diamondsforever

Damn that seems a shame. I was hoping something powerfull could be built around some of those items.

Hello, I don't think I've seen any build designed around raw damage yet. Is there a reason for this? There are some interesting weapons that provide raw damage as well as some skills in the game. I feel like a Solo PoTD build could do well around these things. Examples of some weapons are (upgrades not applicable): Battleaxe - Oathbreaker's End - “Scales of Justice: Scoring a Critical Hit on an enemy causes them to take Raw Damage over time”. Pistol - Eccea's Arcane Blaster - “Runestone Flint: Basic attack deals lesser Raw Damage”. Blunderbuss - Xefa's Empirical Explication - “Transmogrified Shot: +15% Damage as Raw”. Club - Kapana Taga - “Razor Bladed Bludgeon: Deals best of Crush or Slash Damage +10% Damage as Raw”. Dagger - Lovers Embrace - “True Love's Kiss: 8 Raw Damage per 6s on Hits from Stealth”. Greatsword - Effort - “Lacerating: Hits with this weapon cause 10% Damage as Raw Damage over time”. Greatsword - Voidwheel - “Soul Breaker: Wielder takes 10% Damage dealt as Raw Damage to self +10% Damage as Raw”. Pike - Wicked Beast - “Hounding: Chance to inflict Hobbled, Knockdown, Raw Damage over time for 12s, or -25% Action Speed on target on scoring Crit”. Sabre - Animancer's Energy Blade - “Ethereal: Deals Raw Damage and attacks more quickly than a standard blade”. Spear - Mohorā Tanga - “Red Flag Flying: 5 Raw bleed Damage per 3s for 9s on scoring Crit”. Stiletto - Rust's Poignard - “Knife in the Back: 3 Raw Damage per 3s for 9s on scoring Hit on Flanked target”. Sword - Watcher's Blade - “Soul Severing: +10% Damage dealt as Raw”. War Bow - Veilpiercer - “Ethereal Arrows: +15 Accuracy against Spirits, Veil piercing attack +15% Damage as Raw”. Estoc - Engoliero de Espirs - “10% Raw lash”.

I've made sure to include safeguard into the build. even 1v1 with Ukaizo i can see its helping me. My one problem with Merciless Gaze is that its competing with Infuse with Vital Essence for a cast. I almost feel like if i had one more cast of each spell. Just one, Ukaizo would be that much easier. I just did a quick test between Uprights and Undying. I think this may be the case of switching out belts depending on the fight. For bosses Undying really makes a difference. for the rest of the game i think that Uprights is the way to go.

You are correct, my mistake. Freezing Pillar is not in Iron -Clasped. Its in Ninagauth’s Teachings though I think Merciless Gaze may be the winner here. Seems like you’d crit a bunch more with it than without it. I removed Ryngrym's Enervating Terror and replaced it with the passive Bear’s Fortitude. I also added Bull’s Will by getting rid of two weapon fighting. I took your advice and stacked concentration with Captain Upright’s Belt ************************************************ ************************************************ UPDATE #2 Looks like our lowest defense is going to be deflection at 89 and fortitude at 130. Reflex and will are at 145. Armour rating is 14. This is all pre-cast pre-fight stuff. Build is still too consumable heavy I think, but is very tanky and has tons of utility. Any advice on making it more rounded and self sufficient would be greatly appreciated. I’m not sure on the Wild Orlen choice, can someone confirm that this is going to make the best overall character. I’m also considering Pale Elf. When I switched out the belt for more concentration I noticed a definite increase in damage received. It may be better overall to have slightly less concentration and higher DR? In regards for Effigy, what is better as a secondary bonus, 5% Health or 5% Effect Duration? Class: Arcane Knight - Goldpact Knights/Wizard Race: Wild Orlen Attributes: MIG: 15 >> 18 (BB, GoTM) CON: 6 >> 10 (BB, Gear, Effigy) DEX: 15 >> 20 (BB, Gear) PER: 19 >> 23 (BB, Gear, Cauldron Brew) INT: 16 >> 22 (BB, Gear) RES: 7 >> 10 (BB, Gear) Abilities (Goldpact): Flames of Devotion Eternal Devotion Lay on Hands Greater Lay on Hands Zealous Aura Zealous Focus Deep Faith Retribution Divine Purpose Bull’s Will Bear’s Fortitude Combat Focus Scion of Flame Uncanny Luck Practiced Healer Improved Critical Virtuous Triumph Stoic Steel Abilities (Wizard): Fleet Feet Merciless Gaze Infuse With Vital Essence Llengrath’s Displaced Image Heart of the Storm Secrets of Rime Rapid Casting Llengrath's Safeguard Skills: Arcana: 11 >> 15 (Paladin, Wizard, Gear, Training: Geivard) Mechanics 8 >> 10 (Hunter, Training: Elias Zelen)* Gears: Armor: Blackened Plate Armor (Death in Life, Usher’s Visage) QS1: Trash Mobs Weapons (MH): Sun and Moon (Golden Sun, Solar Excellence) Weapons (OH): Magran’s Favor (Blazing Core, Enduring Flame) QS2: Tough Mobs Weapons (MH): Sun and Moon (Golden Sun, Solar Excellence) Weapons (OH): Nerian's Ward (Father’s Masterwork) or Kapana Taga (All Comers, Lone Champion) QS3: Bosses Weapons (MH): Sun and Moon (Golden Sun, Solar Excellence) Weapons (OH): Magran’s Favor (Blazing Core, Enduring Flame) Grimoire 1: Trash Mobs Iron-Clasped Grimoire Grimoire 2: Bosses Ninagauth’s Teachings Neck: Strand of Favor (+1 INT) Belt: Upright Captain’s Belt (+1 CON) Ring 1: Kuaru’s Prize (+1 INT, +1 PER) Ring 2: Ring of Focused Flame Hands: Flamethrower’s Gloves (+2 DEX) Cloak: The Giftbearer’s Cloth Head: Heaven’s Cacophony (+2 INT) Boots: Boots of the Stone (+1 DEX, +1 RES) Pet: Nemnok Consumables: Potions of Ascension X5 Scroll of Moderate Healing X5 Scroll of Circle of Protection X5 Scroll of Great Maelstrom X5 Scroll of Meteor Shower X5 Crusted Swordfish NOTES: *should be able to get that to 12 with gear and 14ish with thieves putty I believe. That should enable us to open most locks in the game. With the skill bonus from Barth it should be a further 2 point bringing our total to 16. Does anyone know if there is any other items or pets that give a boost to mechanics? I think 18 is the highest lock in the game.

Yup, optimization seems worse than PoE 1.Dude, you sniped my update!I am a gunslinger! More importantly what do you think? Not bad am I right?Unfortunately, I don't really understand how to multi-class melee/caster or anything about casters, as I do not use them except Chanter multi-classes for a pure support role. Also, zero experience with soloing, too Guaranteed this will work as your MC. Since you want to have you companions all scripted. You only have to focus on the one. Trust me, you'll love it. My testing today was amazing. My devoted got downed 6 times in the Ukaizo fight, this character made it through first try... I generally dislike casters though - or caster hybrids. My main is pretty settled; I really love Paladin/Rogue; it's really the other slots I am experimenting with. I also really need to keep my Paladin/Rogue as a sort of a "constant" so I can compare the respective DPS of the other DPS characters in future playthroughs.I’m the same as you. I ALWAYS pick sword and board or two handed. But this game makes casters fun... to me anyways.

Yup, optimization seems worse than PoE 1. Dude, you sniped my update! I am a gunslinger! More importantly what do you think? Not bad am I right? Unfortunately, I don't really understand how to multi-class melee/caster or anything about casters, as I do not use them except Chanter multi-classes for a pure support role. Also, zero experience with soloing, too Guaranteed this will work as your MC. Since you want to have you companions all scripted. You only have to focus on the one. Trust me, you'll love it. My testing today was amazing. My devoted got downed 6 times in the Ukaizo fight, this character made it through first try...

God*amn! So a couple questions/comments: 1. I seem to run out of "wizard gizmos" so if I swap retribution out for something else (Merciless Gaze) how do i mange the loss of spells? 2. Upright Captain's Belt - Seems to only give a concentration bonus. Does the push/pull immunity apply to knockdowns? 3. I was able get Secrets of Rime into the build (still concerned about resource management), Freezing Pillar is in the Iron Clasped Grimoire

Yup, optimization seems worse than PoE 1. Dude, you sniped my update! I am a gunslinger! More importantly what do you think? Not bad am I right?

Yup, optimization seems worse than PoE 1. Dude, you sniped my update!

Cry You guys are amazeballs. RE: Lampros - I'm on to something here do you feel it? RE: Hulk'O'Saurus - much love thank you for all the awesome advice. (Side note: "Go for the eyes Boo, GO FOR THE EYES!! RAAHH!!!") ************************************************ ************************************************ UPDATE #1 We are definitely getting somewhere. This build was able to KILL Ukaizo, which is a first in all the builds I’ve tested so far (except for my last play through Devoted/Goldpact https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/105898-class-build-bloodsail-the-pirate-paladin/). My only problem with this build is that its still to consumable heavy. Also, the second half of the fight I hand ZERO wizard spells to use and was surviving off of Gilded Enmity only… until I ran out of that… when I had to survive off of Moonwell and Major healing scrolls… until I ran out of that… and I had to use Scrolls of Meteor Shower to heal LMAO. Ultimately this build is really close to phase 2 testing (which I feel it should curb stop), Fampyrs. Let me know what you all think, your feedback helps me immensely Class: Arcane Knight - Goldpact Knights/Wizard Race: Wild Orlen Attributes: MIG: 15 >> 18 (BB, GoTM) CON: 6 >> 10 (BB, Gear) DEX: 15 >> 20 (BB) >> XX (Gear) PER: 19 >> 23 (BB, Effigy, Cauldron Brew) INT: 16 >> 22 (BB, Gear) RES: 7 >> 10 (BB, Gear) Abilities (Goldpact): Flames of Devotion Eternal Devotion Lay on Hands Greater Lay on Hands Zealous Aura Zealous Focus Deep Faith Retribution Inspired Defenses Divine Purpose Combat Focus Scion of Flame Mental Fortress Uncanny Luck Practiced Healer Improved Critical Virtuous Triumph Stoic Steel Two Weapon Fighting Abilities (Wizard): Fleet Feet Slicken Infuse With Vital Essence Llengrath’s Displaced Image Ryngrim’s Enervating Terror Heart of the Storm Rapid Casting Skills: Arcana: 12 >> 15 (Paladin, Wizard, Gear) Mechanics 7 >> 8 (Hunter)* Gears: Armor: Devil of Caroc Breastplate QS1: Trash Mobs Weapons (MH): Sun and Moon (Golden Sun, Solar Excellence) - Unbalancing Strikes ON Weapons (OH): Magran’s Favor (Blazing Core, Enduring Flame) QS2: Tough Mobs Weapons (MH): Please make a suggestion Weapons (OH): Please make a suggestion QS3: Bosses Weapons (MH): Please make a suggestion Weapons (OH): Please make a suggestion Grimoire: Iron-Clasped Grimoire Neck: Strand of Favor (+1 INT) Belt: The Undying Burden (+2 CON) Ring 1: Kuaru’s Prize (+1 INT, +1 PER) Ring 2: Ring of Focused Flame Hands: Flamethrower’s Gloves (+2 DEX) Cloak: The Giftbearer’s Cloth Head: Heaven’s Cacophony (+2 INT) Boots: Boots of the Stone (+1 DEX, +1 RES) Pet: Nemnok Consumables: Potions of Ascension Healing Scrolls X5 Healing Moonwell X5 Scroll of Great Maelstrom Scroll of Meteor Shower *should be able to get that to 12 or 14ish with gear I believe?

Dude, thank you so much for this well thought out and written response. I’ll do a revision when I get a chance later. So much to think about.

Hello everyone, I could use some help on a build I'm putting together. As some of you know I've been testing out the combination of DPS and overall damage resistance by creating several Paladin/X combinations. Anyways I always test the same way. I spawn Ukaizo and see how I do. So far Arcane Knight is right behind my Devoted/Goldpact build in terms of DPS and her ability to tank any damage that come her way. Success wise she got Ukaizo to 50% facetanking everything he had. So I would like some advice on what I'm doing wrong here. I've written out everything I can think of for this build to work. Currently it requires consumables in order to deal out some nasty DPS. What I'm hoping is that I can cut the consumable use down to just the occasional nuke if I absolutely have to. I would like the melee DPS to be increased if possible, I'm also open to using ranged weapons if it makes the DPS increase. I would also like to increase the overall tankiness of the build. Lastly, I had this idea (which I"m certain I read in another post) that I could get heals through flames, is this a good idea? I did give it a go, and it seemed to be working fairly well. Can this healing be increased too? Class: Arcane Knight - Goldpact Knights/Evoker Race: Wild Orlen Attributes: MIG: 15 >> 18 (BB, GoTM) CON: 6 >> 10 (BB, Gear) DEX: 15 >> 20 (BB) >> XX (Gear) PER: 19 >> 22 (BB, Effigy, Cauldron Brew) INT: 18 >> 23 (BB, Gear) RES: 6 >> 10 (BB, Gear) Abilities (Goldpact): Sworn Enemy Sworn Rival Flames of Devotion Eternal Devotion Lay on Hands Zealous Aura Exalted Endurance Deep Faith Retribution Inspired Defenses Divine Purpose Combat Focus Scion of Flame Mental Fortress Uncanny Luck Practiced Healer Improved Critical Virtuous Triumph Stoic Steel Abilities (Evoker): Fleet Feet Wizards Double Mirrored Image Infuse With Vital Essence Llengrath’s Displaced Image Iron Skin Ryngrim’s Enervating Terror Heart of the Storm Rapid Casting Skills: Arcana: 12 >> 15 (Paladin, Wizard, Gear) Mechanics 7 >> 8 (Hunter)* Gears: Armor: Devil of Caroc Breastplate Weapons (MH): Magran’s Favor (Blazing Core, Enduring Flame) Weapons (OH): Kapana Taga (Lone Champion, All Comers) Grimoire: Grimoire of Vaporous Wizardry Neck: Stone of Power (+1 INT) Belt: The Undying Burden (+2 CON) Ring 1: Voidward Ring 2: Solitary Wanderer (+1 RES) Hands: Flamethrower’s Gloves (+2 DEX) Cloak: Cape of the Falling Star Head: Heaven’s Cacophony (+2 INT) Boots: Boots of the Stone (+1 DEX, +1 RES) Pet: Undecided Consumables: Healing Pots x10 Scroll of Great Maelstorm Scrol of Meteor Shower *should be able to get that to 12 or 14ish with gear I believe?

Hey Boeroer what stats would you start with for you Nalpazca/Goldpact?

So I was playing around with the abilities of this build. Is there a reason that you do backwards in your skill choices? Example: level 18 you take Fractured Violation Roughly, wouldn't this work out better (I haven't fully gone through and re organized mind you)? Level 1 (GP): Lay on Hands (SB): Whispers of Treason Level 2 (GP): Deep Faith Level 3 (GP) / (SB): Iron Will Level 4 (GP): Zealous Aura (SB): Draining Whip Level 5 (GP): Inspired Defenses Level 6 (GP): Retribution Level 7 (GP): Sworn Rival (SB): Hammering Thoughts Level 8 (GP) / (SB): Two Weapon Style Level 9 (GP): Greater Lay on Hands Level 10 (GP): Exalted Endurance (SB): Body Attunement Level 11 (SB): Secret Horrors Level 12 (SB): Soul Ignition Level 13 (GP): Righteous Soul (SB): Borrowed Instinct Level 14 (SB): Ringleader Level 15 (GP): Practiced Healer Level 16 (GP): Virtuous Triumph (SB): Disintegration Level 17 (SB): The Empty Soul Level 18 (GP) / (SB): Improved Critical Level 19 (GP): Stoic Steel (SB): Echoing Horror Level 20 (DV): Devine Purpose

Helwakers really suck for my play-style, as I like to be hands-off. In my testing, Helwalkers died nonstop even when multi-classed with Paladin. I fear I will have a similar experience with Fanatic - which I have also been meaning to try...You see why I’m here lol. I’m between Monk and Cipher (combined with Goldpact) for my next play through. Cipher is too complicated. I just tested Fanatic a bit, and it is surprisingly sustainable - though DPS was also a bit disappointing. I guess I have to be resigned to the fact that I need to throw Rogue in there in any multi-class melee builds that seeks to do tremendous DPS. The Rogue multiplier stacking is utterly nuts. RE: Cipher. Why is it to complicated? It builds steady focus for your nukes? I think it conpliments Paladin nicely. My only issue with it is properly gearing it. I’m actually trying my second test of cipher today. RE: Fanatic, I suspected that the DPS is underwhelming. But I may dip my toe into the drug water to see if that can offset the DPS loss?

I think the goal here is tanky solo play with sustainability. Trickster I find, it reasouce heavy for solo play.

Helwakers really suck for my play-style, as I like to be hands-off. In my testing, Helwalkers died nonstop even when multi-classed with Paladin. I fear I will have a similar experience with Fanatic - which I have also been meaning to try... You see why I’m here lol. I’m between Monk and Cipher (combined with Goldpact) for my next play through.

I assume this is Goldpact/Helwaker correct? Would you use fists or something else? Would you stack heavy armour then? With monk you get an increase to int. and mig. Would you try and max those out to 35? Or would you focus on dex/per/res and keep your mig/int Base?

Hey OP, what are your skill focuses with this build? or did I miss that?

This isn't really a melee combatant though. And I cannot imagine a Paladin without FoD.Well it is really. Your using your melee attacks to rapidly build up focus. I gave this a go yesterday (as I mentioned) and I was able to generate hundreds of focus rapidly. Right up to the point where I got stun locked and it was game over. My build isn’t half as optimized as this one so I find this to be a great starting point. As for FOD I found it more useful during battles with multiple ads. But agains Ukaizo, I used almost all my zeal for sworn rival and LOH Yes, we are slightly looking for different characters: You prefer solo do-it-all guys; and I want primarily a DPS character who will still be survivable in a DPS setting. P.S. I tested the Shepherd extensively last night. I was horribly disappointed. Hunter's Claw (and its upgrade) only gives you +1 Accuracy per use; so you have to use it 20 times (that is, like for 5 battles of spamming it) to max it. And then it becomes useless if you rest or face a different enemy. Frankly I'd prefer PoE 1's system of having a permanent designation of creatures you are strong against. Also, the character did **** damage even with Hunter's Claw maxed. Ranger and Paladin do not combine for a lot of damage boosts. True. I think the overall idea is the same though. DPS and survivable. Low micro, low cost upkeep. That’s why I tested cipher yesterday and was surprised at the overall build and damage output. RE. Shepard, I’m not overly surprised about that. I read the the claw took a ton of stacking to be useful. Which is a shame because I think it would be better used like sworn enemy. Make one ad and get the benifit agains all ads of that race.

This isn't really a melee combatant though. And I cannot imagine a Paladin without FoD. Well it is really. Your using your melee attacks to rapidly build up focus. I gave this a go yesterday (as I mentioned) and I was able to generate hundreds of focus rapidly. Right up to the point where I got stun locked and it was game over. My build isn’t half as optimized as this one so I find this to be a great starting point. As for FOD I found it more useful during battles with multiple ads. But agains Ukaizo, I used almost all my zeal for sworn rival and LOH

Thank you for posting this. Several of us have been trying to find a paladin/X that does just this, but you already knew that

Paladin soul blade however... might be worth looking into.

In my experience, going Helwalker makes a big difference, DPS-wise (might bonuses form a substantial part of your damage input, since you don't have a lot of other passive damage boosts). Holy Slayers are pretty great, and if you go Streetfighter you can get very impressive single-target DPS. But you have to set things up to allow yourself to be flanked and/or Bloodied a lot of the time, so probably not the best bet given the style of play you're describing... : P EDIT: Though I should note that the main Streetfighter boosts only require flanked or bloodied. So as long as you make sure you're flanked most of the time (say, by using Escape to teleport into the middle of crowds of enemies) you can get most of the benefits of being a Streetfighter. (Also pretty easy to get flanked if you're doing a solo run, but not sure if that's what you're thinking about!) Crap: Just did some testing at level 20, and damage per swing is really low even with Helwalker. I guess the increased attack speed increase the true DPS quite a bit but I don't think it's enough to compare to a Holy Slayer. But then you get those incredibly long stuns. I am really conflicted now. What other Paladin multi-classes can do huge DPS other than Holy Slayer? I want two Paladin multi-classes at the front, but I don't want both to be Holy Slayers You know you and I are both testing the same thing.Great minds think alike? It's just that I want high DPS while still 1) having high survivability and 2) low micro-management requirement. In this context, Paladin multi-classes are the best. Agreed. His is actually my plan as well. I tested berserker/Goldpact this morning. How did Paladin/Barbarian go? Was this DPS comparable to Paladin/Rogue? I was fairly disappointed with the dps. I was however trying out pistols, so I suspect that’s the problem.

In my experience, going Helwalker makes a big difference, DPS-wise (might bonuses form a substantial part of your damage input, since you don't have a lot of other passive damage boosts). Holy Slayers are pretty great, and if you go Streetfighter you can get very impressive single-target DPS. But you have to set things up to allow yourself to be flanked and/or Bloodied a lot of the time, so probably not the best bet given the style of play you're describing... : P EDIT: Though I should note that the main Streetfighter boosts only require flanked or bloodied. So as long as you make sure you're flanked most of the time (say, by using Escape to teleport into the middle of crowds of enemies) you can get most of the benefits of being a Streetfighter. (Also pretty easy to get flanked if you're doing a solo run, but not sure if that's what you're thinking about!) Crap: Just did some testing at level 20, and damage per swing is really low even with Helwalker. I guess the increased attack speed increase the true DPS quite a bit but I don't think it's enough to compare to a Holy Slayer. But then you get those incredibly long stuns. I am really conflicted now. What other Paladin multi-classes can do huge DPS other than Holy Slayer? I want two Paladin multi-classes at the front, but I don't want both to be Holy Slayers You know you and I are both testing the same thing. Great minds think alike? It's just that I want high DPS while still 1) having high survivability and 2) low micro-management requirement. In this context, Paladin multi-classes are the best. Agreed. His is actually my plan as well. I tested berserker/Goldpact this morning.