[Mid Game Spoilers] Names and Soul Eaters

[Zloth]

Crow eating time: Looks like it *IS* possible to get through this without giving out names! Leaving the rest of this up anyway as it started a good conversation.

Original Post....

For well over 100 hours I've been seeing a tip telling me that letting soul eaters know your name gives them a lot more power. When the nasty bird asked me a question that led to a lot of options with my name in it and one without, I knew not to give my name. When it happened again, I knew for sure I had made the right decision. Then some old witch blurts it out anyway! Hmmm... maybe I made some wrong choices earlier that resulted in that?

Then I get into the dungeon and there's the bird again, trying to get my companions' names! Again, pick the option that doesn't give any names out and... a random companion blurts his name out!?!? And a little bit later it happens again but this time the random companion is my healer! Yeah, I'm going to need him to fix whatever damage the game is going to hit me with, re-load and pick Val.

I did manage the ensuing nastiness from the soul eaters (and Tristan would have been in a world of hurt if I hadn't re-loaded) but pretending that I've actually got a choice in how things are going to turn out when I really don't is terrible design! At least with my own name the dialog played out a little differently but, with my companions, you flat out change my decision the instant I make it!

Having this as part of the main quest is just crazy. But putting a tip in saying we should not give out names then forcing us to do so!? I'm sorry Owlcat but that is the worst case of "false choice" I've ever seen.

P.S. I see from an older topic that this story actually comes from the source material. Sorry, but that's no excuse. This is definitely a case where you needed to part from the source material and it certainly doesn't excuse the tips. (Though at least it *is* a reason. It's really strange seeing something like this in otherwise fine quest design. I was thinking maybe this was the result of some kickstarter "help us design a quest" reward!)

[Dixon Sider]

I agree it should not have been a tip. Forcing you to name someone is fine, but the tip suggests its avoidable

[Pillowhugger]

i think only some characters blurt out their names not all of them, like barbarian girl shouts it because she is pissed and it kind of fits her character. and other characters shouting your name also depends on your previous choices and if you told your name to them.

but not 100% sure on this, actually just on this part for the third time myself and trying to not tell any names too. dont plan to take any characters that have risk of blurting names to the dungeon this time

[Mork]

I think its actually better to give him the names of you best combatants against soul eater then let them choose for themselves who is going the say his/her name to the crow.

[Pink Eye]

I always default to giving him Jaehtal's name and Valerie. Works every time. Jaethal is immune to Death effects, she's undead. Valerie has a high CON, and should be very tanky at that point in the game.

[Three-Headed-Monkey]

didnt know that this was random, but if tristian blurts out his name the complaint is understandable ... wasnt really surprised when nok-nok did it ;) although its been a while since i've been there

[dwarner]

Originally posted by Mork:

I think its actually better to give him the names of you best combatants against soul eater then let them choose for themselves who is going the say his/her name to the crow.

That's what I do now, but the blurter has always been Chaotic. Maybe if you come with a non-Chaotic party it is avoidable.

BTW, Soul Eaters are Demons, not Undead (so can be Shaken for Shatter Defenses), and Death Ward doesn't work against them, while high Fortitude saves do. Eat those Spider Legs.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1914332753

[Pillowhugger]

what happens if you bring full party of just custom characters? anyone tested that out?

[Mork]

Originally posted by Pillowhugger:

what happens if you bring full party of just custom characters? anyone tested that out?

Only main character has to fight a Soul Eater.

[Zloth]

It's mighty far into the dungeon to still be under the effects of a meal.

Originally posted by Mork:

I think its actually better to give him the names of you best combatants against soul eater then let them choose for themselves who is going the say his/her name to the crow.

Remember the vast majority of players aren't going to have any clue what's in store for them. It could just as easily have resulted in the soul eaters taking the named characters OUT of combat by paralyzing them or some such.

As it happens, though, I found out that the spawned soul eaters can't move through any of the players. If you name all ranged attackers then immediately retreat to a smaller area, the non-combatants can block the soul eaters while the ranged attackers pick them off. The dog is particularly good at blocking. That leaves you in a good position for the follow-up ambush, too.

[Pillowhugger]

Originally posted by Mork:

Originally posted by Pillowhugger:

what happens if you bring full party of just custom characters? anyone tested that out?

Only main character has to fight a Soul Eater.

i dont know what i expected

[Pink Eye]

>It's mighty far into the dungeon to still be under the effects of a meal.
Unless you're resting a lot, that meal should last you for the duration of the dungeon.

[Pink Eye]

Originally posted by Pillowhugger:

Originally posted by Mork:

Only main character has to fight a Soul Eater.

i dont know what i expected

One way or another, the crow will know your name.

[dwarner]

Originally posted by Pink Eye:

>It's mighty far into the dungeon to still be under the effects of a meal.
Unless you're resting a lot, that meal should last you for the duration of the dungeon.

It lasts for one rest. If you rest twice it will wear off. I wouldn’t expect to make it through on one rest until your third try at the earliest. This was my fourth. Nothing skipped, except Optional Demon Room where I went for passive buff instead.

This was extreme time saving playthrough. There and back again in 2.5 days. With Aviary in Silvermere to manage kingdom at gates of Tomb.

[Pink Eye]

Originally posted by dwarner:

Originally posted by Pink Eye:

>It's mighty far into the dungeon to still be under the effects of a meal.
Unless you're resting a lot, that meal should last you for the duration of the dungeon.

It lasts for one rest. If you rest twice it will wear off. I wouldn’t expect to make it through on one rest until your third try at the earliest. This was my fourth. Nothing skipped, except Optional Demon Room where I went for passive buff instead.

This was extreme time saving playthrough. There and back again in 2.5 days. With Aviary in Silvermere to manage kingdom at gates of Tomb.

Meh. I didn't rest when I entered the dungeon. I just rushed through.

[dwarner]

Originally posted by Zloth:

It's mighty far into the dungeon to still be under the effects of a meal.

Remember the vast majority of players aren't going to have any clue what's in store for them.

A little over 1/3 of the way in. Good time for a rest just after that battle.

The game is designed not just to be replayable, but also replayed.

It’s a totally different experience each time through even if you play the exact same party due to your cumulative experience.