Ravager (Berserker/Nalpazca) or Brawler (Devoted/Nalpazca) for 1.1?

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

Hey guys!

 

With the Beta Branch upon us, I'm trying to decide what sort of character I want to play. I know I want to be a Drug Monk, but other than that I'm torn between a Brawler (For more hits early game + the ability to wear heavier armor) and a Ravager (For something more thematically appropriate with the character I'm basing this guy off of). With what I've seen of the skill changes, I've compiled my thoughts on the matter.

 

Monk in General:

 

Seems relatively untouched - there might have been some adjustments to things but wounds are never going to be a problem as long as I'm always on drugs. Turning Wheel has been "Shock! Horror!" reduced from 50% total lash damage to 20%. Honestly I think that's perfectly fair, all things considered.

 

Brawler:

 

- Charge doesn't do a Full Attack anymore, which is kind of sad but understandable because of the synergies it gave with other skills. Plus, Flagellant's Path exists as a gap closer and (I'm assuming) the Crush damage gets fairly respectable when I actually gain PL. 

 

- Disciplined Barrage/Strikes is excellent early on, BUT the build I'll be using has 18 Perception so I'm not sure if that's overkill or not. Guaranteed hits are nice, but I'll be getting better gear later on anyway. 

 

- Bonus damage with proficient weapons is nice. 

 

Ravager:

 

Aside from being in keeping with the character I'm wanting to play/a lot more fun sounding thematically (A Berserker constantly seeking the next high)...

 

- Berserk's penalty can be overcome through certain Monk skills/Modwyr? (It makes you immune to Intellect afflictions at least)

 

- Barbaric Blow is one of the best Full Attacks in the game and can refill its Rage cost when it gets a kill. 

 

- Good crit fishing capability synergizes well with Monk.

 

- Did I mention Barbaric Blow is one of the best Full Attacks in the game, costs 2 rage, and can refill its cost when it gets a kill? 

 

... Yeah, I'm honestly probably going to go Ravager. 

[dudex]

cleave also only hits one target instead of everyone so fighter might not be that great at aoe anymore

[Climhazzard]

You might want to read the descriptions of the inspirations given by disciplined barrage, etc.  They give a very nice graze/hit/crit conversion.  And power level bonus for the other option.  Don't forget inspirations also protect from status effects.  For 1 discipline you can counter blind or even dominate with the right upgrade.

 

With the nerf to cleave stance, if it really only hits 1 target now, I'd probably rate Brawler as a 1v1 specialist, especially with conquerors stance, and Ravager as an AoE specialist.  So just go from that. Brawler is still tougher as well.

Edited June 2, 2018 by Climhazzard

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

You might want to read the descriptions of the inspirations given by disciplined barrage, etc.  They give a very nice graze/hit/crit conversion.  And power level bonus for the other option.  Don't forget inspirations also protect from status effects.  For 1 discipline you can counter blind or even dominate with the right upgrade.

 

With the nerf to cleave stance, if it really only hits 1 target now, I'd probably rate Brawler as a 1v1 specialist, especially with conquerors stance, and Ravager as an AoE specialist.  So just go from that. Brawler is still tougher as well.

 

Hmm, that is very true.. And I definitely want to be tougher for PotD. 

[flamesium]

My first playthrough was Ravager (Berserker/Helwalker). It’s a really strong combo.

 

Either of the monk’s Clarity abilities will clear the confusion from Berserk (not sure the first version should but it did for me), so just set AI to use one of them whenever you have the confused affliction and there will never be a time where you can hit your allies.

 

Barbaric Smash will be basically become your auto-attack towards the end of the game. I think I set it to prefer the highest health target in range below 50% health, so you’re more likely to be delivering kills and getting the cost refunded.

 

Once you add Blood Thirst’s instant recovery on kill to that combo you are Magran.

[Haplok]

There are other good options to clear Berserker Confusion:

Devil of Caroc armor upgrade to Resist Intellect afflictions (its a VERY good armor, even after the nerf bat).

Paladin PL 3 (I think) ability Aegis of Loyalty or some such, which clears confused/charmed/dominated status with a whack of his weapon (accessible early and you spend no resources / generate no additional recovery time).

 

Plus the already known Modwyr, Enlightened Agony (but it activates a Recovery period, so you pay talent points, Wounds and recovery time) or maybe Paladin's Mental Fortress, if you'd be interested in that Multiclass. So yeah, Berserker is really good.