14 DAY TRIAL // Last time we talked about Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, I was at the bottom of the Battle Tower, ready to make my way up and claim my dragon form. The climb that leads to the tower's gates isn't a very arduous one, but there are plenty of foes, so just like everywhere else in the game, you need to be very careful not to be surrounded. The inside of the tower is pretty simple, and not at all as elaborate as you might think. There are barely any enemies and all you get is one or two puzzles, so you won't really get to enjoy the game's first battle companion, Sassan.
If you haven't yet reached the tower, you might remember Sassan is a less lively form, as the undead, stitched-together version. No spoilers here, but the one that will help you isn't in any way the same one. The battles that are present in the tower, however, are very difficult, as both are boss fights. At least there were two of them for me, considering my set of choices, which, with hindsight, weren't that clever at all. But in the boss fights, Sassan really shines as a combat-effective partner.
She doesn't do a lot of spell damage, since the first fight is done in close quarters, while in the second, final battle, even if waged on the top of the tower and in a medium sized area, she'll switch to melee as soon as she's engaged and that will happen very early in the fight. What she does incredibly well is provide healing support, as she has a very advanced version of the spell, and, as an NPC, it seems she has unlimited mana.
The Battle Tower itself adds an entirely new dimension to the game. First, you get your dragon form, which gives a whole-new combat experience. Then, you get a storage locker, the one that Dragon Age: Origins didn't give to everyone. Next, you get your alchemist and blacksmith that will allow you to finally put all those herbs, charms and ore you gathered to good use. The necromancer will finally unlock your creature, and you'll be able to have a permanent combat pet, which is a very welcomed addition.
The weapon trainer will allow you to re-spec your character for a fee and will also increase your maximum skill rank from 5 to 10 or higher (I'll have to check when I get back home if it goes higher than 10.) You also get your illusionist, which will let you change every aspect of the appearance of your character, making you, if you choose, a gender-bender. You'll also get runners that can go and collect ingredients for you so that you don't have to do it yourself.
These runners can be equipped with better armor, as long as you pay your blacksmith and healed by your alchemist for a fee, when they get hurt on their outings, so the game involves a bit of financial management as well. The story, as well as the gameplay really pick up once you get access to the Battle Tower, so things are going to get very interesting, very quickly.