anyone else find this small thing very demotivating?

[GlitchedVision]

I just surpassed player level 9 and have yet to clear the first book, what this effectively means is that I just unlocked a skill for a character I can't use because they're gated behind the book and not the leveling system. This is extremely demotivating for me. it's like giving a player a weapon that's end game quality while telling them they have to wait until they beat this insanely difficult super boss to be able to use the item they just got. That is an extreme example of course, but the concept is still demotivating. Perhaps that skill could have helped me complete the chapter, but unfortunately, I'll never know because the character who uses the skill is locked behind the chapter in question. I would personally like to see a secondary unlock condition for characters so that they become available for use when you start earning their skills in the leveling track. Leaving characters locked behind book completions makes it impossible for players to experiment and find combinations that may make the run more possible for them, and locks those players who get stuck into a never ending losing spiral that continues to sap their motivation by presenting them with rewards they will most likely never get to use because they're for characters that these players will most likely quit before unlocking.

[Samseng Yik]

What is even more demotivating is, the game start right extremely hard for tactical beginner.
Your opinion is alright there.

Because some heroes unlock way later (Book 4), and there is no mode to adjust lower the game difficulty even if we playing back the Book 1. This make testing and learning on the new heroes harder.

[ֆᎮ⊰◜◟⋎◞◝⊱ֆᎮ]

It took me a bit more than 10 hours to clear my first book. I've now managed to clear the entire game.

[Spawnling]

Originally posted by GlitchedVision0101:

I just surpassed player level 9 and have yet to clear the first book, what this effectively means is that I just unlocked a skill for a character I can't use because they're gated behind the book and not the leveling system. This is extremely demotivating for me.

They gated content behind game progress, how dare they? No other games does that.

Originally posted by GlitchedVision0101:

it's like giving a player a weapon that's end game quality while telling them they have to wait until they beat this insanely difficult super boss to be able to use the item they just got. That is an extreme example of course, but the concept is still demotivating.

The game is not insanely difficult and no the concept of game progress unlocking game content is not demotivating.

Originally posted by GlitchedVision0101:

Leaving characters locked behind book completions makes it impossible for players to experiment and find combinations that may make the run more possible for them, [...]

A lot of games lock game content behind progression, no need to whine about.

[sono]

Okay, first up, I get it. It's frustrating and not fun.

However, I think part of the problem is that you're supposed to have beaten the first book by now. The game's pretty hard, true, but it's pretty tame for the first book. Maybe try reading a guide, or at least switching out Dracula for White Lady and building SP damage? She's unlocked via levels instead of Books if I remember correctly. Being forced to use the same team over and over gets demoralizing.

[Spawnling]

Originally posted by Samseng Yik:

... the game start right extremely hard for tactical beginner.

Yes, it's a tactical game and if you want to win you need a strategy.
What do you do in chapter 1 & 2 to survive 3 & 4?
What are your goals until the start of 5?
What do you do to scale strong enough to beat chapters 5 & 6 and the boss?

In another way said, what do you do early-, mid- and late-game and how do you do it consistently?

[Satyrox]

You aren't supposed to be level 9 and not have completed a single book yet, I don't think many players will find themselves in that situation. Start a new save file to do the tutorial again and pay attention to the mechanics explanations on how to use devil powers, upgrade skills and the benefits of terror, that alone should get you to beat a few books comfortably with any character combination. This article is really helpful as well:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1069690/view/2988692956634578207

[GlitchedVision]

I've followed everything and understand all the concepts, but not much can account for randomness and it's difficult to fix a mistake once one has been made. I have been running white lady instead of Dracula. The thing that keeps getting me is all the AOE attacks and not having a good way to heal without spending essence. From what I gather, those skills are locked behind other characters.

[returning player]

Originally posted by GlitchedVision0101:

I've followed everything and understand all the concepts, but not much can account for randomness and it's difficult to fix a mistake once one has been made. I have been running white lady instead of Dracula. The thing that keeps getting me is all the AOE attacks and not having a good way to heal without spending essence. From what I gather, those skills are locked behind other characters.

Lilith is a solid pick, always. She tanks and heal with her starting kit and gust of wind is great.

[gimmethegepgun]

Originally posted by GlitchedVision0101:

The thing that keeps getting me is all the AOE attacks

Invest in skills that inflict Exhaustion, Migraine, or Clumsiness then. White Lady has several Exhaustion skills, and Dracula has a good Wicked-tier one.
Another option is to get Alteration. Headless Horseman has Alteration available as part of his Bitterness mechanic, by using skills with Focalization, which makes the skill have 2 Alteration per Bitterness (effectively meaning 2-10 Alteration). Mary also has a little Alteration as a part of her starting kit, with Twist of Fate (remember it will cast on the mirror target as well).

and not having a good way to heal without spending essence.

There aren't really a lot of good healing options available other than lifesteal, and the SP heal that Hecate has. Prevention through statuses or by killing the enemy is a lot more effective. For using essence, however, remember that enemies only damage your essence if they hit someone who is Vulnerable at the time. 1 point of HP can tank any amount of HP damage as long as it's only 1 hit, so don't go overboard trying to heal out of range of attacks if you just need to give a little bit to stop them from hitting them while Vulnerable.

Originally posted by returning player:

Lilith is a solid pick, always.

Lilith is locked behind finishing Book 1.