dgray62

In that case, the transcendent build can work if you go with FF/beguiler. I don't know how well it would work for a solo run however.

I've tried the Rumbling Boar build and it's a lot of fun. The Wind Path build looks sound too, although I haven't tried it.

That would be fine I'm sure. With a FF, in my experience, you want your starting resolve to be at least 18 so that you can ultimately get up to 30+ with gear etc. For solo, adding more CON is a great idea. INT of 13 would be fine, since with turning wheel you'll get up to +10 in that area. You'll need PER of 20 to find all hidden things I think, but you can easily get there since you're starting at 17.

First of all, I'd only recommend that you play FF/SB if you use community patch. If you don't, you'd be better off with a beguiler for better focus generation, since the FF attack isn't considered a weapon attack, and thus doesn't generate focus, in the vanilla game. My preferred stat spread for this build is 15 STR 10 CON 15 DEX 18 PER 15 INT 18 RES with berath's blessings.

A beguiler witch is a fun multiclass. You could either choose berserker or furyshaper as your barbarian subclass; both would bring a lot to the build. You could also try a forbidden fist transcendent. If you're playing the vanilla game, beguiler/FF would be the best option. If you like to mod, then I suggest a soul blade/FF if you're using community patch and also the no rest mod, to help you buff RES. I usually play this character with 15 STR, 10 CON, 15 DEX, 18 PER, 15 INT and 18 RES with Berath's Blessings. With 18 RES you can get to the max of 35 with a RES inspiration (easy to get with a cipher), gear and other bonuses, which are easier to maintain if you use the no rest mod.

I've never tried it solo, but a soul blade combined with either trickster or streetfighter is a lot of fun. The former is better defensively, while the latter has crazy DPS but requires more micro and is somewhat squishier. For solo, I'd probably go for soul blade/trickster. But soulblade/forbidden fist with high resolve is probably even better for solo, due to much higher sustained defenses and the ability to easily shrug off afflictions, which, rather than harming you, heal you and give you resources (a wound) every time they expire. This build I have played solo, and it's a lot of fun. If you really want to play a solo mindstalker, I'd recommend assassin rather than trickster or streetfighter.

That makes sense, Boeroer. Thanks. Fortunately, there's no shortage of real spell casters from whom spells can be stolen.

I was playing around with this grimoire imprint trick, and managed to steal spells permanently from slaver wizards. However, while fighting lagufeth (spelling?), I repeatedly landed minor grimoire imprint against lagufeth mages, but never actually stole a single spell from them despite multiple attempts. Are there certain classes of spell users from whom spells cannot be stolen?

I'm not sure about soloing a helwalker transcendent; that sounds like it would be really challenging. But a cipher melee multiclass is definitely viable solo. Assassin/soul blade is relatively easy and a great deal of fun.

I forgot that the Complete Self can only proc once per attack. This being the case, it seems to be not worth the precious ability point for this MC. And I agree that for a solo run, you'll definitely want summons.

I agree completely. Soul Blade is by far my favorite cipher subclass. It's just amazing once you get Seeker's Fang.

If you are going to use Sacred Immolation, Clarity of Agony is a must. You should proc it right after you proc Sacred Immolation. Doing so will dramatically reduce the number of raw damage tics that hit you, and could save your life, and also make Sacred Immolation more usable.

For a beguiler/troubadour with a sword and board build, I'd recommend that you wield Sasha's Singing Scimitar and Lethandria's devotion in one weapon set, and then Grave Calling (to be replaced by Seeker's Fang eventually) and the Outworn Buckler. The nice thing about this setup is if you rapidly alternate between the two weapon sets, you will heal yourself and remove time from negative conditions. Instead of an arquebus, I'd recommend the Kitchen Stove in your third weapon set; thunderous report is crazy with a cipher or rogue. Your stats look fine. And definitely get the chants and invocations that cause afflictions, as they'll all be extended by lingering echoes. With a beguiler, definitely get Phantom Foes ASAP. One cast of it can fill up your focus if you hit a large group of foes. Make sure that you get the Empty Soul (more accuracy for powers that target will) and The Complete Self (+5 focus every time you crit with a cipher power). With these two abilities plus the beguiler's innate bonus to focus when hitting afflicted foes, you'll never lack focus when fighting mobs. You might struggle a bit against single bosses however.

You might check out AeonsLegend's Psyblade build. However, this was designed for a party. It might need some modifications for a solo run.

Understood. But you need not build a SG/FF as dual wield. You could go, for example, with a two handed weapon. The Whispers of the Endless Paths great sword for example would be great, as foes will often miss you and thus will proc offensive parry, which will daze them and heal you. You can still use the forbidden fist attack regardless of the weapon(s) you are wielding. Also, the once per encounter Run Through ability is devastating, and will take out pretty much any foes, except the big bosses.

Ravager would be fun. Since you'll get tenacious from the monk side, I'll recommend trying a Furyshaper/Helwalker. You can cast the speed ward normally, but cast the fear ward if the melee gets too close for comfort. And you can always switch to fists if necessary. Also, instead of bows, you might consider dual wielding mortars instead. Stunning surge with two mortars is crazy, and you'll almost always get your mortification back too.

The downside with berserker is its 30% hit to crit bonus is for melee only. Maybe this is not the best pick for a ranged build?

Are you talking about a multiclass, or companion? I really like the Wildrhymer, skald/stalker MC. But any of the other options are great for companions, sidekicks or hirelings.

Very nice! Thanks for the clarification.

Potion of Ascension would get you up to innate PL 12, right, which I believe would get you post mythic fists?

Yes. Once you have multiple lashes going from eternal devotion, turning wheel and hylea's talons you'll find that the forbidden fist attack will often one shot squishies and mobs, and even take satisfying chunks out of the health pool of tougher foes (which is diminished via being enfeebled).

You might consider Forbidden Fist/Steel Garrotte instead. Powerotti published a build for this multiclass that is one of my favorites. Forbidden Fist gives you a powerful ability right at the beginning of the game that inflicts a devastating affliction, enfeebled, one of the few classes that can inflict this. This synergizes perfectly with Steel Garrotte, and gives you even more healing. These two subclasses work together really well IMO.

Ranndar, you might consider going directly to Neketaka after Port Maje before tackling higher level areas like Dunnage. You can gain several levels doing quests in Neketaka that don't involve fighting. Once you level up a bit, you can try some of the other areas.

Thelee, if you use the No Forced Rests mod, as Not So Clever Hound does, then the bonuses that only last for one rest, including the Luminous Adra Potion, become permanent. You can achieve the same effect without the mod by metagaming to avoid the forced rests, but this mod makes this much easier and stress free. BTW, I have been trying this build and it is definitely fun. It's squishy at first, but once you hit level 5 and get Ryngrim's Repulsive Visage it becomes much sturdier due to much better CC. Unfortunately, this is typically just after the arena battle when solo!

I missed your recommendation of Harvey in your initial post; my bad! Thanks for your gracious response. But I can see that any of these choices would be great. Ooblit could be great for a substantial extension of vanishing strikes.