Spirit Of Authority Master Divinity 2

Ever feel like you're wrestling a greased pig while trying to herd kittens... uphill? That, my friends, is basically the Spirit of Authority in Divinity: Original Sin 2. It’s this powerful Source skill that, when used right, turns you into a benevolent (or malevolent, depending on your playthrough) dictator. But getting it to work? Well, that's a whole different kettle of fish.

Think of Source skills like that fancy coffee machine you splurged on. Sure, it can make amazing lattes. But most of the time, it just sits there, intimidatingly complex, while you reach for the instant coffee. Spirit of Authority is definitely one of those complicated lattes.

What IS the Spirit of Authority, Anyway?

Okay, let's break it down. Spirit of Authority allows you to temporarily mind control someone. Yes, you read that right. Mind. Control. For a limited time, you get to puppet someone like a deranged ventriloquist. You choose their actions, move them around, and generally make them do your bidding. Imagine the possibilities!

In theory, it’s amazing. You could make a pesky enemy run into a pool of oil and then set themselves on fire. You could force a merchant to give you a discount (though that's probably considered morally questionable... probably). You could even make a random chicken dance a jig. (Okay, maybe not the chicken. But you get the idea.)

The Hilarious Reality (and Why It's Not Always a Power Trip)

But here’s the thing: the reality of using Spirit of Authority often feels less like a strategic masterstroke and more like a Benny Hill sketch. There are so many factors that can go wrong. Resistance is a big one. Every character has magical armor, and if that armor is up, your mind control is about as effective as trying to convince a toddler to share their candy.

Imagine this: You're facing a particularly nasty Voidwoken. You've carefully positioned your party, prepared your buffs, and are ready to unleash your ultimate plan: controlling the Voidwoken and making it attack its allies! You cast Spirit of Authority, feeling like a genius strategist. And then... nothing. The Voidwoken just stands there, blinking vacantly, completely immune to your mental prodding. Your carefully laid plan crumbles like a stale cookie, and you're left looking like a chump. Welcome to my life.

And then there's the duration. It's ridiculously short. You get, like, one or two turns. It's enough time to maybe move the controlled character a few feet and make them attack something (hopefully the right thing). It's like getting to drive a Ferrari... in a parking lot. You get a taste of the power, but you barely have time to enjoy it before the whole thing's over. Poof!

Plus, the AI is... well, let's just say it's not always cooperative. You might think you're telling the controlled character to attack the squishy mage. But the AI, in its infinite wisdom, might decide that the more strategic move is to… I don't know… walk into a wall? Or maybe target the heavily armored tank who's practically immune to damage. It's enough to make you tear your hair out. (Or, you know, reload a save. We've all been there.)

I once tried to use Spirit of Authority to force a character to pickpocket another character for me. Genius, right? Wrong. The controlled character proceeded to fail the pickpocket check spectacularly, alerting the entire town to my nefarious activities. I ended up in a massive brawl with guards and angry townspeople, all because of a poorly executed mind control scheme. It was chaotic, hilarious, and utterly embarrassing.

Tips and Tricks for (Slightly) Less Chaotic Mind Control

Okay, so Spirit of Authority can be a pain. But it can be useful, if you know what you're doing. Here are a few tips to help you avoid complete and utter disaster:

• Strip that Armor! This is the big one. You have to get rid of the target's magical armor before you can even think about using Spirit of Authority. Use skills that deal direct magical damage (like Shocking Touch or Acid Spores) to whittle it down.
• Buff Your Persuasion. Your Persuasion skill affects the chance of successfully controlling someone, even with their magic armor down. The higher your Persuasion, the better your odds.
• Tactical Positioning. Think about where you're controlling the character to. Don't just move them randomly. Get them into a position where they can do the most damage (or cause the most chaos, depending on your goals).
• Know Your Enemy. What are their weaknesses? What are they resistant to? If you're controlling a character with a specific skill set, use those skills to their advantage.
• Save Often. Seriously. Spirit of Authority is unpredictable. You never know when your mind control plan is going to go horribly wrong. Save before you cast it, and you'll thank yourself later.
• Embrace the Chaos. Sometimes, even with the best planning, things will still go sideways. Just roll with it. Enjoy the absurdity of the situation. After all, it's just a game. And sometimes, the most memorable moments are the ones where everything goes hilariously wrong.

When To Use (and When NOT To Use) Spirit of Authority

Spirit of Authority isn't always the right tool for the job. Sometimes, it's better to just stick to brute force. But there are certain situations where it can really shine:

• Turning the Tide: If you're facing a tough enemy with powerful abilities, controlling them for a turn or two can completely shift the balance of the fight. Make them waste their cooldowns, attack their allies, or simply remove them from the battlefield temporarily.
• Crowd Control: If you're being overwhelmed by enemies, controlling one of them can give you some breathing room. It's like a temporary reprieve from the chaos.
• Exploiting Weaknesses: If you know an enemy is particularly vulnerable to a certain type of damage, controlling them and forcing them to walk into a damaging surface (like fire or poison) can be devastating.
• Roleplaying Shenanigans: Let's be honest, sometimes you just want to mess with people. Spirit of Authority allows you to do that in a way that's both hilarious and (potentially) morally questionable.

However, there are also times when you should avoid using Spirit of Authority:

• When you're outnumbered: If you're already struggling to stay alive, wasting a turn casting Spirit of Authority might be the nail in your coffin. Focus on dealing damage and staying alive.
• When the target has high magic armor: Seriously, don't even bother. You're just wasting your time and Source points. Focus on stripping their armor first.
• When you're trying to be subtle: Mind controlling someone in a crowded area is a surefire way to attract unwanted attention. If you're trying to be sneaky, stick to more subtle methods.

The Bottom Line: Is Spirit of Authority Worth It?

So, is Spirit of Authority a good skill? The answer, as with most things in Divinity: Original Sin 2, is "it depends." It's definitely not a skill you can just mindlessly spam. It requires careful planning, tactical positioning, and a healthy dose of luck. But when it works, it really works. It can turn the tide of battle, create hilarious situations, and give you a sense of power that's both exhilarating and slightly unsettling.

Think of it like this: Spirit of Authority is like a volatile potion. It could either explode in your face, leaving you covered in shame and failure, or it could give you temporary superpowers. The risk is high, but the reward can be even higher. It's all part of the fun.

Ultimately, whether or not you use Spirit of Authority is up to you. But I encourage you to give it a try. Even if it goes horribly wrong, you're guaranteed to have a good story to tell. And in Divinity: Original Sin 2, those are often the best stories of all.

So go forth, brave Sourceror! Wield the Spirit of Authority! Just... try not to set too many people on fire in the process.