Poll: Do you ever pick the shield?

[ZelosRaine]

As the title suggests, this thread is dedicated to the question of choice in video games. Specifically, when you are given an option to chose between offense and defense (as in the beginning of the first Kingdom Hearts or in leveling a new character Demon's Souls, etc), do any of you choose defense over other, more offensive stats? If you don't choose defense, what do you chose first?

Personally, it's all offense with me!

 

[ProfessorLayton]

I tend to pick whatever heals. If there's a medic stat I pick it. I also try to keep it relatively balanced, though I will pick a speedy offense over a slow defense any day.

 

[Lineoutt]

I either go magical or physical, I prefer magical but magic is pretty easy to screw up in a game so I default at physical

 

[rokkolpo]

magical offense but luck is always fun.

 

[KingGolem]

Generally speaking, I favor offensive magic in RPGs. However, if the game in question is extremely difficult, I'll invest in some health and defense, 'cause dying sucks. That's probably what I'd do in Demons' Souls. I hear it's real easy to die in that game.

 

[PinkiePyro]

i agree with ProfessorLayton expt i lean towerds the rogue skill tree rather than healer

>

 

[ALuckyChance]

For some reason, I go defensive. I don't know why.

 

[Summerstorm]

I mix (if applicapble) insane damage (and crit) and high regeneration... ToHit, defense and HP total are nothing to me.

 

[ilspooner]

If there is a choice, speed. But just defense and offense, probably offense.

 

[TheBoulder]

I'd rather be able to kill something quickly than drag the battle on. The best defense is a good offence, as they would say.

 

[Gigaguy64]

I like Defense.
Dishing out Damage is great but i love being able to Soak it up as well(Fire Emblem Generals For Example).

 

[Reshkar]

Offensive magician, powerful support unit. And a healer combined class, like a paladin.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

well i tend to do defensive magic, so i buff the shit out of my party members and myself then i get a grin and go to town on the enemy =]

 

[RooftopAssassin]

Inspired by Kingdom Hearts by any chance?

I always go offense. Usually physical, because using magic in games (Oblivion, for example) is extremely tedious.

Edit: Gah! I just read the entire post! I guess I should do that more often...

 

[Tehlanna TPX]

Gimme the sword! Fuck the board!

 

[swenson]

I usually do physical offense. Sure, defense is important, but I'd rather kill the guy now then try to wait him out and hope my shield holds until I can take him down.

 

[Fidelias]

It's all the way physical defense for me. I basically choose any character that'll get to the point where they lose 1 hit point from a full-on nuclear assault. For example; Hector from Fire Emblem.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Defense first.

Playing Enslaved at the moment and made sure to level up Monkey's health and Regen times first.

 

[ZelosRaine]

If it's my very first time in a game I'll always pick a shield, just to help me live longer and get a feel for the game.

Generally speaking, I favor offensive magic in RPGs. However, if the game in question is extremely difficult, I'll invest in some health and defense, 'cause dying sucks. That's probably what I'd do in Demons' Souls. I hear it's real easy to die in that game.

You're quite correct about it being easy to die in Demon's Souls. That's actually what makes it so hard. However, the problem is that there are plenty of things in Demon's Souls that will kill you instantly (like cliffs) or that will mob you and crush you if you rush in (black night and halberd guards in 4-3), so health and defense don't always help.