foyrkopp

So, just hypothetically speaking: I have looked at a monk as PC main tank. Generally speaking, I see two interesting paths here: based on Force of Anguish I've tried this before and experienced two problems: 1) stat distribution For disabling, I feel the need for high PER (to hit reliably) & hight INT ("and stay down!"). For tanking, I feel the need for high RES and decent CON. This usually leaves fortitude quite low, which, as I've learned here, is one of the most important tanking stats. Am I overvaluing PER/RES? How could one go about building this? 6/20/3/16/16/16 ? 1) Positioning. In my experience, to bowl over an enemy going for my backline, I've to disengage from the guys I'm currently fighting. Often, this results in catching him just before he reaches the backline, thus bringing half the frontline with me. Hm.. might have to take long stride... Fire Godlike anvil build (is this even viable? It's just that the synergy between monk-has-to-be-hit & Battle Forged looks so tempting...) I'd probably forego INT on this one and max MIG instead, resulting in better fortitude. Low INT means hamstringing both FOA and Crucible of Suffering of course... I'll probably hire an adventurer late game to how well this goes.

So, sheer numbers aside - is it worth it to sacrifice the reflex score in order to maximize fortitude/will and get some utility from the class? (Still talking about a paladin)

Thank you for your insights. Considering that respec is possible, I've started the playthrough already, so I've seen the build in (early) action already. I have a feeling that there are more opportunities for benevolent and honest. Last time I played, I did it with visible disposition conversation choices. I have maxed benevolent and honest first. Followed by diplomatic, clever and rational. The longest it took me to rise stoic. As for passionate, cruel and deceptive I was never really into them, so can't really comment here. Mmhh. That's a shame, but I'll probably not reroll just to change the order (I've tested, seems I can't respec it since it's tied to class.) It will work yes. But unless you specifically want high deflection for some RP reason, I'd say that this build appears a bit sub-optimal to me from power-building perspective. Reasons: - deflection is not that useful as it can appear after going through the early game for the first time - dragon melee attacks target fortitude, while their breath targets reflex and these are ones of the most hard-hitting stuff in the game. Iirc Radiant Spore/Kraken tentacles target fortitude as well. - cleansing flames aside, few of enemy damaging abilities target will. - combining these together I'd say fortitude is a prioritary defence for a main tank paladin; plus it helps vs majority of stuns/prones/paralyzes. - high might does increase fortitude and increases the potence of paladin heals and sacred imolation damage - high intellect helps with aura range, sacred immolation range and buffs/exhortations durations. It also increases the amount healed by Lay on Hands - two of the most utility -order specific- talents are Inspiring Liberation and Bond of Duty. Because of the encounters design, these quite have a higher impact than Shielding Flames. Plus you save a talent, since MT doesn't really need Flames of Devotion. - there is a high chance that you will want to use Outworn Buckler/Little Savior shield. So putting points in PER, in order to get higher reflex/deflection is no longer the way to squeeze more defences. - assuming you have a 6-man party, how about something like?: 17 MIG, 17 CON, 5 DEX, 5 PER, 18 INT, 16 RES So, basically, there seems to be a choice: 1: Keep reflex as high as fortitude/will but sacrifice utitlity . - Lay on Hands is mediocre with low INT (didn't realise it was a HoT. Duh.) - deflection buffs are relatively short - (small aura range doesn't matter as much to me, since it's meant for my co-tank only. DPS-team is too far out anyway) 2: Sacrifice reflex to get more utitlity and raise fortitude/will even higher The question seems to be: Which effects usually target reflex? I'm not that afraid of damaging abilities since I have a decent endurance pool and could always quaff a potion of Protection from the Elements (those exist, right?). It's debuffs/disables I'm worried about. Hm. Low saves are actually not a problem in the current build. In between high stat sums on MIG/CON, DEX/PER & INT/RES, Weapon and Shield Style's reflex bonus and the racial ability that guarantees +10 will, I've got 45 in all saves (+8 from Faith and Conviction). Small aura range is not a problem since my co-tank is standing right next to me. However, both damage and utility are indeed really... mediocre atm - he mostly just stands there, bemusedly humoring those feeble enemies desperately whacking at him and just refuses to die.

Hello Forumites, I discovered this great game just recently and am loving it to death. However, suffering from chronic altitis, I've not made it beyond Act II yet. On the plus side, I've had plenty of opportunity to test game mechanics (unless they unexpectedly change mid-game..). To put my build plan into context, here's what I've found so far (playing on hard): - It seems possible to run 2 tanks + ranged DPS if you keep the DPS stealthed at the beginning of combat (of course, doors make things way easier) - to have good dialogue options, it seems helpful to have at least two of high PER / high INT / high RES - at least at low levels, the party should function without mandatory per-rest abilities, since only a few camping supplies can be carried - hiring at least some custom hirelings is beneficial Now on to building an appropriate tank PC, for which I'm asking your advice: Priorities: Defenses > Utitlty > DPS Class: Paladin (DPS classes are already good on CC, but having a few strong per-encounter heals/buffs seems really helpful. Plus, high defenses.) Race: Since I want to maximize saving throws, I think Wild Orlan, because their racial seems to amount to a free +10 will whenever will is targeted. Please don't lough about a Wild Orlan Paladin, Mini-Wookies can be proud and honorable, too. Stats & SAVES (not including paladin bonuses): - 13 MIG, 18 CON, 3 DEX, 17 PER, 7 INT, 20 RES - Fortitude: +22 from stats - Reflex: +0 from stats, +22 from Weapon and Shield Style - Will: +14 from stats, +10 from racial ability Questions: - Is it feasible to go Shieldbearers with this low INT? Personally, I prefer them over Kind Wayfarers because their dispositions feel more disciplined, so this is mostly about RP. - Are the opportunities to push dispositions halfway evenly distributed throughout the story? I've got the subjective impression that "benevolent" seems overly present, but I might be wrong... - Does this build seem overall feasible? Any advice?