Larian Studios Forums Divinity - Original Sin Divinity Original Sin - Beta Creating an incentive for magic specialization

The first version of beta I played (which I think was two versions back) had casting of spells limited by Ability rank but not character level. This allowed and encouraged specialization. I enjoyed this.

The limit on casting of spells by character level in the current system actively prevents specialization. This forces the player to be a generalist simply to survive. I felt that this took away something from the game.

The same goes for skills in general. With the number, not power, of skill effected by Ability Rank the incentive to specialize is taken away.

The same goes for weapons / with the fighter classes. Now that weapons have negative modifiers based on character level it reduces the flexibility of approach.

I think this is a case of More equals less. More complexity equals less freedom of choice.

My suggestion to solve this - remove the level limits on casting spells. Remove level limits on skills. Remove level limits on individual weapons.

Give a bonus to spell, skill, and weapon effectiveness based on Ability Rank. This reflects level but is not tied directly to it.

Keep the bonus to spell, skill, and weapon effectiveness based on Attribute. This reflects level but is not tied directly to it.

Give weapons and items both an Ability Rank requirement and an Attribute requirement. To use a weapon or item the character need only meet one requirement (either Ability Rank or Attribute). This rewards specialization in both Ability and Attributes.

These are simple changes that are essentially fine tuning what is already in the game.

More radically:

Increase the maximum Ability Rank that a character can attain. Increase the speed of progression through the Ranks of Ability.

This can be done by either reducing point requirements for each level of Ability rank or by increasing the rate at which points are gained.

Increasing the number of Ability Ranks will allow greater fine tuning of the game by the designers. This would make it much easier to tune out any unintended consequences or game imbalances produced by the suggested changes above.

It will also lead to smoother character progression.