Release date for Divinity Original Sin

Looks like I'll be playing this game next month. Hope it is as good as the original.

I'm salivating!

Looks good. Be sure to give us a full report after you've played it for a while.

Exciting .... But I'm SO hoping GOG will go for it

I would sure think they would, Mad, as they have the other Divine Divinity games. Let's hope so.

Mad,

Original Sin is coming to GOG.
If you go to Larian's DD: OS website, you'll see that GOG's logo is right there at the bottom.

Bet it ain't cheap, though.

Gil.

Just have to save up my pennies

Well I am a kickstarter contributer so I already have the game paid for. So will anxiously be awaiting my key to arrive the first part of July.

Sadly, I temporarily ran out of Kickstarter funds, so I'll just have to go down the old route for this one

Ohhh, Oldman, you reminded me...I backed it too

Well they were true to their word. It is available right now on Steam. It looks like it is not yet available on GOG so those who want it on GOG will have to wait until it does become available. Since I have no aversion to Steam I am downloading it as I type this. I'd rather play it right now than wait for GOG even though I do prefer GOG.

I hope it is as good as anticipated but I'll see in a few hours. The download says 4 hours but I've heard that song before. Anyway I'll be playing it when the download is finished.

Oldman, where does it say it is the final version? On Steam it says Early Access.

Shoot, wish I'd have known before I left the house so I could have started. Let us know what you think.

I already contributed on kickstarter so I was sent info on how to obtain my key for steam. If you are purchasing it then you can go here and purchase it. It may not be refreshed on the steam app on your desktop yet but it is available on the Steam URL.

Well, I have a huge aversion to Steam so I'll wait for GOG to release the game however long it takes.
I really don't understand the need to play a game the very second it comes out.
But that's me.

Gil.
Well-schooled in patience by Broken Age, now available in the next century.

There appears to be a huge mess going on with GOG keys provided to backers abruptly changing to Steam keys.
Divinity: OS shows up on Steam and not on GOG despite a promised first day release on GOG.

What is wrong with the game world?

Double Fine is so taken up with making a documentary and working on a new game that they can't seem to complete Broken Age even though they raked in many times what they were asking on KickStarter.

Big Finish makes a mess of their Tesla keys and goes mute when the backers who do not use Steam rightly complain that BF did not keep their promise to provide an alternative to Steam and people who did not even back the game can play it before they can.
Then they come along two or three days later with the news that they really meant to all along despite saying "tough noogies" to those who wanted GOG keys, not once but several times.

Now, either GOG or Larian or both totally screws up on the first day release of Divinity: Original Sin and nobody is explaining to anyone's satisfaction WHY.

Believe me, I can wait for a truly DRM-free and completely patched version of the game but I'm beginning to think game developers and maybe this portal have totally lost their minds.
There are too many gamers out there prepared to screech to the heavens if they can't have what they want when they want it and, to be fair to them (though their petulance reminds me of a kid banging on his highchair when he can't have dessert right now), they were promised.


Gil.

Well I can understand some people's reticence to use Steam and I must admit that, at first, I was pretty reluctant to use it as well. However, when I purchased Skyrim and the Latest Tomb Raider and I had to join Steam I finally relented. I now have about 40 games on Steam and I can't really tell the difference other than not being able to put them on a disk and save them. I have though changed computers, had to restore my hard drive to factory settings a couple of times and been able to recover all my games with ease so I don't really have a problem with Steam.

That said, I have gotten through my first dungeon on Divinity OS and I must say that it is much more like the original DD than the sequel which pleases me to no end. Either there are no quest markers on the map to help guide you or I haven't figured it out yet but it's still a learning process for me. The combat being turn based and requiring some kind of points in order to attack is also something that I have yet to figure out and I am not too happy about but all in all the game has the feel of the original so after I learn it I'm sure I'll enjoy playing it.

The "feel of the original" !! Definitely good news !! Thank you, oldman

EDIT :
GOG have it listed as "coming soon" so I'm hoping "soon" can be translated as VERY soon !!

It took me just under two hours to download. I'm happy to hear it is more like the original. I never did finish the second sequel. Now I'm off to start. Is the main character male or female or can you choose?

Later: You can choose.
However, the characters and scenery are blurry. How do I sharpen the picture? Is there a setting I'm missing? It seems I would need 3D glasses but want to play normal.

Forty minutes ago...forty-five now...GOG's JudasIscariot posted the following announcement.

(They pulled a boner but they're fessing up to it.
It's another reason I love GOG, they listen, they respond and they apologize when they ought to.
So anyone who wants the game from GOG and can wait a short time doesn't have to resort to Steam unless their fingers are so itchy they can't stand it.)

"We'd like to make sure that our reasons for delaying Divinity: Original Sin are clear. The game has multiplayer features to play with friends online. In the future, we will be supporting such multiplayer features in new games thanks to GOG Galaxy (and bringing you more games along the way), however, as of today we do not provide multiplayer backend and components for games.

"We did not believe it would be fair to offer you a version of Divinity: Original Sin that does not include these features, we also, without a doubt, underestimated the number of people who would want to play the game regardless. We wanted to make sure that the GOG.com community gets the complete Divinity: Original Sin experience.
Guys, your voices have been heard. We have to admit that we should have done it differently!

"We will release Divinity: Original Sin in the next few days. We are working on the Windows version of the game right now and waiting for the Mac build to arrive. The version of Divinity: Original Sin that will be available for sale, will be complete content-wise, and will allow for local/direct-IP multiplayer, but will come without the online matchmaking component and game auto-updating, which will be introduced as a later updates.

"Please bear with us and sorry for not providing full explanation in the first place."

Gil.

Had to disable 3D on my computer. Don't know how I did it, but it now works and the graphics are great. Now I have to learn all the game controls.

Thanks for the update, Gil. I like the way GOG is so up-front about what is going on.

Personally, I think GOG decided to wait until I could afford to buy the game.
Now I'm getting antsy about it since I've tried a couple of turn-based combat games...you know, just starting out and getting creamed...and I have no idea what I'm doing.
I much prefer 'me, the hero' wading through the bad guys to staring at a bunch of other characters and wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do with them.

I hope this game has a Kindergarten setting.

Gil.

Traveler, when I started this game I didn't find any difficulty setting at all.

Rowan you can go to Options/game and there is an option for difficulty. You can change it at any time.

Thanks, Gil

Thanks, Oldman...I keep wavering...steam, GoG...steam, GoG

Well I die a lot even on easy level. This combat takes some getting used to. I just have to guess about how many action points I have and can use. I hate action points!!!!!!!!

I made it to step 5 of the first main quest and

This game also has a lot of side quests so it will keep a player busy.

Thanks, oldman, about the difficulty tip. Don't know how I missed it. I've reached the town and am just exploring. I'm doing a lot of reloading. Every time I run across a quest for which I wasn't prepared I try out different responses and am getting different endings to choose. A bit of a drag as reloading isn't the swiftest.

I have no idea what the different types of spells are. This is a big learning curve for big words!

Just looking at the trailer and stopping it in spots with spacebar, I've come to the conclusion that a lot of the spells and skills are much the same as they were in DD but they've been renamed to confuse us.
Look at them like that and see if it helps you to figure them out.

Gil.

I've reached a frustration level with the combat. How are you doing, oldman?

Traveler, the leveling system is different from DD. It would help greatly if you knew which spells belonged to which category before you waste them.

I also am very frustrated. I get killed in every battle. When I start a battle I can't hit a target because I don't have enough action points. By the time I get close enough, I've already been clobbered. When I try to run from a battle only one character runs and I can't get the remaining charters to run and I eventually die. I guess I'm not powerful enough but I don't know how to get more powerful since I can't win any battles.

The leveling thing is so confusing that I'm going crazy. I get one point and have 20 different things to choose from raising and I have no idea where to spend the one measly point. The game has become just too complicated for me to figure out. I had a trainer that worked but the game keeps updating and the trainer no longer works. I guess, since the combat is too difficult for these feeble fingers, I'll wait till the trainer and the game become compatible and use a trainer because the combat with the "action points" is driving me crazy.

Heck !! That's scared ME off for now !! I have problems fighting anyway

I am having the same problems as you. I have played turn based games before and never had problems like this before. Secondly there are so many poisonous areas around an enemy that having a melee fighter is useless. As soon as he is near enough to strike he gets himself poisoned. Mages can create burning areas around an enemy so the next melee fighter gets scorched. This self destruction seems to work overtime for me. I must have put my leveling points into self destruct.

Well cheat happens just updated their trainer and it is working for now so I am using it through the end of the Murder Quest. That's the only way I can get through the combat. In order to use most of the trainers you have to be a paid member but I signed up for a lifetime membership a long time ago and it has definitely been worth it. I think it cost in the vicinity of 35 dollars and I have more than gotten my moneys worth with the trainers I've used.

The trainer has an unlimited health option which is all that I need to get me through the combat and truthfully I wouldn't be able to proceed in this game without it and I'm playing on easy mode.

So glad you are able to keep on playing.

They just upgraded the game so my trainer is no longer working until they update it. I did find instructions for how to give your two main characters GodMode and it seems to be working. With the cheat helpers I've been able to get to level 6 but I wouldn't have made it without them. Some of the boards have been talking about powerful skills and spells but I can't figure out how to obtain them.

Anyway Rowan (or anyone else for that matter) if you'd like the information on the GodMode instructions let me know and I'll send them to you.

Glad you were able to find that. It's a pain while things are being updated.

Oldman, I would love to have the god-mode instructions. I'm not sure I will use them right away but would like them for possible use down the line. Yesterday I spent more time fighting just outside of town. I think I hit the reload button more often than anything else. I have now reached level 5. But I'm disappointed in myself for using up my skill points. I now realize I could be saving them for specializing in my basic skills instead of spreading them out.

Do you remember where the treasure map merchant was? I bought only one and would like to get some more. Also which merchants, other than the sea captain, have loads of money to buy my loot? Is there a marked map somewhere so I can figure out where the church and the lighthouse and other quest locations are? I feel the general directions in the logbook like N, S, E, or W are vague as the paths often fork and I end up running into enemies too nasty for me. I would hate to see what the boss fights are like if I can't fight even the basic ones. I can now fight small numbers of enemies but I can't cope with the huge swarms of enemies.

Have a great day, and thanks in advance for the god-mode.

Rowan I sent you the GodMode instructions in an email. You can find a lot of information at Gamepressure . Gerome in the market place is supposed to have the treasure maps and I'm having trouble locating a lot of the areas myself. I sure wish they had made quest icons on the map but they didn't. Good luck.

Thanks for all, oldman. I sure wish the map had quest markers, too, and more resurrection spells!

Oldman, do you or anyone else know what to do at the old church? I've fought my way there but don't know how to continue.
1 - when you enter the church one of the characters says "I see something" but I haven't got a clue what it could be. Nothing highlights and digging doesn't get anything.
2 - how do you open the locked gate inside the church?
3 - I've found 3 hidden switches but one of the characters wonders if there are more. Haven't got a clue where the others could be.
4 - there's also a locked chest that I can't unlock.

Help anyone.

I haven't gotten to the old church yet.

This might be the door you're asking about. Good luck

They've made this game so difficult what with the traps secret switches and not knowing which quests to follow first we really need a good guide/walkthrough.

I'm not sure how frustrated I have to become to put it on the shelf and wait for a walkthrough to be published. I'm getting close though.

Just to add to the confusion: 1) I haven't got a white witch quest but I've found a church. 2) The church in your video is different from the one I found. 3) The Gamepressure guide shows a church quest which is totally different from my experience for now.

Like you, I am really anxious for a complete and detailed walkthrough.

How do you pick up a teleporter stone that you have dropped? I don't get the little hand sign so I can drag it back to my inventory.

Rowan, haven't downloaded this one yet. Did you try reloading? Right click, left click?

Got it! The hand sign appears after you press down on the mouse button and hold it there while dragging to your picture. I was releasing too soon and consequently teleporting. Thanks, looney! This is the hardest game I've ever played and I'm on easy level and I'm fairly battle-hardened from all the other games I've played. There's a script that comes up while the game is loading: "Save often to preserve your blood pressure!"

"Save often to preserve your blood pressure!" ??????
I think I'll be saving my cash instead !!

I can't see any way I'd cope with this game after what's been said.

So disappointing

[I loved Divine Divinity - but could only play half of DD2 - and now No GO at all for no.3 ]

I love that! Glad you got it. I will be trying it at some point, and I will save often...

Well I've solved the murder quest but don't want to go further with the main quest until I've completed some other areas of the beginning map that have been too hard so far. On my to-do list are the orc fight (really tough) in the southern area; going through the trapped house (haven't figured out how to bypass all the traps) in the southeast part of the map; fighting the fire creatures on the western part of the map (also very hard); and solving the puzzle in the church to open the locked gate inside.

I am enjoying this (in a masochistic limited sort of way) but all this would be a bit more fun if the difficulty were toned down a bit. Easy should be set so everyone can find enjoyment in a game. The other levels can accommodate the rest of the gamers who want different degrees of challenges. That way everyone would be happy. I feel the makers of this game are eliminating a large population of gamers who enjoy the easy level. I think they have shot themselves in their own pocketbook.

Oh, Rowan, I'm sad to hear that

Based on reviews I have read, this game is quite difficult in the earlier stages but gradually gets somewhat easier the further along you get. That's probably not much comfort at this stage, but at least it's something.

"I am enjoying this (in a masochistic limited sort of way) but all this would be a bit more fun if the difficulty were toned down a bit. Easy should be set so everyone can find enjoyment in a game. The other levels can accommodate the rest of the gamers who want different degrees of challenges. That way everyone would be happy. I feel the makers of this game are eliminating a large population of gamers who enjoy the easy level. I think they have shot themselves in their own pocketbook."

Yes. I, for one, am sorely disappointed. There's no way a wimp like me could tackle stuff you Veterans are finding difficult - in order to reach a stage where I just might be able to cope

For any of you who were waiting for this game to become available on GOG well now it is. You can find it here

For all those needing some extra help/info, I found this on the Larian site. It even helps you to find a strong team member early on:
Larian Divine Divinity Original Sin Forum http://www.larian.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=512504#Post512504

Oldman

Debra

Additionally for those (like me) who have been unable to figure out what skill goes for what I found this clarification. This has helped me when I want to concentrate on a particular element.

Thank you Oldman! Could someone also tell me how to divide items with other team members? I read the manual, but I must have missed it or something.

To divide items you hold down shift and drag the item to another square then you can choose how many to place in the new square.

To send an item to another team member you right click on the item and you are given a drop down menu.

Hope this helps.

Oldman,

Thanks Oldman! Now I can divide out those healing potions.

Welcome to playing Divinity, Debra. I've been slugging through this and am wandering here and there doing partial quests and not really having any direction as to how to complete any of them. I think I have finished some quest by luck rather than by good management. I'm now at level 12. Are you still playing, oldman?

yep I'm still plugging along. I've restarted twice with new starting characters. I finally found out that for me, a Wizard and Rogue are the best fit. I made it each time to finding the witch and this time I am (I think) prepared to go on to the next phase.

I learned all this from researching the Larian boards and it was tedious work. I don't really know where to go or what to do next but at least I now have additional areas to explore and hopefully am equipped to handle them.

Thanks Rowan!
I've got a ranger (me), a battlemage, a stinky rogue and I don't know what Jahan is, but he can heal among his other magical abilities. That's a definite plus for me
I'm headed to Evelyn's Lair with tough fighting on the way. Even on easy you get attacked by twice the number of bad guys as your team is composed of. For me, there's a steep learning curve on the attack points and tactical positioning. I haven't died yet, knock on wood, but it's hard to keep alive.
I steal paintings like rip to get money (and anything else that's not red hot or nailed down), and I have found out that even though you get a weapon you can use, if it's higher than your level your attack points are docked for the difference.
I'm checking the Game Pressure guide for maps and some assistance to help me along and the Gameboomers of course.
Is there any way to make the rest of your party wait while your rogue disarms traps?
Any fighting tips from youal would be appreciated.

Debra, toons that can heal are the best.

Debra in order to have a party member travel "solo" you just click on them and drag them to one side. You will see that they no longer have a chain between them and the rest of the party and are free to travel on their own. Hope this helps.

Thank you! I would never have figured that out.

I'm playing this game also. I have found the manual to be very helpful.
The manual is here:

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/230230/manuals/DOS_manual_05_web.pdf?t=1405593049

A helpfull tip I learned from reading the manual is that you can delay you turn. Say that Jahan (healer etc) is supposed to go first. On the right side of the screen there is a button you click where you can delay your turn.

Also, I have a mage as my female character and a fighter as my male character. The mage has the ability to summon a (big!) spider. It really is a great help...

Also, tips on fighting - try to get out of the way. And by that I mean try backing away. This way the enemies, especially if the outnumber you, have to move towards you first. Also, you do not have to use all your action points in one turn. You can save them for later. This game requires thinking ahead - think of it like a game of chess or checkers. And take out any mages and archers as quickly as possible..

Also, if you have Madora in your party (can be picked up in the King Crab Inn) have her use her crushing hammer hands ability. And have Jahan either teleport or litteraly take the air out of enemies.

This strategy is the one I've used yesterday to gain experience and to beat the enemies. Works well - at least for me...

Thanks, Karsten, that will be a big help, I'm sure

Missed your questions, Debra. Had Internet and phone problems for the last two days and am finally back online. I'm a ranger, too, as usual for me. Just finished the troll king cave and am now trying to find the witch. I'm in the prison and can't get out of the cell. A mouse has promised to help if I give him some cheese ... just after I swept up crumbs from my inventory at a trader. Will have to go back to the trader and buy a piece of cheese back.

Thanks Karsten for all the tips! I learned some of them in the school of hard knocks, but I didn't know about the delay button. That will be helpful.
If you decide to flee a battle, why don't all of you go at once? Is there a way to make that happen?
Isn't that the way it always is Rowan? Just when you think you don't need something....
Last two questions for today. I don't seem to be leveling up very fast at all. Is it supposed to be this slow or does being on easy level cause it to be that way. I'm only on level four. I've done a few side quests, but I am focusing on the Jake's murder quests.
I can't seem to find the right way to get to Evelyn's Lair. Could someone point me in the right direction, please?

Also to everyone playing this game be forewarned. You need to gather all the star stones (or bloodstones as they're called) because there is a door near the end of the game that is unforgiving and will not open unless you've completed this. I believe there are 14 in all and the game doesn't let you know that this is a requirement.

I started another game because I couldn't remember which bloodstones I had not finished. I'm not sure if there is a workaround for it. I couldn't get any information on the Larian Boards except that you need them all.

Here is a list of where they all are located.

I declined to join the Fab Five. Now, Mendius won't let me join. Do I have to start the game over to get to Evelyn?

Thanks, Oldman

I got to start this last night. I'm moving slower than molasses and learning the ropes with a Wayfarer and Cleric.

Can I store stuff where ZixZax is or in that place you get after talking to the Timeweaver?

Also, can I throw a pillow on the ground and sleep to heal?

I'm pretty sure you can still go through the cave and get to Evelyn's Lair. You just won't get the points for that side quest. The directions for the location of the cave are here

Looney, I don't know about the pillow but you can sleep in any bed you find anywhere. I haven't stored anything at any time in my game as I tend to sell things instead.

About that mouse who wanted cheese: However, I got in another way. I fought the frost king which is an extremely hard battle as I died many times before I did this:

Will have to remember that strategy.

Short answer is yes. But only after you've gathered a few bloodstones. Then a room will open up where you will have a chest for each of your two main characters and you can store stuff in those chests.

Thanks, I always need more space

The fab five is a side quest in the game. And Swen Wincke from Larian has said that there will be back up characters if any important npcs should die. (from what I've read about this game).

You can still to get to Evelyns lair - by completing the quest called the Councillor's Wife. But beware - it takes a long time to get there. So go do some sidequests and level up a bit..

Also, did you know you can teleport barrels and crates if you have Jahan? I've done it a couple of times. Sometimes there will be barrels of oil or water nearby...You can also target these with weapons or spells.

And when we're talking about the stone:

Please remember to get the stone that Evelyn drops after a certain healing event. I almost missed it - only thanks to the walkthru from games pressure did I find it

Also, thanks for the heads up about that you can sleep in any bed...

A warning about secrets on your map: In the Lucula Forest you will meet a fortune teller who will mark secret locations of treasure on your map. Just get one at a time as the marks disappear after you found a treasure. If you buy more than one secret at a time all locations disappear after finding the first treasure. It is almost impossible to remember the exact locations of the others. This just happened to me as I wanted to save myself trips back and forth to the fortune teller. Next day when I play I will load an earlier save and just buy the secrets one at a time.

Do you mean the inert stone? I don't have Jahan anymore I restarted the game, but I have 2 levels of telekinesis. Will that work? Thanks Rowan for your tips. I don't think I'll be where you are for a LONG time.

The inert stone is what you get after you have used a blood stone. You need to gather all 14 bloodstones and as you use them other rooms in your homestead will open up. I haven't gotten back to the temple where the door won't let you in until you have all the stones yet so I don't know if you just have to have finished getting the stones or if you need the inert stones in your inventory but I'd advise you to keep them all.

I'll do that Oldman. I have another question (imagine that ). When I add another level of say Pyrokinetics ( think that's what it's called)(fire magic by whatever the right name is) why don't I see any new spell choices? I can't find a spellbook or anything.

As I understand it and I'm as confused as the next person, you have to buy a spell book from a vender and it shows the level of everything you need to read the book. You can buy the book but you can't read it unless you have the necessary requirements. Once you read the book, then you can hit the "k" key and it will show you all the spells that you have.

I think the different levels of skills just make the execution of the spells more powerful or maybe not.

I have now managed to finish the game. All in all it was very frustrating for me as the game doesn't give you all the information (at least dumb old me) to know what to do next. Without a lot of help on line I would still be floundering around. I left a lot of side quests undone in order to get to the final and figure the game out and get some idea of where I was supposed to go and what I was supposed to do.

I'm going to start another game now and take my time and do all the side quests that I left undone.

Overall I enjoyed the game. I didn't like the combat because of the stupid action points. I thought combat took too long to finish because of those. I didn't like the fact that there was no clear path to the main quest line. The game did definitely keep the flavor and style of the original Divine Divinity game, at least in my opinion, even though this was more or less a prequel I think.

So there you have one man's opinion and we all now what opinions are like.........

As for spells in this game, you'll need to upgrade say your witchcraft or aerotheurge spells. One point in say aerotheurge spells (so that you can use ligtning bolt e.g). and you'll be able to learn three aerotheurge spellls. Two points in aerotheurge spells and you'll be able to learn 5 arerotheurge spells.

The best part of this game is that you can have your fighther (Madora) learn pyrokeetics spells or hydrosophist (waterbased) spells. You can also have your mage (Jahan) learn man-at-arms skills and so man-at-arms spells.

Also, last night when I played the game, I bought or rather traded some used equipment for a spell book; this particular book let you summon an air elemental to fight for you. Jahan - who was the one I wanted to learn the spell said this: "level not high enough.' You'll need to be level 14 to learn this spell, and alas, I'm only level 11 or 12 as of yet.

A nice spell to have Jahan learn is the featherfall scroll, there is a certain place in the game where it is required to know this spell. Another nice spell to learn is the invisibility spell. There is a point in the game, where you'll really need this spell. (thanks to guide from gamespressure for informing me about this).

As Oldman, I'm also enjoying the game - a lot. However, also, as Oldman, I find the game frustrating to play. Especially since the journal/log of the game isn't divided into main quest and sidequests. I thought this was the way it was done in games today. Apparantly not... :( This aside, I enjoy the game alot.

Especially since it lets you travel anywhere and lets you discover things for yourself. And if you're in a tight situation i.e. in a fight you can alway travel to say Cyseal or say Lukulla Forest via your travelstone/pyramid.

LIke Oldman, I had to revert to online help. Minimun 2 walktrhoughs in English, 2 walkthroughs in German, and 1, if not 2, sites with youtube videoes. I'm not sure if I ever would have made it so far as I'm in the game right now - had it not been for the online help....


I enjoyed the combat - not a lot - but I enjoyed it. The trick is to summon say a spider and ice elemental. And to take out casters and archers as soon as possible.
As for the combat, think of it like a chess game. You'll need to plan you moves and then carry them out - carefully. Crushing fist helps a lot...

So, if I understand correctly, each time you level up a spell skill you don't get a new spell to choose. You would need to buy a spell book at a vendor and pick your current skill level, then hit the "K" key to see what you have. Do you then just drag that spell into your quickbar or does it just show up?
Oldman, I think a game can be too non-linear and this is one of those for me. I do need some direction to get the job done. I like World of Warcraft addons with arrows that point your way
I use F5 and F8 a lot where fighting is concerned but I'm getting the hang of it. I'm sure it's meant to make us think outside the box, but I'm a straight forward kinda girl.
It seems the more I watch videos on character creation and how to choose skills, attributes and talents for the character of your choice the more confused I get. I'll have to start over again in a couple of weeks anyway as my hard drive is dying and will have to be replaced. So, I'm just goofing around with lots of character teams and types hoping to hit paydirt.
Thanks for the tips and help again. It removes some of the frustration factor.

Let me be more precise, then

When you level up you'll get two skills points. If you say put one skill point into say waterbased spells like e.g. rain, you'll be able to learn up to three waterbased spells. With two points in hydrosohist?, you'll be able to learn up to 5 waterbased spells. And yes, you do need to go to vendor and trade/buy a book that has the spell, you want to learn, say ice arrow or crushing fist. Then you right the click the book and choose use (the first option) and voila, you have learned a new spell. If your level and skill level(s) are high enough. If you do not find you can use the spell, you can always right click on the book (or weapons etc) to send them one on your team members.

When you learn a new skill, there will be box appearing say new skill (or spell) learned. And yes, it shows up immediatele in your quickbar. Please remeber, though, that you have up to 5 quickbars...

Thanks, Karten

There are some spellbooks though that require a certain level before you can read them. A prime example is the hurricane spell which requires level 18. Now I didn't reach level 18 until just before the final battle so..............you can judge for yourself the worth of that spell.

Thanks for the explaining it, Karsten and Oldman! I understand now.
Where are Witch spellbooks sold in Cyseal? All I can find are water, air and Ranger skill books?

You can find some from Shareth who is upstairs in the Tavern.

I'll check it out. Thanks!

I find out last, via a walkthrough, that you can save your ability points and your talent points. Very helpful if you want to reach the higher abilities...

I'm limiting my 4 characters to just 2 different magic skills each, as well as a different kind of physical weapon each. So far I'm still alive and gasping. :)I'm about level 15and am starting to appreciate the more powerful spells.

I found a really good link for game information with things like RP conversations and how that affect your skills, etc.
Great beginner stuff:
Game Skinny

Thanks, Debra, more info is always great

I'm getting frustrated. If the team I'm fighting against is only one level above me, I usually can't win the fight. They have double the man power I do and at least one healer. I've got on the best armor/weapons I can find for me and the other three and I have two people who can heal, if they have enough action points left to do it. Does anyone have a link for a trainer that's free ('cause I can't afford the $100 life time membership to Cheat Happens) or God Mode? I'm using version the latest version 1.0.81 downloaded from GOG. I'd like to play the game and not bang my head against the wall trying to win a losing battle.

I don't, Debra, but hopefully one of the other members will.

When I joined Cheat Happens I got a lifetime membership and it was only between 30 - 40 dollars at that time. They've gone up drastically. Too Bad. You could get a monthly membership for $14.95 but you may not want to pay that for just one game. The Trainer is super good though.

I have the instructions to give GodMode to your characters. If you'd like it email me and I'll send it to you.

I have had much luck learning the cast cure wound spell. It instantly heals up to 300-400 point. Also, I have had excellent results learning the crushing fist spell. I have given everyone a level in waterbased spells. This means that they all can cast minor healing and restore healing healing spells both on themselves and on others. And I have had them all learn the ice shard spells. Also, fire and ice elementals work great againt multiple enemies. For fighers whirlwind and dustdevil spells/skills will be necessary to find these fights. Bleeding skills are nice, too - for your characters of course.

I have also invested in skills that let my characters heal crippled, bleed, stun or frozen status. Madora has a very nice skill called helping hand. Use this if one your characters ever are knocked down.

Also, what I do if I'm surrounded bu a larger group of enemies is this: Retract form the site, go as far back as my action points allows me to do. This forces the other side, the enemies, to use their action points to either reach me or use them for buffering, healing etc. And then I can summon spiders, air elementals or fire elementals.

And as said, you can teleport things, barrels etc. down on top of people. You can destroy barriers etc. And you need to think like a strategist. If you do this what will the opponent do. I have developed a strategy which works for me. Johan and Madora will be - for a while - in the back. Myself and Jahan will be pounding spells in the enemy. And then slowly, ever so slowly, will Johan and Madora advance forward.

If all else fails, try a fireball...

Yes, Oldman please send me the instructions for god mode. Cheat Happens says you need the Life Time Membership to get their trainer which is the $100 version. I guess some people have money to burn, but I'm not one of them. I usually don't use trainers until after I've played the game through once, but this game is a head banger for me.
Karsten, my problem is that when I need to heal my characters, I'm out of action points and also, what looked like four enemies become ten as they come out of the woodwork. Then I get the message I'm too close to retreat. I keep trying, but I'd just like to enjoy playing the game without so much reload. I don't expect to win every battle the first time, but even doing all the side quests to gain XP doesn't seem to get me in a position to move toward the main quest goal. My team is a knight, Jahan, a witch, and a ranger/rogue hybrid all level 4 now. They ought to be able to do some damage. I don't mean to whine, but this is not like Baldur's Gate which was a real draw for me in purchasing the game.

Debra check your email. It is on the way.

Good luck

Hi Debra - sorry to hear you're having trouble. I'm enjoying the game. But I tend to get frustrated because there's no clearcut path to how you're supposed to play this game. Imo, this is both the game's greatest strength and its greatest weakness.

I play this game on easy. I tried to play it on the classic setting, but it is just so hard. And even on easy, I-m having diffulties. Also, did you know you can save your action points? You do not have to us them all in one turn (of the battle/fight). Also, I found out, via some info on the net, that you can indeed trade/barter with all people. And there's a vendor in Cyseal market close to the guy who sells paintings that you can buy healing potions from. I've used these a lot.

Also, it surprises me that you're only level 4...I'm currently level 14 ot 15. And you do know that you are free to go find the white witch and then are able to return to Cyseal once more, after you've found her. There's quite a few easy quests in Luculla Forest that'll help you level up a bit. Also, I wonder, have you been the to Lighthouse or the beach yet? or the Black Cove yet?

I had trouble with Evelyn and her minions. So what did I do - teleported away, of course. And came back later....

I also confess to use the internet a lot, especially the walkthrough form gamespressure seems great. It really covers everythig in the game...
If you already know about this, I apologize in advance.


GamesGlitch also has (a lot of) videowalkthroughs on youtube...these have helped me a lot too. link: http://www.youtube.com/user/GamezGlitchZ/videos

Especially if you're unsure where some npcs are or what precisely you have to do, this is great site. Also, you'll need a character with (relatively) high perception 5-8, I think, to be able to find some of the keys and entrances you'll neeed to find in order to finish both the sidequest and - alas - also - some of the quests in the main quest.

Thanks, Oldman. I will check it when my computer gets back from the shop. Karsten I've started over numerous times changing my team up after reading various articles. I have only made it to lvl 4 because of that, but that being said, finding quests I can do after that has been a slog. I have no idea about a white witch, but I have been to the lighthouse and that fight was easy. I too am playing on the Easy level and I have quite a few potions, but if you get in a pinch you can't drink them because of the AP system. I can see that for movement but not for potions. Maybe they will change that at some point.
Don't get me wrong, I like the game, but not the mechanics. The AP system needs to be changed a bit and I wouldn't even dream of playing this game on Normal.
Thanks for the video link. I will keep plugging away. I hate to let a game beat me.

Hi Debra Sorry for your trouble. I'll try to hel as best as I can...

If you talk to Aureus or Arhu in the Legionaire's office, they'll point you towards that you need to find the white witch. Also, one of the main complaints I have regarding this game is that yóu need to guess which line of dialogue will take you to the xp reward for a certain quest. For instance, if you want to get new info about Jake's murde, you'll need to choose the option: Let's discuss Jake's murder. And then additionel info might pop up...

Here's the map from gamepressure, link: http://guides.gamepressure.com/divinityoriginalsin/guide.asp?ID=25135

As you can see quests are scattered all over the place. Have you been to the cave where Arhus failed experiment is? You'll need to go through that cave in order to reach the northwestern part of the map.

I'll have to admit that witohout the help from the gamespressure walktrough, at least 2 german walkthrougs, posts in the Steam and Larian forums as well as the videos from Gamezglitch, I probably wouldn't have reached level 15...

I am trying to finish off old quests that I have left in my journal. I am not finished the game yet but there are some fights ahead of me that are very difficult. Here is what I am trying to complete for now:

1) Where is Samson the lighthouse keeper? I have sent his Desdemona's ghost back to him but I don't know where to find the couple again. He is not at the lighthouse.

2) I am trying to finish the dark cove quests. I am in the room that exploded. I had died in the explosion but my team resurrected me. The picture on the wall got destroyed at the same time. There is a button on the floor which I have used but nothing happens. Where is the trap door that is supposed to appear?

BTW, the black ominous door can be smashed open. You just need a lot of time and infinite patience and the ability to repair weapons. You have to be later in the game when you have more powerful weapons.

"infinite patience"

If you've already talked to both ghosts then they should both be in the cellar at the lighthouse. All you need to do is visit the cellar and you should find them there.

The entrance that you get from clicking on the switch behind the picture is located here just to the left of the door.
If the entrance is not available then you probably destroyed the switch in the fire.

There is a key to the Black Ominous door on the pirate ship.

I believe that quest is not possible for me to finish. There is no trap door for me, so the switch doesn't work for me. I'll try to clean up some other quests. Does anyone know how to defeat the mud lords in the swamp? The first mud lord weakens my party which causes them to drop weapons and armor that they can no longer carry. After that it is a one way battle not in my favour. I fully feel Debra's frustration.

Hi Rowan

Is this the svamp in the dark forest? I always found elementals helpfull; enemies tend to attack summoned elementals (and spiders) first. Also, if you have crushing fist, this helps a lot, too. A knocked down mud lord can't weaken you. I think, too, from what I understood that the people (for lack of a better word ) who has the most initiative will go first in the combat round. In a case like this, I would retreat.
(The spell Tactical Retreat works wonders as well). Also, I use Jahan's ability to teleport enemies away from the group. Work wonders - and as they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall

If you experience a enemy that weakens you, I would go back as far as my action points allowed me to go. And have Jahan cast fireball, flare and blaze fire and ice shard as well. I think there's a spell? which cures weakness...

As for the combat, please think of the combat like a game of chess. Move your pieces around strategicalle as well as tactically...