The best frontman

[Slack83er]

...though of course you need to establish such dispositions beforehand for a non-paladin.

Bingo.

 

Anyway... I realize that the game is just this way, and my rantings won't change it.. So if a kind soul of you would help me build a character (preferably unique enough) to enjoy this game, you'll have my eternal gratitude

[smjjames]

 

...though of course you need to establish such dispositions beforehand for a non-paladin.

Bingo.

 

Anyway... I realize that the game is just this way, and my rantings won't change it.. So if a kind soul of you would help me build a character (preferably unique enough) to enjoy this game, you'll have my eternal gratitude

 

All anybody can do is point you to the stickied list of builds or you just look around in this section. There is no single absolute best way to build a character. Due to the way the game is designed, there are many ways that are quite successful. The only person that can build a character that you enjoy is you, though people can help if you set some things that you want in the character.

 

As for trying to do something that covers all possibilities at once, there is literally no way to do that without using console commands.

 

Sounds like the system in PoE2 is going to be more flexible, but it's certainly going to be a different system in there.

[Slack83er]

Well..I know what I would like.

Main points are:

Very speedy-attacking character.

General feel of a leader.. not necessarily a paladin.

Excellent talking skills.

Better if it's also quite tanky. Either deflecting or armored..

Generally oriented towards good alignment.

Non casting class.

And finally.. as you may have understood, I like unusual combinations.. so yes to strange characters like godlikes for example.

Edited May 14, 2017 by Slack83er

[smjjames]

Well..I know what I would like.

Main points are:

Very speedy-attacking character.

Excellent talking skills.

Better if it's also quite tanky. Either deflecting or armored..

Generally oriented towards good alignment.

Non casting class.

And finally.. add you may have understood, I like unusual combinations.. so yes to strange characters like godlikes for example.

 

Speedy attacking: Well, theres a few classes which have abilities that boost attack speed or dual wield the fast speed weapons.

 

excellent talking skills: You're going to have to define this because charisma isn't a thing.

 

also quite tanky: Not sure if you can have speedy attacking while tanky at the same time, I mean there's going to be more of a middle ground due to armor penalty. Theres people who understand character building better than I do who could answer that question.

 

non-casting: The 'traidtional' casting classes are druid, wizard, priest, and chanters (PoEs version of bards). While ciphers are open to interpretation of 'casting class'. However, if you go by the strict definition, that kind of restricts you to maybe rogue, barbarian, and monk (depending on whether you interpret 'the long pain' as casting magic or not). Rangers have one magic ability that seems like it should be a druid ability. Fighers do have two or three things that affect allies, but I don't know if you'd call that 'casting' or not. Paladins meanwhile, have lay on hands and a bunch of ally affecting AoEs.

Edited May 14, 2017 by smjjames

[Slack83er]

 

Speedy attacking: Well, theres a few classes which have abilities that boost attack speed or dual wield the fast speed weapons.

 

excellent talking skills: You're going to have to define this because charisma isn't a thing.

 

also quite tanky: Not sure if you can have speedy attacking while tanky at the same time, I mean there's going to be more of a middle ground. Theres people who understand character building better than I do who could answer that question.

 

non-casting: The 'traidtional' casting classes are druid, wizard, priest, and chanters (PoEs version of bards). While ciphers are open to interpretation of 'casting class'. However, if you go by the strict definition, that kind of restricts you to maybe rogue, barbarian, and monk (depending on whether you interpret 'the long pain' as casting magic or not). Rangers have one magic ability that seems like it should be a druid ability. Fighers do have two or three things that affect allies, but I don't know if you'd call that 'casting' or not. Paladins meanwhile, have lay on hands and a bunch of ally affecting AoEs.

 

So, one at a time:

 

Dual wielding is an option.

Charisma doesn't exist, I know. Let's just say I'd like at least 2 stats which improve talking, the first being Res.

I know I can't be extra speedy while tanking. Let's just say the 2 weapons can really help mitigate the armor penalty, and perhaps a high dexterity also helps..

For "non casting" I mean the traditional casting classes, those whose only increasing abilities each level are new spells. Everything else is ok.

[Blades of Vanatar]

Just go with a high Might/Int Hearth Orlan Fighter. He will heal quickly with his Recovery abilities, desk decent damage, tank and his high Int gives you good talking skill. Plus H Orlans get bonus for attacking the same enemy as his allies. Go dual wield for your speed need. I would dual wield spear with another Peasant weapon so you can use Cladhiliath. It is a unique spear that you can upgrade in many different ways. It's probably my favorite weapon in the whole game. Pair it with a hatchet like Hearth's Harvest. You can do this and still wear heavy armor. Add either Sanguine Plate or the cross class Barb Frenzy talent for even more speed. Then take two weapon style and durganize at the Battery. Bam!

[Slack83er]

Interesting... a tank that exploits the fact that another fighter is doing damage. I like it. What shall I give apart from might and intelligence? Does he need deflection from Res? Constitution?

[Belfaldurnik]

Belf, you haven't caught the meaning of my quoted post.

 

Don't be so sure about that. I could have truncated the quote even further to "Dialogue should follow my morale" and reply to that. It doesn't make a difference. There are various dialogue options depending on class, race, cultural background, reputation, disposition rank, attributes, chosen god, paladin order, possibly not limited to those.

 

There are only few class-specific dialogue options in the game. A very few for Fighters. A few more for Ciphers, because being a Cipher has implications. And there's nothing wrong with that, if these are options for you, the PLAYER. If you want to discuss what's bad about class-specific dialogue options, let's discuss specific examples.

 

Let's just think at Aufra, Calisca's sister. You get the option of helping her out in a particular way if you're a paladin. Why can't I act with chivalry even if I'm a rogue? Yes yes, I can help her nonetheless, but the dialogue is different. This is what I don't like. A proper rpg should give you the possibility of different attitudes...like angry, chivalrous, covetous or the like. (Dragon age comes to mind) But here the game states that if you're not a paladin you can't be chivalrous. That's sticking a label on a character. So, to sum it up, you are talking about races, which is something I can agree with you on. I'm talking about classes. The only thing that defines who you are, or what you do in this game.

 

That's much too vague for me. I know that quest. I've done it dozens of times with various classes. What exactly is offered if you're a Paladin? And for which Paladin order is it?

 

That dialogue gives you plenty of options, regardless of your class. There is no reason to be "angry", and "angry" is not one of the disposition ranks the game offers, but certainly there are the "Cruel/Aggressive" options during this side-quest, too. It's offered regardless of class.

 

Charisma doesn't exist, I know. Let's just say I'd like at least 2 stats which improve talking, the first being Res.

 

With RES 20 you can cover a lot, not limited to benevolent options and peaceful resolution of conflicts. It also covers some deceptive choices. High INT and high PER lead to some options, too.

 

I know I can't be extra speedy while tanking.

 

Fighters and Monks certainly can do it. Cannot say it often enough, trying to build an unhittable heavy armored meat-shield, will make that character more of a hindrance.

Edited May 14, 2017 by Belfaldurnik

[Slack83er]

So you agree with the character idea blades gave me before?

[Belfaldurnik]

Well, you are still afraid of gaining personal hands on experience. There must be some reason that explains why. You refer to Aufra, an early side-quest, which means you know a tiny bit of the game, but it still looks like you're hoping for one specific "build" to finish the game with once and then be done with it. What a pity!

 

You're also not sure yet which difficulty level to turn on, but the difficulty mode may influence your build/party requirements.

 

About the idea from "Blades of Vanatar": There are tons of ways how to play the game and be successful and have fun, too. The bonus Hearth Orlans get converts some hits into crits, so you would benefit from using a weapon that adds something for crits. And if aiming at doing crits in general, you may want to run with high PER and use one single-handed weapon only for the +12 Accuracy bonus. Something I've pointed out in Steam's PoE forum often, Fighters are durable enough as to survive even with reduced CON/RES due to regeneration, very high base Deflection and various options to increase Deflection beyond the per level bonus. They don't even need high MIG, if you give them a Sabre (and other Ruffian weapons as fallbacks) or some two-hander. There are enough options to increase MIG via items. And high INT indeed can be really nice for duration of knock-down and several cross-class talents. Extra Knock-down and Charge are among my favorite Fighter talents. And one thing for sure, I favor quick warriors with high DEX.

Edited May 14, 2017 by Belfaldurnik

[Boeroer]

By the way: the mechanics skill does nothing for seal spells' accuracy.

[Slack83er]

The idea of an intelligent warrior appeals me tbh. I've played almost until defiance bay and reclaimed caed nua. The orlan is kinda exotic, another reason to choose him. Dexterity is OK for me as I always like finesse over brute force.

[smjjames]

You don't really need high perception, I find that 14 or 15 (or 16 maybe) actually covers most instances of it appearing in conversation. Since you can get a cloak with +3 perception (Lilith's shawl, in a chest in the lighthouse) pretty early, you can get away with 12 perception and add the cloak bonus to that.

[scythesong]

14 is a magic number for a lot of things really, especially in party play where you have plenty of extra sources of stat boosts.

[Blades of Vanatar]

Fighters have top notch class based ACC. Per is not critical. Between equipment and Caed Nua rest bonuses you are covered. Add in food and done deal. With abilities-talents-equipment in this game you can speed up without high Dex as well.

 

Just play the game my friend....

[Slack83er]

Ok I'll try to build this character as per your advices. I'll keep the stats in a range between 10 and 15.. and see what happens. Thanks to all of you.

[Belfaldurnik]

You don't really need high perception, I find that 14 or 15 (or 16 maybe) actually covers most instances of it appearing in conversation. Since you can get a cloak with +3 perception (Lilith's shawl, in a chest in the lighthouse) pretty early, you can get away with 12 perception and add the cloak bonus to that.

 

Truth be told, there are no strict requirements for anything to finish the game.

 

And still there are some options for PER 19 and even RES 20 in the game. Or a soulbound weapon you may only equip with MIG 28, which involves getting a variety of MIG bonuses, especially if you want to use that weapon not only temporarily. Just as there are traps/locks with difficulty 15, which require very high Mechanics. Again, you cannot create a character to cover all options in this game.

 

But yes, if you work with attribute bonuses from equipment and resting, you don't need to give the character very high starting attributes. 12 isn't much, however, and requires plenty of bonuses to reach 18-20.

[Livegood118]

I haven't read the thread but it strikes me that you could probably do this with a 2H Fighter build fairly easily:

 

Might: 15

Con: 10

Dex: 10

Per: 15

Int: 15

Res: 15

 

Then use the Int Bonus from the Stronghold (I have this on 90% of the game), the +3 Res Ring and Lilith's Shawl for +3 Per (gives +1 stealth)/+4 Perception Cloak.

 

Tidefall/Blade of the Endless Paths (Grants +10 accuracy bonus to other closest attacker), Sanguine Plate (Enchant for Might), Shod in Faith, Girdle of Mortal Protection, Gloves of Swift Action/Gloves of the Mechanic on Switch. 

 

Talents: 2H Style, Apprentice Sneak, Savage Attack, Rapid Recovery, Superior Deflection, Weapon Focus, Weapon Mastery, Enigma's Charm (or something else, you can use Munaca Arret for 3x per day)

Abilities: Disciplined Barrage, Confident Aim, Weapon Specialisation, Vigorous Defence, Armoured Grace, Unbending, Charge, Triggered Immunity

 

1 point in to survival (+2 from Sanguine plate, +1 from fighter) will mean you can get accuracy bonus, 2-3 in stealth, then rest in to Mechanics. Durganise everything.

 

With equip/set-up I suggested you'll get:

 

17 Might

10 Con

10 Dex

18 Per

18 Int

18 Res

 

Edit: Hours of St. Rumbalt and Doemenel/Other crit talents probably worth considering too given your high accuracy and synergy with annihilating

Edited May 15, 2017 by Livegood118

[Slack83er]

But will it be quick even with 2h weapon?

[Livegood118]

But will it be quick even with 2h weapon?

 

 

https://naijaro.github.io/poe-speed-calculator/

 

With the Blade of the endless paths you'll attack very fast – Frenzy from Sanguine Plate, Gloves of Swift Action, Durgan Steel, Armoured Grace and the Speed Enchant on the weapon combine to minimise your recovery to about 95%. With the ring of thorns for +3 Dex and preservation, which you should probably wear you'll attack every 34.3f which is about once a second under Frenzy. This is in full plate that looks pretty snazzy.

 

Rumbalt and Tidefall will not be quite as fast but faster than most characters. 50 frame cycle, so about once every 1.6 seconds. Tidefall is typically better vs. high DR targets, Rumbalt is nice for the prone. The choice is up to you. I personally leave CC to my mage chars and like the extra speed of BotEP.

 

Either way you're going to be hitting like a truck and very difficult to go down.

[Livegood118]

Of course, in the very tough fights you should always be drinking a potion of deleterious alacrity of motion anyway so in that case ole' Tidefall would have the definite advantage in terms of damage.

Edited May 15, 2017 by Livegood118

[Slack83er]

Ok, and all this with the little Orlan

Since I will be using different weapons, what weapon focus should I choose? For Tidefall or for the Estoc?

[Livegood118]

Ok, and all this with the little Orlan

Since I will be using different weapons, what weapon focus should I choose? For Tidefall or for the Estoc?

 

 

It's up to you.

 

For Estocs you need weapon focus adventurer and would typically go for Drake's Bell early and then BotEP later on when you can do the deeper levels of the endless paths.

 

Greatswords are weapon focus Soldier. Tidefall can be gotten around level 6 if you're good, otherwise Rumbalt is purchasable at the Shop in Dyrford around the same time and can be used until you get Tidefall.

 

Both are equally good imo. Personally, I think it's a good idea to go for Greatswords in the early game and then re-spec to Estocs once you get BotEP. It just hits so fast.

Edited May 15, 2017 by Livegood118

[Slack83er]

Oh right I can respect later.. last question is: con and dex at 10 will be OK throughout the whole game? Or will I need to rise them?

[Livegood118]

It'll be totally fine. Don't worry about it.