How to Stay Flanked (or Bloodied) as a Marauder Without Getting Yourself Killed on Veteran/PotD?

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

Hey guys,

 

So, I've been trying to play a Marauder on Veteran/PotD and I feel like I've been doing it SUPER wrong. I keep trying to intentionally get bloodied and put myself in between enemies to be flanked, but that usually only results in my character dying super fast. I've also been playing without a MT because I suppose I thought that I could MT because of the (Very slight) buffs to Armor rating. 

 

For reference, my starting stats (With the +2 Attribute Blessing and Skill Boost Blessing both enabled)

 

19 Might (20 after Hasongo)

14 Constitution

9 Dexterity

18 Perception

18 Intellect

12 Resolve

 

This is all subject to change - I've heard I can dump Might just fine, but I've also heard that Dexterity really only makes a minimal difference 

 

So, I have a few questions about building for Veteran. 

 

1. How do I stay flanked/bloodied without putting myself at serious risk? I'm thinking I could abuse Sparkcrackers to ensure I stay Distracted and, thus, flanked even when fighting a single target, and then just use defensive abilities/spells to ensure I survive once I hit a Bloodied state. I'll have a decent Alchemy skill and Intellect, so Potions of the Final Stand should work well for me. But I'll also have an okay Intellect and a non-negative Resolve, so my Will will be pretty high, especially since I don't plan to invest heavily into Explosives on my MC. It's also worth noting that enemy AI mostly seems... idiotic at best, and won't actively try to pursue flanking positions. So there's that. 

 

2. Since I'm -not- going to be tanking, what would be some good abilities to consider at each level? My current level-ups look like this - 

 

Level 1 - Frenzy and Crippling Strike

Level 2 - Escape 
Level 3 - Blooded
Level 4 - Blinding Strike and Barbaric Blow
Level 5 - Thick Skin
Level 6 - Dirty Fighting
Level 7 - Arterial Strike and Bloodlust
Level 8 - Two-Handed Style
Level 9 - Confounding Blind
Level 10 - Persistent Distraction and Spirit Frenzy
Level 11 - Adept Evasion
Level 12 - One Stands Alone 
Level 13 - Barbaric Smash and Deep Wounds
Level 14 - Interrupting Blows 
Level 15 - Unflinching 
Level 16 - Withering Strike and Improved Critical 
Level 17 - Brute Force
Level 18 - Slippery Mind
Level 19 - Deathblows and Spirit Tornado
Level 20 - Blood Thirst 

 

But since multiple engagements don't seem to be a priority, I've considered dropping Thick Skin (Though Persistent Distraction is still a staple). 

 

3. Party Composition - How should I prioritize my party to supplement my Watcher? I'm wanting to use party companions, so I've been thinking of using Eder as a Fighter or Swashbuckler MT, Aloth as artillery/CC, Serafen as CC, Xoti as healing, and Tekehu as artillery/CC. 

 

4. Weapons: Any particular styles recommended? I've seen people suggest dual wielding blunderbuss/hatchet, but I've also seen mention of Lord Darryn's Voulge or Dual Wielding swords. 

 

 

[Yosharian]

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

 

 

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. 

[Marigoldran]

Paladin/Chanter.  

 

Put on heavy armor and best shield you can find.  Max Defenses.  

 

Summon stuff.  Do your regen and DOT chant-y stuff.

 

And win.  

 

Once you play Paladin/Chanter you'll realize how crappy 99% of the other builds are.  

Edited June 23, 2018 by Marigoldran

[knownastherat]

If your Mara is dying you do not want to drop Thick Skin, you want to have as much armor as possible. Instead of explosives*, your Mara is melee beast, consider Alchemy and be on White Leaf for continuous heal, and while this could be counter-productive to staying Bloodied I guess it should not since you are dying. Have Tekehu cast Moonwell, Nature's Balm, Woodskin, etc., get high Athletics and belt granting second Second Wind and CON bonus if high Might, drop Might for higher CON, have Xoti cast Withdraw when in danger, get Savage Defiance etc etc, there are many ways to make it work. Adept Evasion is good on high Reflex builds, so if you really want it, lower MIG and increase DEX.  Personally, I'd take either Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike and use the extra points on passives to increase survivability or even Shadowing Beyond/Smoke Veil as panic buttons. Mara will do a good job just being on Frenzy auto-attacking, with Barbaric Smash as Full Attack at no cost being cherry on the cake. 

 

*edit: oh you dont plan, I've read it wrong

Edited June 23, 2018 by knownastherat

[1TTFFSSE]

I am playing this solo on PotD with Deadly Deadfire mod here:

https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/102516-solo-build-the-lightning-sphinx-massive-burst-dd-marauder/

 

An yes whiteleaf+alchemy is my friend. And Potions of Spirit shield as well

 

Usual sequence if I am to engage in a longer fight against multiple enemies is:

 

1.)Gouging Eye (rogue 2nd level blind ability) from stealth against their rogue

2.) Frenzy

3.)immediately Savage Defiance once frenzy executes

4.)on top of savage defiance drink a potion of spirit shield

5.) now you're good to go and start dealing dps

 

Note: if a fight is gonna be a challenge I have drugs (Whiteleaf+deadeye) I use before going into the fight. 

 

 

Burst rotation against large boss target like dragon:

 

1.) Sprint - that's right put a lot of distance between you and that thing so you have time to buff

2.) drink a bunch of potions (spirit shield/ +to defenses, + to crit chance and a poison which is optional)

3.) Shadowing beyond - go into stealth

4.) hit the boss and follow with standard ability rotation Frenzy+savage defiance and attack - hopefully it dies soon

 

As you see you kind of need to hit level 10 to get good defensive abilities like savage defiance. 

 

Things I now have regularly on my item bar in addition to Deadeye and Whiteleaf+

-Potion of Spirit Shield

-Regular Health Potion

-Scroll of Moonwell

-Posion of choice (Stone joint)

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

If your Mara is dying you do not want to drop Thick Skin, you want to have as much armor as possible. Instead of explosives*, your Mara is melee beast, consider Alchemy and be on White Leaf for continuous heal, and while this could be counter-productive to staying Bloodied I guess it should not since you are dying. Have Tekehu cast Moonwell, Nature's Balm, Woodskin, etc., get high Athletics and belt granting second Second Wind and CON bonus if high Might, drop Might for higher CON, have Xoti cast Withdraw when in danger, get Savage Defiance etc etc, there are many ways to make it work. Adept Evasion is good on high Reflex builds, so if you really want it, lower MIG and increase DEX.  Personally, I'd take either Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike and use the extra points on passives to increase survivability or even Shadowing Beyond/Smoke Veil as panic buttons. Mara will do a good job just being on Frenzy auto-attacking, with Barbaric Smash as Full Attack at no cost being cherry on the cake. 

 

*edit: oh you dont plan, I've read it wrong

 

Alright, this is all really good advice. I think I honestly just need to get past the tutorial island on PotD or Veteran before I can really start making this work. And, as I said, I was having my Marauder try to tank instead of building Eder as a tank. I think that has a lot to do with it. 

[1TTFFSSE]

 

If your Mara is dying you do not want to drop Thick Skin, you want to have as much armor as possible. Instead of explosives*, your Mara is melee beast, consider Alchemy and be on White Leaf for continuous heal, and while this could be counter-productive to staying Bloodied I guess it should not since you are dying. Have Tekehu cast Moonwell, Nature's Balm, Woodskin, etc., get high Athletics and belt granting second Second Wind and CON bonus if high Might, drop Might for higher CON, have Xoti cast Withdraw when in danger, get Savage Defiance etc etc, there are many ways to make it work. Adept Evasion is good on high Reflex builds, so if you really want it, lower MIG and increase DEX.  Personally, I'd take either Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike and use the extra points on passives to increase survivability or even Shadowing Beyond/Smoke Veil as panic buttons. Mara will do a good job just being on Frenzy auto-attacking, with Barbaric Smash as Full Attack at no cost being cherry on the cake. 

 

*edit: oh you dont plan, I've read it wrong

 

Alright, this is all really good advice. I think I honestly just need to get past the tutorial island on PotD or Veteran before I can really start making this work. And, as I said, I was having my Marauder try to tank instead of building Eder as a tank. I think that has a lot to do with it. 

 

Yeah if you playing with a party just pick up a good ranged weapon and be ranged and have Eder tank. You can switch to melee once you have the Devil Of Corac Breastplate or the Bloody Links Chainmail and the Savage Defiance ability then you can be in melee. Maurader is not a tank, it is a rogue with better Aoe damage potential but you should play it like a rogue, but get's some abilities later on like Savage defiance which allows you to face tank for a little bit. sneak up to stuff, don't face tank unless you have to. 

[Verde]

Persistant Distraction

[Yosharian]

 

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

 

 

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. 

 

 

There's nothing wrong with Barbarian/Rogue, just don't play it like a class that wants to get hit/flanked.

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

 

 

If your Mara is dying you do not want to drop Thick Skin, you want to have as much armor as possible. Instead of explosives*, your Mara is melee beast, consider Alchemy and be on White Leaf for continuous heal, and while this could be counter-productive to staying Bloodied I guess it should not since you are dying. Have Tekehu cast Moonwell, Nature's Balm, Woodskin, etc., get high Athletics and belt granting second Second Wind and CON bonus if high Might, drop Might for higher CON, have Xoti cast Withdraw when in danger, get Savage Defiance etc etc, there are many ways to make it work. Adept Evasion is good on high Reflex builds, so if you really want it, lower MIG and increase DEX.  Personally, I'd take either Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike and use the extra points on passives to increase survivability or even Shadowing Beyond/Smoke Veil as panic buttons. Mara will do a good job just being on Frenzy auto-attacking, with Barbaric Smash as Full Attack at no cost being cherry on the cake. 

 

*edit: oh you dont plan, I've read it wrong

 

Alright, this is all really good advice. I think I honestly just need to get past the tutorial island on PotD or Veteran before I can really start making this work. And, as I said, I was having my Marauder try to tank instead of building Eder as a tank. I think that has a lot to do with it. 

 

Yeah if you playing with a party just pick up a good ranged weapon and be ranged and have Eder tank. You can switch to melee once you have the Devil Of Corac Breastplate or the Bloody Links Chainmail and the Savage Defiance ability then you can be in melee. Maurader is not a tank, it is a rogue with better Aoe damage potential but you should play it like a rogue, but get's some abilities later on like Savage defiance which allows you to face tank for a little bit. sneak up to stuff, don't face tank unless you have to. 

 

 

Doesn't the Berserker's Frenzy give the same bonus as Savage Defiance? Or should I not be playing Berserker as a Marauder because of the constant Raw damage ticks/the fact that I can't see my health? (Berserker gives +2 Pen and +2 Armor rating as well as 30% hit to crit conversion). 

[knownastherat]

 

If your Mara is dying you do not want to drop Thick Skin, you want to have as much armor as possible. Instead of explosives*, your Mara is melee beast, consider Alchemy and be on White Leaf for continuous heal, and while this could be counter-productive to staying Bloodied I guess it should not since you are dying. Have Tekehu cast Moonwell, Nature's Balm, Woodskin, etc., get high Athletics and belt granting second Second Wind and CON bonus if high Might, drop Might for higher CON, have Xoti cast Withdraw when in danger, get Savage Defiance etc etc, there are many ways to make it work. Adept Evasion is good on high Reflex builds, so if you really want it, lower MIG and increase DEX.  Personally, I'd take either Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike and use the extra points on passives to increase survivability or even Shadowing Beyond/Smoke Veil as panic buttons. Mara will do a good job just being on Frenzy auto-attacking, with Barbaric Smash as Full Attack at no cost being cherry on the cake. 

 

*edit: oh you dont plan, I've read it wrong

 

Alright, this is all really good advice. I think I honestly just need to get past the tutorial island on PotD or Veteran before I can really start making this work. And, as I said, I was having my Marauder try to tank instead of building Eder as a tank. I think that has a lot to do with it. 

 

 

I also think you need to leave the starting island, already

[mant2si]

Priest class has spell that prevent you from death, after spell you can use potion that do same thing, usually you will get 10 - 40 sec, before potion end, this is high enough to kill any boss and retreat :D

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

 

 

 

I also think you need to leave the starting island, already

 

 

Yes, yes I do. I've been on Port Maje so many times I know all the dialogue by heart. I like to remix it by skipping through conversations at different points. 

 

I don't think I ever asked, since I think I sought you out for Barbarian/Rogue advice. Do you use Streetfighter or Assassin as your Rogue multiclass? 

[knownastherat]

 

 

 

 

I also think you need to leave the starting island, already

 

 

Yes, yes I do. I've been on Port Maje so many times I know all the dialogue by heart. I like to remix it by skipping through conversations at different points. 

 

I don't think I ever asked, since I think I sought you out for Barbarian/Rogue advice. Do you use Streetfighter or Assassin as your Rogue multiclass? 

 

 

Streetfighter but as I said before, my playstyle is probably not relevant to what you want to achieve. Streetfighter synergizes with Berserker and Human when Bloodied. If you wanted to take advantage of huge bonus that comes from attacking from stealth Assasin is better, though more fragile. 

 

If you will have decent CON 15+ as soon as you level up a bit you will have huge HP pool, good gear and with party support, the issues you are concerned with now will probably go away. Just leave the starting island, do not kill stuff there if it's too hard and you will get strong enough soon enough. 

Edited June 24, 2018 by knownastherat

[Cyrus_Blackfeather]

 

 

 

 

 

I also think you need to leave the starting island, already

 

 

Yes, yes I do. I've been on Port Maje so many times I know all the dialogue by heart. I like to remix it by skipping through conversations at different points. 

 

I don't think I ever asked, since I think I sought you out for Barbarian/Rogue advice. Do you use Streetfighter or Assassin as your Rogue multiclass? 

 

 

Streetfighter but as I said before, my playstyle is probably not relevant to what you want to achieve. Streetfighter synergizes with Berserker and Human when Bloodied. If you wanted to take advantage of huge bonus that comes from attacking from stealth Assasin is better, though more fragile. 

 

If you will have decent CON 15+ as soon as you level up a bit you will have huge HP pool and with party support, the issues you are concerned with now will probably go away. Just leave the starting island, do not kill stuff there if it's too hard and you will get strong enough soon enough. 

 

 

Alright. I'll do that, then. 

[Verde]

Blunderbuss modal (not sure if it's been mentioned)

 

Otherwise check out the Ethiosian necklace from Gorroci St. and Bloodied Links armor from Deadlight.

Edited June 24, 2018 by Verde

[Kaylon]

Under frenzy it's impossible to control your health and stay bloodied using heals and damage reduction. Just pump int and alchemy to have long lasting potions of Last Stand and don't bother with healing/defenses/armor anymore. Get instead items which proc on crit or increases damage/speed.

[baldurs_gate_2]

 

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

 

 

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. 

 

Troubador/Wizard

 

Nothing beats that

[Dorftek]

It's been said here before but it can't be stressed enough. Stack armour bonuses. There's a free legendary heavy armour at crooksbur beach. Go get it!

 

Use whiteleaf like Knownastherat suggested. Staying blooded is not an option unless u take Kaylons advice on potions of final stand and they are quite costly to make (but extremely powerful with high Alch and int).

[Marigoldran]

 

 

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

 

 

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. 

 

Troubador/Wizard

 

Nothing beats that

 

 

5 Eatons and 3 Elder Flame Bats.  

 

Also, the Nemnok room fight where there's like 20-25 enemies. 

 

Try soloing that with your Troubador/Wizard.

Edited June 24, 2018 by Marigoldran

[Haplok]

Getting Flanked isn't very difficult due to Perception affliction mechanics - all of them also include Flanked status in their package.

 

Blunderbuss Powder Burns modal is a great starting solution. Use it before Frenzy,as Frenzy Confusion Int malus will decrease effect duration.

Blunderbuss + melee one handed is suboptimal damage wise due to lack of full attacks or stronger damage/effects of some two-handers.

Long term weapon + modal switching is tedious and causes waste of time due to added recovery/modal activation.

 

I've had good success on my Streetfightr/Ascendant with having party wizard cast Chill Fog and standing inside with the starter hat which provides Perception Resistance to downgrade Blinded to Distracted. But your Marauder will likely have significantly higher Fort save so this may not be reliable.

 

Perhaps the best solution is to rely on Lord Darryn's Voulge you mentioned, which once upgraded, will afflict enemies with Distracted after hit+crit - and under Berserker Confusion allies will be afflicted and you as well.

Just bring a lot of healing and be careful not to kill your Allies with the mighty Static Charge discharge.

 

Also vs single strong enemies you can switch to dual wielding to rapidly spam OP Full Attacks.

[baldurs_gate_2]

 

 

 

The answer is to stop playing a character that requires itself to be in a bad situation in order to be effective.  Being bloodied or flanked, as a damage dealer, is something you simply do not want, at any time.

 

Ditch the concept and go for something else, instead of trying to make this build work.

 

 

Do you have any recommendations, then? I like the idea of a Barbarian/Monk multiclass as well, honestly. 

 

Troubador/Wizard

 

Nothing beats that

 

 

5 Eatons and 3 Elder Flame Bats.  

 

Also, the Nemnok room fight where there's like 20-25 enemies. 

 

Try soloing that with your Troubador/Wizard.

 

First, you can lure a group away and kill them first. Second, i did that fight and it wasn't so hard. Nemnok takes a while, because of his high HP / deflection, but animated weapons are very strong.