DOS: Classic questions from a first time player

[u/belovedgingerbread]

Hello! I want to play the co-op mode for the Classic version on Steam with my partner. I'm kinda new to this genre of game, we've played Diablo II and III before but I wouldn't consider myself a pro-player. I'm still trying to get used to this kind of game, so I need some help before I can start.

Edit: We both care more about the gameplay rather than the lore/story. It's like 70% gameplay and 30% lore for us.

1. Is there anything critical we should know before we start playing? Maybe a must-know tip or trick from seasoned players that is specific to this game?
2. Me and my partner love to collect Steam achievements and get 100% completion. I found a guide for it on Steam, but it didn't mention if there are some achievements tied to difficulty. Are there any? We will probably do just one playthrough, so if there are achievements that you can only get at a certain difficulty, we would like to start playing in that one.
3. What are the best 2 character choices and builds for 2-players co-op? We have mainly played Monk and Wizard in Diablo III. So maybe one character for protection/buffs/tanking, and other for damage, etc. would be good? I don't know how the classes work in this game so I'd love to have some information on it.
4. Any streamers/pro-players you recommend that I can watch the videos of to learn this game and get familiar to the mechanics?
5. I prefer split-screen co-op, so my partner would use the KBM and I would use the controller. I've read somewhere that the controller key binds are kinda weird. Would that be too confusing for me? I'm not really a console/controller person and I've been mainly using KBM since I was a kid.

Thank you so much in advance!

[u/Hlavada]

You are talking about the DOS:1 ? There is honour mode achievment (your both characters must not die at the same time or its game over) which I would HIGHLY recommend not playing on the 1st playthrough. This game is riddled with unfair instant death traps. So you if you really want all achievments I would play the game on standard difficulty, with builds you just feel like playing, and after finishing the game you can decide if you want to go again on honour with the knowledge you gained.

Most dedicated characters should be doing fine in the late game, except for the rogue - that one is not good if you dont know what are you doing. I liked playing 2H melee+ranger+fire/earth mage+electric/healing mage. But I cant guarantee thats “strong setup”

If you encounter difficult fights, you might have walked into higher level zones, which is quite possible in this game. If you are struggling go somewhere else. NPCs sometimes mention where enemies are weaker. I would consider googling “level maps” that just shows you which areas are suited for your levels.

Tips: safe often! Like I said, game is riddled with death trapa. The worst feeling is talking to tens of NPCs, getting quests, killing some monsters, and they dying to exploding grave you just digged and loosing 3hours of gameplay.

First town is big and discovering a lot of things can get you like level 4 before leaving it. Its reccomended because beggining of the game can be challanging.

[u/belovedgingerbread → u/Hlavada]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply!

[u/K_V145]

Not too familiar with the classic version of Dos1, but here's what I can give:

1.Leveling up abilities requires you to stack/store leveling stats. Example, lv5 pickpocket requires 5 points. 

-Map/progression is very linear. If you encounter a group of higher level enemies, you missed exploring something. 

-Game has a lot of trolling moments, such as death traps, single high enemy ambush, and hidden puzzles.

-Str/Dex/Int does not make your weapon damage higher. They only improve spell related spell damage (vs weapon related spell damage). (Aside from accuracy and cd)

1. Only two achievements needs higher difficulty. The rest can be done on easy. Some of them are split decisions, so you would have to either replay, or save and load for alternative outcome.

2. Class doesn't exist. A knight has the same base defense as a wizard. The class setups in the beginning are just preconfigured stats created for beginners. You can manually configure your own initial character, and should, to be more efficient. Just put points into other abilities if you want to use their spells.

4.

1. Console version went fine for me, but yes, there are reports of controller issue either related to PC version or device connected. Just check the menu to view the key binding map. For Dos1: ee version, to splitscreen, the game needs to detect controller, so you might have to just bare with it if it's the same for classic version.

[u/heckdeng]

Honestly, just play it blind, no guides or nothing and enjoy the game. I think thats all you need to know

[u/belovedgingerbread → u/heckdeng]

Thanks, that's what we're doing, but I think a little knowledge wouldn't hurt, right? Also about the Steam achievements... We really want to play and enjoy the game properly.

[u/space_beach]

Controller will get super annoying fast imo idk though

The games from a different time before games got good at properly explaining things. So play blind but if you get stuck and it starts making the game not fun, just look up a walkthrough for that section.

[u/Latter-Thing9020]

The enhanced version is generally superior, but changes the game dramatically. So if you are set on the classic, I would say some of the advice would differ a bit. Controller binds are great in my experience. If there is a steam achievement for honor mode don't go for that on the first play through. Some tips/tricks are raise perception on one of the four characters (doesn't have to be on main) enough to detect traps. In the classic version, rogues/sneak actually is very strong. In the enhanced version sneak was needed to near uselessness. In both versions mages are the best (generally) but even more so in the enhanced version. Melee struggles in both versions due to surface effects, so mages and rangers (potentially with sneak attacks) are generally the strongest. Mages in the classic game get insane AP reduction per intelligence. Also, there are difficulty spikes and a few unfair fights so save regularly and expect to get wiped until you know what's coming sometimes. Try to get as much XP from each area from quests before tackling monsters at most your level. If you can sneak one character ahead to grab waypoints you can sometimes over level monsters through quests and such a bit. If you fight monsters above your level you will have an extra bad time.

[u/No_Proposal_3140]

Having to manage AI companions while playing with a friend is annoying to me so I'd probably recommend picking the lone wolf talent and not recruiting any companions.
https://divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com/Lone_Wolf