Hey guys, 

 

So I've been trying to think of a build for a heavy frontline fighter for a while now, and after discussing this with folks here and on the Steam Forums, I've come up with two options - a Crusader Main Tank and a Votary Off-tank. I wanted to share the build with you now (It's largely the same for both) and get your feedback as to improvements I can make with it. 

 

Both builds will dual-wield swords, because swords tend to be more versatile/have better enchantments than sabres in my opinion. 

 

Crusader: Knight of Galawain (Bleak Walker/Devoted)

 

Human/Deadfire Mercenary (I might pick another culture, but Deadfire definitely seems to have the most unique dialogue associated with it.)

Previous Decisions:

- Gift of the Machine

- Effigy's Resentment (Zahua)

 

Might: 20 (18 + 2 from Human and GotM)

Con: 10* (9+1 from sacrificing Zahua)

Dexterity: 10 (9 + 1 Deadfire bonus)

Perception: 16

Intellect: 14**

Resolve: 10 (9 + 1 Human bonus)

 

* I've considered bumping Constitution up a small bit to 12 or so, but otherwise I feel like it's probably fine at 10 adjusted

** Sacrificing Zahua gives +15% buff duration, which effectively gives me 35% buff duration with my INT investment. That means that Disciplined Barrage and other important buffs last for 20 seconds!

 

Votary (Shieldbearers/Helwalker) or (Bleak Walker/Helwalker) - No Catchy Name 

 

This build would probably wind up working more or less exactly the same, though I would probably take points from Intellect and put them into either Resolve or Constitution just to mitigate the extra damage I'd be taking as a result of the Helwalker. Granted, Monk gets its own modal later on that allows me to put points into either Con or Intellect as I gain wounds, so that's worth considering. So it'd be something like...

 

20 

14

10

16

10

10

 

Any thoughts either way? I'm personally leaning toward the Crusader (Deus Vult!) primarily because I love the idea of playing a Bleak Walker that emphasizes Galawain's tenants. Plus I just really feel like not-dying since I've come so close to death so many times on less squishy characters. 

Okay, so I double checked and Zahua's Blood Pool boost actually only gives +15% to drug effect durations in the first game. Is that how his bonus works when it carries over to the second? If that's the case, I might sacrifice Durance instead since that gives Constitution AND 5% max HP. Plus, I'd be doing Magran a favor. 

Can I get some feedback from folks regarding which was more fun to play out of Paladin/Fighter and Paladin/Monk? Paladin/Fighter feels like it'd be more fun early on, but Paladin/Monk feels like it'd be stronger throughout the game as it gets more useful powers. But then Monk doesn't get Charge or Mob Stance to handle groups of enemies.