Builds

[Damedius]

So I'm about to play the game for a second time and was checking out some builds. A lot of them seem to dump a lot key attributes and rely on items to offset those. So for instance using Strength as dump attribute and using a weapon that uses another attribute for your attack rolls.

The problem I see is that you would probably be fairly weak attacking until you get these items, some of which are in Act 3. So are they starting with dumping key attributes or respeccing to dump those stats once they acquire the necessary equipment?

[FunkyMonkey]

I don't plan my builds around items, I don't like if I'm forced to use a specific item for my character to function. Also when respeccing, I don't change stats. So don't feel like you have to do that.

[Zsrai]

Don't bother following those builds to the letter unless you're hellbent on doing so. You don't need to min-max this game that much to finish it, and doing so sounds like it's already draining the fun out of it for you.

[alanc9]

The usual approach for a stat dump build is to respec into it once you have the item, yeah.

If you're going to use a cheese strategy, might as well go all the way.

[[TG] zac]

You can always respec at any time back at camp, those builds are more for once you get those items and want to be optimal.

As for dumping stats, if your not going to be using strength as your primary offensive stat (dex weapons or charisma for a blade lock or if the character is primarily a caster) there isn't really any reason to invest in it.

Same is true for int if your not a wizard or charisma if your not the party face or a bard/lock/sorcerer.

The only things I would say to never dump below 10 is con, wis and dex.

[Brian_the_Brute]

INT is the easiest to dump as you can get the ogre's headband quickly in ACT 1 and boost it to 17 . DEX would be next around level 4-5 at the creche as gloves of dexterity will boost DEX to 18.

You can cheat on Wisdom a bit too as there are several items in act 1 that will boost that stat or give advantage on saving throws needing that stat. That is unless you are a cleric.

I never run a character with less than 10 Strength, the default weak male NPCs get re-specc'ed from 8 to at least 10 in my camp as white men can't jump the streams or up to several ledges by default. Low strength also makes it a royal pain to carry loot unless you use mods to add bags of holding or the like. Potions can help, but is a pain to farm them and apply every rest. The giant gauntlets aren't available until the end of ACT 3, so you can do a dump for a final boost towards the endgame.

Charisma is the most important stat in the game for TAV as they do the talking and trading (usually).

Constitution is very important early as every HP counts at low level, but you can skimp a bit later on once your HP pool is large enough.

[jonnin]

Dumping a stat you need is counter productive. Eg making an 8 int wizard and beeline for the hat, you will only have a 17 int with the hat and you cannot increase it above that value. But if you started with a high int, you can push it on up to 20 as you level up, and be good at your job. Adjusting stats around gear causes multiple problems:
- the above, where you can't get it maxed out as easily in the early and mid game
- it ties you to items where you may have wanted something else in that slot.
- it may require you to do things you would not have, eg take a particular side or do a specific side quest etc to get an item. I am not 100% sure if this matters -- I don't recall where ALL the stat items are, but it could crop up

the approach is great for multi class characters or characters that require too many stats to do well without such items, like an unarmored monk will require the dex gloves as its not possible to max out str (damage, T-brawler) and dex (AC) and con(HP) and wis(AC) or a paladin who benefits from nearly every single stat besides int to over 16.

[HoneyDrake]

a) strength can be boosted by an elixir (Hill Giant Strength), any shopkeepers selling potions or elixirs will have them in stock and you can refresh their stock if you long rest. just spam it and collect as many as you want (it starts appearing at level 9). 21 str for free

b) int - headband of intellect, 17 int for free

c) dex - gloves of dexterity, 18 dex for free

d) some other options do exist, but most of them are endgame related and at that point you can respec and use stat increasing events

Honestly: spending your stat points on other stats is more important. The majority of the game is about talking your way out. There are zero reasons to waste them on stats you can increase using items early on.

You can breeze through Honour Mode by just talking and not failing your rolls, the combat gets trivialized that way but thanks to elixirs and items you will perform even better in fights than if you "perfectly" balance your stats out.

Imagine your character having 21 Str without spending a single point in that stat: being able to jump around and reaching/escaping/positioning yourself on the fly.

edit: and once you reach high enough of a level, where you get multiply feats, and start getting more stat points (like already mentioned, from events and co) you can respec your characters.

[InvisibleBison]

I'm not sure what builds you're looking at, but I don't think the problem you're describing is all that significant. Characters that don't use Strength as their attack stat typically use Dexterity instead. Many such characters will start with a finesse weapon (ie, one that lets you use Dex), and there are a bunch of daggers, short swords and scimitars on the nautiloid, all of which are finesse weapons. There are a handful of ways casters can gain the ability to use their casting stat to attack, but casters can just use their spells and cantrips to contribute until they gain the ability/item that lets them do so. So there's not really a situation where you have to choose between starting out weak or having to respec later, unless you're doing something really weird.

[RollerPig]

Originally posted by Damedius:

So I'm about to play the game for a second time and was checking out some builds. A lot of them seem to dump a lot key attributes and rely on items to offset those. So for instance using Strength as dump attribute and using a weapon that uses another attribute for your attack rolls.

The problem I see is that you would probably be fairly weak attacking until you get these items, some of which are in Act 3. So are they starting with dumping key attributes or respeccing to dump those stats once they acquire the necessary equipment?

This is really for min maxing. There are TONS of videos on builds but most of them DO NOT share how to level until the point you get said items/feats/spells etc...

Strength builds are the exception as you can buy 3 hill giant elixirs for like 140 gold every long rest or after any respecc at the grove (level2)

Many honor runs and solo runs revolve around dumping strength and using elixirs.

In general most multi class build do not perform well before level 8 and don't really start to shine until level 10. Pure builds will beat them out almost every time.

Some of us have fun (like me) with theory crafting builds. I am CONSTANTLY respeccing in my runs but it is NOT needed.

You will have a LOT easier time in honor with strong builds but honestly I only need maybe 1 S tier build in the party and i can crush the game

Have fun with it. Dont stress. There are a LOT of great builds that are less gear dependent and very strong

remember MAD (multi attribute dependent) or SAD (single attribute dependent). Single attribute is better because you can stack CON, DEX or WIS for hp, initiative (huge) and high saving throws (also huge) where otherwise you'd have to spread your stats thin

[Quillithe]

I'd assume anyone min/maxing that much is just respeccing when they get the item.

Not really my style, but you can go for it.