The annoying noob strikes back!

[Slack83er]

Yep, it's still me, testing the patience of fellow forum friends!  

 

There's nothing to do, I thank everyone who has tried to help me out with priest, but I just can't play it. Forgive me if I wasted your time, I just hope your info can help somebody else in this board who's trying to build a priest.

 

I've decided to go either monk or paladin (yes even if I play it in P&P)

I have realized that I need a MC who can take care of himself right from the start, and stay into the fray without too many things to think of. (someone called this attitude "hands off character")

 

I prefer monk for it's a class that I've always liked, but in the other forum someone suggested I might just be into paladin, being it a priest with more war attitude and less squishiness. So I'm here, at the end of my nightshift, calling out to you, Boeroer, Abel, and the other that have been so kind to me. Please, keeping in mind the main concepts (such as being able to talk etc.) give me some clues as to which MC to build, in your opinion ofc.

 

Thank you guys, you rock.

 

Slack83er

[Ben No.3]

For the actual gameplay, there are better people to talk to around here, however, I'll try to answer you in the sense of roleplay. Now, the picture of the paladin being a "war-priest" might not be just entirely correct: the paladin is simply a warrior devoted to his order and it's lifestyle. A bleak walker or a shieldbarer (to name opposites) for example have very strict rules of life, however not for religious but rather for political/social reasons. There are certain religious paladin orders in the game, however, you cannot be a member of one of these. The paladin is more of a war priest in the sense of abilities, he has supports and heals.

 

If you are simply looking to build an warrior man of faith (which you mentioned), then why not go with the most fun melee class (which is the monk in my opinion) without a strict code and then simply connect his backstory to being a priest or religious man (cleric or mystic might be good choices). Also, you can simply behave according to the god anyway. Example: A monk worshipping skaen (seems to be the most fitting for a monk, however I can also easily see one worshipping Magran or wael) can simply behave deceptive and cruel. Also for some gods you will find temples (one even includes a ritual), and you also will have a chance or two to "listen to your god". So, basically every class can be following a certain God, no problem from an rp-perspective (except for paladin sadly). You simply won't be able to choose the priest-specific dialogues.

 

BTW I have played only very briefly a character with the clergyman background, but in the Bears cave he had the Same Option as an priest. Also, if you feel you're priest lacks offensive potential, find some wichts and use holy radiance.

[rheingold]

Monk or paladin are good choices. Paladin also has more of a role playing element to it with the orders. It's also difficult to make a mistake building, the talents tend to be obvious. Only potential issue is its more of a support character like a chanter (another excellent option).

Monk is pretty much the opposite, and very micro intensive. But loads of fun. It's by far my favourite melee class to play.

Check the builds section out, there are some good ones there. For monks, the juggernaut is simple but rather brutally effective.

Just make sure you have torments reach and force of anguish, high strength and constitution (17+) everything else can be left at 10. Except Int should get a couple of points. Dual wield talent and you are good to go.

Bear in mind you don't have to follow a build exactly to benefit from it.

Even on POTD, you don't have to min/max.

[Raven Darkholme]

If you had trouble keeping your priest alive Monk is not for you, sorry if that sounds blunt.

Play paladin who can take high res per and Int for dialogue and still benefits from it.

High Might, 6-9 Con low - dumped Dex, high Per maxed Int and maxed Res.

Take defensive talents early incl fortitude talent.

[rheingold]

As raven says Paladins are not micro intensive and tough... You could also try a chanter.., they make pretty good tanks, and excellent role playing characters like Paladins if that's what interests you.

Bear in mind though the beginning of the game is the toughest (barring certain high level fights) in particularly if you are new to the game.... There is a learning curve even if you come from baldurs gate etc.

[Ben No.3]

I say go skaen monk . Monks behave somewhat weird, you'll need some time to get used to getting hurt without getting damaged... It's an class all about balance. And if you build a moon godlike monk it will forgive mistakes. Choose your role: a 18 18 18 10 7 6 for damage (for monks I value speed higher, there are enough ways to increase accuracy) (high con+that wheel ability with the 5% per wound is a wonderful choice), 18 18 10 7 6 18 for somewhat tankiness. Swap mig and int for cc-tank with true tanking abilities (also put some con and if you are willing even some mig into per then, in which case also the mental stats are good), ending up with 3 15 16 18 18.

 

For RP, in my opinion the strongest choices would be a skaen monk coming from clergy or slavery due to skaen being the God of slaves and the monk's pain to power thing, or wael monk coming from clergy due to the fact that wael's rituals seem to be very weird. For any God, you can choose philosopher or clergyman as background, and have the character "realise" the only "true" way to worship his God is trough pain (especially with Eothas: the redemption through pain idea fits). However , you might want to choose clergyman (Aedyr exclusive I believe) for having priest-like dialogue options and use the tank-monk for the mental stats.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Ben No.3

[Boeroer]

A monk with shield and veteran's recovery will be very sturdy - comparable to a fighter whom you skill defensively, only slightly lower deflection. You don't need to play him the usual way with double wielding (although this might be the most "powerful" way to do it).

He will still do a lot more DPS than a fighter tank and also have better CC options. What he lacks in deflection he can easily compensate with higher endurance and health and some nice abilities later on. But you have to gain a few levels first.

 

However, the easiest char to start with for beginnerd IS a fighter. The combination of self heal and the highest starting deflection in the game from lvl 1 on makes him the sturdiest guy out there. Others can catch him, but they need some levels and until then the fighter has no match when it comes to survivability. So if you have problems with keeping your char alive right from the start then choose fighter.

[rheingold]

Or you could, I dunno just pick up Eder

[Abel]

I was about to say the exact same thing as Boeroer. At this point, my first advice is: don't try to force things. rheingold is right in all he says. Especially when he speaks about the learning curve that even BG veteran will need to experience. If you couldn't get through the prologue with a priest in easy mode, my first advice is: Play a fighter. Get used to the game. And once you're used to it, just trash aside your first playthrough and play the class you like the most. The goal is not to be rebuked by the game. Try the simplier class to understand at first (fighter). It won't be too late to switch later on.

[Ben No.3]

Why, why fighter? No, I love my tank to death, but I wouldn't take a fighter as a main... They are practically predetermined to become tanks, and even when you build a DD fighter it is simply a pretty boring class... don't get me wrong, they are very very potent and every party can benefit greatly from having one, but in comparison also have a pretty passive playstyle. And since you use a party, it won't help with the learning curve past guilded vale, since you then start to pick up new companions with new classes whom you need to understand. Also, the fighter companion is a really nice guy to have around, and you get him very early.

 

And trust me, ain't no spider strong enough.... To stop our wonderful monk in the first dungeon , especially not on the low difficulties

Edited August 9, 2016 by Ben No.3

[Slack83er]

I couldn't ever play a fighter, sorry guys, I find them dull and boring... Either monk or paladin, as I can't find a way to build a character that really shines from start to finish. Maybe the clergyman bg with the monk can put some spice into conversations... Or the paladin. Still undecided on which to take... I loved priest but he's too weak at the beginning. I also thought I would do a wood elf and start with bow... Increased accuracy and good damage... Maybe I'll try it... Just to be sure I won't leave something not tried..

[Boeroer]

@ Ben No.3: I agree to most things you say.

 

But the reasons why I recommend a fighter for our beloved noob are already written above. When you can't bring a priest through the tutorial (which I can understand) then it's also likely that a monk is not the best choice for you. Maybe it is nonetheless, but a lot of beginners complain about the monk - that he is a weak class, that they don't get how to play him and so on. A lot of new players seem to need a bit more understanding of the mechanics in order to value the monk.

 

A fighter on the other side is very easy to play and won't give you a headache. It's pretty obvious what works and what not and (that's my main point): he is the most sturdy and forgiving class in the beginning of the game. As some people here may know, fighter is the class I like the least (followed by rogue), because the normal fighter is very "straightforward" (in a somewhat boring way for experts) - but that's no reason to not acknowlegde it's advantages. This is not about my preferences - it's about finding out what might be best for Slack83er's first playthrough.

 

Edit: ROFLMAO: Slacker posted before me while I was typing and destroyed my statement.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Boeroer

[Boeroer]

If fighter is too boring and you played paladins a lot already then take a monk. Put him in heavy armor and take Veteran's Recovery asap (I know I agreed a bit earlier that it might be overkill - but after the experience with the priest I would recommend it again). Should work well. If you take a wood elf then also take The Long Pain at lvl 7 and create a ranged/melee hybrid class (look at the Witch Doctor Build for tricks and inspiration - don't follow it exactly, it's more for PoTD experts). You will get a very versatile monk who is also able to deal the same damage from afar as in melee. You don't need to be in the thick of battle all the time.

 

If you want to be more sturdy, look at the Juggernaut build. That's a build which works on every difficulty setting and doesn't minmax anything. But I wouldn't take Wood Elf then. What is really cool with monks is Moon Godlike. It's really good for your survivability and also gives your party healing. It fits the wound mechanics of the monk beautifully AND the combination of monk + Monn Godlike (= touched by Ondra) has a really cool roleplaying aspect later on in the game (WMII). 

 

In both build despriptions there are also infos about mechanics or how to play a monk.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Boeroer

[Slack83er]

I read the articles you suggested. They are technically very accurate, but they don't describe role play in the least.. For the build you created, that of the long pain, does a wood elf suit? Does his bonus apply to long pain or other ranged targets? Can I pick clergyman as bg and have some more options in dialogue? What stats do I start with?

 

P.s. But with all those bonuses and auras shouldn't the paladin be the most tanky class out there?

Edited August 9, 2016 by Slack83er

[Raven Darkholme]

Ofc pala is most tanky.

With a lot of effort and knowledge you can make priest and wizard more tanky but that includes a lot of spells used and items worn and is endgame only.

Monk is not your style from what I read sorry to repeat myself but pala is more straightforward.

[Slack83er]

Raven why you say no monk? I started playing monk and its absurdly sturdy and easy...

[Raven Darkholme]

Hey if it suits you it's all good.

I love monks.

It's just that monks need to get hurt for wounds and it didn't sound like something you would do, if I was wrong it's awesome enjoy.

[Ben No.3]

@slack83er do you mind posting your character's gender, race and background? It's just that I find characterlore quite interesting....

Does he worship skaen though?

[Dr <3]

Raven why you say no monk? I started playing monk and its absurdly sturdy and easy...

Go on playing monk, you have my blessing

[Ben No.3]

Also @ Boeroer: for the same reason I'm gonna ask you: did you actually use the guy in your portrait as a character? If so, what was his class, background?

[Abel]

Raven why you say no monk? I started playing monk and its absurdly sturdy and easy...

 

I'm not a monk specialist, but from what i understand, you need at least some understanding of some advanced game mechanics in order to use their abilities at their fullest (though you may have some time to learn before you reach the level where you can pick these abilities). Monks need to be injured in combat in order to be able to use these abilities. And they are better off using their fists or dual wielding. Which ultimately means they may be the most powerfull as half-squishie melee fighters (light or medium armor, no shield). You can use shields or plate armors. But i'm unsure if it's really a good way to use them at their fullest. Others will know better. The advantage he has over the priest is that he has much more health and endurance.

 

But if you can get past the prologue with a monk, then just try monk. The most important is that you have fun. You will be able to pick several companions along the road. It will be a great opportunity to learn the basics of their respective classes. And maybe you will find one that you like better than others. It's all i wish for you.

[Slack83er]

I've played for a while trying paladin. He's tanky no doubt. All the prologue done and no injuries at all. The ability he gets at first level, flames of devotion is really strong.. I wonder if there's a single way to build it... or also for example a hybrid ranged/melee... dunno... any of you knows something about pally? What race suits best? I tried moon godlike... but taking no damage, maybe it's not the best...

[Ben No.3]

Are you referring to a paladin or a monk? Because I don't see how taking no damage should hurt a paladin (also I don't see how you are taking no damage, it's more about taking and them regenerating, which makes the race such a strong choice for a monk)

[Ben No.3]

About the hybrid character though...

Well, the wizard can summon some quite powerful melee weapons, one of them from lvl 1, and he has some quite potent self buffs. Also he can become very powerful when ranged due to special abilities with wands/scepters/rods as well as an spell called kalakthos (?) minor blights and one which lets you summon a powerful bow (very late).

If you want to focus more on physical damage, perhaps a rouge? Weapon focus ruffian seems to be a strong choice... It gives you access to both blunderbuss and sabres which are quite good for a rouge... Backstabbing blunderbuss continue to dual sabre

The ruffian group is also a good choice for ciphers. However, all of these characters tend to be quite squishy.

Perhaps a ranger? Due to the animal companion it is an melee/ranged hybrid anyway, and at least some companions can tank (thinking of bear and antelope). If you want you can even build a melee ranger. But again, without the companion the ranger himself is quite squishy

[Boeroer]

Also @ Boeroer: for the same reason I'm gonna ask you: did you actually use the guy in your portrait as a character? If so, what was his class, background?

It was my first rogue mc - first PotD run. He was a hearth orlan with Hours of St. Rumbalt - focused on critical hits. He worked really well - for a rogue.

 

I can't remember the cultural bg. It was too long (and too many runs) ago. I only know that he could prone-lock enemies and that there were no immunities to anything back then...