Do you use hirelings as camp buffers and do you consider that cheesing or legit strat?

[Nydas]

Seems like the games not balanced around having essentially free heroes feast and max level aids amongst other buffs. Do you consider this exploiting of game mechanics or a legit strategy?

[Orion Invictus]

I don't use them like that, no, nor do I care if someone else does. It's a single-player game, it's all "legit".

[yaerav]

Had not thought about this, but it seems like a clever way to play!

[Izuzul]

Nah, I only use who's in the party.

[Boss]

I use one for potion brewing, tho in the playthrough with my friend, we have Gale for that, since we didn't need a second Wizard and didn't care to respec him into something silly like a Paladin.

But as far as cheese/exploits go, using hirelings for buffs is rather tame. You want exploits, use your resources freely and keep respeccing. Sleeping is for chumps anyway

[Lani]

As the game isn't a competitive one even in multiplayer mode so long as all players are aware of it and ok with it it's not cheating.

As to cheesing or no, it depends on what you get your fun out of.
'Cheesing' seems a completely valid way of having fun with the game.
I'd recommend against it in a multiplayer setup, unless once again, all players are aware and ok with it. If someone wants to play the game 'as intended' according to their ideas and not do things like this. Also good.

The one thing, I'm aware of, in this game that I'd consider cheating is trying for Honour Mode Achievement while (trying to) circumvent the one savegame setup of Honour Mode.
However, if you make backups for the eventuality of a soft lock/bug I can understand that as well.

TLDR: it's your own game to play with as you will.

[Tenjou]

I think it's a shame that Wither's isn't more involved personality-wise when making these specialized companions. It would have been a nice way of making Withers one of your true companions, filling one missing character slot, and listening to any lore and witty taunts of indifference he would inveritably provide throughout the plot.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nydas:

Do you use hirelings as camp buffers and do you consider that cheesing or legit strat?
Seems like the games not balanced around having essentially free heroes feast and max level aids amongst other buffs. Do you consider this exploiting of game mechanics or a legit strategy?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3102875934
Not using them. I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand it feels like an exploit. On the other hand the game encourages you to make use of such opportunities. And preparing before heading out is a basic adventurer's chore.

I do recommend the tactic for players who struggle a lot and need some help here and there. Because of how powerful it is, and because of those who struggle often do not know about the buffs which can be used like that. It starts with simple Longstrider and goes up to transmutation stones you can take along.

Warding Bond Cleric / Abjuration Wizard Multiclass Gale and you automatically become like Ketheric Thorm. You have unlimited resistance for every party member and nothing to worry about because Gale is the only character in camp who prevents himself from dying.

It is far too powerful for simple buffing. And yeah, Heroes Feast, and the Divine Weapon... Everyone can and should decide themselves whether to use it or not. On the one hand it is not not legit. On the other hand it is so strong that I consider it a semi-exploit. Not like a full exploit like the bag tricks with merchants. I wonder which is worse.

[ChuckyDontCare]

I've considered using them for tough fights on my Honor mode run so as not to give a fig if something dumb happens.

[ppaladin123]

The party limit itself is a weird arbitrary construct of the game that doesn't make a lick of sense so I wouldn't feel too bad getting around it in this way.

[Woke Buster]

I always play with hirelings. I tried to recruit several companions before, but I find them poorly written, and too annoying. So I just kill them usually.

Fully customized party is sooo much better!

[Xan]

I used to use it, but I don't on my most recent playthroughs because as others have pointed out it's super overpowered.

There's no reason it doesn't make sense in-universe though, given that anything and everything Withers-related is deliberately an overpowered gift from a god (gods?) to aid us in protecting the realm.

[KingOfFriedChicken]

It is both legit and cheese lol
You can do it, and if it brings you joy then why stop lol
I do it but I know it's cheesy having a full party with freedom of movement and a max cast of aid, with the benefits of that meal spell xD
If I want challenge which I have done I don't use these methods cuz yeah. If I'm just getting thru the game again, then I don't hamper myself.

[Scheneighnay]

Yes it's a cheese, no it doesn't need to be fixed.

The people saying the game is too easy while using every cheese strat in the book just need to be laughed at.

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Originally posted by Scheneighnay:

Yes it's a cheese, no it doesn't need to be fixed.

The people saying the game is too easy while using every cheese strat in the book just need to be laughed at.

I agree, and their approach is solid rather theb "fixing it" they made it so honor mode fixed unintended methods, like having 3 attacks if you have lvl 5 warlock and multi attack from another class. Doesn't work in honor mode.

So if they do decide to change this mechanic, they should keep it to 1 difficulty mode like they have bin no reason to ruin the rest of the game lol

[Humpenstilzchen]

No I don´t do this. Too cheesy imo. I have one for potion brewing but that´s it.