Classes and Attributes

[VincentNZ]

So, I am personally not a min/maxer, but I too would like to build a character that makes somewhat sense.

 

In the first PoE I made a playthrough with a Barbarian, which is a class I have never picked in any other RPG before. What made me choose this class was the general way the game handled attributes and that each one had a use for everyone. For the Barbarian I could level intelligence (because I hate playing "dumb" characters) and it would actually do a lot with my class by increasing the area of effect of my attacks, and the duration of my debuffs, if I recall correctly.

 

Now I did have 14-16 intelligence in the end and was rather content with this, but with the changes to attributes and how diminishing returns works, I am concerned to play that class again. Is that amount of intelligence still as decent as in the first game, or would 10 intelligence just suffice and every point should instead be put into might to increase the raw damage output?

 

What about the other classes and their attributes? As a ranger using a bow, does it make sense at all to level anything but the attribute that increases my damage? Are there interesting albeit not so apparent attribute builds one should consider? What about Resolve and Willpower (was that an attribute?) that have somewhat obscure bonuses?

 

I really liked the way the first game handled these things, and it seems to me that the second game is more about the gear one wears and how it is used than the attributes and stats.

 

It does not help either that I can not recall the specifics of the builds I had, but only the game experience that I had, which was very decent and feasible when it came to how my characters were built and played. Are there any summaries, guides and guidelines out there that could indicate how one should priorise when building certain classes and characters?

[anathanielh]

Take in mind that Intelligence also increases the duration of skills effects. For a ranger, although not as high priority, int can make his/her DoTs last longer. For barbarian, frenzy and barbaric shout will last longer and carnage still gets the increased aoe. I would say you don’t need quite as many points in Intelligence, but it would still be useful for you.

In the first game, resolve helped to increase the willpower stat which was mental defense. (I think that’s why it was hard to remember)

Resolve in this game increases deflection, reduces the duration of hostile effects, and also increases will. Many theorycrafters and min/maxers like to dump this stat because they’d prefer to kill things faster and make up for lower defenses through 50 drugs and items before fights, but imo if you aren’t doing solo potd mega min/max builds, it’s a good stat for front-liners and tanks that you may want to invest in. (Also if you’re an rp guy like me, you don’t want to be the weak-willed guy who somehow takes on ogres)

As for builds you should consider, I can’t say anything. I don’t have the beta. I say just experiment with classes you think will mesh well when you have your hands on the game. You’ll find what you like soon enough.

Hope this helps.