Party Optimization for PotD; 1st Attempt

[Ascaloth]

So I'm currently in a PotD run using the story companions, and once I'm done with that, I'll dive in for another run using a whole party of custom adventurers. To that effect, I've been planning ahead for the party composition and builds in advance, and at this point I think I've optimized it as far as my experience with the game can let me go.

 

Thus, now is the time to put it forward so that the real experts at PoE can look it over. If you all can point out anything I've overlooked, or suggest better ways of doing what I'm planning, it'll be much appreciated.

 

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The Watcher of Caed Nua

 

Race: Ocean Folk

Class: Paladin (Darcozzi Paladini)

Culture: Old Vailia

Background: Aristocrat (+2 Lore)

Attributes

MIG: 10

CON: 10

DEX: 10

PER: 10

INT: 19

RES: 19

Abilities

Flames of Devotion

Zealous Focus

Liberating Exhortation

Aegis of Loyalty

Righteous Soul

Reviving Exhortation

Sacred Immolation

 

Talents

Fires of Darcozzi Palace

Critical Focus

Inspiring Liberation

Weapon and Shield Style

Deep Faith

Weapon Focus: Knight

Scion of Flame

 

Weapons

1. Shame or Glory (Valiant, Marking) - Outworn Buckler (Herald)

2. St. Ydwen’s Redeemer (Soulbound, Destroys Spirits)

Armor

 

He Carries Many Scars (1.5x DR when <25% Endurance, Endurance Regeneration +1)

 

Equipment

Head - +3 MGT: Garodh’s Chorus (Retaliation)

Neck - +3 RES: Shroud of Mourning (+3 DR against: Corrode, Freeze)

Finger - Gathbin Family Signet (Overseeing, Lord’s Authority)

Finger - +3 DEX: Ring of Thorns (Reflex +5, Preservation)

Arms - Ryona’s Vambraces (+5% Misses to Grazes, 3 DR bypass, +5 DR: Slash)

Waist - +3 CON: Girdle of Eoten Constitution

Feet - Boots of Zealous Command (+20% Zealous Aura AoE)

 

This Watcher is flexible enough to do almost everything to a decent extent. She can tank, she can increase ACC for her party members as necessary, she can get fallen party members back on their feet and fighting again, she can debuff the enemy with her Watcher abilities, she can laugh at enemy attempts to mess with her mind, and she can dope slap the dumbos on her side who did let themselves get Confused or Dominated. She can even make a significant contribute to the party DPS by the endgame.

 

On the other hand, she can't contribute to the healing, and she falls just short of being a dedicated Forward Observer. But, she can handle every other contingency, and she makes the party better just by being there, as befitting the leader of the band.

 

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The Blood Will Fly

 

Race: Savannah Folk

Class: Barbarian

Culture: The Living Lands

Background: Colonist (+2 Survival)

Attributes

MIG: 20

CON: 10

DEX: 10

PER: 10

INT: 18

RES: 10

Abilities

Frenzy

Savage Defiance

One Stands Alone

Threatening Presence

Vengeful Defeat

Heart of Fury

Barbaric Retaliation

Bloodlust

Talents

Accurate Carnage

Greater Frenzy

Stalwart Defiance

Weapon Focus: Ruffian

Two Weapon Style

Bloody Slaughter

Apprentice’s Sneak Attack

Interrupting Blows

Weapons

1. Resolution (Annihilation, Reliable) - Purgatory (Annihilation, Draining)

2. Abydon’s Hammer (Soulbound, +4 MGT, Spellbind: Ring of the Ancient Forge, Abydon’s Labor, Echo of the Maker, Spellstriking: Abydon’s Power)

Armor

Sanguine Plate (Spellholding: Frenzy, Survival +2)

Equipment

Head - +3 MGT: Tempered Helm (for 20s/kill, +5 DR and -5 Deflection for 20s/kill, +25 Defense against: Hobbled, Stuck, Paralyzed, Charmed, Confused, +10 Defense against: Dominated)

Neck - +2 RES: Lost Periapt of the Winding Path (Spellholding: Consecrated Ground, +20 Concentration)

Finger - +4 INT: Gwyn’s Band of Union (Blessing, Spellstamina: Instill Doubt)

Finger - +1 CON, +1 RES, +1 MGT: The Ring of Wonder (Second Chance)

Arms - Mourning Gloves (+20s/kill: All Defenses +5, +10% Attack Speed, +10 Concentration, +15 Interrupt, -1 RES, +15 Endurance)

Waist - Ryona’s Buckle (+5 ACC when <50% Endurance, +20 Defense against: Disease, Poison)

Feet - +4 DEX: Viettro’s Formal Footwear (+3 Lore, Grants Carouse)

 

The Watcher's true weapon is not the sword in her hand, but this unstoppable force here. He's a pretty standard dual-sabre, Sanguine Plate & Shod-in-Faith Barbarian, except that the existence of Lost Periapt means I can leave his feet slot free for the best DEX gear in the whole game instead. For a Barb with base 10 DEX, that should be a significant upgrade to his Attack Speed.

 

This guy is intended to be my main melee DPS, built to take on entire armies... which is necessary, because as I've learned recently, PotD does throw entire armies at you. Useful to have a guy who can cut a swathe through them, provided he's properly supported by the rest of his team.

 

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The Last Woman Standing

 

Race: Coastal Aumaua

Class: Fighter

Culture: The Living Lands

Background: Mercenary (+1 Athletics, +1 Lore)

Attributes

 

MIG: 21

CON: 10

DEX: 10

PER: 10

INT: 13

RES: 14

Abilities

Disciplined Barrage

Guardian

Weapon Specialization: Soldier

Overbearing Guard

Fearless

Unbroken

Take the Hit

Triggered Immunity

Talents

Rapid Recovery

Weapon and Shield Style

Hold the Line

Superior Deflection

Weapon Focus: Soldier

Weapon Mastery: Soldier

Snake’s Reflexes

Bull’s Will

Weapons

1. +1 RES: Steadfast (soulbound, Will +5) - Dragon’s Maw Shield (soulbound, Bashing 3, Guarding)

2. Tidefall (Draining, Wounding)

Armor

White Crest Armor (-1 Move Speed, Grants Overwhelming Wave, Dancing Bolts)

Equipment

Head - +4 MGT: Maegfolc Skull (Unbending when <50% Endurance)

Neck - Swaddling Sheet (Spellbind: Recall Agony, Spellholding: Overwhelming Wave)

Finger - +4 CON: Iron Circle (Burden, +15% Armor DR when <26% Endurance)

Finger - Orlan’s Bramble Ring (+25 Defense Against: Stuck, Paralyzed, Hobbled)

Arms - +4 RES: Siegebreaker Gauntlets (Spellbind: Clear Out)

Waist - Arthek’s Cord (+1.8 Move Speed while Endurance >75%, +21 Interrupt while Endurance <75%)

Feet - Boots of Stability (+30 Defense against Prone, +15 Defense against Push)

Optional equipment:

The Grey Sleeper (Spellbind: Slow Spirits, Spellchance: Paralyze, Invoke Vessels, Twin Stones)

 

 

If the Barbarian is the sword of the Watcher, this Fighter is her shield. She's quite literally a towering specimen of kith, who does her tanking by sweeping her enemies off their feet, while staying steady on her own like the immovable object she is. She's no slouch where actually fighting is concerned, either; she's designed to be able to use Steadfast at its full potential, and to only get harder to kill the more she is hurt.

 

There's just one thing about her I have yet to decide; do I give her Tidefall as her second weapon, for when she's done tanking and needs to finish the fight? Or do I give her the Grey Sleeper instead, for the DR bypass?

 

---

 

The Shadowflame Specialist

 

Race: Wood Elf

Class: Wizard

Culture: Old Vailia

Background: Artist (+2 Lore)

Attributes

MIG: 17

CON: 3

DEX: 19

PER: 10

INT: 19

RES: 10

Abilities

Arcane Assault

Spell Mastery: Spirit Shield

Spell Mastery: Bulwark Against The Elements

Spell Mastery: Llengrath’s Displaced Image

Spell Mastery: Ninagauth’s Shadowflame

Talents

Arcane Veil

Blast

Penetrating Blast

Hardened Veil

Weapon Focus: Adventurer

Marksman

Dangerous Implement

Lesser Invulnerability Spell Heuristics

 

Weapons

1. +3 RES: Gyrd Haewanes Stenes (soulbound, Raw Lash)

2. Forgotten Tear of the Beloved (Spellchance: Dazing, Spellbind: Prayer Against Treachery, Suppress Affliction) - Ilfan Byrngar’s Solace (Preservation)

Armor

Elardh Dwr (+30 Defense against Prone, +15 Defense against Push, Fortitude +5, +3 DR: Crush)

Equipment

Head - +2 INT: Hermit’s Hat (Immune to Confused)

Neck - Cape of the Master Mystic (Spellholding: Invisibility, +12 Deflection, Major Spellbind: Minor Arcane Reflection)

Finger - Ring of the Selonan (Ring of Wizardry)

Finger - Telda’s Ring (Ring of Wizardry)

Arms - Bracers of Spiritual Power (x1.2 Spell Damage)

Waist - +3 MGT: Girdle of Maegfolc Might

Feet - Shod-in-Faith (Spellholding: Consecrated Ground)

 

Tasked to support the offense, by throwing CC at the enemy forces so the Barbarian can take advantage of it. Ninagauth's Shadowflame is quite vital to this purpose, as Paralyzing a good chunk of the enemy forces in the first second buys a lot of time for the whole party to cast buffs and debuffs. Otherwise, your standard CC Wizard who's still capable of flexing to DPS with the combination of Deleterious Alacrity of Motion, Kakaloth's Minor Blights, and Citzal's Martial Power, if it is absolutely necessary. Or even becoming the second shooter on the party with Caedebald's Blackbow, when the time goes.

 

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The Slayer of Dragons

 

Race: Wood Elf

Class: Ranger

Culture: The White That Wends

Background: Hunter (Survival +1, Stealth +1)

Attributes

MIG: 18

CON: 9

DEX: 19

PER: 20

INT: 3

RES: 9

Abilities

 

Marked Prey

Wounding Shot

Stalker’s Link

Driving Flight

Revive Companion

Stunning Shots

Twinned Arrows

Defensive Bond

Talents

Resilient Companion

Accurate Wounding Shot

Weapon Focus: Adventurer

Marksman

Beast Slayer

Shot on the Run

Bull’s Will

Strengthened Bond

Weapons

1. The Rain of Godagh Field (Speed)

2. Starcaller (Stunning, Spellstriking: Minoletta’s Minor Missiles) - Badgradr’s Barricade (Bashing 1, 10% of Ranged attacks reflected, Spellholding: Thrust of Tattered Veils)

Armor

Argwes Adra (Grants Second Chance, Lore +2)

Equipment

Head - +3 RES: Argwes Adra’s Helm

Neck - +4 PER: Mantle of the Excavator (+2 Survival), +25 Defense against: Poison)

Finger - +3 DEX: Ring of Thorns (Reflex +5, Preservation)

Finger - Ring of Unshackling (Grants Suppress Affliction)

Arms - Gauntlets of Swift Action (+15% Attack Speed)

Waist - +3 MGT: Sentinel’s Girdle (Grants Indomitable, Spellbind: Watchful Presence)

Feet - Fenwalkers (+7 Defense against: Stuck, Hobbled, Paralyzed, -2s duration: Stuck, Hobble, Paralyzed)

Optional equipment:

Borresaine (Draining, Stunning)

Stormcaller (soulbound)

Sabra Marie (Annihilation, Spellstriking: Confuse)

+2 PER: Helmet of Darksee

Cloak of the Frozen Hunt (+10% Ranged Damage, + 6 ACC against: Beasts, +3 DR against: Freeze)
Angio’s Gambeson (Spellbind: Deletrious Alacrity of Motion, Athletics +2)

+2 PER: Elryn’s Jacket (Spelldefense: Eyestrike)

+3 RES: Kerdhed Pames

 

This fellow is the least teamwork-oriented of the whole lot. Sure, he can make a pretense at contributing to fights from a distance, and he's equipped to take down the truly hard targets even the Barbarian has trouble with. But that's because he's built for a singular purpose, and is intended to only really shine in three, maybe four instances throughout the whole game.

 

That said, as you might be able to tell, this is the same guy who's given me the biggest headache when it comes to gear. I like the look of Argwes Adra on him, and Second Chance doesn't hurt, but maybe it slows down his Attack Speed far too much even if I Durganize it? Should I go with Angio's Gambeson instead, and proc DAoM to complement the Rain's Speed enchantment?

 

Should I replace the Mantle with the Cloak of the Frozen Hunt when the time comes, and does the Beast-Slaying enchantment on the Cloak stack with the same on the Rain of Godagh Field, should I choose to enchant it with the same? If I do so, should I replace Argwes Adra with Elryn's Jacket, so that the RES enchantment is covered while giving him less of an Attack Speed malus? Or should I go with the combination of Kerdhed Pames and Helmet of Darksee instead, and thus reducing the Attack Speed malus likewise without any frills?

 

As for weapons, I'm planning to enchant Rain of Godagh Field with Beast-Slaying and Burning Lash. But is that even the best choice here? Should I go with Borresaine instead? Or even switch to WF Peasant and go with Persistence?

 

So, yeah. Kind of need the most help here, guys.

 

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The Target Designator

 

Race: Wood Elf

Class: Priest (Magran)

Culture: Deadfire Archipelago

Background: Merchant (Lore +1, Mechanics +1)

Attributes

MIG: 18

CON: 3

DEX: 20

PER: 10

INT: 18

RES: 9

Abilities

Holy Radiance

Spell Mastery: Holy Meditation

Spell Mastery: Consecrated Ground

Spell Mastery: Dire Blessing

Spell Mastery: Devotions for the Faithful

Talents

Inspiring Radiance

Inspired Flame

Weapon & Shield Style

Superior Deflection

Weapon Focus: Soldier

Bear’s Fortitude

Marksman

Gunner

Weapons

1. Nightshroud (soulbound, Spellchance: Blind) - Little Savior (Herald, Preservation)

2. Pliambo per Casitas (Marking, Disorienting)

Armor

+2 MGT: Gwisk Glas (Second Chance)

Equipment

Head - +3 INT: White Crest’s Helm

Neck - +3 DEX: Finreah’s Grace

Finger - Seal of Faith (Seal of Faith)
Finger - +3 RES: Ring of Changing Heart (Spellbind: Dominate)

Arms - Celebrant’s Gloves (Spelldefense: Holy Meditation, Overseeing)

Waist - Looped Rope (Clarity: +20 Defense against all status effects)

Feet - Echoing Misery (Spellholding: Ray of Pain, +15 Defense when Disengaging)

 

 

 

She's your standard staff chick, the healbot/buffbot of the team, without whom the whole team would not last long enough in a fight. But as much of a valuable support for the frontliners as she is, she is just as valuable support for the shooter half of the party. The secret lies in her unique Marking arquebus; ACC boosted by the Wood Elf racial, Inspired Flame and WF Soldier, she can hardly miss her shot. And sure, it's just one shot... but it lights up the target for the Ranger, as well as the rest of the party. Oh, and since Nightshroud is a Soulbound weapon, it benefits from both Inspired Flame and WF Soldier as well.

 

The question is; I gave her the unique Robe to reduce her downtime between casting buffs as much as possible, but is that cutting it a little too close for PotD? Should I give her something heavier like say, the Saint's War Armor? Or even something else?

Edited September 28, 2017 by Ascaloth

[Lampros]

I am no "expert," but 19 Resolve on the main Paladin looks like over-kill to the nth degree. A main Paladin wielding Outworn Buckler with maxed Disposition will have such sky-high Defenses that you are basically gimping yourself in many areas to boost one area that is great as is. I find this a bit puzzling.

 

But otherwise, thanks for posting this. There is a wealth of options for me to go through here, and it will help refine my own PotD team as well.

Edited September 28, 2017 by Lampros

[limaxophobiacq]

IMO a more or less pure tank like that fighter without much in the way of offensive output just isn't very good in this game. If you still want a tanky heavy armor and shield character in that slot I think you'd be better of with a chanter, or if you want a fighter go for an off-tank fighter with max might and max int and use the fighter class duration based abilities and a disabling weapon like The Hours of St. Rumbalt to go toe-to-toe with single strong enemies and take them out of the fight (such a fighter also becomes really good with Abydons Hammer in the very late game).

 

 

The question is; I gave her the unique Robe to reduce her downtime between casting buffs as much as possible, but is that cutting it a little too close for PotD? Should I give her something heavier like say, the Saint's War Armor? Or even something else?

 

IMO you should give her Angios Gambeson. With durgan enhancement the speed with which it lets you cast spells in the big boss fights is really amazing, with high base dex and Gauntlets of Swift Action starting a boss fight with instant-activation DAoM + Minor Avatar you're casting at about 3x the rate of a dex 10 unarmored character. 

 

Edit: Also the arquebus feels like it will really just be a cumbersome waste of time while leaving her vulnerable without a shield + hatchet, and you'd be better of dumping Weapon Focus, Marksman, and Gunner (in no serious fight should your priest ever be wasting time reloading an arquebus, casting priest spells is so much more powerfull than that ever will be), and instead taking Aggrandizing Radiance, Interdiction, and Painful Interdiction for a nice self buff and a great fast AoE debuff every encounter.

 

Edit: I also agree with Lampros that 19 resolve on a Paladin is way overkill, outside of solo play I just don't think high resolve is worth it.

Edited September 28, 2017 by limaxophobiacq

[Frog Man]

Not qualified to critique - just wanted to say thanks for puttting this together! Thoroughly enjoyed reading. Definitely gave me ideas for my next run.

 

Also funny that is doesn’t include chanter or monk, my favorite classes. They come on every run with me!

[Lampros]

Not qualified to critique - just wanted to say thanks for puttting this together! Thoroughly enjoyed reading. Definitely gave me ideas for my next run.

 

Also funny that is doesn’t include chanter or monk, my favorite classes. They come on every run with me!

 

Yes, this was a fun read - even if I disagree with some of the particular choices.

[Ascaloth]

I am no "expert," but 19 Resolve on the main Paladin looks like over-kill to the nth degree. A main Paladin wielding Outworn Buckler with maxed Disposition will have such sky-high Defenses that you are basically gimping yourself in many areas to boost one area that is great as is. I find this a bit puzzling.

 

But otherwise, thanks for posting this. There is a wealth of options for me to go through here, and it will help refine my own PotD team as well.

 

So 19 RES is far too much tank on a Paladin, even on PotD. Thanks, that's good to know, I'll have to look at and rework the attributes some. Should I bring her RES down to the base 10, then? And where would you recommend I put the extra points? I'm thinking MIG so that Sacred Immolation can hit like the conflagration it's supposed to be, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

 

IMO a more or less pure tank like that fighter without much in the way of offensive output just isn't very good in this game. If you still want a tanky heavy armor and shield character in that slot I think you'd be better of with a chanter, or if you want a fighter go for an off-tank fighter with max might and max int and use the fighter class duration based abilities and a disabling weapon like The Hours of St. Rumbalt to go toe-to-toe with single strong enemies and take them out of the fight (such a fighter also becomes really good with Abydons Hammer in the very late game).

 

Is anything higher than base 10 RES still too much tank for my Fighter as well? Besides, there's a reason I built her so defensively; the Barbarian has AoE DPS covered, and single target DPS is handled by the Ranger. The concept behind this Fighter is that she locks enemies down, and sets them up for the meatgrinder with Prone sources; that's why she has Overwhelming Wave from both White Crest Armor and Swaddling Sheet, Clear Out from Siegebreaker Gauntlets, and the Overbearing Guard talent.

 

That said, The Hours of St. Rumbalt does play into that theme nicely as well. Let's see... oh, We Toki also has the Overbearing enchantment. Perhaps I should work it in somewhere in her build.

 

Plus, high MGT means she can do her fair share of damage. And should she need to deliver a damage spike at a critical point, the Dragon's Maw Shield can take care of that.

 

But most importantly, I need someone who can facetank the Dragons so that the Ranger can do his thing. Steadfast, with its Frightened and Terrified immunities, is a critical component for that. 

 

 

 

The question is; I gave her the unique Robe to reduce her downtime between casting buffs as much as possible, but is that cutting it a little too close for PotD? Should I give her something heavier like say, the Saint's War Armor? Or even something else?

 

IMO you should give her Angios Gambeson. With durgan enhancement the speed with which it lets you cast spells in the big boss fights is really amazing, with high base dex and Gauntlets of Swift Action starting a boss fight with instant-activation DAoM + Minor Avatar you're casting at about 3x the rate of a dex 10 unarmored character. 

 

Edit: Also the arquebus feels like it will really just be a cumbersome waste of time while leaving her vulnerable without a shield + hatchet, and you'd be better of dumping Weapon Focus, Marksman, and Gunner (in no serious fight should your priest ever be wasting time reloading an arquebus, casting priest spells is so much more powerfull than that ever will be), and instead taking Aggrandizing Radiance, Interdiction, and Painful Interdiction for a nice self buff and a great fast AoE debuff every encounter.

 

 

Thanks! Will definitely consider Angio's Gambeson on the Priest, then.

 

I'm not really sure I like Interdiction, I feel it brings too little impact to the table for the time I can use casting more buffs instead.

 

And the thing about the arquebus is true, which is why my Priest will not be starting fights with it equipped; she will always go into the first seconds of each fight with Nightshroud+Little Savior instead. The arquebus only comes into play when the horde of trash mobs have been cleared, relieving the party of the need to stay on the defensive. That's when they can afford to go on the offensive, and finish the fight.

 

And that's why Pliambo per Casitas is key to this build; it's not that I expect the Priest to do that much DPS with it herself, but the Pliambo's Marking enchantment lets her 'shine a laser', so to speak, on the toughest target for the Ranger and everyone else to focus on. By which I mean, dragons. And maybe Woedica's golems in the final fight. And maybe the Eyeless in WM2. 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback so far, is there anymore? Someone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Boeroer]

In order to summon me, one has to whisper "Bueller" three times in a dark closet full of polyester morning dresses with a reversed underpants on the head and a handful of shrimps and a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a sacrifice.

 

Or write something positive about rogues...

[Ascaloth]

In order to summon me, one has to whisper "Bueller" three times in a dark closet full of polyester morning dresses with a reversed underpants on the head and a handful of shrimps and a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a sacrifice.

 

Or write something positive about rogues...

 

A Rogue can be awesome at ranged CC if you equip him with Borresaine. 

 

Does that count? 

[Lampros]

 

In order to summon me, one has to whisper "Bueller" three times in a dark closet full of polyester morning dresses with a reversed underpants on the head and a handful of shrimps and a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a sacrifice.

 

Or write something positive about rogues...

 

A Rogue can be awesome at ranged CC if you equip him with Borresaine. 

 

Does that count? 

 

 

Not really if you check my experience with ranged CC Rogue with Borresaine.

 

On your Paladin Resolve question: If you look at the various Paladin builds posted, you will see most tank builds have 12-15 Resolve. Off-tank or DPS Paladins go lower. I run 12 Resolve "hybrid" Paladin myself.

 

Edit: Paladins should really max both Might and Intelligence.

Edited September 29, 2017 by Lampros

[Boeroer]

I want to add that Bloody Slaughter is one of the worst talents in the whole game. It triggers when the enemy has 10% or less endurance. Usually the last hit will kill the enemy anyways. The few exceptions like trolls, ogres and the like don't justify a talent point for a talent that increases crit in my opinion.

 

The bow with the highest single target dps is Persistence. It's also great against high DR targets and targets with high defenses. Also works great with Predator's Sense...

[JFutral]

I want to add that Bloody Slaughter is one of the worst talents in the whole game. It triggers when the enemy has 10% or less endurance. Usually the last hit will kill the enemy anyways. The few exceptions like trolls, ogres and the like don't justify a talent point for a talent that increases crit in my opinion.

Well that's just disappointing to learn.

 

Note taken.

 

Joe

[Ascaloth]

 

 

In order to summon me, one has to whisper "Bueller" three times in a dark closet full of polyester morning dresses with a reversed underpants on the head and a handful of shrimps and a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a sacrifice.

 

Or write something positive about rogues...

 

A Rogue can be awesome at ranged CC if you equip him with Borresaine. 

 

Does that count? 

 

 

Not really if you check my experience with ranged CC Rogue with Borresaine.

 

On your Paladin Resolve question: If you look at the various Paladin builds posted, you will see most tank builds have 12-15 Resolve. Off-tank or DPS Paladins go lower. I run 12 Resolve "hybrid" Paladin myself.

 

Edit: Paladins should really max both Might and Intelligence.

 

 

 

Paladins should max MGT and INT in general, and can tank effectively enough with as little as 12 RES, got it. Since she has a Fighter bodyguard who can handle the main tanking duties, perhaps I can afford to have my Darcozzi Watcher go down to off-tank and focus on other areas?

 

I want to add that Bloody Slaughter is one of the worst talents in the whole game. It triggers when the enemy has 10% or less endurance. Usually the last hit will kill the enemy anyways. The few exceptions like trolls, ogres and the like don't justify a talent point for a talent that increases crit in my opinion.

 

The bow with the highest single target dps is Persistence. It's also great against high DR targets and targets with high defenses. Also works great with Predator's Sense...

 

Hmmm. If Bloody Slaughter isn't going to cut it, then the other Talent I have in mind is Savage Attack. That's -5 ACC though, although I'm not sure just how much of a difference that makes in PotD.

 

Also starting to rethink giving Abydon's Hammer to the Barb. I'm thinking that I should double down on his dual-sabre build, and give him an 'undead hunter' set of Vessel-Slaying Bittercut and Spirit-Slaying Flames of Fair Rhian as his second weapon set. In which case, who gets Abydon's Hammer? Giving it to the Fighter would let me spec her as a dedicated 2H build with Hours of St Rumbalt, but leave no place for the Dragon's Maw Shield altogether... hmm. 

 

As for Persistence, I thought that might be the case. Does the same hold true against Dragons, though? Has there been any tests I can look at, comparing Persistence and Rain of Godagh Field against the Dragons in the game? I'm thinking both Beast-Slaying enchanted, both Durganized, but Persistence enchanted only to Exceptional quality while Rain starts at the Superb quality you acquire it. 

 

These conditions are because I need something I can use against the Sky Dragon from the get go. Then again, if I complete WM2 before tackling the Dragons and acquire Kraken Eyes before then, either of the two could be enchanted to Legendary...

[Boeroer]

If you want to make the best use of Heart of Fury then your barb should dual wield. So your two sabres are fine. Target the toughest enemy in the pack and trigger HoF. You will do two whirls instead of one if the target is not dead after the first swing.

 

The only problem with the annihilation sabres is that they only do slash damage. Using Bittercut is the better option, preferably with Spirit of Decay and a corrosive lash.

 

When using Heart of Fury it's beneficial to get Vulnerable Attack. You can pick this instead of Bloody Slaughter.

 

Savage Attack is an ok pick for the later game for a barb. His Carnage will get +1 accuracy per level and with your Accurate Carnage that makes +11 accuracy compared to your main attack's accuracy. So Savage Attack is ok.

 

I personally would not use Interrupting Blows once I have Heart of Fury. Most enemies will be dead after HoF. Instead I would totally recommend Veteran's Recovery asap.

 

Instead of Barbaric Retaliation (again, not needed when most enemies around you die from HoF anyways) I would take Dragon Leap. It's the best way to reach the center of a mob without disengagement and to then trigger HoF. Barbaric Retaliation is great when you do a retaliation build, but this is none.

 

Vengeful Defeat is occasional but it's still great. I would leave it in. Sometimes you get disabled when trying to trigger HoF and die - then Vengeful Defeat kicks in and does great damage.

[Boeroer]

Abydon's Hammer is also great on a priest (who would have thought). Profit from stackable +4 MIG, put on INT and MIG gear as well and cast Aggrandizing + Inspiring Radiance + Minor Avatar and then Shining Beacon and behold the combat log...

 

I wouldn't give it to the barb.

 

Another thing about barb: try the Redeemer + Blood Thirst on a group of vessels. I bet we'll see a big smile on your face.

[Boeroer]

Persistence has woundig which is the best tool against high DR on a weapon (besides DR bypass). Damage gets calculated like so: damage roll including all bonuses PRE DR * 0.25 * 1.[MIG bonus] = raw damage. So against dragons it may be that the wounding damage is as high as the pierce damage that goes through.

Edited September 29, 2017 by Boeroer

[Ascaloth]

If you want to make the best use of Heart of Fury then your barb should dual wield. So your two sabres are fine. Target the toughest enemy in the pack and trigger HoF. You will do two whirls instead of one if the target is not dead after the first swing.

 

The only problem with the annihilation sabres is that they only do slash damage. Using Bittercut is the better option, preferably with Spirit of Decay and a corrosive lash.

 

When using Heart of Fury it's beneficial to get Vulnerable Attack. You can pick this instead of Bloody Slaughter.

 

Savage Attack is an ok pick for the later game for a barb. His Carnage will get +1 accuracy per level and with your Accurate Carnage that makes +11 accuracy compared to your main attack's accuracy. So Savage Attack is ok.

 

I personally would not use Interrupting Blows once I have Heart of Fury. Most enemies will be dead after HoF. Instead I would totally recommend Veteran's Recovery asap.

 

Instead of Barbaric Retaliation (again, not needed when most enemies around you die from HoF anyways) I would take Dragon Leap. It's the best way to reach the center of a mob without disengagement and to then trigger HoF. Barbaric Retaliation is great when you do a retaliation build, but this is none.

 

Vengeful Defeat is occasional but it's still great. I would leave it in. Sometimes you get disabled when trying to trigger HoF and die - then Vengeful Defeat kicks in and does great damage.

 

So switch out Bloody Slaughter and Interrupting Blows for Vulnerable Attack and Savage Attack, and quad unique sabres are now a go. And now he's the Fuhrer King Bradley. Got it. 

 

Not so sure about switching out Barbaric Retaliation for Dragon Leap. I thought Retaliation items no longer benefit from Carnage like they used to? While Barbaric Retaliation does get Carnage, and I figured it'll help the Barb clear out the trash mobs that much faster.

 

Also not too sure about Veteran's Recovery, given my Barb already has Stalwart Defiance and Consecrated Ground from the Lost Periapt. He might run out of Health before Endurance at that rate, which is a dangerous proposition with a Second Chance setup.

 

Abydon's Hammer is also great on a priest (who would have thought). Profit from stackable +4 MIG, put on INT and MIG gear as well and cast Aggrandizing + Inspiring Radiance + Minor Avatar and then Shining Beacon and behold the combat log...

 

I wouldn't give it to the barb.

 

Another thing about barb: try the Redeemer + Blood Thirst on a group of vessels. I bet we'll see a big smile on your face.

 

But to upgrade it, that would mean I would have to tell the squishiest member of my party to step forward and whack all of the Eyeless in Cayron's Scar with it. That... sounds like a questionable proposition. 

 

As for the second part, that was the same reason why I initially gave Abydon's Hammer to the Barb; it has the same Destroys Vessels enchantment, and offers a Crushing damage option to boot. Eh, whatever; I guess the undead-slaying Bittercut-Flames combo will work well enough.

 

 

Persistence has woundig which is the best tool against high DR on a weapon (besides DR bypass). Damage gets calculated like so: damage roll including all bonuses PRE DR * 0.25 * 1.[MIG bonus] = raw damage. So against dragons it may be that the wounding damage is as high as the pierce damage that goes through.

 

Welp, I guess that settles it. I'll have to switch the Ranger over to WF Peasant, and find a good Hatchet or Spear to replace Starcaller as his last-ditch melee weapon for personal defense. Which should I go with, Captain Viccilo's Anger or Cladhaliath?

 

While we're talking about the Ranger, what armor and gear should he be going with? That's been the biggest headache for me.

[Boeroer]

Barbaric Retaliation does not work with Carnage. It is not needed when you focus on Heart of Fury. It can still be ok if you get disabled and can retaliate a bit if you get pummeled, but it's not an effective use of an ability point. It is great when you focus on a retaliation build as I said. But then your focus is not on maximizing HoF.

 

Veteran's Recovery will make your barbarian less squishy in the early game and it also scales with level. Barbarians have the biggest health pools, even with 10 CON, so I wouldn't worry too much about health loss. Better drop because health runs out than dropping earlier because endurance is zero. Consecrated Ground and Savage Defiance don't scale with level - and while both are really good in the early game they are quite neglectible later on. The Lost Periapt comes pretty late. Both stack with Veteran's Recovery.

Second Chance only triggers 1/rest by the way. And using multiple Second-Chance items does not work. A Second-Chance item will give you a passive ability that triggers 1/rest. If you switch out the items the 1/rest use is still gone. But you will have a priest with Revive the Fallen and a Paladin with Reviving Exhortation, so you can play around with Vengeful Defeat a bit until you get Heart of Fury (if you turn off Knockout Injuries in the game options). In this case maybe Vet. Recovery is a bit counterproductive. But in this case (abusing Vengeful Defeat a bit) I personally would use Blooded as well. Because I see you also want to use Ryona's Buckle. 

 

Bloodlust is a very good pick by the way. After the use of HoF you will have killed at least 2 enemies which will trigger it immediately - and it stacks with Frenzy. So you can afford to use Vulnerable Attack.

 

Mourning Gloves' attack speed bonus doesn't stack with Frenzy. But Gauntlets of Swift Action do stack. Also Gauntlets of ACC are good with a barb. Also Glittering Gauntlets (the dazing works with Carnage) or Celebrant's Gloves. 

 

---

 

The +4 MIG on the priest work as soon as you bind the hammer. Also your Weapon Focus and Inspired Flame work with the hammer since it's souldboun and soulbounds are universal. Cast your ACC buffs + Minor Avatar and maybe also DIre Blessing and hack away. Eyeless will die quickly. Also you don't need to destroy the Eyless with the hammer to upgrade it. They just have to die afaik. 

 

---

 

You can also play the ranger with a war bow no problem - however the Rain comes failry late and Persistence pretty early. DOn't focus too much on endgame gear. 90% of the run will be done with other items.

 

The idea with Badgrad's Barricade on the ranger is nice - also because the Thrust of Tattered Veils works with Driving Flight and it's a great teamup with Stunning Shots and Starcaller's Missiles. Both also profit from Penetrating Shot. So maybe just keep Starcaller? By the time you get it you will maybe already have Stunning Shots. Those work in melee as well and then ACC and crits are not a big problem? Also you might work with a flanking pet when in melee?
Other than that: hatchet is fine as a backup weapon.
On a bow ranger I like regular cloth that I will enchant - no need to durgan-reinforce that. A berathian robe from Raedric's Castle is also great because it has the best DR/speed penalty ratio in the game. Also no need to durganize that. Angio's Gambeon is also nice because of Alacrity. Seven Skuldr's Worth is ok if you don't use Boots of Speed (which I like best on melee dps chars since they are the only boots that improve melee dps). But most of the time I will use this:  

or this:

on a bow ranger. This might attract certain rushers though. 

Edited September 29, 2017 by Boeroer

[Boeroer]

Another thing for the MC:

 

Fires of Darcozzi Palace is awfully weak. Unless it's not intended to be a retaliation + Combusting Wounds build I would not use it. 

 

I also see that you only list 7 talents and abilites for each char. But you will have 8.

 

Since you want to wield Shame or Glory and also picked Inspiring Liberation (great one) I would recommend also taking Coordinated Attacks since it stacks with the marking enchantment. That way you can provide +30 stackable ACC to a single ally. Very good against stuff like dragons or other high defense targets. You can buff your CC-guys ACC by +60 stackable ACC with your priest (Inspir. Radiance + Devotions) and a marking pala who has Coordinated Attacks and Insp. Liberation. Imagine a petrify-crit on a dragon. also Knockdowns on dragons work wonderfully this way. 

[Ascaloth]

Barbaric Retaliation does not work with Carnage. It is not needed when you focus on Heart of Fury. It can still be ok if you get disabled and can retaliate a bit if you get pummeled, but it's not an effective use of an ability point. It is great when you focus on a retaliation build as I said. But then your focus is not on maximizing HoF.

 

Veteran's Recovery will make your barbarian less squishy in the early game and it also scales with level. Barbarians have the biggest health pools, even with 10 CON, so I wouldn't worry too much about health loss. Better drop because health runs out than dropping earlier because endurance is zero. Consecrated Ground and Savage Defiance don't scale with level - and while both are really good in the early game they are quite neglectible later on. The Lost Periapt comes pretty late. Both stack with Veteran's Recovery.

Second Chance only triggers 1/rest by the way. And using multiple Second-Chance items does not work. A Second-Chance item will give you a passive ability that triggers 1/rest. If you switch out the items the 1/rest use is still gone. But you will have a priest with Revive the Fallen and a Paladin with Reviving Exhortation, so you can play around with Vengeful Defeat a bit until you get Heart of Fury (if you turn off Knockout Injuries in the game options). In this case maybe Vet. Recovery is a bit counterproductive. But in this case (abusing Vengeful Defeat a bit) I personally would use Blooded as well. Because I see you also want to use Ryona's Buckle. 

 

Bloodlust is a very good pick by the way. After the use of HoF you will have killed at least 2 enemies which will trigger it immediately - and it stacks with Frenzy. So you can afford to use Vulnerable Attack.

 

Mourning Gloves' attack speed bonus doesn't stack with Frenzy. But Gauntlets of Swift Action do stack. Also Gauntlets of ACC are good with a barb. Also Glittering Gauntlets (the dazing works with Carnage) or Celebrant's Gloves. 

 

Barbaric Retaliation does not actually work with Carnage? Wow, I must have been reading an outdated guide somewhere. Okay, I'm convinced about dropping it. So your recommendation is Dragon Leap so as to put the Barb in an optimal position for HoF... but should I consider Barbaric Shout instead, for the Terrify effect to complement Apprentice's Sneak Attack? Or Blooded, to complement Ryona's Buckle like you said? Or maybe even Blood Thirst, to make him something of a substitute for a zero-recovery build?

 

Also convinced about Veteran's Recovery, so what should I remove in place of it? Maybe take out Apprentice's Sneak Attack, I guess?

 

Didn't know that about Gauntlets of Swift Action, I'll definitely consider that. Although Mourning Gloves does come with buffs other than the attack speed bonus... eh, it's not a sure thing I'll get my hands on those in the next run though, so whatever.

 

The +4 MIG on the priest work as soon as you bind the hammer. Also your Weapon Focus and Inspired Flame work with the hammer since it's souldboun and soulbounds are universal. Cast your ACC buffs + Minor Avatar and maybe also DIre Blessing and hack away. Eyeless will die quickly. Also you don't need to destroy the Eyless with the hammer to upgrade it. They just have to die afaik. 

 

And here I thought the Priests of PoE can't pull CoDzillas like their D&D forebears. Goes to show what I know. 

 

 

You can also play the ranger with a war bow no problem - however the Rain comes failry late and Persistence pretty early. DOn't focus too much on endgame gear. 90% of the run will be done with other items.

 

The idea with Badgrad's Barricade on the ranger is nice - also because the Thrust of Tattered Veils works with Driving Flight and it's a great teamup with Stunning Shots and Starcaller's Missiles. Both also profit from Penetrating Shot. So maybe just keep Starcaller? By the time you get it you will maybe already have Stunning Shots. Those work in melee as well and then ACC and crits are not a big problem? Also you might work with a flanking pet when in melee?

Other than that: hatchet is fine as a backup weapon.

On a bow ranger I like regular cloth that I will enchant - no need to durgan-reinforce that. A berathian robe from Raedric's Castle is also great because it has the best DR/speed penalty ratio in the game. Also no need to durganize that. Angio's Gambeon is also nice because of Alacrity. Seven Skuldr's Worth is ok if you don't use Boots of Speed (which I like best on melee dps chars since they are the only boots that improve melee dps). But most of the time I will use this:  

or this:

on a bow ranger. This might attract certain rushers though. 

 

Rain coming late isn't that much of an issue; it's a bounty reward, so I can save the Dragons for last and get my hands on it first. Noted on the early availability of Persistence though, so that's one point in its favor. On the other hand, if I'm planning to stay with Starcaller, I'd prefer to have a build which works optimally with every piece of gear; that means going with Rain, since it shares a WF with Starcaller. Hmm, decisions.

 

Okay, my game plan is for the wizard to drop Ninagauth's Shadowflame on the Adra Dragon, and Gaze of the Adragan on the Alpine Dragon. When the Dragons are Paralyzed/Petrified respectively, which of these can drop the largest amount of spike damage in that short period of time?

 

And clothing on a Ranger attracting rushers... yeesh. What if I were to split the difference and give him Elryn's Jacket? Would give him another contingency defense in the form of the Eyestrike Spellholding.

 

If I replace Mantle of the Excavator with Cloak of the Frozen Hunt, would the Cloak stack with Beast-Slaying enchantments on the bows, and/or Beast Slayer talent taken by the Ranger?

 

 

Another thing for the MC:

 

Fires of Darcozzi Palace is awfully weak. Unless it's not intended to be a retaliation + Combusting Wounds build I would not use it. 

 

I also see that you only list 7 talents and abilites for each char. But you will have 8.

 

Since you want to wield Shame or Glory and also picked Inspiring Liberation (great one) I would recommend also taking Coordinated Attacks since it stacks with the marking enchantment. That way you can provide +30 stackable ACC to a single ally. Very good against stuff like dragons or other high defense targets. You can buff your CC-guys ACC by +60 stackable ACC with your priest (Inspir. Radiance + Devotions) and a marking pala who has Coordinated Attacks and Insp. Liberation. Imagine a petrify-crit on a dragon. also Knockdowns on dragons work wonderfully this way. 

 

*checks*

 

Huh, the Paladin only has 7 each, but the rest of the party has the full complement of 8 each. I'm dumb. 

 

Yup, Coordinating Attacks it is, and she's a proper Forward Observer now. As for Fires of Darcozzi Palace, I figured that since I'm already planning for Sacred Immolation + Scion of Flame, might as well throw it in there to benefit from the talent as well. And while I'm at it, maybe I'll throw in Intense Flames as the 8th talent. That should make her a Flaming Forward Observer. 

Edited September 29, 2017 by Ascaloth

[Ymiraku]

In order to summon me, one has to whisper "Bueller" three times in a dark closet full of polyester morning dresses with a reversed underpants on the head and a handful of shrimps and a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a sacrifice.

 

Or write something positive about rogues...

Rogues look good in spandex

[Boeroer]

Rofl

[Boeroer]

I like FoD + Intense Flames on a paladin, but only with decent MIG and a hard hitting weapon. As somebody else said you can take away RES and pump up the MIG.

 

I love Blood Thirst. You should check out Redeemer + Blood Thirst on vessels: Carnage works with the destroy property and you'll get kill-norecovery-kill... all the time. I always give the Redeemer to a barb if I have one. You can give the paladin another two hander for FoD or even two battle axes because of the FoD's Full Attack (both weapons will strike). You don't need Two Handed Style for that,doesn't do anything for FoD. After FoD switch to Shame & Buckler.

 

I also like Barbaric Blow + 2 annihilating sabres on a barb. The Full Attack with the enhanced crit damage (+150% instead of just 50%) is great when you use it on disabled crowds (like after a Shadowflame). But that's maybe just me..

[Boeroer]

Cloak of the Frozen Hunt + Beast Slayer talent + Beast Slaying enchantment on weapon all stack.

[Boeroer]

If you still like Mourning Gloves (they are nice and the speed bonus does at least stack with Bloodlust) then I would leave Interrupting Blows in. It stacks with the Gloves' increased interrupts.

 

Maybe leave out Greater Frenzy? It's not that awesome in my opinion.

[Boeroer]

Take the Hit is very good if you combine big self healing with good INT. But I'm not sure if it works with Guarding Stance?

 

Take the Hit is awfully bugged when you use mind control like confuse, charm and dominate: controlled enemies will transfer half of their damage to the fighter and it will NOT stop when mind controlled ends!

 

If you don't use any mind control then it's a good pick.