Multiclass Miscibility Guide

[Zenzen]

Multiclass Miscibility Guide

 

This guide is intended to help people navigate the multiclass system in PoEII and give insight on what makes a strong multiclass character. If you’ve exhausted the builds created by other users stickied at the top of the forum, this guide should give you some fresh ideas on how to create the perfect character for your playstyle. This guide was last updated for patch 2.0.

 

Why Multiclass?

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Multiclass characters have some pretty big advantages over their single class brethren. The larger talent trees available to multiclass characters allow them to cherry pick the best abilities from both classes and makes it less likely to find a level where there are no good abilities to take. Additionally, a multiclass character will almost always have more resources to start combat with then a single class character. For example, a 20th level single class fighter has 13 Discipline to fight with. At 20th level, a multiclass fighter/paladin begins combat with 9 Discipline/9 Zeal, or a total point pool of 18. With self-empowerment that gap in combat ability becomes even more drastic.

 

In return for their resource advantage, multiclass characters have three drawbacks; lower power levels, slower power level progression and no access to level VIII or IX abilities. However, the missing power levels for characters can usually be made up with a combination of gear and specific abilities. As an example, multiclassing into a rogue for Sneak Attack will always add more damage on a weapon attack then the extra power levels granted by single classing. The slower power level progression can be negated by avoiding nonessential fights until level 10 or so when most multiclass builds start to bloom. For a detailed look at how power levels affect different abilities, check this thread: https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/99409-mechanics-power-level-compilation-thread/

 

 

 

How to use this guide:

There are two general approaches to creating a strong multiclass character. One approach is to focus on maximizing the strengths of one class with another. A good example would be the Arcane Knight (Paladin/Wizard). The Paladin class has sky-high defenses that can be boosted to astronomical levels by Wizard spells like Mirrored Image and Llengrath’s Displaced Image. The other approach is to try and round out a character by eliminating or minimizing its weaknesses. As an example, the Berserker subclass is a super powerful melee combatant, but is vulnerable due to the lower deflection during Frenzy, lack of healing and the Confusion debuff making her hit friend and foe alike. Make the Barbarian a Fanatic (Barb/Paladin), and Faith and Conviction, Lay on Hands, and Mental Fortress remove all the downsides of playing a Berserker. With that in mind, for each class I’m going to focus on four subjects:

 

1) Why would you want to multiclass into this class? What are the best things the class brings to a character?

2) What is this class missing? What weaknesses could the other half of your multiclass character shore up?

3) What do the subclasses add to a multiclass character?

4) Does this class have anti-synergy with anything?

I have put each of the classes in spoiler tags below to make this post more manageable.

 

Barbarian

 

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Why multiclass Barbarian: powerful self-buffs, (Frenzy, Bloodlust, Blood Thirst), melee AoE (Carnage), Critical hit support (Barbaric Blow, Interrupting Blows).

 

What the Barbarian class is missing: accuracy for more crits, defenses, cheap healing, crowd control.

 

Subclasses: Berserkers multiclass incredibly well. Several abilities from other classes can completely negate the penalties of the improved Frenzy, and the extra penetration and armor is huge for any character. Corpse-Eater provides a situational heal and extra resources in a fight, but at the cost of damage uptime. Mage Slayer’s penalty is very difficult to build around and is not recommended, but I’m sure there’s a way to make it work.

 

Pairs poorly with: Most things can work. Melee characters like the health and cleave damage the class provides, while casters love Frenzy and Bloodlust to boost their skills. Ranged barbarians are harder to get working since Carnage doesn’t apply, but Frenzy/Bloodlust/Barbaric Smash are sometimes worth it.

 

 

Chanter

 

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Why multiclass Chanter: infinite resource class, Summons, spammable AoE Paralyze (Killers Froze Stiff), passive healing or tank stats.

 

What the Chanter class is missing: damage, penetration, accuracy (not a weakness if you focus on summons).

 

Subclasses: Troubadour is strictly better then a no subclass chanter. With tweaking, Troubadour allows the chanter to have two chants overlapping permanently, or use Brisk Recitation to spam summons faster than the Beckoner. Skald is great for a critical strike focused character, as the paralysis from Killers Froze Stiff makes it easy to get more criticals. After the nerfs in 1.2, Beckoner is a little weak because the Troubadour’s summons are both healthier and longer lasting. Beckoner does synergize well with “on Kill” weapon effects like Grave Calling, though.

 

Pairs poorly with: nothing! A Chanter multiclass either makes your damage dealer more tanky, or your utility character have even more utility.

 

 

 

Cipher

 

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Why multiclass Cipher: infinite resource class, charm/dominate spells, powerful buffs to allies (Pain Block, Ancestor’s Memory), penetration and weapon damage.

 

What the Cipher class is missing: defenses, damage during ramp-up time, action speed to cast frequently.

 

Subclasses: Soul Blade makes for a great melee option. Soul Annihilation is a consistent damage source, and the focus penalty can be fixed through talents or pairing with a class that adds extra damage. Ascendant also makes for a powerful multiclass, as the penalty to Cipher’s power level can be avoided by just casting spells from the other class until you reach max focus. Beguiler is best used as a single class character, where the focus refund works towards Cipher’s strong level VIII and IX abilities.

 

Pairs poorly with: most casters, because spells don’t generate Focus and don’t get empowered by Soul Whip. You can make this work with Wizards who can use summoned weapons and self-buffs to cap Focus easily.

 

 

 

Druid

 

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Why multiclass Druid: Casting utility, Spiritshift, elemental penetration, healing.

 

What the Druid class is missing: defenses, spell accuracy.

 

Subclasses: Depending on the Druid subclass, a Druid multiclass is going to play very differently. With no penalty, Animist has a nice pool of druid spells, allowing you to focus on your other class and provide some baseline utility. Lifegiver makes healing through tough encounters a breeze, and pairs well with other utility classes. Fury druids can get huge boosts out of classes that can buff up the druid to take advantage of strong AoE damage spells. Shifter mixes well with classes that provide buffs that work during spiritshift, or provide extra penetration.

 

Pairs poorly with: other casters. There’s just not enough time to run through two casters spellbooks in a single combat. Also, worth mentioning that Druid’s level VIII and IX abilities are very powerful, and might be worth going single-class for.

 

 

Fighter

 

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Why multiclass Fighter: Defenses, Accuracy (Disciplined Barrage), Mob Stance, Unbending.

 

What the Fighter Class is missing: Penetration/Damage that doesn't cost Discipline, stuff to do when they run out of Discipline.

 

Subclasses: Devoted will fit nicely with any martial-focused character that is looking for extra penetration. Devoted also gain penetration to their unarmed attacks, so the penalty isn’t too severe. Black Jacket is only really useful for a gun focused multiclass, as you can skip reloading and just fire off 8 pistols to start the fight. Unbroken’s +1 armor rating can make a tanky character even stronger. Unfortunately, there’s no way to force the enemy AI to provoke a disengagement attack to make use of that sweet sweet +10 penetration.

 

Pairs poorly with: nothing. Fighter is a solid multiclass choice to make your character sturdier. Ranged fighters are a little weird because they can’t use many of the active abilities effectively, but even then, there are so many great passives to take that they end up working just fine. Most (but not all!) Fighter multiclasses will want to use the FIghter's discipline for accuracy and tankiness, so pairing him with extra damage is a good idea.

 

 

Monk

 

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Why multiclass Monk: Stats (Duality of Mortal Presence), Action Speed (Swift Strikes), defensive toolkit.

 

What the Monk class is missing: healing.

 

Subclasses: Helwalkers are incredible to pair with damage dealers Giving any character +10 Might and +10 Int alone is enough to be a worthy multiclass. Casters especially like the Helwalker bonus because they don’t have access to as many damage modifiers as martial characters do. Having a plan for how your character is going to manage the damage penalty is crucial, however. Nalpazca is a strictly stronger version of the basic monk, as long as you are willing to spend a minimal amount of money on drugs. Shattered Pillars can chain cast Raised Torment to stun hordes of enemies, but might be better off as a single class character to spam Whispers of the Wind at PL IX.

 

Pairs poorly with: nothing. As with the Fighter, the monk has such a well-rounded toolkit that it can fit into any character build. Enduring Dance, Swift Flurry, and Duality of Mortal Presence are helpful for just about any character you could come up with.

 

 

 

Paladin

 

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Why multiclass Paladin: +18 all defenses passively is INSANE, Flames of Devotion, healing.

 

What the Paladin class is missing: AoE damage, Penetration with weapons.

 

Subclasses: All of the Paladin orders will work just fine, but Darcozzi Paladini is by far the weakest of the bunch. Shieldbearers of St. Elcga’s bonus can enable some pretty silly cheese, but since it was nerfed to only affect other party members its not quite as strong. Bleak Walkers, Goldpact Knights, and Kind Wayfarers are all powerful.

 

Pairs poorly with: nothing. Paladin is just solid all around, as evidenced by how many builds have /paladin on this forum. Generally speaking they do prefer to dual wield over using a two hander to get the full benefit of Flames of Devotion Full Attack, but they really do work with anything.

 

 

Priest

 

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Why multiclass Priest: Party buffs, healing, elemental penetration.

 

What the Priest class is missing: Stuff to do when not casting, spell accuracy (Not a big deal depending on spell choices).

 

Subclasses: As there are no penalties to picking a Priest subclass, just think about what spell list would work best for the character you are attempting to build. For solo play, Skaen allows you to reset fights with Shadowing Beyond, and Wael gives some powerful defensive abilities. Magran and Berath both have elemental damage toolkits, while Eothas’ bonus spells focus on healing.

 

Pairs poorly with: other casters. There’s just not enough time to run through two casters spellbooks in a single combat. Priests are generally better off multiclassing then single classing though, as their level VIII and IX spells aren’t particularly great.

 

 

Ranger

 

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Why multiclass Ranger: Bonkers accuracy bonuses, powerful ranged passives, a cute pet.

 

What the Ranger class is missing: defenses, Penetration for ranged weapons, strong abilities.*

 

*Ranger is a great multiclass choice, but their active abilities are a little weak. Much of the time the best use of Bond is just spamming Accurate Wounding Shot.

 

Subclasses: Each of the Ranger’s subclasses have hard-to-mitigate drawbacks, so a no-subclass ranger works just fine and well. That being said, the Ghost Heart is the most universally useful; being immune to Bonded Grief and your pet being immune to engagement allows you to play more aggressively with the animal companion. It pairs well with Ciphers who can use their beam skills on the ghost heart pet in the backline. The Stalker is a great choice for a melee focused character, but it does restrict you into that playstyle so keep that in mind. Sharpshooters improve ranged builds significantly, especially since many ranged weapons tend to have lower penetration.

 

Pairs poorly with: Nothing. Because Rangers have somewhat poor active abilities to choose from in PL IV- PL VI, most multiclass Rangers tend to be split about 25% in the Ranger tree and 75% in the other class. That said, the 25% in Ranger is REALLY good; Stalker's Link, Accurate Wounding Shot, and the ranged passive package are powerful tools.

 

 

Rogue

 

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Why multiclass Rogue: damage, damage and more damage. In solo play, invisibility to reset fights is very useful.

 

What Rogue is missing: defenses, AoE damage, healing.

 

Subclasses: Assassin makes your character into a single-target wrecking ball. Since the Assassin bonus within stealth applies to ALL skills, they like characters with the biggest, baddest AoE abilities to annihilate a horde of enemies. After the 1.2 buffs, Trickster seems to be strictly better then a baseline rogue. Gaining Mirrored Image and Ryngrim’s Repulsive Visage helps significantly with the rogue’s survivability, and the 10% penalty to Sneak Attack is worth the tradeoff. Streetfighter is great for characters who want action speed or critical hits. Getting yourself flanked to activate the passive can be achieved by using the blunderbuss modal for ranged characters.

 

Pairs poorly with: Rogues can pair with anything; just be careful what damage modifiers you choose to take. Sneak Attack, Backstab, and Deathblows only apply to weapon attacks, while Deep Wounds, the Assassin passive and Streetfighter's action speed are all globally useful.

 

 

Wizard

 

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Why multiclass Wizard: Spell versatility, unique spellbooks, Elemental penetration.

 

What the Wizard class is missing: good passive abilities, accuracy, healing.

 

Subclasses: Wizard subclasses are generally not recommended. +2 Power Level with spells from one school is usually not worth the double whammy of losing TWO schools of magic and a 20% recovery time penalty to spells not in the favored school. The one exception to this rule is the Evoker, because double casting damage spells, even if somewhat unreliable, is incredibly powerful.

 

Pairs poorly with: other casters. There’s just not enough time to run through two casters spellbooks in a single combat. Also, worth noting that a few of the level VIII and IX spells are powerful enough that going for a single class Wizard might be worth it.

 

What’s great about a Wizard multiclass is that thanks to grimoires, its possible to put nearly all of your points into your other class and use grimoire switching to cast powerful spells. Wizards are flexible and can add AoE damage, powerful deflection buffs, or crowd control to any build.

 

 

I hope this guide can be a community resource that people can look at to find inspiration. What else should I add in here? I'm considering a brief section on build-defining items. Did I make any mistakes? Let me know!

Edited August 10, 2018 by Zenzen

[mant2si]

  On 8/9/2018 at 4:17 AM, Zenzen said:

What the Barbarian class is missing: accuracy, defenses, healing, penetration (less of an issue if you take the crit talents as critical hits fix this problem)

Subclasses: Berserkers multiclass very well. Several abilities from other classes can completely negate the penalties of the improved Frenzy, and the extra penetration and Armor is huge. Items like Modwyr can also do the trick. Corpse-Eater provides a situational heal and extra resources in a fight, but at the cost of damage uptime. Mage Slayer’s penalty is very difficult to build around and is not recommended, but I’m sure there’s a way to make it work.

Pairs poorly with: Casters, because they don’t tend to get much benefit from Barbarian passives. Ranged barbarians are harder to get working since Carnage doesn’t apply, but Frenzy and Barbaric Smash are sometimes worth it.

Very fun reading, thanks :D I know you want some feedback but most of your suggestions is very questionable ? Why lack of accuracy ? Why didn't work with casters ? Why not ranger ?

 

Same with other classes 

 

Will be better to create post with links on subclass discussions, because this will be more informative 

Edited August 9, 2018 by mant2si

[Haplok]

A nice initiative, thank you.

But yeah, not all info feels accurate. A few comments:

 

Barbarians, and particularly Berserkers, are very good caster and ranged multiclass choices. Action speed is great (doubly so once they get Blood Thirst, which works with spells), might bonus is nice and bonus penetration is great as well. Come to think of it, can't complain about bonus hit-to-crit either. Also they have access to healing, albeit pretty late and expensive resource-wise.

 

Soul Annihilation is not a Full Attack, but rather a Primary Attack. Personally I wouldn't multiclass an Ascendant with another caster. You generally want a strong martial class to reach Ascension ASAP. Ascendants are pretty awesome left pure as well, by the way. On the other hand, I'd never play a pure Beguiler (or Soul Blade). Waste of a character slot.

 

Monk does have a Full Attack: Stunning Blow/Surge. Shattered Pillars can no longer spam Tormen't Reach (or other abilities) after the nerf, need to mix regular melee attacks in between.

 

I feel the Ranger description is missing info about their ranged prowess. With Driving Flight they double the number of projectiles they shoot. If pure and with a bow, they can even have 4 attacks from one Twinned Shot. I'm also not sure what hard-to-mitigate drawbacks do the Ranger subclasses have. Well, maybe except Stalker.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Haplok

[Tommy1984]

  On 8/9/2018 at 4:17 AM, Zenzen said:

What the Fighter Class is missing: damage, especially a Full Attack for fighters who want to dual wield.

 

Fighters have Penetrating Strike ... a cheap full attack with extra damage/penetration

[Verde]

Good stuff TC. For a Rogue I would add they pair well with classes that cause afflictions cause of Sneak Attack. In fact I think their pair well with any class minus more support oriented like Cleric, Druid, or Paladin.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Verde

[Haplok]

  On 8/9/2018 at 1:03 PM, Verde said:

Good stuff TC. For a Rogue I would add they pair well with classes that cause afflictions cause of Sneak Attack. In fact I think their pair well with any class minus more support oriented like Cleric, Druid, or Paladin.

 

Actually they should pair pretty well with a Paladin. Druids specialized in shapechanging could massively profit from a rogue multiclass as well.

Priest compatibility is less obvious... but frankly clerics aren't great MC candidates in general. Maybe monk to boost the stats or chanter to add even more utility.

[Boeroer]

There are several statements that are not true - or need more differentiation. Most likely because the author didn't play certain class combos that he judges (I mean who can play them all?). For example:

 

Barbarians pair poorly with casters: Warlock strongly disagrees: nuking with Tenacious, Frenzy, Bloodlust and Blood Thirst makes you a believer. "Don't tend to get much benefit from Barbarian's passives" - hehe... good one.

 

Also Barbarian + Ascendant (hello Blood Thirst with being able to spam shred spells for 0 focus with 0 recovery) is great.

 

Cipher pairs awesomely with Wizard because Citzal's Spirit Lance and Minor Blights fill focus with one attack and Soul Annihilation gets applied to the whole AoE of Spirit Lance.

 

Rangers pair wonderfully with melee classes if their goal is to crit a lot (see Streetfighter or Barbarian). No other class can give you that much accuracy. Stuff like Accurate Wounding Shot works with melee weapons.

 

Rogues pair wonderfully with Wizards because Spirit Lance and Minor Blights apply DoTs in an AoE while the wizbuffs make sure that you don't drop dead.

Assassins work well with Wizards, too.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Boeroer

[eschu101]

Berserker actually works very well with Wizard. Especially Evoker.

Btw, wizard bonus PL for subclass is +2 now.
 

  Quote

What the Fighter Class is missing: damage, especially a Full Attack for fighters who want to dual wield.

 

 

Isnt Penetrating Strike a Full Attack?

 

[Boeroer]

Yes

[gkathellar]

As Haplok and Boeroer mention, Barbarian is fantastic for casters, who take away huge benefits from Frenzy and its many passives.

 

It's worth noting that most of the Priest subclasses play as something like a minor multiclass. Skaen makes you a mini-rogue, Wael makes you a mini-wizard, Berath makes you a mini-druid, and Magran and Eothas are trash do something, I'm sure.

 

Rogue is solid in combination with Druids in general, in addition to Ciphers.

 

I'm not convinced that Citzal's Spirit Lance makes Wizard worth multiclassing with cipher, since you still have no attack abilities to use it with and, despite your strong resource economy, your action economy is really weak unless you're only using Wizard for buffs. But there is a case to be made for it as a sort of highly-magical faux barbarian.

[lameover]

How to fill gaps in self knowledge of game mechanics?

Write a GUIDE on this forum! :-P

Edited August 9, 2018 by lameover

[Dorftek]

The initiate is appreciated OP, but consider editing ur post with the feedback provided.

 

Well I can second that wizard pairs well with cipher because of self buffs and spiritlance. It was one of the first characters I played. I love an ascended wizard with mindblades and combusting wounds, I also love a wizard with Borrowed Instincts.

 

@Haplok the berserkers hit to crit is only for melee =/

 

Also I do not think rogue pairs poorly with casters, just like everything else it just depends on how u intend to play ur character. A rogue adds to any caster what they otherwise lack, strong melee dmg output. Maybe ur a wizard who want to spend a lot of time in melee and just cherrypick a few spells? A rogue with spiritlance or blights with the wizards deflection buffs, able to put toxic strike in AoE with a buffed intelligence is very very strong. Maybe ur a druid who enjoys shapeshifting, a tricksters defences and dmg passives fit perfectly with the nasty attack speed of the cat shift. Imo rogue is a bit like fighter, it can fit and improve just about any other class.

 

I also disagree with ranger high lvl abilities, that's where u get the powerful actives the ranger otherwise can lack. But for example twin shot might not be very impressive with a pistol or even an arquebus, but use twin shot with for example frostseeker and its super cool, especially paired with avenging storm scrolls (see my Arcana Archer build) or when firing at mobs afflicted with combusting wounds.

Even a melee ranger is amazing as a single class because of whirling strike. Any crit build is great multiclassing with a ranger no matter if u go ranged or melee.

[Dorftek]

  On 8/9/2018 at 2:16 PM, lameover said:

How to fill gaps in self knowledge of game mechanics?

Write a GUIDE on this forum! :-P

How about u add some actual feedback he can use to edit with instead of trolling?

[gkathellar]

  On 8/9/2018 at 2:28 PM, Dorftek said:

I also disagree with ranger high lvl abilities, that's where u get the powerful actives the ranger otherwise can lack. But for example twin shot might not be very impressive with a pistol or even an arquebus, but use twin shot with for example frostseeker and its super cool, especially paired with avenging storm scrolls (see my Arcana Archer build) or when firing at mobs afflicted with combusting wounds.

Even a melee ranger is amazing as a single class because of whirling strike. Any crit build is great multiclassing with a ranger no matter if u go ranged or melee.

I knew I forgot to mention something! Yeah, arguably a ranger gets most of it's really amazing powers around PL 7+. The biggest issue with the class is actually that single-class rangers don't have enough tricks until fairly late in their careers, and multi-class rangers never get access to some of the really cool tricks. This makes the class appear a lot less interesting than it can actually be.

[Zenzen]

So many great responses!  Thanks everyone!

 

I knew bits of this would be inaccurate and that I would need community input on classes that I haven't played too much, like the Barbarian.  I'll edit the OP later tonight after work with everyone's suggestions, especially on inaccurate information.  I knew that I would get stuff wrong on the first pass.

 

completely forgot about Penetrating Strike, oops.  Is it still fair to say that the Fighter tends to want more damage, though?  In my experience, most of your Discipline goes to bumping accuracy and keeping yourself alive.  And since charge is no longer an AoE damage option I feel like they still lack in the damage department.

 

For a Cipher/Wizard multiclass, is it fairer to say that it works fine if you focus the Wizard half primarily on buffing up your focus gain with buffs and summoned weapons?

 

@gkathellar I like your statement that the single class Ranger isn't bad per se, just boring until you get the neat tricks at level 18+.  Gonna add that to the OP.

[Boeroer]

Multiclass Fighters can get Clear Out which is very strong. It's actually the only AoE melee attack that you can have when multiclassing. Pair it with Spirit Lance and you can do an AoE attack which procs another AoE attack with every hit roll. It's pretty hilarious but comes quite late. It's also only a Primary Attack (a Full one wouldn't work anyways because the enemies will be send flying around after the first hit).

 

Even Mule Kick is quite strong if you pair it with an AoE weapon. Or if you are using a morning star with body blows: lower Fortitude by 25, attack with Mule Kick (does +20% bonus damage and attacks fortitude).

 

One of the best damage/dps tools of the fighter is still Cleaving Stance/Mob Stance.

 

Fightsrs can pair fairly well with casters because of Disciplined Strikes and upgrades and also Vigorous/Refreshing defense. That stacks with the common self buffs that raise deflection and can last a long time if you have high INT and buff with Infuse or other smart inspirations.

 

Generally mukticlass fighters have more Primary Attacks than Full Attacks.

 

With cipher/wizard I mainly meant Soulblade/Wizard. As I said: Citzal's Spirit Lance applies the raw damage to ALL targets it hits. Take Draining Whip and usually it's like: auto-attack --> full focus --> Soul Annihilation --> AoE crush dmg + raw dmg. Most enemies are dead pretty quickly.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Boeroer

[Zenzen]

Updated the OP:

-Added a "How to Use this Guide" blurb.

 

-edited the Barbarian, Cipher, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, and Wizard sections.

 

-corrected spelling errors and factual errors.

 

Any and all feedback appreciated!  I think we can make this guide even more useful.

[thundercleese]

Yeah clear out is great. Contrary to its description it seems to hit everything in a cone centered around the targeted mob, which scales with AoE increases. Not so good on a tank though whose job is keep mobs contained.

[Clerith]

Hands up who needed to google Miscibility to make sure it was a real word.

[Ophiuchus]

I agree that Priest is bad in many ways but I'm confused when you say not to single class it or multiclass it with another caster. I'm assuming you multiclass it with Paladin (Priest of Wael tank?) or Chanter?

[Zenzen]

I haven't messed with Priest much besides using Xoti in my playthroughs, but Paladin and Chanter seem like good fits for a frontline Priest multiclass.  With either multiclass, you double down on great supportive abilities and open up room in your party for more squishy damage dealers.

 

A more aggressive ranged priest might look like Priest of Berath/Helwalker monk.  Use Enduring Dance for accuracy, and Helwalker bonuses to buff up Rot Skulls and Storm of Holy Fire.  It would come together a little late, though, and you'd have to be careful not to take buffs from both classes that overwrite each other.

 

Generally, I feel like Priest is a weaker class in PoEII because many of the classes provide better buffs then the tier 1 buffs that Priests can hand out, and fights don't usually last long enough to make countering an affliction with an inspiration worthwhile.

[Boeroer]

Priest is weaker than in PoE (where it was the strongest class in my - and other's - opinion). But I don't think that it's a weak class in deadfire.

 

Priest get some spells that can make a huge difference (for example Devotions: acc bonus that stacks with PER inspirations) when used properly.

 

A single class Priest lets you cast such spells a lot earlier and thus makes the playthrough easier - even if the performence of the priest itself is hard to measure and it doesn't feel like much.

 

But do an encounter with Blessing + Devotions and one without and you can see the difference +15 ACC make. It's like gaining 5 char levels (when it comes to accuracy). Not to forget the mean debuff it puts on enemies. The earlier you can use that spell the better.

 

Single class priests (esp. Magran) can have extremely potent damaging spells and also the higher Power level makes sure that lower level spells like Shining Beacon scale nicely. Power Level adds base damage so damaging spells. So if you can for example get a crit and have high MIG a higher Power Level with SHining Beacon leads to higher damage per tick AND longer duration. This double-buff of damage explains why a single class priest can reach very high dmg numbers with one single spell. It's not obvious, so it often gets overlooked.

 

So I wouldn't say that you shouldn't single-class a priest. In fact I think that Spark the Souls of the Righteous is so good if you know how to use it that it justifies to play a single class priest (in a party).

Edited August 10, 2018 by Boeroer

[M4xw0lf]

  On 8/10/2018 at 6:35 AM, Boeroer said:

Priest is weaker than in PoE (where it was the strongest class in my - and other's - opinion). But I don't think that it's a weak class in deadfire.

 

Priest get some spells that can make a huge difference (for example Devotions: acc bonus that stacks with PER inspirations) when used properly.

 

A single class Priest lets you cast such spells a lot earlier and thus makes the playthrough easier - even if the performence of the priest itself is hard to measure and it doesn't feel like much.

 

But do an encounter with Blessing + Devotions and one without and you can see the difference +15 ACC make. It's like gaining 5 char levels (when it comes to accuracy). Not to forget the mean debuff it puts on enemies. The earlier you can use that spell the better.

 

Single class priests (esp. Magran) can have extremely potent damaging spells and also the higher Power level makes sure that lower level spells like Shining Beacon scale nicely. Power Level adds base damage so damaging spells. So if you can for example get a crit and have high MIG a higher Power Level with SHining Beacon leads to higher damage per tick AND longer duration. This double-buff of damage explains why a single class priest can reach very high dmg numbers with one single spell. It's not obvious, so it often gets overlooked.

 

So I wouldn't say that you shouldn't single-class a priest. In fact I think that Spark the Souls of the Righteous is so good if you know how to use it that it justifies to play a single class priest (in a party)

For things like this I think they did a really neat job of giving viability to both single and multiclass characters. Despite all the pitfalls in the game's mechanics which Obsidian themselves often enough fall into, the basic idea of the character system really works.

[Ophiuchus]

  On 8/10/2018 at 6:35 AM, Boeroer said:

Priest is weaker than in PoE (where it was the strongest class in my - and other's - opinion). But I don't think that it's a weak class in deadfire.

 

Priest get some spells that can make a huge difference (for example Devotions: acc bonus that stacks with PER inspirations) when used properly.

 

A single class Priest lets you cast such spells a lot earlier and thus makes the playthrough easier - even if the performence of the priest itself is hard to measure and it doesn't feel like much.

 

But do an encounter with Blessing + Devotions and one without and you can see the difference +15 ACC make. It's like gaining 5 char levels (when it comes to accuracy). Not to forget the mean debuff it puts on enemies. The earlier you can use that spell the better.

 

Single class priests (esp. Magran) can have extremely potent damaging spells and also the higher Power level makes sure that lower level spells like Shining Beacon scale nicely. Power Level adds base damage so damaging spells. So if you can for example get a crit and have high MIG a higher Power Level with SHining Beacon leads to higher damage per tick AND longer duration. This double-buff of damage explains why a single class priest can reach very high dmg numbers with one single spell. It's not obvious, so it often gets overlooked.

 

So I wouldn't say that you shouldn't single-class a priest. In fact I think that Spark the Souls of the Righteous is so good if you know how to use it that it justifies to play a single class priest (in a party).

I dig single class Priest and Priest of Berath/Wizard but wish Cleric could come close to your outstanding melee Berath build in PoE:1. Wizard outshines multiclassing Priest with martials in every way I can think of.

[Boeroer]

Yes. Although to be fair the summoned Great Sword is pretty neat. The only reason why a Priest of Berath (multiclassed for melee) isn't as great as he could be is that stupid implementation of Full Attacks (like FoD) that favors dual wielding. 

 

But I had good results with a Berathian/Goldpact Templar.

 

I didn*t check how wounding works with raised MIG in Deadfire, but I suspect that a Helwalker/Berathian with Engoliero do Espirs might be a really nice combo - thematically and also in terms of melee prowess if the wounding behaves anything like in PoE1.

Helwalker can get you +10 MIG and INT and the Estoc can give you another +3 to MIG (and CON and DEX - you don't even have to kill with the blade itself - a nuke will do). Combine with Holy Power and you are already at +18 MIG. No need to boost MIG at char creation or else you will reach the cap pretty soon. Healing and damage should go through the roof at some point. Also Barring Death's Door with +10 and more INT plus Salvation of Time seems to be great. Pair with Death Godlike to get +3 PL.

Edited August 10, 2018 by Boeroer