Pathfinder Kingmaker

[ericthecleric]

I purchased this game last weekend, with the three add-ons.

Really enjoying it, but it does have a steep learning curve with the kingdom stuff.

[Aberzombie]

I started my second play through a week or two ago, when there was a lull in my regular 5E game. First time through I played a sorcerer. This time, so far, I'm doing a scaled-fist monk.

The kingdom stuff, I find, can be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth. I typically set the difficulty on that to "effortless", and turn on "invincible" kingdom.

I enjoy many of the companion and artisan quests. My three favorite companions are the dwarf Harrim, the human Ekun, and the goblin Nok-Nok, in that order.

[ericthecleric]

Thanks for your reply, AZ.

I have a paladin as my PC. Haven't worked out how to increase the number of advisors or how to change a location from a village to a town (yet), and only worked out how to establish other villages yesterday.

I like Ekun too. Great damage dealer, especially with the Destroyer of Metal bow (which I think I picked up from Hargulka).

Currently in the other world part of the Lamashtu area.

[Aberzombie]

I think the first upgrade for a settlement comes after you’ve claimed three regions. Then you get more as you expand.

Advisors increase as you rank up various stats for your kingdom. For example, ranking up Community gets you Grand Diplomat, while ranking up Loyalty gets you Curator.

[ericthecleric]

Thanks, AZ!

[ericthecleric]

Hi. Is it possible to rest somewhere in the Lostlarn dungeon? If not, I'll have to restart the Varnhold DLC... :(

[Aberzombie]

I’ve never played the Varnhold DLC, so I’m not sure. That said, there’s a pretty decent walkthrough I use that may have the answer.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker Walkthrough and Guide

[ericthecleric]

Thanks!

I did a Youtube search for the relevant sections.

To redo the Varnhold DLC, I created three new PCs (melee paladin, archer ranger and healer/fire cleric), and brought along the existing melee ranger, rogue and wizard. I also made much better decisions for the characters. It's gone much more smoothly for me in the DLC. :)

[ericthecleric]

Just finished the game! :)

I did the ending where you forgive the BBEG first, then backtracked an hour and did the ending where you ally with the BBEG, allowing you to do The Cursed King part.

Overall, I estimate that I played it for about 200 hours. Of those, 16 hours were wasted when I realised that I had to redo Varnhold's Lot with extra healing (a paladin main character), and 24 hours when I didn't get on with defeating Pitax and also wandered into the Thousand Screams area, thus also triggering The Fog problem, with no way to resolve it. The 24 hours part was the last save I had that allowed me to correct that track.

It's a great game, although with a few bugs. Sometimes the game crashed when I used AoE spells in areas with too many monsters, most especially the two zombie areas in you-know-where (for those who've played through it).

I appreciate the extra effort the Owlcat people went to to really bring the BBEG's story into the game, so that they are not some random villain at the end.

Gosh, it has a steep learning curve! I think perhaps that I should make some notes about the best approach to take if or when I replay it. Certainly, it makes sense to follow the main quest as soon as possible, to reduce the effect of repeat problems. Well done all round!

I wish that the superstition rage power was an available choice for barbarians! ;)

[Aberzombie]

A week or two ago, I screwed up and forgot to always leave at least one save while making a new one. Game glitched (surprising, I know), and I lost everything.

So I restarted and I’m now back to where I was when I lost it all - at the big battle between barbarians and Brevoy. Ye gods! I’d forgotten how annoying this part is (among many annoying aspects). It’s like whomever helped design it was one of those DMs who hates his players and is a complete dickhead to them.

Or someone who was barely competent.

[ericthecleric]

Sorry to hear that, AZ! I hope you are remembering to save more now!

(Also that you can change difficulty levels when you wish, if you need it.)

Also hope that you are enjoying it more since your post. :)