Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous General Discussion, Playthroughs and Minimal/No Reload Thread

[Antimatter]

WotR is celebrating its fifth anniversary today, and to mark this date, Owlcat Games composed a ballad, using players' very own words. A very fun video, recommend (the voice-over is by Christina Rotondo):

 

[OrlonKronsteen]

Of those of you playing this game, do you prefer playing good or evil?

 

[Antimatter]

Of those of you playing this game, do you prefer playing good or evil?

I mean, I can try answering this

I only played as a Trickster and an Azata. Obviously, I tried to play chaotically (so sometimes good, sometimes evil, sometimes neutral, but always chaotic) as a Trickster. This has been VERY fun, I saw some crazy (and kinda unexpected, hard to predict) solutions with this Mythic, I don't regret this at all. This also allowed me to RP doing both good and really evil things at the same time, so I had Seelah (a paladin) and Ember (almost a saint) along with Wenduag, Daeran, and especially Camellia (evil, evil, and VERY evil) in the same party, and yet it felt kinda fine, we didn't go on a murder spree or something.

Due to certain Trickster story moments in Chapter 4, I saw some content also suitable for the Demon path (which is evil, but there is a catch). If I ever come back to WotR, this would be my choice - but I wouldn't play Demon as fully 100% evil, I would play it with this option I saw during the Trickster story, and it'll be more similar to Viconia's and Sarevok's story in ToB where you can redeem them. That option is exclusive to Demon and involves a romance.

I also had a playthrough as an Azata (that finished shortly because of the crucial death under the Last Azlanti rule). I liked a lot of what I saw. Now that I know the (good part of) stories of Arueshalae and Sosiel (among others), I see a lot of potential in that as well for this path (so that I could guide them to Good). I would recommend that as well, even though I haven't seen Azata content past chapter 3.

Overall, I would dare say that WotR is the best implementation of different RP paths for the player if we're speaking from the tabletop-inspired perspective (it definitely beats BG3 and the original BG trilogy). From what I've read, the Lich path (evil) is nicely implemented and can offer a unique perspective (but you need to sacrifice some of your usual companions). They also patched and vastly improved the Golden Dragon path (good).

The only paths I don't know much about are Angel, Devil, Aeon, and Swarm-That-Walks (well, and Legend).

So, as of now, I'd base my choice on the companions the path affects (especially if I feel strongly about them - you can influence some, actually affecting them), and also gameplay aspects these paths involve (e.g., I liked Trickster feats), with story beats coming second, and everything else after that.

 

[Serg_BlackStrider]

My main character is always Neutral Good (pretty much my own alignment according to some online tests) in any cRPG games (which is actually the only genre I play) with a bit of chaotic inclinations. At the same time I don't reject any NPCs in my crew just because they are Evil (or any other alignment) so Viconia is always with me and sometimes Sarevok too. Korgan - Mazzy relations are also quite hilarious. Just like @Antimatter my aim with those kinds of NPCs is to try and redeem, influence or affect them. As of WoTR Mythic choices - my favorite (which is also matches my self-perception) is Azata. I still haven't played yet any others but I can see myself as an Aeon or a Legend. I can justify a Trickster if only from the powergaming standpoint. Actually I think I'm going to try most of those (sans Swarm-That-Walks obviously).

All in all I agree with what @Antimatter wrote so I won't repeat it here. Most Mythics could be justified one way or another regardless of your alignment. The topic starter @alice_ashpool (aka @Coredumped Gaming) has a Lich>Legend Last Azlanti run on youtube where he played as a Lich who is trying to be good and eventually became a Legend. So nothing is impossible.

 

[OrlonKronsteen]

It sounds like the kazillion character classes are only one layer of the complexity, lol. I hope I can figure this Pathfinder thing out, but it sounds like it may be equivalent to another round of grad school. Thank you both for taking the time to explain this.

My main character is always Neutral Good (pretty much my own alignment according to some online tests) in any cRPG games (which is actually the only genre I play) with a bit of chaotic inclinations.

Man, I'm envious. I always want a neutral good diagnosis on these tests, because that's what I aspire to IRL. However, I aways seem to get pegged as lawful neutral - an alignment I have utter contempt for. Darn those online D&D alignment tests and their cutting edge, clinical accuracy.

 

[Serg_BlackStrider]

According to some Reddit comments, rests in the prologues do not count, so that's good news at least (for Unfair players):

Well, I've checked this out by starting a new run and looks like this is not true - resting in the Shield Maze for the first time immediately changed SadisticGameDesign_restTrigger +1. Online search proved that only 'story' rests (like in Neathholm) do not count. Any 'manual' rest do count during entire game (Shield Maze including). This is why I already have so many rests during my current run.

Anyway, this also triggered another restartis attack for me (and again during an assault on Drezen) with a bit of changes for myself and my crew members based on experience I have with them during this current run. Seelah now has a dip in Hunter [Tandem Executioner] with Doggy Doggerson pet which is far more suited for tanking compared to the Big Birg, who in turn is delegated to Lann instead. I've also had a number of issues with Seelah wielding a reach weapon (Fauchard) and riding Big Bird which showed up during the charge attack (Big Bird stops right at the Seelah's weapon reach and do not attack themselves, or if the duo is placed behind the tank, Seelah can't attack either for some reason). Ember now will be an Inciter Skald with some Feint/Diva Style feats along with Beast Totems line and some changes with her other feats/mythic choices. Nenio will skip Alchemist (2) for Rowdy (1) dip for better spell progression. And my main will be the Noble Leader Living Deity Magic Deceiver with 7/17/8/12/12/20 stats distribution.

We already finished the caves under Kenabres without any issues (I saved my single spell cast per day for small earth elementals now) and just entered the Shield Maze. I'll post a proper report when we'll finish it.