The Devotion system in Grim Dawn offers a complex and rewarding path for character customization. However, a common practice has emerged involving manipulating constellation bonuses, raising questions about its intended design. This guide explores this issue, analyzing the technique and proposing alternative approaches to devotion point allocation.
A prevalent method involves the following steps:
- Selecting a crossroad constellation.
- Filling low-tier constellations to gain affinity bonuses.
- Acquiring a Tier 2 or Tier 3 constellation, leveraging the gained affinity.
- Removing points from the initial crossroad (step 1) or the temporary low-tier constellations (step 2), while retaining the powerful Tier 2/3 constellation.
- Re-allocating freed points to further enhance the build.
This method, while effective, can feel like exploiting a loophole in the system. It raises concerns about whether this “point shuffling” was the intended gameplay mechanic or an unintended consequence of the design. Is it a strategic optimization or a “moral abuse” that detracts from the intended progression? The current system encourages extensive external planning using tools like grimcalc.com or Grim Dawn wikis, potentially shifting player focus away from the in-game experience.
One potential solution involves streamlining constellations by reducing the number of individual stars. For example, the Lion constellation, currently with three stars, could be condensed into a single star that retains all the original bonuses. Similarly, constellations like Hawk, Rat, Sailor’s Guide, and Eel could benefit from this simplification.
This approach could lead to a tiered system:
- Tier 1 Constellations: 1 star
- Tier 2 Constellations: 3 stars
- Tier 3 Constellations: 5 stars
To maintain balance, the affinity system could be reworked. Instead of rewarding constellation completion, affinity bonuses could be tied to the number of devotion points invested within a specific affinity. For example, spending 5 devotion points in Order constellations grants 2 bonus affinity points in either Ascendant and/or Primordial. This incentivizes consistent investment in desired affinities.
The original vision for the Devotion system likely envisioned a more linear “path.” Players would choose a direction at a crossroad and invest points to unlock progressively stronger bonuses and abilities. The more points invested in a particular affinity, the greater the access to higher-tier constellations without abandoning the initial choices. A player seeking defense would invest in Order, while those prioritizing magical power could explore Eldritch, Primordial, or Chaos based on their elemental focus.
This “path” should encourage commitment and specialization, fostering a sense of progression and unique character development. The current system, with its point shuffling, potentially undermines this vision.
Conclusion:
The “A Bug In The System Ascendant Guide” highlights a valid concern within Grim Dawn’s Devotion system. While the current method of manipulating constellation bonuses is effective, it raises questions about design intent and gameplay philosophy. Alternative approaches, such as streamlining constellations and tying affinity bonuses to point investment, could encourage a more engaging and intuitive character development experience. Exploring these options could lead to a more rewarding and less exploitative Devotion system in the long run.
