Elevation mechanics feel limited, or am I missing something?

[Elrond_Buggard]

So after completing DOS1 about a month ago, I finally started a DOS2 campaign. I've been playing around with the new elevation systems, which is a welcome addition, but have so far found that it's not as robust as I had hoped. Maybe I'm doing things wrong, but can someone address the below questions re: elevation?

In the Fort Joy arena, I tried telekinetically 'moving' a barrel off a platform onto lower ground at the foot of the platform, but I could only move it around on the platform. Am I missing something here, or can you not chuck barrels (and presumably other items) from higher to lower ground?

In the arena in Fort Joy, tried firing a crossbow across from one elevated platform to another of equal elevation (across an expanse of lower ground). While it seemed to be in range, the platform I wanted to shoot someone on was greyed out. So you can't shoot across gaps to platforms of equal elevation? That just seems... weird.

Pushing people off platforms. I read in a Polygon preview of BG3 that you could do this in DOS2, but I don't see the option. Misinformation, or possible?

Loving the game regardless, just feel like the elevation system doesn't offer as much tactical variety as I'd hoped (though I hope to be proven wrong!).

Thanks

[Chaoslink]

Originally posted by redzed:

In the Fort Joy arena, I tried telekinetically 'moving' a barrel off a platform onto lower ground at the foot of the platform, but I could only move it around on the platform. Am I missing something here, or can you not chuck barrels (and presumably other items) from higher to lower ground?

Items have a weight. The heavier the weight, the less distance you can move it. The barrel you refer to was likely the water barrel with a weight of 50. Might sound dumb, but the range can be too limited with heavy items to throw them off things. Early game the damage can be alright but later on the items won't deal enough without telekinesis and a lot of cheesing tactics (damage is based on weight so unbreakable containers full of stuff deal more damage).

Originally posted by redzed:

In the arena in Fort Joy, tried firing a crossbow across from one elevated platform to another of equal elevation (across an expanse of lower ground). While it seemed to be in range, the platform I wanted to shoot someone on was greyed out. So you can't shoot across gaps to platforms of equal elevation? That just seems... weird.

You'll see the plus signs on the ground indicating extended range. While the platform is within the overall range of your attack, that extended range is only as far as it is because of the extra range high ground offers. On an even level, that platform isn't in range without that high ground range extension.

Originally posted by redzed:

Pushing people off platforms. I read in a Polygon preview of BG3 that you could do this in DOS2, but I don't see the option. Misinformation, or possible?

Loving the game regardless, just feel like the elevation system doesn't offer as much tactical variety as I'd hoped (though I hope to be proven wrong!).

Thanks

There's a teleport ability to move them off one, but no ability to just throw them down. Basically, high ground offers more damage and range against targets on lower ground.

[vigg]

IMO the biggest benefit of high ground isn't the extra damage, but the extra range. BTW high ground range and damage bonuses apply to magical spells and wands too, so mages benefit from high ground as much as archers. I like giving all my ranged characters a couple of points in Aerothurge so they can use Netherswap and Teleport to get themselves (and each other) up to high ground at the start of fights.

[Elrond_Buggard]

That's a bit disappointing about the throwing-barrels-off-platforms thing. That I can move the barrel anywhere on the platform, but even though the drop off is right next to me I can't do that. The idea of dropping the barrels wouldn't be to do damage by 'throwing' but in this case throwing a water barrel down onto fiery ground below.

Thanks for the info though from both of you though! I do like the high-ground mechanics, but hopefully will see them evolved a bit in Divinity 3 aka Baldur's Gate 3 ;)

[Chaoslink]

Yeah, it doesn't necessarily make sense, but because the barrel is a water barrel its something like 60 pounds and if you're not a strength character the range of your throw of something that heavy is really low. High ground bonus range doesn't apply to throwing items and you probably don't have the strength to throw it off the edge. Later game the damage from throwing is so low unless you prep your own container that it isn't really worth it anyway.