wizard with a Strength of 10 should not be able to have level 5 Stun. Some skills should have a requirement Strength 15/30/45/60/75 (for each level) rather than a character level requirement.

3rd edition D&D rules would be cool to see, but I doubt it'd be all that easy to pull off with the current Divinity engine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

I think D&D rules would be too much (and too expensive in licensing costs). Besides, NeverWinter Nights has taken that idea. But taking a few ideas from it could bring benefits. After all, D&D has had decades of game balancing practice.

I agree HandEFood that D&D rules would cost too much and doesn't suit DD very well. Instead of directly taking D&D rules, Larian can spend some time to improve the current skill usage.

Also it is a good idea to link some skills to some stats, just like HandEFood wrote. It is more sensible to use stat restrictions instead of level restrictions.

The two, class and gender dependant, free skills at the beginning are useless for some class/gender combination. A good example is "Summon Vermin" of male mage's, just like Rainmaster mentioned. I played a male mage and I don't remember, I ever used it.

To brief; skill system needs a little more working on it. There are some obvious mistake like "Ranger Sight" vs "Elven Sight". Such mistakes should be taken care of and the skill system completely should be revised. However, the skill system in its current condition is not very bad. It allows to develop a character freely. It just need some more development to make it excellent.

Keep going Larian! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />