Polearm Ninja

[Vic Asmadi]

Does anyone have experience/advice to share on running a Ninja using Spears/Polearms?

[dannyaic]

Originally posted by Vic Asmadi:

Does anyone have experience/advice to share on running a Ninja using Spears/Polearms?

Never tried it myself but according to many users here, it’s a very viable option that allows the ninja to throw as well

[biogoo]

Isnt dread spear the second best weapon a non-fairy ninja can get their hands on, after staff of doom?

It plays just like a spear fighter without berserk. Get the basic spear at the start of the game, upgrade to awl pike on Arnika road.
In Trynton, you can use combat run to grab the spiked spear right under the oak sages noses, or get a burning spear from the breeders if you can kill them (spiked spear is way better if you can get an extra swing with it). Then either do the idol quest and grab the mystic spear near the shaman or simply pay a short visit to Bela and buy a dread spear. There is also the shock rod which is an interesting choice but I find the weight and initiative penalty to be too harsh. Still a viable choice if the party needs constant "rest all", but a waste if it should be just for the ninja.

[HOK1970]

Tried it with a Hobbit Ninja and it was a lot of fun. Started as a Fighter for more Strength and faster Power Strike and then switched to Ninja at Level 2 (STR/DEX build).

Of course, a Ninja isn't as fast developed as a Fighter, but she can cast spells and the Alchemy Spellbook isn't the worst. Stealth more than enhances the inferior armor protection and can be improved by grinding if necessary. Critical Hit is also useful.

In the endgame, the class change back to the Fighter takes place, which additionally brings the Berserk Attack and allows better equipment (for example Inifinity Helm).

[CeterumCenseo]

I ran a pure solo polearm ninja some time ago. I loved that run. I liked this build much better than the Staff builds with CoC and SoD. I described it here in this forum, have a look. Not because they are stronger, but much more versatile.

[Vic Asmadi]

Will a spear ninja still get critical hits? Am I losing out by not having access to a weapon with an intrinsic KILL %?

[biogoo]

You will get critical hits.

Surely it is nice to have a weapon with its own instant kill chance or perhaps at least KO/paralyze, but dread spear does good damage, is very light, has extended range and the hex is also not bad at all.

It very much depends on what party are you planning to do. If it is for a full party, spear ninja will do. For solo, a weapon with a disabling effect might be preferable.

[Vic Asmadi]

Yeah - thanks - that's what I went with. I just recorded the first episode of my Rampage Challenge run.

I really like Martial Arts early, but I think Polearm is the right long-term plan. I haven't totally ruled out the SoD, but ninjas have so many other places to spend skill points that I can't imagine pumping Staff & Wand. I considered starting with a staff (stealing my Bishop's Quarter Staff), but there are no good mid-game guaranteed staffs for a Rampage run (no shops & no early access to Mountain Wilderness).

[dannyaic]

Originally posted by Vic Asmadi:

Yeah - thanks - that's what I went with. I just recorded the first episode of my Rampage Challenge run.

I really like Martial Arts early, but I think Polearm is the right long-term plan. I haven't totally ruled out the SoD, but ninjas have so many other places to spend skill points that I can't imagine pumping Staff & Wand. I considered starting with a staff (stealing my Bishop's Quarter Staff), but there are no good mid-game guaranteed staffs for a Rampage run (no shops & no early access to Mountain Wilderness).

Yeah good thinking. In other wizardry games it was really easy to raise multiple weapon types but in this one much better to plan for one melee one ranged/spell

[biogoo]

Originally posted by Vic Asmadi:

Yeah - thanks - that's what I went with. I just recorded the first episode of my Rampage Challenge run.

Ups, no dread spear in a rampage run! Shop only :)

[Vic Asmadi]

I can't kill Bela. Well, I could try to engineer some kind of collateral damage kill, but that sounds too silly. Since I can't turn him red, I'll be shopping.