after a good majority of my 350 hours spent in character creation, lurking these boards, and theorycrafting, I figured I could start posting here. First of, many thanks to Boeroer, Shai Hulud, thelee, kaylon and elric for all the builds and info posted in here.
Came up with a Woedica themed party, because I've always wanted to do a hardcore "Lawful Evil alignment" RP run. Went custom for class flexibility and because I'm not a fan of whining companions whenever I do cruel things.
The party:
[CORE]
Berzerker / Steel Garrote Fanatic MC with Shattered Vengeance & any other weapon Dual Wield
Trickster / Unbroken Swashbuckler Hireling with sword & board for disengagement or 2 blunderbusses
SC Priest of Woedica Hireling with a pistol or fists
[SIDE]
Stalker / Beguiler Seer
Troubadour / Psion Spiritualist
The standard tactic:
MC runs into a big group, frenzies, and hits stuff with Shattered Vengeance (mainly for Shards of Woedica RP flavor) and other weapon dual wield. The unbroken/trickster tanks if needed, but can escape to enemy backline to get shooters, or behind grouped mobs on the Fanatic, casting additional afflictions like the Ryngrym's Repuslive Visage. The Priest of Woedica uses Writs to add afflictions, buffs party, and can cast Triumph of the Crusaders or Watchful Presence on the Fanatic. Took Fire Godlike to allow the Fanatic to stay Bloodied longer with the +1 armor rating. I didn't min-max the Priest, so it can also run in and punch mobs with Spiritual Weapon when things go well (because why not?). I really like the interaction between SC priest buffs and the Fanatic. Haven't had the Fanatic go down once.
Side chars, I just added afterwards to have more buffs (from Ciphers and Caster) and have a melee/ranged flexible guy with pet in case I want to set off the Fanatic and Swashbuckler off into the fold, so the Seer can quickly take down any enemies that make it past the frontliners.
I've been having a lot of fun with this party, though it's steamrolling things a bit too well. I'm pretty sure the [SIDE] chars are completely superfluous...I'm not much for playing solo but I might try a reduced party.
I really want to find a way to make a 'Spanish Tercio' & Alatriste-inspired build, where the gear would be the same as in Spanish Tercios, but the roles similar to Alatriste's band of rogues, i.e. some sword and board infantry, pikes, crossbows/arquebus gunners, a duelist with daggers or rapier, and 1 priest (because nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition).
Anyhow - my questions are: what are your experiences with creating party synergies? Have you come up with any fun RP inspired party builds? How would you go about creating a party around Steel Garrote + Woedica Priest? Any ideas for a cool small party with lots of synergy?