Dear community managers, or anyone who is in touch with the devs.There are a lot of discussions and assumptions circulating around Lucanis' romance and his hardening. Namely, people being unable to continue the romance after choosing to aid Minrathous. The uncertainties arise because in Neve's case, people can apparently still romance her if they aided Treviso.For peace of mind, can we please get a clear statement from you - Is this intentional design, or a bug to be fixed? Is Lucanis supposed to be romanceable while hardened, or not? Many thanks

Not to mention if you dont romance Neve, Lucanis still has time to romance her, just not you. Seriously goofy decision by the writers lol

It seems like they were thinking it wasn’t as important to deliver well-crafted romances with men, so they made sure they got the “important” work done first.I wish they’d say something about the disappointment people are obviously experiencing, rather than just making it more clear with a pop-up in a patch. I haven’t felt this disrespected as a fan of a game since Cyberpunk, when River released broken and with the worst endings in the game compared to the two lady romances. Weird how this always happens with the male companions, always. On top of how bad the lockout decision is, the whole Neve thing just has me heated. This is not the way to do companion romances. It’s in the freaking story missions! It’s there before you can lock either one of them in! I can’t even make a new playthrough without getting reminded that they have more chemistry together than my Rook was able to have. It’s infuriating and it’s miserable. I went from liking Neve to not using her at all. I avoid her banter in the Lighthouse. She will not have her Hero status as I go into the end game because she is so blatantly being favored that I resent her for existing at all lmaoIt’s so bad. It’s laughably bad. Let me turn off the background romances. Please?

I have to assume there’s no comprable message for Neve either, because why would there be? That would leave only 2 women left to choose from in a playthrough, and that’s unthinkable.The wording too, dang. “No time for a romance with you.” Coolcoolcool, fine. This is fine, nothing weird about this at all. Obviously Neve is just too charming to be angry at for too long, and Rook is just some schlub that can only bully Lucanis into a relationship if he feels obligated to give it up because Rook saved Treviso. (It’s not. It’s not fine, this is stupid. How did no one realize the implications of this are terrible?)

+1, because there are multiple threads here and on Reddit (along the other pages) asking for it – I am aware of this this [Lucanis ACT 1 Companion Quest is Bugged: Bidding Farewell] thread here, but it doesn't answer the question if hardened effect blocks the romance intentionally or not. It hurts when you helped Lucanis, and he resents you cause you haven't saved his city, and then he's drolling to Neve (and the other way you can still romance her). For the sake of a real RPG, please clarify here.

Good gravy, what are these devs thinking? If they wanted Nev and Luca, they should have just made them both advisors or something and given us other companions. But, these companion arcs in general are the weakest in any game already, and I don't hold out much hope of them pulling a Larian and patching in popular requests ala Minthara.

[Spoilers] Official Clarification Required - Lucanis Romance lock-out

34 Replies

Voertigern
Seasoned Novice
3 months ago
+1, because there are multiple threads here and on Reddit (along the other pages) asking for it – I am aware of this this [Lucanis ACT 1 Companion Quest is Bugged: Bidding Farewell] thread here, but it doesn't answer the question if hardened effect blocks the romance intentionally or not. It hurts when you helped Lucanis, and he resents you cause you haven't saved his city, and then he's drolling to Neve (and the other way you can still romance her). For the sake of a real RPG, please clarify here.
DexiDerp
Seasoned Vanguard
3 months ago
Someone on Reddit posted a screenshot from post-patch that shows after the choice in Act 1 it now says in the branching story notification: “After the blighted dragon attack devastated Treviso, Lucanis no longer has time for a romance with you.”
If anyone else can confirm, so it’s not just that one Reddit post, I’d appreciate it very much.
dmpz0h3m9vzh
Seasoned Newcomer
3 months ago
I don't know about that notification, but hovering over the hardened icon still only says relationship progress will be slower.
Voertigern
Seasoned Novice
3 months ago
If that’s true it’s like a punch in the face, cause this is the only restricted without any reason (yes Neve, I’m looking at you) romance -in the game. Truly a pity. I hope they’ll unlock it at some point for the sake of the open role playing (if Crows can dates Neve so do Shadow Dragons should can date Lucanis, alongside with an option to save their hometowns).
DragonologyDpt
Seasoned Newcomer
3 months ago
Not to mention if you dont romance Neve, Lucanis still has time to romance her, just not you. Seriously goofy decision by the writers lol
JasonBlack0710
Seasoned Newcomer
3 months ago
I can confirm this as an Antivan Crow Rook that chose Minrathous. It makes sense in that branch where Lucanis is disappointed that Rook doesnt save their own home. I’ll check again shortly with a Shadow Dragons Rook to see if it does the same thing.
If it does, its such a stupid decision to make honestly. What a slap in the face for people chasing after Lucanis.
Ravenwolf08
Seasoned Newcomer
3 months ago
I just had this notification appear, post-patch got to this stage. so it is 100% true.. RIP Romance...
cornerbite
Seasoned Vanguard
3 months ago
Good gravy, what are these devs thinking? If they wanted Nev and Luca, they should have just made them both advisors or something and given us other companions.
But, these companion arcs in general are the weakest in any game already, and I don't hold out much hope of them pulling a Larian and patching in popular requests ala Minthara.
cornerbite
Seasoned Vanguard
3 months ago
Well it's obvious that they were intended as the canon romance. What are these devs thinking? Did they even play their own previous games?
As cute as I thought it was to include things like this, I didn't think it would be at the expense of the players, but it sure is. Barely any real content there for the player, and even when you are actively pursuing one of them, they are still flirting in the background and it's very clear who is the priority.
It's not Rook.
cornerbite
Seasoned Vanguard
3 months ago
You know, in any other industry when someone says "I'm not comfortable doing that" or "That's not really what I'm good at", instead of forcing that person to deliver a mediocre product, they get someone else to do it!
Why couldn't this writer have written one of the other characters in the game and someone who didn't have a problem with romance content write Lucanis?