dgray62

I'd recommend maxing INT and PER. You don't need high MIG as a barb unless you want to use Amra, and lower STR will also help mitigate the berserker fury damage. Flat DEX and STR is fine, and you'll definitely want to raise CON a bit for a berserker. You can dump RES for a party build, but not for solo IMO. Regarding dual axes vs. Amra, Amra is really great for barbs since you'll get basically double carnage. If you use carnage, you'll need to boost STR enough to be able to use it effectively.

It is, I think, considering that the Principi helps the Roparu in the Gullet. Probably the best approach her would be joining the Principi, siding with Aeldys, and helping the Roparu while undermining the Huana elite and other factions, and destroying the slavers. This of course isn't pure evil, but is more of a Robin Hood chaotic (good or neutral?) approach.

I think that the clearest "evil" path in the POE1-2 games making the selfish/powerhungry/evil choices, and then devoting the souls to Woedica. For POE2, I really like the cruel/rational leaning Steel Garrote subclass, which makes sense if you chose to devote the souls to Woedica. Being "rational," you wouldn't kill everyone, but would rather seek to manipulate others and the unstable situation in Deadfire to maximize the interests of you, Woedica, and your favored faction. Personally, I think the Royal Deadfire Company is the best match for a character playing from this perspective. On the other hand, you could play from a Skaenite kill the rich/powerful perspective, in which case I think your best off playing a pirate, but siding with the anti-slavery faction.

Yes, clearly there are better and safer options for Helwalkers doing WotW, like Keeper of the Flame while wearing Eder's armor.

Hmm, WotW wielding Current's Rush with the modal enabled would be an AoE explosion, I think.

You could also invest an ability point for a third weapon slot, and use the staff for initial casting, and then have the shields in the other two slots.

While Darcozzi probably isn't the best shifter subclass to pair with shifter, I always equip Darcozzi Paladins with the Outworn Buckler, which has some great enchantments, reducing durations for negative effects, that are more effective in the hands of a Darcozzi Paladin. I'd recommend that you equip this shield in one weapon slot, and Lethandria's Devotion in the other. You can cast your spells and then shift. But if you are hard pressed and low in health with an affliction or two, return to kith form, and then rapidly switch back and forth between your weapon slots. Each time you switch you'll heal and reduce negative durations for yourself and nearby allies. When you're recovered you can shift again. While any class/subclass can do this, the strategy is most effective for Darcozzi Paladins.

Speaking of WotW, has anyone tried using this ability wearing the Mask of the Grotto Deep in addition to the obligatory Ajamuut Cloak? I assume that the Shadow Fang raw DoT would be applied to every target hit. Would make the ability even more devastating I think.

Like @Boeroer, I recommend FF for a solo run for the reasons he explained. I wouldn't recommend Nalpasca unless you are using the BPM mod, since being hit by an arcane dampener can really mess you up. While manageable in a party, it's probably the end if you're going solo, at least on PotD. Helwalker solo is also doable. For Helwalker, I'd go with the same stat spread Boeroer suggests for FF. You'd still want high RES for deflection and will defenses. Since you'd get +10 to STR and INT with max wounds and turning wheel, you'll definitely be able to spare the points. IMO, however, the utility of the FF attack outweighs the benefit of the Helwalker STR bonus (which is offset by the higher vulnerability for damage). For both FF and Helwalker, you'd want an item to mitigate damage as well. For vanilla monk, you'd still want high RES and maybe higher STR as well. You wouldn't need the damage mitigation item. Generally, RES, while typically dumped for min-max DPS builds, is really your friend when playing solo.

Thanks! I see that with pain link the upgrade really isn't necessary.

I agree. I often just take him, and make custom chars to fill in the gap.

@abot, do you recommend the PL 4 upgrade to the wurms?

On the other hand, he is playable as a druid even on upscaled PotD if you give him +PER gear and gear to boost his elemental/storm PLs, so that his GM pulses will reliably land. I think he's great as a companion; he has unique abilities that add to the party, but is not so well optimized that he will consistently outshine your MC.

Firebrand really should be fire/slash, not fire/piece. No one would thrust with a 1.5-2m great sword like a rapier, unless you're a giant with tremendous strength. And yes, Nannasin's Cobra Strike shouldn't have the Poison keyword, unless a raw DoT is added!

You'll likely next encounter them doing the Katrenn bounty, which you can take whenever you want & are ready.

Got it, thanks. I always used to take that combo in POE 1, where it was OP, but not in Deadfire, since it seems it give much less for two precious ability points.

What is that? Do you mean Recall Agony or Pain Link?

You might consider using both in your two weapon slots. Start with WotEP against mobs, and then switch to Sun and Moon + Toutilo's Palm against tougher foes. WotEP does great damage against groups, but is not as effective against bosses, which will not likely miss you and thus not proc Offensive Parry often.

Would a rogue-monk doing an unarmed attack wearing Hylea's talons (5% slash damage) and Kahako Nihi (10% pierce damage) inflict three deep wounds per attack? Wow, I never realized this.

@abotcompleted the Ultimate I believe with a Psion/troubadour, so it's definitely doable. It would be easier with community patch however, since that changed focus generation interruption from on hit to on crit.

I agree with @thelee. But if you are brining along Xoti as a SC priest then I'd recommend that your MC be a SC druid or wizard. In this case, the druid might have the edge for extra healing for the whole party. I recently played a SC Lifegiver and it was very powerful at the end game while keeping the party alive throughout the entire game. And making one of your chanters a SC chanter is an excellent idea for the reasons explained above. As for your other chanter, I'd recommend a Kind Wayfarer Herald, which would bring more to support the party.

Yes, I think so. The downside for the FF votary is that Slayer's Claw would prevent (or delay?) the gaining of wounds and healing from the FF curse expiring. But it seems that the use of this weapon would be worth it when fighting fampyr or other foes who repeatedly hit you with afflictions.

Hmmm, a FF votary could really wreck things with the Slayer's Claw. I never saw the possibility of using the axe to spam the FF attack.

I guess I just don't understand well how PP works. I'm currently playing a SC lifegiver that's at lvl 11. Soon I'll get to directly experience how the spell works.

So are you saying that you don't need to move for PP to proc every second, and to give you inspirations if empowered with LUC?