Skill/ability assignment at character creation and first several levels

[alceryes]

When creating a character, and through the first several levels, is it more advantageous to focus on your primary skill/ability, putting 2 points into primary attack ability at start (for fighter), and saving points at level up to maximize that one skill?
E.g. Will I have an easier time starting a two-handed fighter with 2 in two-handed fighting and saving points to get the two-handed fighting ability maxed before anything else? Or should I evenly advance the 'fighters' key skills and abilities like two-handed, man-at-arms, armor specialist, and body building? Hopefully there's pros and cons to both ways and I can get a feel for the strengths and weaknesses to both.

Most of the character creation guides I've read don't go into detail about what abilities and skills to get BEFORE others.

Loving this game so far! TIA!

[Syrris]

Man-at-Arms and similar skills won't really benefit from being higher than rank 1 at character generation because you only select three novice powers - the benefit of those being higher than rank 1 is that they make more and higher-grade power slots available, which you can't really leverage until you get to town (and you will be at least level 2 by then).

Other skills may be beneficial above rank 1, but once again the opportunity to use them will be relatively limited before you reach town. The weapon and armor skills are the most likely to be relevant, and in a few cases (a dual-wielding character, in particular), pushing one of those to rank 2 will make a noticeable difference.

[HugsAndSnuggles]

First few levels you'd be better off spreading your skills a bit, because without sufficient utility it'll be hard to control the flow of battle. Plus you'll get one, maybe, two skills to 3 before you'll leave town. And with more advanced abilities locked to level 6, iirc, you won't get much out of focusing (unless you don't plan on picking up a "wide" selection of skills on that character anyway).

As for what to pick first (combat-wise): generally, stuff that improves CC and mobility of your group. Defensive stuff you'll usually need later (ofc, there are exceptions for squishier characters).

For good example on how to build "pure" two-handed fighter you can look at Madora: just throw in leadership and you're set.

[Ssenkrad_II]

Originally posted by alceryes:

Most of the character creation guides I've read don't go into detail about what abilities and skills to get BEFORE others.

Hahahaha... Oh boy...

[rn_archl0rd]

Actually for your example, you also need points in constitution for survivability unless you you want a glass tank that does damage but can't take hits. Some points can be acquired through gear so you don't have to use the level up ones. Some suggest raising primary skills every other level up and getting good stat gear to carry you while adding points to secondary skills. It is all in how you want to play and no one build is best in all situations.

[alceryes]

Thanks all!
What's so funny, Ssenkrad_II? It sounds like I hit a 'faux pas' without meaning to. At least let me in on the joke so I can laugh at myself too!

[Ssenkrad_II]

Love the use of 'faux pas', but no, you did not!

'Faux pas' would be more like if I had helped you and then you turned around and said something like "Thanks all, you were much more helpful than build guide creators!"

What you did was more like say "man guys, been reading Lord of the Rings but it just doesn't explain anywhere about this 'one ring' or who 'Frodo' is... can people help me understand this?"

Amazingly people were very polite and tried to answer your question!

[alceryes]

Okay, got it.
I guess my overall question (not originally phrased very well, I admit) was whether or not I would hamstring my character by spreading skill/ability points out vs. severely focusing on 2 or 3 skills/abilities.

[Ssenkrad_II]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=607492091

I go into painful detail in my guide. In it I explain why spreading skill/abiltiy points out vs focusing on 2-3 is actually better in multiple, multiple sections...

If you were only going to do 2-3 skills/talents and nothing else they would be

1. Hydro
2. Expert Marksman
3. Crafting

[alceryes]

Damn! Now THAT'S an awesome guide!
Thanks Ssenkrad_II!

[ambershee]

My current character has absolutely no combat abilities at all, and I'm doing just fine (specced entirely into nasty deeds and personality). I don't think it really matters that much.