Originally Posted by mrfuji3
Originally Posted by robertthebard
...and I would argue that how much time it takes for each player to get their turn is a gameplay issue, when players aren't actually doing anything but waiting for their turn. Being the only player doesn't erase it, it just spreads it out over however many NPCs are involved, both in the player's party, and the opposing faction's party. There have already been threads about slow combat on these forums. That will be compounded with the addition of more characters in the player's party.
I agree that BG3 combat can currently feel slow, but this problem shouldn't be exacerbated with an (optional) increased party size:
1.) If Larian doesn't change encounters (many people are arguing for this - I think Larian should change exp gain instead) then a 6-person party will have a higher ratio of players-to-enemies than a 4-person party. I.e., a single player will spend a higher % of their time actually playing the game vs waiting. And in absolute terms, a 6-player combat will then proceed faster.
2.) If Larian does change encounters for a 6-person party, ideally they'd do it smart (which, hey, might be a big assumption) and modifiy enemies so we face a similar amount of stronger enemies, rather than more of the same weak enemies. Thus time spent between turns and in combat would remain the same.

Individual play time will be negatively affected in multiplayer, but only if you decide to play with 5 friends. Which is an additional option not currently allowed, and I want to stress, is only an option. You can still choose always choose to play with 4 players and 4 PCs for the default experience.

Except that the amount of time will still be extended, because the turns still take the same amount of time to process. Even assuming a scenario where two party members get attacks back to back, and focus fire and kill a mob, it still takes both turns to do so, it won't be accelerated any more than if the first one kills the same mob, and the second targets someone else. This will vary wildly depending on the numbers involved of course, but in larger combat scenarios, it will definitely extend it out. IF someone is feeling like combat is already too slow, this will compound the issue further.

Originally Posted by Tuco
Originally Posted by mrfuji3
I agree that BG3 combat can currently feel slow, but this problem shouldn't be exacerbated with an (optional) increased party size:

If anything, without any rebalance involved, playing with a party of six characters currently the fights just go by faster.
You are quicker to make kills, less dependent on the occasional RNG for crowd control, etc.

And most of what makes SOME fights feel slower than they should be is tied to minor annoyances that will hopefully be addressed over time, like the AI "hanging up" while thinking about the next move or minor details that pile up, like the berserk ability being unnecessarily long, dash demanding a confirmation click with included animation of the character powering up (?) on top, etc.

This is an interesting take, especially complaining about confirmation clicks for something during your turn, while simultaneously campaigning for more confirmation clicks for reactions? Especially since I can see myself "typoing" a skill use, pressing the wrong hotkey, and being grateful that I can say "no, that was a mistake". While I don't disagree with the latter, I just find it interesting.