Dragon Age 3: Inquisition announced

[Bateluer]

Inquisition did use up to 6 cores from my 5930K so running it on a Core 2 . . . . . would be interesting.

I think it actually requires a 4 threaded CPU.

 

[Carfax83]

Having played DAI for a while, I can see the improvements made in Frostbite 3 compared to its first debut in BF4.

Besides graphical goodies like PBR, the draw distance in particular is vastly improved in DAI. In BF4, shadows were rendered far too close and was quite jarring. In DAI, shadows and most everything else are rendered out much further.

The tessellation factor and overall usage is still weak though for a modern title, which I suspect is due to the consoles, as the PS4 and Xbox One version have tessellation enabled.

 

[Red Hawk]

I think it actually requires a 4 threaded CPU.

Yep. The official minimum CPU requirements are a 2.5 GHz AMD quad core or a 2.0 GHz Intel quad core.

I bumped my brother's 5770 clock speeds up to 900 MHz core and 1400 MHz VRAM. The core clock speed boost is moderate and won't make much of a difference, but the 5770 has always been a bit bandwidth starved thanks to that 128 bit wide memory bus. The memory overclock should make more of a difference. Still a good amount of hitching when walking around at the settings I described, though.

 

[paperfist]

Origin allows you to return games (published by EA) up to one week after purchasing it or 24 hours after first running the game.

Wow thanks! I had no idea they did that.

 

[Red Hawk]

Having played DAI for a while, I can see the improvements made in Frostbite 3 compared to its first debut in BF4.

Besides graphical goodies like PBR, the draw distance in particular is vastly improved in DAI. In BF4, shadows were rendered far too close and was quite jarring. In DAI, shadows and most everything else are rendered out much further.

The tessellation factor and overall usage is still weak though for a modern title, which I suspect is due to the consoles, as the PS4 and Xbox One version have tessellation enabled.

What are you referring to by "PBR"?

 

[Bateluer]

What are you referring to by "PBR"?

Pabst Blue Ribbon. Its a pretty mediocre, cheap Texan beer.

 

[Carfax83]

PBR means physically based rendering. It's a rendering technique that increases the realism of the materials whether they be steel, leather, cloth, stone etcetera.. It does this by simulating the way light bounces off of each material..

Mostly the newer games are using it. Ryse Son of Rome, Star Citizen, Witcher 3, DAI, AC Unity etcetera..

 

[Carfax83]

BTW, what's the best two handed weapon type for inflicting the most amount of damage? Maul, great axe or two handed sword?

 

[exar333]

BTW, what's the best two handed weapon type for inflicting the most amount of damage? Maul, great axe or two handed sword?

I believe the best DPS for 2H weapon is both a great axe and a greatsword. They both max out at the same, IIRC. I found Anderfel's Cleaver (great axe) and the Mstrwrk Serrated Greatsword, both had same DPS and # of materials to add/craft with.

The base DPS for 2-handed weapon wielders is pretty low in DA:I. From what I did, I needed to make them reavers to really make them into a suitable tank/DPS. I preferred a sword/shield warrior myself, but it was a lot of fun to watch the 2H AOE skills and battle effects.

 

[bystander36]

I believe the best DPS for 2H weapon is both a great axe and a greatsword. They both max out at the same, IIRC. I found Anderfel's Cleaver (great axe) and the Mstrwrk Serrated Greatsword, both had same DPS and # of materials to add/craft with.

The base DPS for 2-handed weapon wielders is pretty low in DA:I. From what I did, I needed to make them reavers to really make them into a suitable tank/DPS. I preferred a sword/shield warrior myself, but it was a lot of fun to watch the 2H AOE skills and battle effects.

All the damage on skills is based on the base weapon damage, which 2h's have the highest, but they are slow swinging, which means their autoattack DPS is low. Much like bows, which have the 2nd highest base damage, and the 2nd lowest DPS.

 

[zinfamous]

my experience with one handed weapons is that axes and swords both have same max base DPS, but the differences depend on crafting characteristics.

axes have an extra utility slot, and swords have an extra offensive slot. So, generally, swords can probably offer more base dps: armor penetration & critical damage, for example, whereas axes allow you to add an extra ability, which can also be offensive minded, like immolate on hit

as for the math....I don't know, really. I had success with just about anything

 

[frozentundra123456]

So, can someone help me with a couple of questions?

First my main character now has two focus abilities, and there are 3 bars on the screen for focus, but only one fills up. Is there a way to activate the other bars so I can use more than one focus power without having to refill the focus bar?

Secondly, I just got the power that converts damage to recharge your barrier. When I attack, I can clearly see the bar recharging as I inflict damage. However, I also have Vivenne in my party, and she has that ability as well, but I can never see the barrier go back up when she inflicts damage. Does this ability only work for the primary character, or do you have to activate it somehow for your party? I know by default party members do not use focus powers in autoattack mode, but since this is a passive power, seems like it should be active.

 

[bystander36]

So, can someone help me with a couple of questions?

First my main character now has two focus abilities, and there are 3 bars on the screen for focus, but only one fills up. Is there a way to activate the other bars so I can use more than one focus power without having to refill the focus bar?

Secondly, I just got the power that converts damage to recharge your barrier. When I attack, I can clearly see the bar recharging as I inflict damage. However, I also have Vivenne in my party, and she has that ability as well, but I can never see the barrier go back up when she inflicts damage. Does this ability only work for the primary character, or do you have to activate it somehow for your party? I know by default party members do not use focus powers in autoattack mode, but since this is a passive power, seems like it should be active.

1) Under the perks options at the war table, there is a perk to increase your focus powers to tier 2 and 3. It is under forces I believe. However, if you use your focus power, it drains it. You can't choose to only use 1 bar for one ability and the 2nd for another. It is usually best to just choose one of your focus powers.

2) Vivienne's power work just like yours. It is possible you were looking while she was using an attack that was just too weak, likely due to resistances. Also note that it gives back a percentage of the damage you do, so resistances and play a big part.

 

[Carfax83]

I believe the best DPS for 2H weapon is both a great axe and a greatsword. They both max out at the same, IIRC. I found Anderfel's Cleaver (great axe) and the Mstrwrk Serrated Greatsword, both had same DPS and # of materials to add/craft with.

The base DPS for 2-handed weapon wielders is pretty low in DA:I. From what I did, I needed to make them reavers to really make them into a suitable tank/DPS. I preferred a sword/shield warrior myself, but it was a lot of fun to watch the 2H AOE skills and battle effects.

In DAO, other factors could influence damage, namely armor penetration, of which the Maul was the best. This made Mauls the highest damage inflicting weapons in the game; even if their base damage was less than a Greatsword.

I'm wondering if DAI has similar mechanics like armor penetration. I know that Greatswords and GreatAxes have AoE damage, but Mauls don't. It makes more sense for Mauls to inflict higher damage as you can only hit one target at a time.

 

[zinfamous]

In DAO, other factors could influence damage, namely armor penetration, of which the Maul was the best. This made Mauls the highest damage inflicting weapons in the game; even if their base damage was less than a Greatsword.

I'm wondering if DAI has similar mechanics like armor penetration. I know that Greatswords and GreatAxes have AoE damage, but Mauls don't. It makes more sense for Mauls to inflict higher damage as you can only hit one target at a time.

Yeah, there is certainly armor penetration in DAI, as well as damage to guard. I tend to prefer these upgrades, as well as crit % or crit damage above all others.

I think the strongest base DPS one-hand sword I have is the dwarven sword, followed next by the superior dragon sword. I think the difference is something like 40 DPS base at max. However, the dragon sword offers, I think, 3 pure offense craft options, and the dwarven sword is something like 1 offense and 2 utility upgrades.

My thinking is that armor penetration + crit damage or percent + whatever for the dragon sword is better overall.

I haven't fiddled much with hammers and other 2-handed weapons, though; but I imagine the concept is the same.

 

[frozentundra123456]

1) Under the perks options at the war table, there is a perk to increase your focus powers to tier 2 and 3. It is under forces I believe. However, if you use your focus power, it drains it. You can't choose to only use 1 bar for one ability and the 2nd for another. It is usually best to just choose one of your focus powers.

2) Vivienne's power work just like yours. It is possible you were looking while she was using an attack that was just too weak, likely due to resistances. Also note that it gives back a percentage of the damage you do, so resistances and play a big part.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Carfax83]

I haven't fiddled much with hammers and other 2-handed weapons, though; but I imagine the concept is the same.

One thing I've noticed with hammers, is that although the DPS might be lower than a sword or great axe, the overall damage output is either equivalent or higher.

So there's definitely something going on, likely with the armor penetration.

On a completely different note, anyone else find the loading screens in this game annoying? I just got to Redcliffe Village, and just to enter a freaking tavern and the Chantry require a loading screen D:

I thought that once the big map was loaded, that would be it. I wonder if this is a concession due to last generation support? I'm certain that the Frostbite 3 engine could handle being totally seamless after the initial load is finished.

 

[Red Hawk]

The loading screens may have to do with how there are cinematics in the areas that need to be loaded. The game doesn't want the huge open areas still loaded into memory while also trying to do cinematics.

 

[Carfax83]

The loading screens may have to do with how there are cinematics in the areas that need to be loaded. The game doesn't want the huge open areas still loaded into memory while also trying to do cinematics.

But the cinematics are in engine right? So the cinematics should be able to load seamlessly from gameplay. And you see this in other sections of the game, where the transition from gameplay to cinematics is seamless, despite the capped frame rate.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

Does Inquisition load faster on SSD? I installed on HDD and it seems like the loads to Skyhold and such are a bit slower that I'd have thought. When I play through again in 6 months, or when DLC comes out I might like to reinstall on SSD if it will help.

 

[Bateluer]

Does Inquisition load faster on SSD? I installed on HDD and it seems like the loads to Skyhold and such are a bit slower that I'd have thought. When I play through again in 6 months, or when DLC comes out I might like to reinstall on SSD if it will help.

I hear it loads much faster on SSDs. It wouldn't be as bad if the game kept the lore load screens up the entire time of the load, but it has a nasty habit of dropping the lore tips half way through the load and leaving only a black screen.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Yea, as a rule, loading screens dont bother me too much, but in this game they seem to be interminable sometimes.

 

[Bateluer]

Playthrough 1 complete.

 

[Mem]

Found another bug(halla leather on Exalted Plains),so easy to find as well,another requisition one,

http://forum.bioware.com/topic/5300...-requisition-on-the-plains-bug-halla-leather/


I have same issue,well that's three of four bugs I've found after the patch,about 60 to 70% through game.

They should sack their QA testing division,these are simple bugs not hard to miss,case of release the game ASAP and get their money ,patch later.

 

[ControlD]

Does Inquisition load faster on SSD? I installed on HDD and it seems like the loads to Skyhold and such are a bit slower that I'd have thought. When I play through again in 6 months, or when DLC comes out I might like to reinstall on SSD if it will help.

I moved my Inquisition install to a SSD after a few days of playing. It is certainly faster loading, but it isn't a "holy crap that's faster" type of difference.