Tyranny Discussion Thread

I'm on my 3rd playthrough, this time with the Rebels. I'm enjoying it so far, though I'm not sure how I feel about not being able to recruit everyone in the Tiers at once. I suppose it adds more replay value for a Rebel run which is fine with me, it's interesting getting to see the other side of things after I've spent the other 2 playthroughs slaughtering them all.

I haven't played the Scarlet Chorus yet but I honestly found it easiest to be evil on an Independent Run out of mine so far. Disfavored are a bit too uptight and soldier-like to go with the really chaotic evil options, and I imagine the Scarlet Chorus would dislike the more nuanced evil of the Disfavored (like enslavement VS recruitment). However with an Independent Run you're beholden to no one but yourself so all options become available to you. It helps that you have no allies save for Bleden Mark, and Bleden Mark is definitely a fan of sowing the seeds of chaos everywhere you go. It basically encourages you to be as evil as you want because hey, everyone hates you anyway. I tried to be nice in my first Independent Run, not worth it. After I finish my current Rebel Run and do one as the Scarlet Chorus, I'll probably do Independent again and see just how evil I can be. It helps add freedom to the evil you can commit rather than being chained down to Lawful Neutral-Evil to Chaotic Evil.

I feel like the game has a lot of replayability so far even if it can be a bit railroad-y at times. Conquest definitely helps with that. At the very least I'm curious as to what will change in different areas if I decided to send the Chorus there, or the Disfavored there, or if I killed a powerful Tiersman or let them walk, etc. I mean yeah for the most part it is just dialogue changes but these dialogue changes can help give you a big boost with certain factions, especially Tiersmen. And the choices where it actually affects the landscape and the world as a whole are neat. (if you haven't, try Lethian's Crossing during Conquest, choices there affect a loooot)

I would recommend trying out a Conquest where you're as douchey as possible (such as letting the Voices of Nerat eat all of Eb's friends at the School of Tides, that one makes Eb hate you instantly) and then going Independent during your game. Bonus points if you (Act I spoilers)

Spoiler

be the ultimate betrayer and kick the Fifth Eye AND Tarkis Arri off the Spire, and then knife Eb in the gut for being too sarcastic

Also, does anyone know how the Hell to raise Sirin's Loyalty? I've exhausted all dialogue options with her and she's only to Loyalty 2. I had one cutscene with the Bronze Brotherhood where I could raise her reputation but so far nothing else and I'm about halfway through the run. It says she likes it when you're kind but I'm playing a Rebel Run, I'm literally doing nothing except being kind.

 

No complete pacifist runs, but there are times you can talk your enemy out of fighting you or at the very least get a few to run away before the battle begins. For the most part though, almost all the people you talk to before a fight are hardened killers and won't back down without a lot of subterfuge, lore, or athletics. There are times you can be merciful and spare people but it'll probably piss the faction you're aligned with off (especially in the Chorus, hoo boy they HATE it when you aren't bloodthirsty)