My 1st PotD group: A new Middle Earth Fellowship

[Lampros]

Okay, after much theory-crafting and nagging forum veterans, I have finally decided on my 1st PotD group. Hooray! For this run, I wanted to create a Middle Earth-themed group that tracked the lore as close as possible and still retain some gameplay viability.

 

At the moment, the primary worry is that the group may be too melee-heavy (4 of them), and I may not be able to reach enemy casters quickly enough. Originally, I was going to have a balanced 3 melee/3 ranged set-up, but at the last minute I decided to change the ranged Chanter to a Chanter tank, because I did not think Dragon Thrashed - as well as nuke Invocations - would reach every enemy from the back row. But I did compensate for the excessive melee focus by ensuring that every melee was capable of either massive AoE or CC. But if you guys do not think this kind of melee concentration is still not viable for a 1st PotD run, then perhaps I can revert.

 

So this is a very rough outline, and please let me know if something is off:

 

Player Character: Aragorn the Human Paladin

Inspiration: Blunderboss' Bleak Walker (only notable difference is that this guy is Wayfarer). Played this guy before and loved it.

Role: 1st line melee DPS; AoE DPS after level 13 (Sacred Immolation); the usual Paladin aura/heal/cure support (Zealous Focus, Critical Focus, Coordinated Attacks, Lay on Hands, Strange Mercy, Liberation Exhortation)

Notable gear: I am likely going Bittercut on the main hand, and either Resolution, Purgatory, or the dagger/rapier options Boerer suggested elsewhere.

 

Gimli the Boreal Dwarf Fighter

Inspiration: Roughly AndreaColombo's the Lady of Pain (with some departure, such as the decision to dual wield). New build for me.

Role: 1st line melee DPS; some crowd control (multiple Knockdowns, Clear Out, will likely have We Toki)

Notable gear: Gimli really can only be limited to battle axes and hatchets in the lore context, and I am not doing hatchets on a DPS guy. So I guess Rimecutter, We Toki, etc.? I may give him some lore latitutude and consider a back-up pike, since Middle Earth Dwarves clearly fight with them.

 

Elrond the Pale Elf Chanter

Inspiration: Identical to Boerer's Drake Ambassador, except I don't take the theme as far (so Pale Elf, and I use some different gear). Very successful in prior playthrough, albeit at Normal.

Role: 1st line tank; AoE DPS after level 9 (Dragon Thrashed)

Notable gear: Sheathed in Autumn (really only weapon choice that fits both the lore and in-game role), shield will probably be Little Savior for the Herald bonus

 

Glorfindel the Pale Elf Barbarian

Inspiration: I couldn't find an actual Tall Grass Barbarian build, but I have read a lot of people refer to it, and I can sort of guess the set up. Never played Barbarian before or even seriously considered it until a few minutes ago!

Role: 2nd line AoE DPS and CC (Tall Grass Carnage/HoF spams);protector for 3rd line squishies?

Notable gear: Tall Grass obviously. The lore is not clear on what weapon Glorfindel used, so I am really being liberal here, but I felt I needed a Barbarian for both the AoE DPS and CC.

 

Gandalf the Moon Godlike Wizard

Inspiration: Boerer's Zeblastian Hurtstacker. Another Boerer build I played and loved.

Role: 3d line ranged DPS; CC (I guess I have to micro more for PotD, but I am only going to likely do foe-only casts still, LOL!)

Notable gear: Golden Gaze

 

Galadriel the Wood Elf Priest

Inspiration: I am paranoid about the need to have as much CC as possible in PotD, so I just wanted a Wael Priest that works with Rod of Pale Shades' stun. Priest build is probably the most straightforward build, with least individual variation, anyways.

Role: 3rd liner and the usual jack-of-all-trades Priest stuff except heightened stress on CC via Rod of Pale Shades stuns.

Notable gear: Rod of Pale Shades

 

Comments and advice, as usual, devoutly solicited.

 

Edit: I lost the save due to the stupid bugged game, after achieving level 6.

 

A new party composition this time:

 

The tall Grass Barbarian is getting dropped; he's getting replaced by a ranged Rogue who will use Borresaine and likely switch to Stormcaller later (unless people tell me that Borresaine is better). 4 melees was simply too difficult to manage. More important, I needed a ranged auto-attacker to take out or disable enemy casters fast. Finally, I am assuming the Ranger can wholly replace the Barbarian's AoE damage and CC role in addition to getting to the enemy ranged more quickly.

 

Also, the Chanter tank is getting moved to the Tall Grass role. I do not want 3 melees on the first-line.

 

So this is how it now looks:

 

1st line: Aragorn the Tidefall Paladin (will go Outworn Buckler/Shatterstar for more difficult fights); Gimli the dual war hammer Fighter

 

2nd line: Elrond the Tall Grass Chanter

 

3rd line: Legolas the Rogue (should he go on the 2nd line, too?); Galadriel the Wizard (Gandalf gets dropped, because we need more females to satisfy the men in the crew); Arwen the Priest.

 

Edit 2: A new party after wiping at Longwatch Falls with the above party at level 10:

 

So having been brutally gang-banged and wiping at Longwatch Falls after pulling two Laguafaeth groups, I am going to adjust my team a bit and try a third group. I am dumping the horrid ranged Rogue (Legolas) and replacing him with another Paladin - a mid-liner who will get Tall Grass.

 

So this is the new group:

 

1st line:

 

Aragorn the Paladin (Tidefall 2H)

 

Gimli the Fighter (Shatterstar/Godansthunyr dual-wield)

 

2nd line:

 

Elrond the Paladin (Tall Grass)

 

Gandalf the Chanter (Llawran's Stick or duplicated Tall Grass)

 

3rd line:

 

Galadriel the Wizard (Golden Gaze?)

 

Arwen the Priest (Gyrd?; she might also go 1H/shield and move to the 2nd line)

Edited September 28, 2017 by Lampros

[Derrick]

This class combination is very similar to my first POTD run except that I had a cipher instead of wizard as ranged dps/cc. 4 melee party is more than valid in my opinion. I always run 4-5 melee party with 2 tanks, 2 dps and sometimes 1 melee caster. Don't mention that your barb with reach weapon can only be counted as half melee. Yes I agree reaching enemy back line could be an issue for a melee heavy party. But once the fighter gets charge at level 13, this will be less of a problem.

[MaxQuest]

Gandalf is more of a melee wizard, dual-wielding longsword and a staff. Since there is no "Titan/Monkey Grip" in this game, he could use just a staff, and go for the midline-citzal route)

 

Also how could you miss the hobbits

A pair of ranged hearth orlans rogues or rogue + cipher...

 

P.S. And if you'd want to fit Legolas somewhere in there, he could be a ranger... yes with a bear called Gimli)

[JerekKruger]

My only comment is that half of your characters weren't part of the Fellowship, and one died long before the Fellowship even formed

[MaxQuest]

and one died long before the Fellowship even formed

There were two Glorfindels iirc

 

P.S. Just read that Glorfindel was intended to be a member of the Fellowship in the very first draft. But Legolas replaced him later.

Edited September 20, 2017 by MaxQuest

[JerekKruger]

There were two Glorfindels iirc

 

Apparently there were, but then Tolkien later retconned them to be the same person. The fact that the earlier one was killed was explained away by him being reembodied.

 

P.S. Just read that Glorfindel was intended to be a member of the Fellowship in the very first draft. But Legolas replaced him later.

 

Man, he can't have been much good if Legolas replaced him

Edited September 20, 2017 by JerekKruger

[Lampros]

Gandalf is more of a melee wizard, dual-wielding longsword and a staff. Since there is no "Titan/Monkey Grip" in this game, he could use just a staff, and go for the midline-citzal route)

 

Also how could you miss the hobbits

A pair of ranged hearth orlans rogues or rogue + cipher...

 

P.S. And if you'd want to fit Legolas somewhere in there, he could be a ranger... yes with a bear called Gimli)

 

I know, but game-play realities ensured that there couldn't be an exact duplication of lore. There is simply no way to create a dual wield staff/sword character. Besides, if lore and game-play efficiency conflict, I am going to choose efficiency, and there was no way I was going to have 5 melees!

 

As for Hobbits, I am not a fan of them at all, and none of them were really much of fighters anyways

 

Aside from lore, would this group work okay in PotD? None of you addressed that part.

 

My only comment is that half of your characters weren't part of the Fellowship, and one died long before the Fellowship even formed

 

It's a "new" fellowship for a reason!

 

Once again, could this group handle PotD? More specifically, do I need to reduce the number of melees?

Edited September 20, 2017 by Lampros

[JerekKruger]

Heh sorry, was just joking.

 

I suspect no one has directly answered your question because the answer is "yes, definitely!" In the hands of an decent player this group will not only handle PotD, it'll destroy it. This isn't to say you'll find PotD easy yourself, since it'll be your first try, but generally speaking using a full custom party with well built characters make PotD fairly easy. That's the reason I restrict myself to the in game companions, and why a lot of the better players here run solo, or at least use fewer than the full compliment of companions.

[MaxQuest]

Aside from lore, would this group work okay in PotD? None of you addressed that part.

It will. You have 3 characters that can solo the game: Aragorn, Elrond and Galadriel. Together + the help of 3 others they have enough potential to securely beat the game.

 

Once again, could this group handle PotD? More specifically, do I need to reduce the number of melees?

The thing about building a party for PotD is not to make a party that would beat the game, but to make a group that would do so in the fastest + less-coming-back-for-resting manner.

 

Your party lacks reliable per-encounter cc. If you would switch one melee for one ranged, it will be harder to keep enemies from running towards your squishies. Ofc there still remains the problem of fighting in doorways. In this case give your barb a reach melee weapon (e.g. Tall Grass), and your paladin an arquebuss; for their offsets.

 

Man, he can't have been much good if Legolas replaced him

It made me remember BFME. Glorfindel was great. But damn, when you were looking at post-game stats, Legolas was a true machinegun of death. Edited September 20, 2017 by MaxQuest

[Lampros]

Heh sorry, was just joking.

 

I suspect no one has directly answered your question because the answer is "yes, definitely!" In the hands of an decent player this group will not only handle PotD, it'll destroy it. This isn't to say you'll find PotD easy yourself, since it'll be your first try, but generally speaking using a full custom party with well built characters make PotD fairly easy. That's the reason I restrict myself to the in game companions, and why a lot of the better players here run solo, or at least use fewer than the full compliment of companions.

 

Hmmm, so I don't need to reduce the melee focus and have another ranged? My main concern was unable to deal with the enemy backrow quickly enough - especially enemy ranged CC. MaxQuest in another thread said a hard CC specialist is needed for PotD, and I am not sure if Wizard can do it, since his CC is short-ranged and tends to be slow. But I guess I can give my front-liner something like Munacra?

[Lampros]

 

Aside from lore, would this group work okay in PotD? None of you addressed that part.

It will. You have 3 characters that can solo the game: Aragorn, Elrond and Galadriel. Together + the help of 3 others they have enough potential to securely beat the game.

 

Once again, could this group handle PotD? More specifically, do I need to reduce the number of melees?

The thing about building a party for PotD is not to make a party that would beat the game, but to make a group that would do so in the fastest + less-coming-back-for-resting manner.

 

Your party lacks reliable per-encounter cc. If you would switch one melee for one ranged, it will be harder to keep enemies from running towards your squishies. Ofc there still remains the problem of fighting in doorways. In this case give your barb a reach melee weapon (e.g. Tall Grass), and your paladin an arquebuss; for their offsets.

 

 

Yes, the CC issue was mentioned by you in another thread for PotD runs, and that is my biggest concern here, too. I guess I could give my front-liners trinkets that cast CC spells? Like Munacra?

 

My Barbarian will play with Tall Grass, but I didn't know what to do with the other melees for the door fights (assuming I will still have 1 idler since more than 2 cannot fit into a door). But I will equip my Paladin with a re-loading weapon now - as his FotD shots will benefit immensely from them. Thanks!

Edited September 20, 2017 by Lampros

[JerekKruger]

Hmmm, so I don't need to reduce the melee focus and have another ranged? My main concern was unable to deal with the enemy backrow quickly enough - especially enemy ranged CC. MaxQuest in another thread said a hard CC specialist is needed for PotD, and I am not sure if Wizard can do it, since his CC is short-ranged and tends to be slow. But I guess I can give my front-liner something like Munacra?

 

As Max said, several of your characters can solo PotD. You might go faster/have an easier time if you go with a different setup but this one isn't going to struggle.

[MaxQuest]

Hmmm, so I don't need to reduce the melee focus and have another ranged? My main concern was unable to deal with the enemy backrow quickly enough - especially enemy ranged CC. MaxQuest in another thread said a hard CC specialist is needed for PotD, and I am not sure if Wizard can do it, since his CC is short-ranged and tends to be slow. But I guess I can give my front-liner something like Munacra?

Sigh, so I guess I do need a CC archer (Ranger or Borresaine user, etc.) or Cipher after all for PotD? Goddamn, do I need to redraw my group again?

It's a matter of preferred playstyle.

My preference goes to lots-of-cc + high-dps party.

But I know that there also players who prefer a sturdy wall of melees + priest backup; wearing enemies slowly but inevitably so to say.

 

So just try different approaches and see what suits your taste)

Edited September 20, 2017 by MaxQuest

[Lampros]

 

Hmmm, so I don't need to reduce the melee focus and have another ranged? My main concern was unable to deal with the enemy backrow quickly enough - especially enemy ranged CC. MaxQuest in another thread said a hard CC specialist is needed for PotD, and I am not sure if Wizard can do it, since his CC is short-ranged and tends to be slow. But I guess I can give my front-liner something like Munacra?

Sigh, so I guess I do need a CC archer (Ranger or Borresaine user, etc.) or Cipher after all for PotD? Goddamn, do I need to redraw my group again?

It's a matter of preferred playstyle.

My preference goes to lots-of-cc + high-dps party.

But I know that there also players who prefer a sturdy wall of melees + priest backup; wearing enemies slowly but inevitably so to say.

 

So just try different approaches and see what suits your taste)

 

 

Ok, I will jump in and see. I am a melee-centric player, so I dislike playing casters and ranged in general for RPGs. So I am comfortable with this kind of melee-heavy set-up, but the one nagging issue is how much difficulty I had with enemy ranged CC users - especially enemy charmers - and I might have trouble getting them down fast.

 

As for the Paladin using back-up gun: Do I need to give my Paladin a talent or item to reduce weapon switch lag - or can I just ignore the weapon switch lag issue, since I will only use the gun for door fights?

[Lampros]

I am also thinking of duplicating the Rod of Pale Shades and giving them to both my Wizard and Priest. I still need to crit before I can stun, but that may reduce the CC problem a bit - in combination with front-liners having CC trinkets like Munacra.

[MaxQuest]

but the one nagging issue is how much difficulty I had with enemy ranged CC users - especially enemy charmers - and I might have trouble getting them down fast.

Until you get respective scrolls and prayers of protection, you can invest into Aegis of Loyalty + Righteous Soul + Executioner's Hood/Redfield.

Also specifically for such fights you can take a sceptre/wand/hunting bow in your offset. So if anyone is getting charmed/dominated you can attack him from distance and dispel it immediately.

 

As for the Paladin using back-up gun: Do I need to give my Paladin a talent or item to reduce weapon switch lag - or can I just ignore the weapon switch lag issue, since I will only use the gun for door fights?

Depends. If you want to micro/alpha-strike with your paladin in every fight - go for it. Otherwise don't bother)

 

I am also thinking of duplicating the Rod of Pale Shades and giving them to both my Wizard and Priest. I still need to crit before I can stun, but that may reduce the CC problem a bit - in combination with front-liners having CC trinkets like Munacra.

You can also take a look at Gyrd Háewanes Sténes. Edited September 20, 2017 by MaxQuest

[Lampros]

 

but the one nagging issue is how much difficulty I had with enemy ranged CC users - especially enemy charmers - and I might have trouble getting them down fast.

Until you get respective scrolls and prayers of protection, you can invest into Aegis of Loyalty + Righteous Soul + Executioner's Hood/Redfield.

Also specifically for such fights you can take a sceptre/wand/hunting bow in your offset. So if anyone is getting charmed/dominated you can attack him from distance and dispel it immediately.

 

As for the Paladin using back-up gun: Do I need to give my Paladin a talent or item to reduce weapon switch lag - or can I just ignore the weapon switch lag issue, since I will only use the gun for door fights?

Depends. If you want to micro/alpha-strike with your paladin in every fight - go for it. Otherwise don't bother)

 

I am also thinking of duplicating the Rod of Pale Shades and giving them to both my Wizard and Priest. I still need to crit before I can stun, but that may reduce the CC problem a bit - in combination with front-liners having CC trinkets like Munacra.

You can also take a look at Gyrd Háewanes Sténes.

 

 

Yup; I am definitely taking both Righteous Soul and Aegis of Loyalty ASAP. Thanks for the quick ranged weapon suggestion - I will take that up.

 

I will also likely get the Gyrd as well. I have to use it before I get Pale Shades anyways.

[Lampros]

I started. And goddamn, even keeping Heodan alive in the opening scene was a bitch. Everyone jumped him, and I had to kite him forever to get enemies off of him. I cannot wait till level 9 and especially 13!

[Blades of Vanatar]

Glorfindel the Barbarian? Tsk..Tsk.. very disappointing.

[Lampros]

Glorfindel the Barbarian? Tsk..Tsk.. very disappointing.

 

Compromise between lore and game-play efficiency was inevitable! I just could not come up with a spear/pike Barbarian figure from Middle Earth. Perhaps Glorfindel "discovered" Aeglos; and he is sort of more aloof or mysterious than the other Elves we encounter. Okay, I am stretching it.

 

I am still in Ciliant Lis, so maybe I can change? I could make Gimli a dual wield Barbarian instead of a dual wield Fighter and stick a 2nd Chanter as a Tall Grass 2nd-liner. But Tall Grass seems the most effective for a Barbarian - and frankly only truly effective for a Barbarian. And I really want a Tall Grass character on the 2nd line as a link between the front-line melees and the 3rd line squishies.

 

Anyways, I can already see I need a lot more Accuracy later. My DW Paladin has like 31 percent hit chance against the big spider in Cliant Lis. WTF? Maybe I should have given him more Perception. I had 18 Might, 10 Constitution, 10 Dexterity, 12 Perception, 18 Intelligence, and 10 Resolve. I didn't want to dump any stat. Maybe reduce Might to 16 and increase Perception to 14? Also, will 10 Dexterity be a problem later, even if I have a lot of speed buffs?

[Lampros]

I am finally out of the opening ruins and the first town. I have 1100 gold after selling everything. So I need to come up with another 140 gold running around and picking up flowers to be able to recruit 5 custom companions in one go...

 

Edit: Never mind. I can sell Gaun's Pledge; I don't need more heals as a Paladin with Lay on Hands and Strange Mercy anyways. Now I am really off to the unknown, playing 2 classes I am not too familiar with (Fighter and Barbarian). Autopsy reports soon?

Edited September 20, 2017 by Lampros

[JerekKruger]

You should sell as much as possible to Heodan at the start of the game, he gives the best prices. Gaun's Pledge alone sells for around 1000 to him.

[Lampros]

You should sell as much as possible to Heodan at the start of the game, he gives the best prices. Gaun's Pledge alone sells for around 1000 to him.

 

OMG, I did no know. Fug. Maybe I should re-start and recruit everyone when I am level 3, so I can save some XP points.

 

But then, it would be painful to keep Heodan alive again

[Lampros]

By the way, if I do re-start, is Perception 12 that I am planning for both Paladin and Fighter too low for PotD? I will get Zealous Focus and the Priest talent that buffs Accuracy as well later.

[Lampros]

You should sell as much as possible to Heodan at the start of the game, he gives the best prices. Gaun's Pledge alone sells for around 1000 to him.

 

Over 1500 in my game! Damn. I think I can get level 5 level 2 characters right away.