Fun first time sword and board build

[Azul Rex]

Haven't played this game in years since the launch of the original game, but I want to hop back into it with a sword and shield build, but I'm not sure how to build it. Was thinking maybe Warlord since like the ideas behind the Soldier and Oathkeeper. Really like the idea of getting into the thick of it, so I guess something focused around physical damage as well.

[Vriska 8/8 Waifu]

shields are an odd situation, because with a rare few exceptions they are purely the territory of retal builds, and most retal builds don't lend themselves well to beginners. i would suggest Aegis of Menhir as the skill of choice if you must build non-retal shields, but you probaly won't be doing pure physical damage, most AoM builds either focus fire or acid damage.

if you want to DIY a build, oathkeeper is a must, and something with either strong fire or acid synergy works well for Aegis spam. if you want a guide, i would point you here: https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/1-1-8-1-fire-shield-throw-paladin-from-scratch-build-journal-and-guide/105073
alternately you can look over the beginner builds section of this page: https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/build-compendium-x-forgotten-gods/49673

[gNuff!~©~gNom3™]

https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/beginner-build-guides-compendium-for-aom-fg-expansions/106137
could take a look at the blitzer
can make a decent melee auto attacker using wps like shattering smash and smite (scales with shield)
some decent non retal options around here and there

[SADevil]

I made hardcore Warlord[www.grimtools.com] with Markovian Bastion set. My main abilities are Righteous Fervor, Markovian's Advantage, Shattering Smash and Blitz. He can farm 70SR. Though I started with Force Wave and later respeced into WPS. I had items from my first hardcore character so I just used what I had in a stash or could craft. I didn't even had a plan what set I will use in late game. There are a bunch of good shields if I wouldn't decide in favour of Markovian Bastion which already includes a shield.

[Azul Rex]

Thank you guys for the suggestions and links. Definitely found a few builds I'd like to try some time.

Originally posted by SADevil:

I made hardcore Warlord[www.grimtools.com] with Markovian Bastion set. My main abilities are Righteous Fervor, Markovian's Advantage, Shattering Smash and Blitz. He can farm 70SR. Though I started with Force Wave and later respeced into WPS. I had items from my first hardcore character so I just used what I had in a stash or could craft. I didn't even had a plan what set I will use in late game. There are a bunch of good shields if I wouldn't decide in favour of Markovian Bastion which already includes a shield.

Definitely like the look of this build, seems to fit the idea I was gunning for, slicing and dicing while throwing the occasional shield bash and Blitz, so I'd like to try it for myself. Any tips on which mastery and skills to put points in?

[SADevil]

I started with Soldier and his Forcewave and Blitz, as it's supported by Act I Monster Infrequents (Mutant Bludgeon, Milton's Casque, Shambler's Heart). Menhir's Will and Military Conditioning are a must for survival. Fighting Spirit is usefull for offensive ability and damage, but can be maxed later.

On Oathkeeper side a bit in Safeguard will boost Forcewave and soon Blitz damage. Presence of Virtue will get you offensive ability and Haven will again boost your health up to another 30% at max level. One point in Vire's Might will make the character much more mobile, as it doesn't require a target. If you will add another charge ability with a rune you will get three mobility skills with only one of them requiring a target.

A few points in Shield Training, one point in Veterancy. Field Command is important for offensive ability and should be maxed out eventually. A few points in War Cry for resistance reduction (with Terrify transmute and Break Morale modifier).

Blindside will make you deal high damage to several targets with Blitz. One point in Counter Strike just for a little daamge boost. Overcapping Oleron'r Rage for offensive ability and damage.

Smite I added just to delete normal attack from an attack pool, and did it very late in the game.

Consecration and Squad Tactics for attack speed which equates to healing with life leeching.

At some point (depending on items) I switched from Forcewave to Righteous Fevor with Markovian's Advantage, Zolhan's Technique and Shattering Smash (eventually overcapping MA and ShS). Until you craft Mark of the Voracious One, Wendigo's Glare medal will help this build (boosting Shattering Smash and Blitz). And Bargoll's Root is very good too. You can buy it in roguelike dungeon in the swamp or the more hard way by farming it from Bargoll. Also before Bargoll's Root you can find Sandclaw Slicer from Forgotten Gods disnosaurs. It boosts physical damage and attack speed for Presence of Virtue, and of course it's even better with good affixes like Superior Sandclaw Slicer of Ruin.

But if I was playing in softcore, may be I could start with WPS and didn't touched Forcewave. But then you can always experiment.

I didn't see much point in using Overguard until getting Markovian's Bastion set, so I haven't invesetd in it until that point. Mark of the Voracious One adds life leeching to Overguard, so with Markovian's Defense transmute it can make you constantly healing yourself in battle by refreshing the skill in time, but at the cost of all the bonus damage that Overguard gets from skill modifiers on items. But I played on hardcore, so on softcore it can be used just as a temporary life leech with a good damage bonus.

If you have Guardsman's Rainment set, it will help you at 20 level for some time. While leveling I used Fleshwarped items from Fleshwarped Trolls.