Andor's Trail

This is mostly just so I can organize my thoughts, but I'd like to get some input from everyone here about the different strengths and weaknesses of certain skill paths. Since he's going to be built like a tank, he will be using one-handed weapons with a shield, along with heavy armor (AP penalties, this is a problem).

Numbers in parenthesis are the character level that skill point is achieved.

Path 1:
Increased Fortitude 1 (5)
Combat Speed 1/2 (8)
Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield 1/2 (15)
Increased Fortitude 2 (20)
Combat Speed 2/2 (30)
Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield 2/2 (30)
Increased Fortitude 3 (35)
Specialization: Heavy Armor 4/4 (40 [I wouldn't save the skill points, just level 40 is the minimum level to max this skill going this path])
Specialization: Weapon and Shield 1/1 (45)

This build focuses on block %. I might even delay getting Increased Fortitude 3 so I can get Specialization: Heavy Armor maxed out to negate the AP penalties Stone Cuirass and others (if there are any), though, that would just be my impatience coming through. After grabbing Specialization: Weapon and Shield, I would either focus on maxing Bark Skin, or if I'd like more damage, I'd put a few points into More Criticals and then Better Criticals.

Path 2:
Increased Fortitude 1 (5)
Combat Speed 1/2 (8)
Bark Skin 1/5 (12)
Bark Skin 2/5 (16)
Increased Fortitude 2 (20)
Combat Speed 2/2 (30)
Increased Fortitude 3 (35)
Specialization: Heavy Armor 4/4 (40)

This build (I know, looks almost identical) will focus on damage reduction. I would max out Bark Skin after level 40, then go for some damage skills.

Both builds will have Combat Speed (I can't live without it now) and will never stop getting Increased Fortitude when it is available. I believe the second build would be better early on due to the damage reduction from 2/5 Bark Skin, along with Hardened Leather Shirt (1 DR) and Irigatu's Necklace (1 DR). The first build should be better in the long run.

Thoughts?

EDIT: I was also thinking about Path 1, instead of taking Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield + Specialization: Weapon and Shield, I'd take the dual wielding talents instead. Heavy armored, dual wielding badass. I believe I'll still have plenty of block % if I go this route, but will deal significantly more damage. Good trade off to me.

Have fun getting Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield by the time you're level 15. I doubt it's impossible but it will certainly take some work. 1 point in Bark Skin is definitely helpful early on but after that you might as well stack BC.

fiernaq wrote:Have fun getting Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield by the time you're level 15.

What do you mean? The first skill point has a level 15 requirement.

Anyways, I think I've decided to go with Fighting Style: Dual Wield instead of the shield talents. So basically just switch them out in the first build.

Hmm, for some reason I thought you didn't unlock the FS skills until you find that Legolas dude... guess that's the Proficiency skills though. That's what happens when you hide out in the RoLS cave for a year, you no longer know what the outside world is like.

Spirestone wrote:This is mostly just so I can organize my thoughts, but I'd like to get some input from everyone here about the different strengths and weaknesses of certain skill paths. Since he's going to be built like a tank, he will be using one-handed weapons with a shield, along with heavy armor (AP penalties, this is a problem).

Numbers in parenthesis are the character level that skill point is achieved.

Path 1:
Increased Fortitude 1 (5)
Combat Speed 1/2 (8)
Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield 1/2 (15)
Increased Fortitude 2 (20)
Combat Speed 2/2 (30)
Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield 2/2 (30)
Increased Fortitude 3 (35)
Specialization: Heavy Armor 4/4 (40 [I wouldn't save the skill points, just level 40 is the minimum level to max this skill going this path])
Specialization: Weapon and Shield 1/1 (45)

This build focuses on block %. I might even delay getting Increased Fortitude 3 so I can get Specialization: Heavy Armor maxed out to negate the AP penalties Stone Cuirass and others (if there are any), though, that would just be my impatience coming through. After grabbing Specialization: Weapon and Shield, I would either focus on maxing Bark Skin, or if I'd like more damage, I'd put a few points into More Criticals and then Better Criticals.

Path 2:
Increased Fortitude 1 (5)
Combat Speed 1/2 (8)
Bark Skin 1/5 (12)
Bark Skin 2/5 (16)
Increased Fortitude 2 (20)
Combat Speed 2/2 (30)
Increased Fortitude 3 (35)
Specialization: Heavy Armor 4/4 (40)

This build (I know, looks almost identical) will focus on damage reduction. I would max out Bark Skin after level 40, then go for some damage skills.

Both builds will have Combat Speed (I can't live without it now) and will never stop getting Increased Fortitude when it is available. I believe the second build would be better early on due to the damage reduction from 2/5 Bark Skin, along with Hardened Leather Shirt (1 DR) and Irigatu's Necklace (1 DR). The first build should be better in the long run.

Thoughts?

EDIT: I was also thinking about Path 1, instead of taking Fighting Style: Weapon and Shield + Specialization: Weapon and Shield, I'd take the dual wielding talents instead. Heavy armored, dual wielding badass. I believe I'll still have plenty of block % if I go this route, but will deal significantly more damage. Good trade off to me.

Tanks need mega HP. Don't ever miss out on increased fortitude when it becomes available, as the HP gained are not retroactive. The other skills can wait, but every level you gain without picking increased fortitude is forever lost HP. I think a task should pick increased fortitude as soon as new skill levels become available.

Not sure where to post this, but I am Surprised Weapon and Shield Specialization doesn't have a block increase, it only increases AC? Seems like improving that Specialization would balance the skill.

A really cool option would be a shield strike of some kind, doing damage and forcing the mob back one space? or dazed or some such

So S&S 2/2, S&S specialization (with block chance +), Shield Strike (20% chance of shield strike/level, 2-5 dmg/lvl, dazed?)

You can't get the specialization without both levels of the fighting style, and that does increase the block chance of shields. Think of both skills put together, not on their own.

I get that, but why no block boost on the final Spec?

Because there is no damage boost from the style. A boost to all three stats would be too much for one skill point, so it's split.

Ok, but I get that.

Maybe consider future skills in the tree
W&S 2/2
W&S spec 1/1

Shield Strike (dmg, dazed? Push?)
Shield wall (use 5 AP for +5DR for a round, or +50% to block for a round)

Things like that to make shields more fun and useful
These could be in the bleeding wounds/fracture/concussion family.