Mask of the Shapeshifter Unpopular Opinon

[Agent]

Unpopular Opinion Alert: The Mask of the Shapeshifter is a terrible item that makes the game worse and you should stick it in your camp chest and never use it.

One of the biggest strengths of the game is how it plays differently for different races, different genders, and characters of different sizes. The Mask completely wrecks that by letting a single person, you, be all of those things at the same time. When you can be any size, shape, or sex then none of those things matter any longer.

Additionally one of Shadowheart's big abilities early on is precisely to be able to disguise herself as other races. Ok, she actually shapeshifts which is weird. I'm not sure you're supposed to be able to shrink and grow with 'Disguise Self' but eh. When you can do the exact same thing it renders her unique ability meaningless. Maybe so many people wouldn't be so quick to respec her if they lost the ability to pretend to be other people or go through tiny spaces etc if they changed her from Trickery domain.

I could go on but you get the point. Put it away! Don't use it! I promise it's a better game without it!

[Werlynn]

If you don't like it don't use it. You're free to do that.

[Tyrant]

Originally posted by Agent:

Unpopular Opinion Alert: The Mask of the Shapeshifter is a terrible item that makes the game worse and you should stick it in your camp chest and never use it.

One of the biggest strengths of the game is how it plays differently for different races, different genders, and characters of different sizes. The Mask completely wrecks that by letting a single person, you, be all of those things at the same time. When you can be any size, shape, or sex then none of those things matter any longer.

Additionally one of Shadowheart's big abilities early on is precisely to be able to disguise herself as other races. Ok, she actually shapeshifts which is weird. I'm not sure you're supposed to be able to shrink and grow with 'Disguise Self' but eh. When you can do the exact same thing it renders her unique ability meaningless. Maybe so many people wouldn't be so quick to respec her if they lost the ability to pretend to be other people or go through tiny spaces etc if they changed her from Trickery domain.

I could go on but you get the point. Put it away! Don't use it! I promise it's a better game without it!

You realize most of the casters can get this ability pretty early on right? Not to mention it's actually an incredibly useful ability for a variety of reasons.

[Settings]

My ranger got Disguise Self at level 3 which is like... 2 hours of gameplay in. The mask ain't that good.

[Hobocop]

Disguise Self isn't unique to Shadowheart. Bards, Sorcerers and Wizards can take it at level 1, and Warlocks can take an invocation to cast it at-will at level 2.

[Boots of Doom]

Originally posted by Werlynn:

If you don't like it don't use it. You're free to do that.

I mean, the OP literally advises exactly that, but do feel free to parrot this post as well.

[Settings]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Disguise Self isn't unique to Shadowheart. Bards, Sorcerers and Wizards can take it at level 1, and Warlocks can take an invocation to cast it at-will at level 2.

There are rings that give a free cast of it too I believe

[Doomvora]

Mask of the shapeshifter is just a nod to their other game divinity original sin 2, it's not really meant to be useful or game changing. Same with the cape, hat and needle.

[SoloQ]

It's useful for getting into small holes when you have no other way to make yourself smaller. And yes disguise self is supposed to change your size, you're using magic to change your appearance.
It's just a fun flavor item that they brought over from DOS:2. There was a character that actually needed the mask to change their appearance otherwise people weren't too keen on interacting with an animated skeleton. And most characters can get the disguise ability anyway.

[ProestUnicorn]

That mask is what I would consider low-key OP among deluxe stuff, usually these additional deluxe items are either getting useless soon or cosmetic, but this stuff is usefull throuought the game saving a spellslot or scrolls on a character that uses speak with the dead for example(the ones You killed yourself, so they talk instead being mad at You), or getting racial ''bonuses'', like scaring goblins as a drow, getting chummy with gnomes and so on. Usefull till the end of the game, really.

[GreenWinny]

Whats next? Never buy BG3 cause it will make your experience in every game from now on worse?

[Myth Alric]

I agree, it seems like a silly item to just random get starting out. If I found it I might use it, but just starting with it? That is why I just leave it in the chest at the start. Honestly I don't use any of the stuff, except for the cape. because it is just cosmetic and doesn't effect anything.

This is why I wouldn't pay for the deluxe, even if it was like 30 cents. However, I got it for free, so whatever.

[Dr. Sinclair]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Disguise Self isn't unique to Shadowheart. Bards, Sorcerers and Wizards can take it at level 1, and Warlocks can take an invocation to cast it at-will at level 2.

dont forget scrolls.

[Isseus]

The big problem I have with that item is how ugly it is. If it casts an illusion to show you as another race, then PLEASE change the character.

Also if it's just an illusion, how does it change your size so you fit in smaller holes?? I don't even...

[Nani!?!?]

Originally posted by GreenWinny:

Whats next? Never buy BG3 cause it will make your experience in every game from now on worse?

By remembering how dogshi* BG3 is? Probably. I'll always hit good first acts wondering if it's another Larian bait and switch.

[Wokelander]

That's exactly what I did and Larian should probably kill that particular darling of theirs