Campaign Gameplay Order?

[takeshiyamato103]

What's the preferred order to play through the game's campaigns? I assume "Beneath the Stolen Lands" needs to be saved for last, but is it better to play the main story first, or "Varnhold's Lot" first?

[Zzyl_tsw]

Beneath the stolen lands is both a standalone module "to test build" with a big generated dungeon, and a big dungeon added to the main story.
Varnhold shoudl be played between chapter 2 and 3 from memory.
=> So start with the main story

[Outpost Omega 5]

(This is all regarding Varnhold's lot, not the main game)
I don't recall they're being any real spoilers in Varnhold's lot, so you can play it when ever. If I recall correctly you start at character level 5 and by the time I completed it, I was character level 9.

Edited in correction: If you haven't played it by the end of the main game's "Season of Bloom" chapter, do so then. You can import data from Varnhold's lot to your main game. The next major chapter begins utilizing story elements from Varnhold's lot if you played it.

As far as party composition, in addition to your own character, the game gives you a two-weapon rogue and wizard (conjuration specialist) as story based allies. As for the remaining three of your six man party, they are generic NPC's you can either craft yourself, or accept a trio of three pre-made characters.

I chose to custom build my last three party member, so i can't be certain about what I'm about to say, but I don't think the three pre-made characters are story relevant in anyway, they're just there to save you the trouble of building three more characters.

If there is a way to hint at the following with out spoiling it, I can't think of it, but it's the type of detail you should really know in advance when designing your party so you don't accidentally back yourself into a corner. From a tactical perspective, there's no real spoiler, but it kinda hints at story components. I'll leave it up to you whether or not to read it.

In the final stages of the game, the rogue and wizard (one at a time and in that order) will be removed from your party, leaving you to finish the game with a four man party of just your character and the three remaining generic NPCs. If you where counting on the provided rogue for trap detection and disablement, you'll be in trouble for the last half of the final dungeon. If you where relying on the provided wizard for buff spells, you'll be with out your support for the last leg. A slight, if imperfect, workaround for the lack of the wizard is the fact the wizard's default leveling path gives him the double spell duration meta-magic feat. If you reset your wizard's spells and then rest right before you lose him, you can buff your remaining four character's with spell's. If you're sufficiently efficient, you should be able to complete the game before they where off. Be aware there is a very limited supply of diamond dust. I don't think I found more than twenty pieces.

[Outpost Omega 5]

Originally posted by Zzyl_tsw:

Beneath the stolen lands is both a standalone module "to test build" with a big generated dungeon, and a big dungeon added to the main story.
Varnhold shoudl be played between chapter 2 and 3 from memory.
=> So start with the main story

Just to clarify a bit, "Beneath the stolen lands" has two versions. A stand alone version that has no effect on the main game, and a version that's integrated into the main game. You can chose not to follow that quest line in the main game without consequence (I think) but you can't miss it's existence.

The integrated version is an extra dungeon with a fixed layout and a fixed number of levels.

I haven't played the standalone version, but I THINK it's much larger and is randomly generated. It's aimed at people who just want to go dungeon delving for loot, to slaughter monster, and don't give a hoot about the story.

[takeshiyamato103]

Gotcha. Thanks for the help.