If you look back at your post, you'll find that it largely seemed to be a collection of points (many of which I didn't agree with from a logical perspective, not even a subjective one), not an argument for why they should have added middle of the road characters. You mentioned that idea once and then never even alluded to it again.
I didn't skim your post, but it read
way more like a collection of separate points than a single argument. If you meant it in the latter, then my response was largely unnecessary (though I still disagree with your argument, but agree with the conclusion). But it didn't read that way at all.
[EDIT]
Quote:
So I've been looking over the stats and what's available to aveline and fenris and I don't see why fenris couldn't tank. As far as what I am looking at it's not the fact he isn't weilding a shield that's holding him back it's the fact he doesn't have Aveline exclusive tree. The only thing he missing out of from the "Shield and sword" tree is shield wall. The other defensive stats can be gained from accessories and he has full access to the defender tree.
Of course your gonna have to work more to make him a tank, but isn't that the point of unique characters? One always gonna be better at their specialized task.
Umm, look again. The difference is huge. And this is only the case for tanks, you are absolutely forced to use Anders if you want a healer (and you do, because chugging potions just isn’t enough on many normal encounters, let alone higher difficulties).
Sword and Shield talents (that matter):
Shield Defense (sustainable) is -25% damage from the front—VERY useful on hard-hitting bosses, and only costs 15% stam.
Safeguard (passive)—the warrior is IMMUNE to crits. Again, super nice overall.
Perception (passive)—the warrior is immune to flanking. Super nice for AoE tanking. In DA:O, flanking increased your attack value and chance to crit—I’m not sure what it does in DA2.
Aveline’s personal tree (again, that matter):
+5-10% damage reduction (5% includes 10% transfer from Hawke to her).
Bodyguard is 25-50% damage transfer from a party member to her—very useful if Anders draws hate.
Immovable (aka, omfg amazing skill)--+2% damage resistance per hit received (lasts 5 seconds). Absolutely amazing in AoE—have her put a little threat on everything, then activate bravery/ the other option (transfers 50% threat to her from everyone else). She will have their hate for the rest of the fight, so her slow movement/attack speed doesn’t matter. So she ends up with this huge stack of damage mitigation. :D
Indomitable gives her complete resistance to stun and knockback, which means you can invest more in other stats without worrying as much about her fortitude.
Thick Skin is a passive 15% damage resistance.
Yeah, that’s amazing.
Now let’s see how Fenris makes up the difference.
Magic Resistance +10%
Defense +20%, damage resistance +10%, magic resistance +10% for 25% stamina.
Magic Resistance +25%.
And that’s it. Are you really standing by the argument that the difference isn’t that huge? Oh, and remember that Aveline gets a shield to use, which has additional armor and stats (and runes).
Any accessories he can use, she can too. And, even if she went naked, it wouldn't even begin to make up the gap.
If he just had access to the weapon and shield talents, it would still be a large difference between them, but it would be sufficient to at least make him viable if you really wanted to use him. It's a pretty heavy sacrifice right now.
Edited, Mar 26th 2011 9:57pm by idiggory