"Career Plans" too strong for what it offers...

[Miko]

Okay, I have to admit, I loved this idea when I read it in the update notes. Being able to distribute stats exactly where you want them for a cost sounds like a good thing. That gives you ++ where you want on every level. Great, right?

But it's anything but; it has made the game a bit too easy to cheese. I think anyone who knows their weight in this game will tell you that willpower, movement, and crit, in that order, are the stats to prioritize, because they offer so much for every point. But that's the problem. With strength and dexterity scaling awfully and with constitution trailing right behind them, there is almost no reason to ever pick these three on a level up (except in the very early game, where they scale pretty nicely, or maybe you have strong/nimble/brawny, but even then, it's so minor).

It's way too easy to galvanize now, picking up high willpower recruits and giving them more willpower on top... nearly every single level. So, what is the solution here? Do we throw out "Career Plans"? I'd rather it stay, but something absolutely has to change here. One of two options, imho:

1) Just make str/dex/con scale better when choosing them. A couple points in these is a lot and even meaningful in the early game, but means next to nothing late game. Even without my gripe, I really think this needs to be addressed. Those points you choose in the early game should scale off level, not just be a permanent +2.

2) Make the cost on "Career Plans" higher. Much higher. 10/40 influence is way, way, way too cheap for the sheer amount of snowballing it allows.

If you have similar experiences or want to share your own, please do comment. I'm always interested in seeing other points of view.

[HolotipNInja]

i think career plans influence spend should probably be abnout 40 to 80 or more. actually make it cost something to get value. the other stats could probably still use a buff though outside of that anyway. maybe even nerf galvanization from 50% damage increase to 30%. idk was just throwing that out there

[Ouranos]

I also think it's too easy right now if you just get to choose. And they might need to buff/nerf some stats yeah, movement seems really strong right now.

[Sir Tartare]

I loved career plans, if you think its "Broken" dont use, the beauty of the game for me is the customization of my characters from appearance, classes, weapons and status, after removing the "save scumming" I was having to change the status by other means where I would have to save close the game then using the "means " and then start the game, completely unnecessary.
For all those who can't control themselves in using "career plan" but find a very "strong" mechanic in a single-player game (in the future mult-coop) ) could be added a completely random auto level-up in the menu, similar to chosing region locked or free, but please don't remove this lovely mechanic.

[rompier02]

Hi. Nah not too strong. It gives option. The question is to do or not? It allows me to customize my killers. This game is about a bunch of mercs running around to survive. The starts gives a clear picture as to what kind of mercs you are running with.... a couple friends trying to make a name for themselves, a deserter company, wannabe goodie bandits trying to turn over & a couple of guards trying to go on after a bad situation. How any Player wants to play it is up to them. Some will play with good alignment. Others will try to emulate the grim reaper. If some one feels it is cheesy then don't do it. Simple. One man's poison is someone's else pleasure. Just like respec at the Companions Training Grounds. I have never used it . That doesn't mean other Players shouldn't.

It uses influence as a bargaining tool. That is a commodity that no Player starts in plenty. Well unless you know where & how to farm it. I only hoped that the requirements increase with your level. Currently 40 for 2 ' + ' is low. 20 if you just add 1. Further I also hope the dev will consider allowing 4 ' + ' instead of 2. That will make the game more fun for me at least. I mean if a player has got 2 - 3 K of influence why not?

[Takichi]

To Strong? Good Joke.
Disable Region Lock mode Pls and then without Cheesing fight 20-30 Lvl 11 Guards, without Legendary Weapons. You dont get out to save. :)

If you use Chees the AI cant handle or abuse somethig which clearly isnt meant to be done, its just your own fault, dont ask for Changes in COre Mechanis pls :D

[Stardustfire]

you get it wrong taki, my guess is TS already plays with free mode and need to use Region Locked instead so he sees real enemys.

[Miko]

I do indeed play on free mode, but really fail to see the relevance of this regarding any of my points. Of course if you fight enemies that both outlevel and outnumber you on a non-scaling mode, you're going to be fighting an uphill battle. Because... obviously? But in the majority of cases where you're tackling challenges designed for your level, I believe the minuscule amount of influence spent in combination with avoiding half of the stats on a level up because of poor scaling to be a reasonable concern to have.