E.g. Larian have stated they have put more items like Headband of Intellect in the game that replace an ability score, to make multiclassing easier and to enable item-centric builds. That alone makes respec an integral part of gameplay if you want to play well. Find a belt that gives you a Dex of 18 > respec your Dex from 14 to 8, wear belt, enjoy your new buffed Dex AND Constitution and Wisdom scores. Such items already devalue character ability scores, but with respec it just becomes really stupid.
What you are saying here is really interesting, but also nobody is forcing you to do that. I personally played DOS2 without cheesing, AND I played DOS2 carrying a deathfog barrel up to alexander. You choose when to cheese the game or not, and how you want to have fun. I doubt I'd respec my character for such a reason, but if others want to do it good for them.
Originally Posted by 1varangian
Knowing you can always respec takes away all weight from decisions when building your characters. You are mentally lulled into lazy gameplay mode where learning the rules and planning have no meaning. It's subconscious, but I argue that it makes the overall gameplay experience feel less rewarding. You have this feeling in the back of your head constantly that decisions are irrelevant in the end, you can always change into something else.
Few things in my gaming experience has been more fullfilling than beating ironman tactician in DOS2, and I had a respec there.
Originally Posted by 1varangian
Respec ruins replayability. Why would I replay the game for a whole different experience using another class or build, when I can just respec into said class, or any class, nilly-willy during my first playthrough?
I honestly like to bring a character from start to finish other than a few exceptions. Sure, I can respec in that build or another in any moment, but how would have been to play that build at level 3 instead of respeccing at level 9? What about "that" fight? How would it be with that class and party composition? And on top of that I think you are ignoring the fact that most of BG3 replayability comes from the story rather than the gameplay, at least by what Larian showed us.
Originally Posted by 1varangian
For someone who really enjoys character building, planning and tactical combat, Larian are making a terrible gameplay experience. It seems like the devs want to make a dating sim with puzzle combat and the D&D ruleset is just getting in their way. When they should embrace it and understand it's a tried and true ruleset that is the game's greatest strengths.
I'm sorry if I sound gatekeeping with this, but then 5e as a whole is not the correct game if you are looking for that. Character building and tactical combat in 5e is deep as a puddle. I'm sure Larian added so much things to make it work as a crpg, but in general I'd say that that's not the ultimate goal of a 5e inspired game. I can be wrong though, I dont know!
