Can you play as a pacifist without being punished in terms of loot/exp?

[jasta85]

I have not played the early access so no spoilers please, but I do know that the game has a ton of choices, and various ways to resolve situations, whether it be murder hobo or otherwise.

One issue in other games with this is that if you take the "pacifist" route of bypassing encounters non-lethally, you lose out on the exp and loot you would get from killing everything. Does this game somehow balance that out or do you have to choose between getting rewards or sticking to a non-lethal playthrough?

[Muado 93]

I never understood pacifist routes, what makes them so appealing?

I can't fathom 100 hours without killing someone.

[Bisexual Offender]

Well, in act 1 as it is right now you have to exterminate a faction(?) to move forward.

[Cutlass Jack]

I couldn't say specifically since the game isn't out yet, but with a cap of 12 levels, exp shouldn't be a problem. Missing out on potential loot you could get from killing someone sounds like a no brainer though.

I don't think a 100% pacifist playthrough is an option though. I don't think you could get past the intro.

[jasta85]

Originally posted by Muado 93:

I never understood pacifist routes, what makes them so appealing?

I can't fathom 100 hours without killing someone.

I don't mean pure pacifist as in kill nothing, there are always going to be mandatory fights, but rather resolving a chunk of situations without fighting. It's a challenge I like to do if the game makes it possible. It's like full stealth runs in stealth games where you never alert guards.

[Muado 93]

Originally posted by jasta85:

Originally posted by Muado 93:

I never understood pacifist routes, what makes them so appealing?

I can't fathom 100 hours without killing someone.

I don't mean pure pacifist as in kill nothing, there are always going to be mandatory fights, but rather resolving a chunk of situations without fighting. It's a challenge I like to do if the game makes it possible. It's like full stealth runs in stealth games where you never alert guards.

Ahh I see, when you put it into the context of a stealth game it makes more sense.

[Jon]

You lose a lot of xp by not choosing violence, yes.

[Cutlass Jack]

Not just stealth. Its also fun to get past things via dialogue and clever schemes.
Having to go full murder hobo all the time can get as boring as anything else. It also allows for much more replay value if you have multiple approaches to getting past problems.

[katzenkrimis]

Originally posted by jasta85:

-I don't mean pure pacifist as in kill nothing.

-Resolving a chunk of situations without fighting.

Good thing that you mentioned your first point.

This is a Larian game. You'll never make it to the end without killing creatures, and others dying. Some as a direct result of your choices.

---

You can avoid fights, though.

Yesterday, I avoided a fight against four enemies by intimidating them. Playing as a Fighter Battle Master. On release I'll be playing as a Fighter Champion.

High Charisma and other bonuses. You can sort all of that out in character creation.

Play as a social butterfly, if you want.

[Deity]

You can deal non-lethal damage to enemies and still get exp. In fact, ending encounters via dialog options also reward you with exp and some approval and disapproval from party members.

[Heu, Iterum Id Feci]

Originally posted by Muado 93:

I can't fathom 100 hours without killing someone.

Things you should never say outside of Videogame forums...^^

[KDA Seraphine]

You can still gain most of exp/loot without killing everyone.
but you can't complete the story without killing anyone.

[Ghost]

As others stated, you can use other options and still get XP or use the non-lethal mode.
Loot's not really something you need to worry about.

Originally posted by Bezyn:

Well, in act 1 as it is right now you have to exterminate a faction(?) to move forward.

You don't actually, you can just run straight to the end. Wouldn't be much point to it, but it's an option.

Originally posted by katzenkrimis:

This is a Larian game. You'll never make it to the end without killing creatures, and others dying. Some as a direct result of your choices.

-snips- Depending on your interpretation of pacifist - do kills by companions or summons count?
There's also an achievement for getting to the end fight without killing in DOS2.

[Aria Athena]

I seriously doubt you can play an actual pacifist, but you can certainly avoid A LOT of combat. As far as Act 1 goes, there seems to be enough xp to not miss out on levels, I would say. As far as loot goes, you will miss out on stuff, it's unavoidable

I played a Drow and for the most part I walked around like I owned the place. You haven't played the EA to explain, but I basically walked from the leader of a faction, to the leader of the opposing faction, located at the other side of the map, talked to everyone, yet fought no one.

[Arani]

Originally posted by jasta85:

I have not played the early access so no spoilers please, but I do know that the game has a ton of choices, and various ways to resolve situations, whether it be murder hobo or otherwise.

One issue in other games with this is that if you take the "pacifist" route of bypassing encounters non-lethally, you lose out on the exp and loot you would get from killing everything. Does this game somehow balance that out or do you have to choose between getting rewards or sticking to a non-lethal playthrough?

As a fellow pacifist fan, this is definitely not a pacifist game. Just like almost no RPG's (with rare exceptions) have been since the 90's, sadly. While you can use dialogue options to avoid some fights or make them easier, you absolutely get way, way more xp and loot by just fighting.

[Faefu]

become a Jedi paladin, only kill as last resort.
Persuasion and Diplomat.