How to build a Sergeant

[djxput]

Basically everything ...

From what starting traints and stars and stats to look for and what to gear him as and what for a final build.

Ive basically played the early days over and over again but this time around I may continue or (survive that long). So finding myself looking at making a sergeant.

I dont really want a 'resolve bot' Id like a guy to have some use. Not sure what weapon to give him; I some sergeants using crossbows and others using the flag or other.

Id probably like him to have 70+ resolve maybe closer to 90 but well see. Atm I dont have any candidates but I did get a noble with 50 starting resolve so thats not bad but he didnt have any stars in fatigue nor resolve.

anyways - whats your take? btw most of my troops resolve spec is around 47-55 atm Im on day 110 with a goblin war starting (again fist time past day 108)

thanks

[13obo]

To be fair, you can build Sergeant from any position and role as long as you take Fortified Mind and Rally the Troops (obviously).

However, your question seems to be what would be the most efficient one and the answer for me is a Hybrid Archer. It's a bit difficult to level that one as you have too many stats to level (health to 60, fatigue to 120, ranged defence to 25, while also taking ranged attack and resolve on every level up; I skip levelling initative unless he has talents in it and then focus on it rather than ranged defence).

An archer sergeant is decently able to compete with my other hybrid archers in terms of damage as long as you put him some decent armour to offset his lower defences (and 1 less perk available for defence).

In terms of build, my Archer/Sergeant goes:
1. Student
2. Gifted
3. Rally the Troops
4. Fortified Mind
5. Footwork
6. Anticipation/Dodge (depends if you focus on ranged defence or initiative; won't have perks/stat points for levelling both)
7. Quick Hands
8. Bow Mastery
9. Berserk
10. Killing Frenzy
11. Recover

You could drop Gifted for Pathfinder (I do that when the recruit is exceptionally talented) as a good sergeant needs to be able to quickly go from one side of the map to the other when needed. But I like to have ranged skill/resolve as high as possible as those two stats can never be too high even with veteran levels.

You can level the Sergeant as a Backliner with Quick Hands if he's not talented in ranged attack, so you can switch from banner to another polearm (take pole arm mastery in this case) when required. However, I usually do this early game when I haven't found a good archer/sergeant candidate, and just need to fill the slot. I'm not a fan of backliners that can't also shoot.

I hope this helps.

Edit: forgot to mention that he'd have talents in ranged attack and resolve, and third stat can be anywhere else as those guys can level up almost anything.

[screeg]

I would only ever use Student or Gifted on expendable units, since they only give you things you get by playing the game anyway: experience and stat increases. Actually, I've never used Student at all.

[♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥]

Also getting him the Brain Damage Injury for 25% Buff to his resolve is pretty great too.

[13obo]

I did mention Gifted is optional if you don't like it. And Student has no effect on the mercenary at level 11, so whether one takes it or not is purely up to the player's preference for short-term gain or long-term speed of levelling (FYI there are plenty of studies showing that successful people are those that can defer short-term gain for long-term potential).

Let's not turn this into another Student/Gifted perk discussion and stick to the topic.

[screeg]

The topic is perk choice, which is especially relevant for hybrid builds. Student is definitely (and always) optional.

[Biggi Bumbu Svín]

brain damage is insane

[13obo]

Yeah, I can imagine the brain-damaged Sergeant inspiring his troops... "Follow me to battle! Oh is that a butterfly?"

[corrupti0N]

I got lucky with a brain damaged sergant. Best permanent injury ever lol. I personally like keeping my sergant with his banner and giving him bags/quick hands and he can act as a netter

[Caveira]

xbow sergeant best sergeant, you don't need high ranged skill, 70-80 is enough,you can wear heavy armor and a helmet with -1 vision and he will be helpfull in battle.

[djxput]

Originally posted by 13obo:

To be fair, you can build Sergeant from any position and role as long as you take Fortified Mind and Rally the Troops (obviously).

However, your question seems to be what would be the most efficient one and the answer for me is a Hybrid Archer. It's a bit difficult to level that one as you have too many stats to level (health to 60, fatigue to 120, ranged defence to 25, while also taking ranged attack and resolve on every level up; I skip levelling initative unless he has talents in it and then focus on it rather than ranged defence).

An archer sergeant is decently able to compete with my other hybrid archers in terms of damage as long as you put him some decent armour to offset his lower defences (and 1 less perk available for defence).

In terms of build, my Archer/Sergeant goes:
1. Student
2. Gifted
3. Rally the Troops
4. Fortified Mind
5. Footwork
6. Anticipation/Dodge (depends if you focus on ranged defence or initiative; won't have perks/stat points for levelling both)
7. Quick Hands
8. Bow Mastery
9. Berserk
10. Killing Frenzy
11. Recover

You could drop Gifted for Pathfinder (I do that when the recruit is exceptionally talented) as a good sergeant needs to be able to quickly go from one side of the map to the other when needed. But I like to have ranged skill/resolve as high as possible as those two stats can never be too high even with veteran levels.

You can level the Sergeant as a Backliner with Quick Hands if he's not talented in ranged attack, so you can switch from banner to another polearm (take pole arm mastery in this case) when required. However, I usually do this early game when I haven't found a good archer/sergeant candidate, and just need to fill the slot. I'm not a fan of backliners that can't also shoot.

I hope this helps.

Edit: forgot to mention that he'd have talents in ranged attack and resolve, and third stat can be anywhere else as those guys can level up almost anything.

Hey Obo,

thanks for your input - btw your initial guide helped me out when I first started ...
I see you like killing frenzy - hadnt thought of that for my guys let along a sergeant but you like it?

My guys atm are hitting level 8-10 so need to put those final perks in.

as far as gifted goes funny - in my playthroughs I never specced it. Now this last one I did on all my guys and I really like it. IMO gives a nice boost.

So if he is a xbow guy what does it do wip out the flag when he needs too or? not even carry it and use rally? btw what does the sergeant sash do? havnt gotten that yet.

[13obo]

Happy to help!

I like archer sergeants because they are not fatigue starved like front liners. You can get away with 110 pre-armour fatigue on lvl 11 easily, while a front liner would need 130 to be an efficient rally bot.

In addition you don't want your sergeant to be stuck in melee and not be able to move him where he's needed. An archer can move towards person in need of rally and still shoot at someone else.

Had a sergeant shield bearer but he had after armour fatigue of 60, which is low for my taste though some people seem to roll with it.

Killing frenzy is a must for all my damage dealers (didn't have it on my shield sargeant), so up to you how you want to spec

[jfoytek]

I find this thread to be a bit odd....

First you start off with the Correct there is no right way to build a seargant, and then you give him a seargant build that is NOT the most optimum Seargant build as a Banner Seargant is obviously the most optimum....

However I personally like to have my seargant seperate from my bannerman... So I don't do this but if your just trying to Min Max then the Banner Seargant is obviously going to be the best...

[13obo]

That was a very useful build you gave there.

Sarcasm off.

I still maintain there's no single way to build a sergeant and you are right that bannerman != sargeant, but the guy asked for a specific example and I gave him one without going into too much detail.

Some people need initial guidance via specific examples- they can figure out their way later. Saying "you can build your guys any way you want" doesn't really help them since they've come here asking for specific advice.

[TaroEld]

Originally posted by screeg:

I would only ever use Student or Gifted on expendable units, since they only give you things you get by playing the game anyway: experience and stat increases. Actually, I've never used Student at all.

You get the perk point from Student back at level 11, so I find it to be a vital tool later in the game to level up fresh recruits. I generally also get it on my sergeants early on, because they're most always in a safe position and don't really need the perk point for anything else early on.

[That One Guy]

I'd say that the most important thing for building a Sergeant is 2-3 stars in Resolve, and start with a character that gets a boost to initial Resolve. I *believe* that all backgrounds with good enough starting Resolve are: Adventurous Noble, Monk, Swordmaster, Retired Soldier, and Squire. Witch Hunters may also be a safe bet.

To any length, here's my sergeant so far... hope this helps:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=920223453