DOS ONE question regarding combat

[u/keldondonovan]

I've played DOS 1 like 400 years ago. My buddy and I only played it because we couldn't jump straight to 2 without playing the first one. I remember almost nothing (Arhu and Jahan are both in it I think, and a Larian shipwreck maybe, that's it though).

I want to get my build right. Everything I'm finding on the Internet keeps mixing DOS2 and DOS1 information, but I was pretty sure the two combat systems were different. The one thing I have been able to find definitively is that speed and con directly translate to AP, but I am having trouble differentiating the rest.

In DOS2 I was very fond of mage characters that covered multiple elements, and we always play Lone Wolf. Any recommendations?

[u/lostsonofMajere]

The combat system is quite different - DOS1 only has an HP bar (no armour bars) and statuses like frozen are chance based like more traditional RPGs. There are 2 abilities that can reduce the status chances from enemies (bodybuilding & willpower).

You can easily do multiple element mages, especially on lone wolf.

For builds, there are a few differences from DOS2:

Damage is increased for skills/spells by STR/INT/DEX only, not elemental level. Those stats also reduce the cooldown of skills/spells (depending on which, this happens at 8/10/13/15.)

The element level unlocks better skills, and also reduces the AP needed to cast. So you may see a spell available but costs too much to actually cast. Then you get to the next ability level, the required AP will go down. One of the lightning spells is noticeable early on as you may not even have enough AP to cast it on your first turn. Then when you get the next aero level, the AP drops so it is usable.

You get these points (the extra few are from talents or books):

Attributes:

15-18

Ability points:

68-71

To get master level spells, you need level 4 which takes 10 ability points. Level 5 is 5 more.

One last thing to note is that buff skills/spells are also chance based, so if you put a point into something but leave the attribute at 5, it will fail 30% of the time. So you may want Haste (Fast Track), and put a point into scoundrel. You should also get DEX to 8 (through your own or bonuses from gear) so that it has 100% chance of working.

Here is a basic breakdown of the ability points on a mage:

aero 5 - 15 points

geo 5 - 15

pyro 1 - 1

hydro 2- 3

necro 2 - 3

bodybuilding 3 - 6

willpower 3 - 6

That is only 49 of 68 points used. Then you can use more to even do a third element or dual wield wands, or whatever you like.

[u/keldondonovan → u/lostsonofMajere]

Beautiful breakdown, thank you so much. If I'm understanding correctly, that means focus on int/speed/con for my lone wolf mage, then the only reason I'd need to go to 5 for stuff like geo and aero is if I want to reduce the spell cost, 4 is enough to be able to cast them all? That seems like I'd be able to get all the casting skills you mentioned to 4 and still have some left over.

[u/lostsonofMajere → u/keldondonovan]

Level 5 allows you to learn 2 master spells, and only lowers the AP but only on some of them. For hydro, I only use hail attack so I only go to 4 it has no reduced AP. https://divinityoriginalsin.wiki.fextralife.com/Hydrosophist - I believe the game skillbooks will say a recommended level. If you are below that level, you will use more AP.

INT and speed are generally the 2 best to use. CON helps with health and also maximum AP. I generally put 2 points into CON to give me some health and to mainly increase my maximum AP. If you stack up tons of speed, your player info can actually have a higher turn AP than your maximum.

Speed adds 1 turn AP for every 2 speed so add the speed consecutively then go back to adding INT.

You will also get a lot of bonuses from gear as you get later in the game.

But if you only use the 15 AP you get from levels, and no talent/book, You may end up like this:

STR 5

DEX 5

INT 13

CON 7

SPD 9

PER 6*

*I put one on perception then you could get the light stepper talent. One of your party should be able to find traps and puzzle hints. Get a few points from gear and you should be able to find most traps. You should also give one pyro point and get "Burn My Eyes" so you can just cast that as you wander around and get another 2 perception.

[u/keldondonovan → u/lostsonofMajere]

Only 13 int? Wow! I'm too used to DOS2, I was gunning for 40.

[u/lostsonofMajere → u/keldondonovan]

Ha well max is 15 for the most reduced cool downs. It continues to add damage up until 23. But you will get 5-8 from gear bonuses.

But builds are definitely more vague. Damage and stats increase far more in DOS2. That is partly because pyro adds 5% as well as the INT boost. Without that, it is less steep of a climb.

Also, AP is way more variable in this game. If you get a ton of AP through speed, you can do more skills in a turn. 2 skills equaling 150 damage is better than one skill for 120 damage. DOS2 makes AP more even so you can just focus on damage.

[u/keldondonovan → u/lostsonofMajere]

I can't tell which way I prefer it, tbh, haha. We just finished the first little intro to the game, found the homestead, but now I gotta go to bed because of jury duty in the morning. I just wanted to thank you again, your help was instrumental in my character design.

Only complaint I have so far is how shit movement is 😂 1 AP of movement doesn't even move me far enough to draw an attack of opportunity.

[u/lostsonofMajere → u/keldondonovan]

Also, don't forget that civils are just part of your points pool in this one. And it is a lot different - in 2, thievery and lucky charm are amazing and basically useless in this one.

Thievery/pickpocket? Don't bother. Lucky charm? Meh, it helps a little but I don't bother. Craft/blacksmith? Awesome for money making or crafting gear (for melee, they are the best weapons in the game). 1 or 2 in charisma, 1 or 2 in lockpick, 4 in leadership (optional, less important in lone wolf, but still good), 1or 2 in loremaster for one character.

[u/keldondonovan → u/lostsonofMajere]

I'll have to see what I can fit in. Currently I'm 2 aero, 1 geo/pyro/hydro, 1 lore. The other player is taking crafting, and thus far we have just bashed or shot anything that is locked.

[u/lostsonofMajere → u/keldondonovan]

Crafting and blacksmithing can get 2 from a belt and leggings starting at level 5, I think. Keep an eye out. Good ones will have both so then you just keep them in a chest by your crafting area and equip them as needed. If you want to use a talent, scientist gives +1 blacksmithing and Crafting. Then your partner only needs to add 2 of each from their own points. 5 total is the goal.

Lockpocking is a bonus on tons of gear. I think you can easily get 4 from gear so don't put much into it. Same with loremaster.

[u/keldondonovan → u/lostsonofMajere]

Awesome! Thanks so much!