Character Build Question: Melee only or something to blend?

[CullinB]

I am playing single player Legends of Aranna (still early in Chapter 1)
My hero go for a Melee guy.
but sometimes needs to play ranged combat in early engagement.
Should Melee fighter use bow or zap spell?
I know Zap will increase Intelligence and Nature magic skill.
I have one spell caster specialist follower.

[Applied Mediocrity]

For first time through the game it's best to leave each character do what he/she does best and stick to it. Otherwise your stats will not raise according to your level rendering that number quite meaningless. And you'll run into proper Ranged specialist soon enough.

See this guide for detailed explanation as to how and why:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=164061093

That said, the game is heavily biased towards Melee as they deal the most damage and that's what counts for experience. Other classes will always gradually lag behind Melee purely because as Melee guys level up, they're bound to get even better weapons and so rake in even more experience. LoA did improve Ranged class by providing more and better weapons but Magic is still underpowered.

[CullinB]

Thank you for your precise comment.
I have read Brvlf's Guide now and can draw some perspective for my characters.

[Twobei]

I do advise making characters with 2 different specializations, the magic may be pretty weak but some spells (it's pretty hit and miss) do deal sufficient damage and with more time you get awesome spells that enhance your fighting power significantly.

Trying a melee+nature build or a melee+combat build is worth a shot definetly, even though your attributes are going to fall behind you'll beat everything up once you get proper spells to buff your melee capabilities!

Even melee+ranger can work, going full melee is a better idea than that though.

Also, what MOVSXD said, melee is by far the best class in the game.
What he didn't mention is that melee characters take by far the most hits - by FAR.

A nature mage at level, say, 50 is going to get shredded to pieces by a seck if he gets to close, or 5 seck archers, thus forcing you to dodge them or spam that healing wind while melees can simply start bashing and probably come out on top. :P

[CullinB]

thank you for
Now we met Lost Queen and got killed twice :P
I love this balance. I think can managed to deel with her.
I think i would go for Melee to gain full HP.
Followers go on pure archer and Nature+Combat hybrid.

[CullinB]

Originally posted by PlasmaWisp:

Trying a melee+nature build or a melee+combat build is worth a shot definetly, even though your attributes are going to fall behind you'll beat everything up once you get proper spells to buff your melee capabilities!

I am realizing what you said
Nature magic has good Buff spells and we can make buff duration time longer by casting it cumlatively!!
If i plan to go solo in single mode, Melee main + nature subclass Character.
Because only bashing something is boring.
Even if my character cannot wear best Gear for low Str it will be fun play through.

[rubyismycat]

Personally i make sure everyone can cast healing wind and reserection i also make very character get at least lv 10 with bows and lv 20 mele this adds a bit of survivability for your mages

[rubyismycat]

Just to clarify by getting 20 ranks in mele u improve strenth and hit points by getting lv 10 archery you get a bit more dexterity so then even if you go on to just do magic thereafter your a lot less squishey and can wear some light chain or dragonskin armor in late game istead of a dress

[darkath69]

I always get to nature magic 5 to use resurection and transmute otherwise I use ranged as primary. I only use meelee if i need to get my strength up.

[Kris]

It's been a while since I played, I always enjoyed melee mixed with complimentary spells, like healing, healing yourself isn't going to have an impact on leveling melee, so look for spells that buff you're character instead of dealing damage to the enemies, that way you can slowly level magic while leveling melee at the normal pace. I'm pretty sure this works, and it also adds a little more playability to solo or multiplayer.

[Joe Pascal]

Originally posted by Kris:

It's been a while since I played, I always enjoyed melee mixed with complimentary spells, like healing, healing yourself isn't going to have an impact on leveling melee, so look for spells that buff you're character instead of dealing damage to the enemies, that way you can slowly level magic while leveling melee at the normal pace. I'm pretty sure this works, and it also adds a little more playability to solo or multiplayer.

I found that my healer always lags way behind, even though he seems to be magicking his ass off most of the time my group is in combat, he doesn;t level up nearly as fast as the tanks.

[Kris]

I use pause and play, my main character levels both melee and nature. I pause to heal when there is a lot of damage being done and if it becomes too crazy I just use a potion, though in the long run I barely use 80% of the potions I use without healing on the side.

I believe you're healer is only using magic and not using melee, if he is on the other hand using melee then he is probably missing out on experience only while he heals. If you are using a whole party then there is no need for the healer to do battle anyway, my build is used for small parties of 3-4 or solo.