advice for Shaman Class, Demolitionist class newbie.

[ScRaPpErToN]

Hi all, I like guns and simplicity. This is my first play thru and started with Shaman. I liked the idea of guns for range and strong melee 'if needed'. I really want a very simple this play thru as I mess up enough when things are black and white. Perm picks/choices/allocations I don't do well with. Takes me Forever.... to kinda choose and my brain simply cant manage all the intricaies the game, or most games, have to offer latey.

Do I need to pick a 2nd class?

Do the animals always need you tell it to fight something or do they 'attack all' (idk not there yet)?

What would be a good easy as cake at a birthday party, 2nd class if I was just going to use as few skills as possible. I pondered Soldier for the insta shield when health drops below 33% but again I'd most likely be holding my gun instead of the melee weapon it sounds l would need active, going by the descrption. Maybe I haven't progressed enough to see the difference in DPS between gun and big stick. Do they seperate much. atm I have 4,4,4 in the first line of skills top to bottom (the ones from right off the bat), with some in the big lightning shot skill (second row looks like a spear tip). I like that skill :).
I really don't want to end up managing 40 assignable skills to only managably play with 4 or 5 before loosing my mind and my life over and over due to forgetting what is asigned where.
Any tips or suggestions.
(all I ask is for a polite and respectful relpies). thanks

[Halcyon]

Hi and welcome to the game :)

Shaman is a good class for simple play, but if you want to go guns then you probably don't want pets. Pets require 'pet bonuses' on your gear which is usually mutually exclusive with 'player bonuses' and you only have so many slots for gear.

Sounds like you've taken brute force-feral hunger-upheaval line and primal strike line, which don't work and play well together unfortunately :( The Primal Strike attack is not a 'default attack' and so cannot trigger feral hunger or upheaval since they are 'weapon pool skills' (aka WPS) and can only trigger on default attacks or default attack replacers like savagery.

You almost definitely need a second class. The stats are absolutely critical and you get access to synergistic skills that make things a lot easier. I recommend Inquisitor if you're looking to go with guns. You can also get good mileage out of soldier or demolitionist. Occultist/shaman and Necromancer/shaman are more oriented towards pets, and nightblade/shaman is an advanced class that is difficult to play well.

2h melee primal strike is the classic 'easy' build for lightning, but ranged primal strike or savagery are also exceptionally powerful and should not be discounted as a good skill for beginners.

[arrow90420]

Since you are interested in 2H and shaman, you can go with primal strike shaman and yes you must choose a second class. Common suggestion for the secondary class in your case would be inquisitor. Occutilst can be added if you prefer. Both of them are great additions for melee primal strike shaman build. Occultist+shaman is also great because you can switch to pet build anytime.

[Prey]

You can easy finish the game on normal and ultimate difficulty without using a second class. The shaman is a very strong and flexible class.
At the beginning you can use Devouring Swarm for fast leveling. Once you have access to Thunderous (Primal Strike mod) Strike, the game will be very easy. Shaman 2H + Thunderous Strike = literally faceroll. Especially that you can use Totems and Wind Devil for support. So dont listening arrow90420 is typical "dunnohowitworksbutisaysomething".
I actualy finish Normal and Elite difficulties, now I'm on Ultimate. It's hard, but still i not pick second class and is not that hard.

Pets are support only, if you don't use pet build. Shamans pet can boost you damage, if you use Emboldening Roar, but instead of this you can pick secondary mastery and get better synergies.

I sugest do not listening arrow90420. He is probably a troll (new steam account 1 game...) and dunno anything i guess.

At the beginning, Pirmal Strike is very good, but at Ultimate it is worth considering the change to Savagery. This is a BASE ATTACK skill and allows you to use several other skills, very useful, such as Feral Hunger and trigger every passive skill what requires a basic attack skill.
In addition, you can use the savagery with the shield, which also gives you more options if you choose a soldier as the second class.
At grimdawn.com you will find a lot of builds for each class.

HINT: Melee classes have much easier life in Grim Dawn, than range builds. Grim Dawn, like a Titan Quest, heavily support melle classes, becasue character progress is literally broken.
Check this.

[Včelí medvídek]

Nguyên văn bởi Sir Nevermore:

HINT: Melee classes have much easier life in Grim Dawn, than range builds. Grim Dawn, like a Titan Quest, heavily support melle classes, becasue character progress is literally broken.
Check this.

Going full physique is not the same as going melee. My rifle commando (well actually any build I ever made) has majority points in phys. It may be (in generaly not autoamtically) that by end game melee character are stronger but in opposite ranged have much easier time on earlier levels and at the end it is about what suit players more (I prefer range for geting use to mobility and easier evade of various affects than if I facetank enemy where lot more abilities must be cared of- from this perspective "easier life" is very subjective statement)

Moreover I am sure there are specific builds that benefit from cunning and OA nore than phys (that is actually pure defense)

[Befuddled Honey Badger]

Nguyên văn bởi Sir Nevermore:

I sugest do not listening arrow90420. He is probably a troll (new steam account 1 game...) and dunno anything i guess.

At the beginning, Pirmal Strike is very good, but at Ultimate it is worth considering the change to Savagery

Both of those sentences aren't really true. What arrow90420 said holds true as 2 masteries give you decent stats to equip the required gear without need to dump too many extra points in Cunning/Spirit (also more skills with utility, offensive or defensive). Also with the right gear Thunderous Strike is very much viable in Ultimate.

Like my Vindicator, which can clear at least 160 (only ever tried Crucible once on it):

https://www.grimtools.com/calc/xZy43bqV

Admittedly, those Rares will take a while to get although I did get lucky with a well rolled Rifle dropping as I was randomly farming Ugdenbloom/Ancient Grove, which was the only reason I made this build.

[ScRaPpErToN]

Thank you all for your thoughts and contributions. Very helpful. I only have the base game. So I do not access to inquisitor or necromancer. Where can I find the build lists that tell me which skills to develope and which to ignore? I will probably start a new character as I really havent gotten past but a couple quests and seem to have chosen the wrong skills (I kinda thought this would happen). I still a bit lost on the devotion path. I started 1 in the Blue. I'll keep looking and try to find the builds info... If someone can drop that link I'd really appreciate that. I tried the links already dropped but its not linking me (probably reboot will fix that).
Thanks again for your time and help.

[kekkuli]

http://www.grimdawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77992

Thats pretty good list. Those builds don't include the ones utilizing some crazy green items that are next to impossible to get.

[FlamingX21]

Sir Nevermore, you better shut it... arrow is not a troll once you think his view or opinion doesn't match yours. Please, back off or you you gonna have good talk with me too here. It seems people easily find an excuse to call everyone troll novadays when their opionions/views deosn't match theirs. Pathetic move duds...

EDIT: Forums from greek times as word meant "meeting", which I learned from history class myself and that means there obviously will be different opinions and decisions. What is purose of using forums then, if you are not gonna listen to others and hear what you only wana hear like a little child.

[Finnvbot]

Nguyên văn bởi Sir Nevermore:

HINT: Melee classes have much easier life in Grim Dawn, than range builds. Grim Dawn, like a Titan Quest, heavily support melle classes, becasue character progress is literally broken.
Check this.

Wait wat

If by "literally broken" you mean that most people neglect cunning and spirit in favour of physique, then that's a strong maybe. I wouldn't call it broken, though. Mainly because I avoid using such dramatic (and memey at this point) expressions like LITERALLY UNPLAYABLE.

The first thing that came to my mind after trying a ranged build was how easy some of the bosses became (not to spoil anything to the OP). Hell, most of them did. So I'm not quite sure what you're trying to get at.

[Faust Wither]

check out this cool gun https://www.grimtools.com/db/items/9385

[ScRaPpErToN]

Question(s): Is there a place that shows pics of all the charatcer pages for a build?
Devotions page, Skills of both classes, as well as the DPS character stat pages. I have come across one skill page but it was of only one of the 2 classes (I think it was in Grimtools but I really had no idea how to work it to its potential. I was looking in the bulds forum on Grim Dawn. I am new to this forum stuff and am pretty lost as to vocabulary abrieviations. Tho my main problem is seeing a build not "seemingly to me" based on gear but on general Skills and devotions that hug and love eachother, as it were.

As I have started another character as Demolitionist. Fun class. But have yet to pick a second class just like my first character (Shaman). I am having a difficult time knowing if one skill is actually adding/complementing another, For example Demoliyionists toggles: Ulz Wrath and Fire touch ( I assume they are as they both are engaged independent of the other. So I imagine they both are "working" at the same time. So, not the best example of my confusion :/

Specifics atm I have:
Lvl 21 with 15 available mastery/skill points sitting unspent.

I have 20 attibute points (unspent)

*I read a beginners guide that suggested to wait to spend attribute points till end game when they become highly important as there is noredo's. Therby helping give the beginner see more clearly what needs to be directly allocated based on play style. (Ive been doing ok so far as to power vs Enemy with what i have spent and not, playing on Normal. I am fighting The Warden. Round 1 = time to spend more Skill points xD

1 skill point in (1)Flame Touch as well as (1)Temper. I understand that they are connected and add to eachothers power. How can I tell if they complement other skils/devotions and which ones?

(1/12)Flame Touch, (1/12)Temper /// Blast shield (0, not unlocked yet)

(2/12 )FireStrike, (1/12 )ExplosiveStrike, ( 3/3)Searing Might, ( 1/12)Static Strike,
(0 )Brimstone=notunlocked

(5/16)Vendictive Flame (3/12)Ulzuin's Wrath

I have been taking it super slow and easy so I don't get ahead of myself or understanding.

I have nothing else. No Devotions either, as I don't have a clue on which colors compliment me, or if they are moreless 'class complementary' or 'anything can work with any set up'.

I am just now discovering that Blue items are out performed by using a couple green items. I think I have only 2 matching green items equipped, but 3 seperate partial sets. so a tolal of 4 or 5 but 2/?, 3/2 and 2/?. I am assuming each complete set should enclude 1 item of all types.
Green items equipped that out perform Blue solo items. This is probably a "No S**t Sherlocke moment... but I'll take the Facepalm to better illustrate my epic lvl of mental sharpness and my understanding of the game thus far atm.
Boar = 2
Alicrity = 2
Protetion = 3

Also, I have an open item slot to the left of the belt. I think its for a relic(?) and I have yet to progress to that point? Maybe DLC? not sure yet.

Major Question:
How do I know which of these skills from Demo will work Directly/"at the same time" with which/any(?) of Shamans skills?
I am Sure I will be combining them on at least one of my characters.
Are Demolitionist/Shamans the EXACT same as Shaman/Demolitionist???
--as it does not seem to me to be the case uless: a complete reset of skills after Full mastery of both classes was performed.

I appaulogize if I am putting too much info and or questions in one post. Let me know if I should break em up in the future. I will do my best. (no guarentees but I will aim to please)
Thank you for your help.
oh I added Demolitionist to the title.... not sure if thats ok or not.

[Včelí medvídek]

Will try answer things, maybe nto directly in order

- Grimtool is best atm, youc an for example click link right above your post and go to Build calculator at top, You can go through character screens and info exactly same way as in game

- Saving attribute points is imho very poor advise and really not needed (probably outdated from pre-DLC time when was not possible redistribute points). You can redistribute points later by potions so there is realy no need for cripple yourself. General rule - take few points there and there toward your weapon (eg. guns ans swords need some cunning, magic equipment like scepters spirit - respectively cunning boost physique damage while spirit magic in general) and rest to physique. If you find some item you want to gear and you lack attribute just grab it at next level(s)

- Speaking of which all these game guides etc are like plague and seems to me, that players would do themseves much more good if they rely more on their own sense and ask/look guides only in case they struggle at soem point in game and need specific help, not start by reading (maybe outdated, personal opinion etc.) online info

- For synergies use your common sense - if you want for example use fire damage on our build than synergies clearly will be skills that give bonus to fire or elemental

- it does not matter which mastery is selected first, result is exactly same. For some builds can be advantageous wait with selection of 2nd mastery a bit (eg. level 40..) but nothing you should strictly stick to.

- Devotions can be reverted too. Same as with synergies above - if you want use fire, pickup fire bonuses. In time defensives comes to importance, but you will find out. If you want be serious check devotions at border of star map - they are usualy strongest and you can set them as "target" - taking those devotions that supply points for them and benefit your character on way.

- Some green items are amazing and can eb even beetter than blue epics or violet elgendaries. But its nto so common and as you progress game it is more about you outlevel gear fast so almost any new nice drop is upgrade, no matter the quality.

- dont neglect masteries bar during leveling, you should invest point or two there (almsot) each elvel - it raise attributes needed for gear and hp/energy pools. Best is choose some skill or two as amjor damage sources and build around it. Most skills is not worthy invest just 1 point but usualy is not very benefical max them too early either (check when bonuses get too low)

- last but nto least. YOU CAN NOT DO WRONG. Any choice (beside mastery selection) can be reverted in time. Dont be afraid go, have fun and experiment - it is very likely that you will change your build upside down - maybe even more than jsut once. Best is simply say at beginning - what character I want to play? Ice mage? Fire rifleman? Strong man that bash skulls with shield and mace? And than jsut go throiugh masteries skills and so on that support this Idea. It is realy hard to mess things up that any charcter would nto compelte game on normal - and at that time you will ahve much better Idea what you want/need to do, waht to change and how continue.

[ScRaPpErToN]

Thank you Včelí medvídek for the reply. Seem Indeed I read outdated info. I was un aware that I could edit/re edit my character with such as as what I read said the price goes up each time a skill point is taken back and so that really messed with my head. Thinking I wouldn't be able to redo the enite character's skills, devotions easy enough or affordably. So thank you for correcting that.

[Včelí medvídek]

Nguyên văn bởi ScRaPpErToN:

Thank you Včelí medvídek for the reply. Seem Indeed I read outdated info. I was un aware that I could edit/re edit my character with such as as what I read said the price goes up each time a skill point is taken back and so that really messed with my head. Thinking I wouldn't be able to redo the enite character's skills, devotions easy enough or affordably. So thank you for correcting that.

Well, the price indeed go up if you do redo points too much.

BUT - it is still laughably low (like few hunderds to thousands of bits at times you have million in wallet - I can hardly imagine how much points you would have to refund so it make real fiancial issue at any point of game). And DLC brought in potions that reset all points for free (well if you want extra potion you need to buy them for like 40k btu you get like 2 of each type jsut during quests on each difficulty + they can drop as loot too)

[ScRaPpErToN]

Facepalm moment.
My lettering/Zoom was set 1 click too large and therefore I could not see the buttons and quick slots in grim tools. (followed up by a few choice words in my mind) I have now found exactly what I was wanting in that department. Now to figure the whole thinkg out ... fingers crossed.
Again Thankyou all for your help. Much appriciated.