Beast, Prince, Ifan. Which to main, which to companion? Advice/Opinions?

[VincentVolaju]

So finally, after days of going back and forth trying to figure out which characters and which builds to use for my first full play through, I've decided.... almost. I'm going to save Fane for a 2nd play through where I'll be using Lone Wolf. This way I'll get to compare the differences between a "normal story run" and a "Fane story run".

I've decided on using following for my full party first play through...


Red Prince - Eternal Warrior (2 Hand, Warfare + Splashed other trees for CC / Utility)

Beast - Juggernaut (1H + Shield, Warfare / Geo)

Ifan - Ranger (Summoner / Archer)

Lohse - Elementalist (3 in almost all schools of magic)


So now that I've got my characters and builds picked out, the last thing I need to decide on is which to main. I've already ruled out Lohse, I just don't have much interest in playing her as a main character. Plus I've heard she makes a better companion because of her singing voice? lol.

That leaves me with Beast, Red Prince, and Ifan. I've tried to stay as spoiler free as I can while researching / reading about the difference characters to see which would make a better main character, and which would be better as companions. This is what I've got so far...

Ifan's story line is the one that's most connected to the main story, so it kind of makes sense to go with him, as well as the fact that his story his probably more relatable to me as a person; seeing as hes a human and his story is apparently about revenge etc. Maybe a little cliche and cheesy, but none the less, probably the most relateable, yeah?

Red Prince's story is apparently one of the best, alongside Lohse and Fane. And supposevely you really get to see his character change and progress over the course of the game. Which is definitely appealing to me. But do I need to main him, in order to experience his development?

Beast's story is the one that is the most up in the air for me. From what I've read online, most people think his is one of the most boring and shortest story lines. However, with this new definitive edition, he was supposed to have a completely revamped story line, right? So it could end up being completely different than what it used to be, who knows?


Okay so that's where my head is at right now in regards to trying to decide which of those 3 characters to main, and which ones to use as companions. I want to get the most story out of my play through as I can, but I also want it to be entertaining. So, for example, if I choose Red Prince as my main character, I might get more story out of it, but then I miss out on seeing his subtle changes / reactions / dialogue as his character progresses throughout the game as companion, correct?

Sorry for this giant novel sized post, looking forward to hearing your opinions / suggestions / advice! Thanks!

[Chaoslink]

I'd say Beast, you'll get to see his new dialogue and such more directly that way. The rest are good companion characters anyways. But that's just me.

[SOEL]

If you have two controllers, you can have two mains, and still have Lone Wolf.

[Imyo]

I would say Ifan for main, its the standard character, troubled past, revenge, kinda badass in its own mainstream way. Red prince could be really nice too if you are into his kind of story, he is a selfish prick. Fane is amazing for main story wise, probably the best.

I would say Loshe and Sebille are meant to be companions, but its all about taste. Beast is boring AF and his story is dull so maybe you could spice it up with imagination and roleplaying and make up for its lazy writing.

[Panic Fire]

Messaggio originale di SOEL:

If you have two controllers, you can have two mains, and still have Lone Wolf.

Two controllers?

You can simply start the game in Multiplayer Lan, and boot the game a second time and join on the lan lobby and have a 4 person party from the begining. (Of course close the extra games once the characters are made.)

[atletikus]

Messaggio originale di Imyo:

Beast is boring AF and his story is dull so maybe you could spice it up with imagination and roleplaying and make up for its lazy writing.

This is hardly applicable after the love his story arc got in DE, is it?

[Imyo]

Messaggio originale di atletikus:

Messaggio originale di Imyo:

Beast is boring AF and his story is dull so maybe you could spice it up with imagination and roleplaying and make up for its lazy writing.

This is hardly applicable after the love his story arc got in DE, is it?

Didnt reach the changes yet, but i heard its just some dialogues to show his interests plus 1 new interaction, that will hardly make up for its poor and generic design, still, that might be just what someone wants, a standard dwarf story with a generic dwarf in it, Ifan isnt that different BUT it links to the main story quite nicely.

[Zhamaani]

My main battle pair has been Beast & Red twice, and on both classic runs I made their friendship along with the dialog rival that of Gimli and Legolas (for the better or worse depending what you think). Personally I just love the two and Lohse as characters and personalities.

Storywise it's true that Beast's story is the shortest, arguably the weakest. I find his voice actor to have the best spirit without dismissing great work others did. Although last act change migh have changed his story a bit from Classic version.

Red, I personally favor him because of his story and character, Sure he's a spoiled brad living most of his life in great palace and fooling around with .... in bed, however he's competent and boardly educated brad raised by the house of war. He's cocky, sure, condecending toward inferior people, he's ♥♥♥♥♥♥ prince and decendant of ...., so of course he thinks he's the biggest stick, however he shows heart and respect in harder times that made him grow on me. I'm still haven't finishes Lohse's story, but I think Red's story is the best one in the game. Also I made the ending great for him too.

So I'll say main Beast and follow Red's story from the side like I did the first playthrough.

[Das Marco]

Red Prince is fine as single game with Lone wolf focus on Neco+Summon+1H with Shield and Fire+Earth, Aero+Hydro from Grenades+Scrolls...
At the near end of game, Prince can catch a Dragon Summon, which sclaes good with Sum+Int. Which good Build, you can solo the whole game without a 2nd char. But take the 2 Idols of Ashes from Act2 to get 2 Free Revives in your Inventory

[Chaoslink]

Messaggio originale di Imyo:

Messaggio originale di atletikus:

This is hardly applicable after the love his story arc got in DE, is it?

Didnt reach the changes yet, but i heard its just some dialogues to show his interests plus 1 new interaction, that will hardly make up for its poor and generic design, still, that might be just what someone wants, a standard dwarf story with a generic dwarf in it, Ifan isnt that different BUT it links to the main story quite nicely.

Personally, I find companion stories linking to a main quest to be a bad thing. Companion quests should feel like mini-main quests surrounding that character to help break focus from the main story in effort to keep things varied. It helps to highlight that companion as the primary contender in that quest as well as adding that variety to the world making it feel more alive with added depth. It’s why I would rank Fane as one of the worst companions (story wise). He suffers from Beasts lack of story (you really don’t interact with him often, it’s just big when you do.) and adding that his quest only sheds extra detail to the main quest, he doesn’t feel necessary to the plot even though he had such a significant role. The story isn’t too much different with or without him, indicating that he isn’t as significant to it as some might suggest. He might be personally related to it, but his presence isn’t necessary and thusly, I feel he lacks a quest even worse than Beast. Though in a different way.

[Edstyles]

You can never go wrong to go with each race on your party. Easy solution to all your pick trouble dilemmas xD

Just leave fane out :p

[Vesimas]

Messaggio originale di Panic Fire:

You can simply start the game in Multiplayer Lan, and boot the game a second time and join on the lan lobby and have a 4 person party from the begining. (Of course close the extra games once the characters are made.)

Wait wait! I can build 4 people party in lan and then play from beginning with one client like i have already rectuited them? What happen if i choose 4 origin story? I mean in the boat you speak with them before arriving at fort joy...

[Chaoslink]

Messaggio originale di Vesimas:

Wait wait! I can build 4 people party in lan and then play from beginning with one client like i have already rectuited them? What happen if i choose 4 origin story? I mean in the boat you speak with them before arriving at fort joy...

That would likely consider them as player characters and they won't act like normally recruited characters, at least in terms of player-companion interaction.