Synergizing Skills

[dwaynegand]

I think I've finally gotten the hang of playing this game. After everything I've learned from watching Kerplunk Gaming's videos on Quickstart for Act 1 for each mastery, I am more confident in my ability to create characters getting through Normal.

The key is picking out skills that deal flat amounts of damage rather than percentages and then choosing skills that synergize with them or at least picking up buffs. The first mastery you pick determines how your character will play out in Normal difficulty. The second mastery will improve upon those skills or your character.

Judging from watching those videos and the skills with flat damage bonuses, the ideal way to play your chosen class depending upon your first mastery is:

Defense: Physical melee with shield
Dream: Physical melee caster
Earth: Auramancer
Hunting: Ranged
Nature: Petmaster
Neidan: Elemental caster
Rogue: Poison caster
Rune: Elemental caster
Spirit: Vitality caster
Storm: Elemental caster
Warfare: Physical melee (shield optional)

In the past, a previous thread detailed synergizing skills for the best endgame build for each character. This one will list the skills for improving upon yourself or the skills chosen in your first mastery for getting through Normal easily.

I'll start with the masteries with skills that I find easier to synergize with in the second mastery.

Feel free to comment or suggest other skills that would work well in the second mastery.

[dwaynegand]

Nature

Max Call of the Wild as the wolves are your primary source of damage. Put a point in each of it's synergies to improve their combat effectiveness. Put a point in each skill of the Plague and Sylvan Nymph trees. The Plague tree can debuff your enemies and the Nymph is another powerful minion. Get a point in Refresh for reduced cooldowns. Once both masteries are maxed, get Heart of the Oak for life and Permeance of Stone for elemental resistance.

Defense: Rally for healing, Defiance for more elemental resistance and some damage resistance, Battle Awareness and Iron Will to improve the defenses of yourself and your minions.

Dream: Mastermind for more damage from your minions, Trance of Convalesence for survivability for yourself and your minons, and Dream Image for a temporary minion.

Earth: Brimstone for more physical damage for your minions, Core Dweller and its synergies for another minion, Volativity for more damage, Heat Shield to improve your defenses, and Stone for emergency defense.

Hunting: Study Prey and Flush Out for reducing enemy resistances, Finesse to improve their combat effectiveness, a point in each skill in the Art of the Hunt Tree to buff yourself, and Wood Lore for Defensive Ability increases.

Neidan: Terracotta Servants for more minions, Weakest Chakra for to reduce enemy resistances, Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for your own defenses.

Rogue: Lay Trap and its synergies for temporary minions.

Rune: Rune of Life to improve minions, Guardian Stones for a powerful temporary minion, Seal of Fate and Aftershock for a powerful attack that can debuff enemies. A point in Reckless Offense so you can equip two weapons.

Spirit: Unearthly Power to strengthen your minions, Lick King with a point in its synergies for another powerful minion, and Summon Outsider for a temporary minion. A point in Vision of Death is good for when you are surrounded, and both Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improving offense and defense againse the undead. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Thunderball and Concussive Blast for reducing enemy defensive ability, Storm Nimbus for adding elemental damage, Obscured Visibility for debuffing enemy damage and resistances, and Eye of the Storm for increasing resistances to cold and lightning as well as increasing elemental damage.

Warfare: Battle Standard for more physical damage for your minions and improved skill levels, Ancestral Horn and Lasting Legacy for more temporary minions. A point in War Horn for stunning enemies that surround you.

[dwaynegand]

Earth

Ring of Flame is your primary source of damage so max it. Earth Enchantment increases the damage, so it also needs to be maxed. A point in Volativity gives a chance of increased damage. A point in Heat Shield increases your damage absorption. Stone Form and Molten Rock are good for further defenses.

Defense: Max Brimstone as well to increase your physical damage. A point in Batter and Rend Armor are your left click attack. Shield Charge and Disruption are good for charging into battle and hitting multiple enemies. Max the passive shield attacks starting with Pulverize. Defiance can go well with Stone Form to reflect damage. Colossus Form gives you more damage and health.

Dream: Trance of Wrath to stack on top of your Ring of Flame for an even more powerful aura, Lucid Dream to increase its damage, Temporal Rift for when surrounded.

Hunting: Max Brimstone and get the Monster Lure's Detonate, as well as Study Prey and Flush Out for reducing resistances, a point each skill in Art of the Hunt for buffs, and Wood Lore for increased Defensive Ability.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for resistances, Sanctuary for improved defenses, Susceptibility to reduce enemy resistances, Refresh to reduce cooldowns, and Earthbind to immobilize enemies around you.

Neidan: Weakest Chakra to reduce resistances, Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for better defenses, Chi Alignment and Reverberation for debuffing enemies around you, and Smoke Cloud for emergency defensive purposes.

Rogue: Blade Barrier for another melee ranged damage boost, Poison Gas Bomb together with Nightshade and Toxin Distillation for another powerful damage attack in close range. Poison Mayhem can increase the area affected.

Rune: Runic Mines for another elemental attack when surrounded with a point in each synergy. Seal of Fate and Aftershock to damage and debuff enemies, Rune of Life to buff yourself, Guardian Stones for a temporary minion, and a point in Reckless Offense for equipping two weapons.

Spirit: Deathchill Aura to stack with Ring of Flame, Unearthly Power for more elemental damage, Soul Vortex for rejuvenating yourself, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for offensive and defensive increases against the undead, and Vision of Death for when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Eye of the Storm for more damage, Obscured Visibility for reduced resistances, Energy Shield for further protection from elements.

Warfare: Max brimstone to increase your physical damage. Weapon Training for improved attack speed and offensive abilities, Onslaught and Ardor for increased damage and attack speed, Battle Standard for more damage and increased skill levels, Triumph to reduce physical resistance, and a point in War Horn for when enemies surround you. A point in each skill in the Dual Wield tree. A point in each skill in the Battle Rage tree for temporary increases to damage.

[dwaynegand]

Storm

Squall is your main damage skill so max it. Increase it's damage with Static Charge and Heart of the Frost. Obscured Visibility can reduce enemy damage and resistances.

Defense: Max Reflection for some damage reflection together with Defiance which will also give you damage reflection as well as resistance increases.

Dream: Since Static Charge also increases electric burn damage, max Lucid Dream for more electric burn damage, together with both Psionic Immolation Trance of Wrath for the damage.

Earth: A point in Heat Shield for defense and Stone Form for emergencies. You can also get Energy Shield for further protection from the elements. Max Earth Enchantment and Ring of Flame with a point in Volativity for more damage by chance.

Hunting: Flush Out for reduced resistances. One point each in the Art of the Hunt tree for buffs. Max Wood Lore for increased defensive ability. If you need a spammable attack, use the Marksmanship tree.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Weakest Chakra for debuffing enemy resistances. You can also max Reflection for the damage reflection together with Melding Armor which also provides damage reflection. Shen Pao or Echoes of the Ancestors for an elemental attack.

Rogue: Poison Gas Bomb with Nightshade, Toxin Distillation, and Poison Mayhem for a powerful poison attack increased by Obscured Visibility.

Rune: Rune of Life for your defenses. A point in Reckless offense for two weapons. Seal of Fate and Aftershock for attack and debuff.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more elemental damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Warfare: Weapon Training for increased attack speed and offensive ability, Onslaught and Ardour for damage and increased attack speed, Battle Standard for more damage and skill levels. A point in each skill of the Dual Wield tree and Battle Rage tree. A point in War Horn is good for enemies that surround you. Thunderball and Concussive Blast are good for reducing enemy defensive ability.

[dwaynegand]

Dream

Distortion Wave is the best spell for damage. Chaotic Resonance increases its damage as does Lucid Dream. A point in Psionic Immolation reduces the cooldown. Dream Stealer is another good skill for damage and rejuvenation. Distort Reality for when you are surrounded.

Defense: Max Trance of Empathy together with Defiance for the damage reflection though the latter also gives resistances. Colossus Form increases physical damage, strength, and health. Defensive Reaction also increases physical damage.

Earth: Brimstone increases your damage. Volativity gives an occasional bonus. A point each in Heat Shield and Stone Form is good for defense. Trance of Empathy can help prove some damage reflection for Stone Form.

Hunting: Study Prey to reduce resistance to damage. A point each in the Art of the Hunt tree for buffs. Wood Lore for increased defensive ability.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Trance of Wrath combines with Melding Armor for more damage reflection. Weakest Chakra reduces enemy resistance.

Rogue: Disarm Traps for more damage against traps and constructs. Flash Powder for defensive purposes.

Rune: Rune of Life to buff yourself. A point in Reckless offense for two weapons. Aftershock for debuffs.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more elemental damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Obscured Visibility for enemy debuffs. Combine Trance of Empathy with Reflection for damage reflection.

Warfare: Battle Standard for more damage and skill levels. Triumph for reduced physical resistance. Slam for another physical spell. A point in War Horn when surrounded.

[dwaynegand]

Neidan

Breath Attack with Echoes of the Ancestors and Shen Pao are your best choices for dealing flat amounts of damage. Later on, you can get Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for better defense as well as Chi Alignment and Reverberation for debuffs. A point in Smoke Cloud is good for emergenies. If you need more resistance, get Essence of Jade.

Defense: Defiance can give you more elemental resistance and damage reflection. Iron Will protects you from status ailments.

Dream: Trance of Empathy gives you more damage reflection. Dream Stealer is good for damage and rejuvenation.

Earth: Earth Enchantment increases fire damage as does Volativity. Ring of Flames is good for when enemies get too close. Heat Shield and Stone Form are good for defenses.

Hunting: Flush Out reduces enemy resistances. Wood Lore increases defensive ability. A point each in the Art of the Hunt tree gives you buffs.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Rogue: Disarm Traps for more damage against traps and constructs. Flash Powder for defensive purposes. Poison Gas Bomb, Poison Mayhem, Nightshade, and Toxin Distillation for another attack.

Rune: A point in Reckless Offense for equipping two weapons. Rune of Life for buffing yourself. Seal of Fate for a powerful elemental attack and Aftershock for debuffs. Rune Weapon for increasing your elemental damage.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more elemental damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Heart of Frost, Static Charge, and Eye of the Storm for more elemental damage. Obscured Visibility for more resistance debuffs. Reflection can stack with Melding Armor for more damage resistance.

Warfare: Battle Standard for more skill levels. A point in War Horn for surrounding enemies. A point in Dual Wield for two weapons.

[dwaynegand]

Rune

Runic Mines are your spell of choice for close range. Put a point into both synergies. Seal of Fate and Aftershock are good for longer range. Menhir Wall is good for blocking your enemies and Rune of Life can be gotten later if you need more resistance to bleeding and vitality damage. Guardian Stones can be good for tougher fights. Later on, if you need more damage, max Rune Weapon. A point in Reckless Offense can be good for dual weapons.

Defense: Iron Will to increase resistance to status ailments.

Dream: Use Rune Weapon to increase the damage of Psionic Immolation and Temporal Rift. Trance of Convalescence is good for survivability. The Nightmare's Hypnotic Gaze can also reduce resistances.

Earth: Earth Enchantment and Volativity can both increase the fire portion of your elemental damage. Heat Shield and Stone Form are good for defense.

Hunting: Wood Lore increases defensive ability. Flush Out reduces elemental Resistance.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Weakest Chakra reduces enemy resistance. Smoke Cloud for emergencies. Essence of Jade for more resistance to poison, bleeding, and life leech. Later when you use Rune Weapon, get both Consequences and Mutual Suffer for reducing enemy resistances when using your weapons.

Rogue: Poison Gas Bomb, Poison Mayhem, Nightshade, and Toxin Distillation for poison damage. Disarm Traps for more damage against Constructs and Traps. Flash Powder for defensive purposes.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more elemental damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Heart of Frost, Static Charge, and Eye of the Storm for more elemental damage. Obscured Visibility for more resistance debuffs.

Warfare: The Dual Wielding tree can improve your abilities in fighting with two weapons similar to Reckless Offense. Battle Standard gives more physical damage and skill levels. Weapon Training increases attack speed and offensive ability. A point in War Horn is good for stunning enemies around you.

[dwaynegand]

Warfare

Max Weapon Training for increased offensive ability and attack speed. Battle Standard for more damage and skill levels. Get a point in each skill in the Battle Rage tree. Slam for a long range attack. Optionally, put a point in each skill in the Dual Wield tree, unless you are using a shield. Later, when you get some better weapons, max Onslaught and Ardor for damage and attack speed. A point in War Horn can stun enemies around you.

Defense: Get the shield attacks, both passive and active. Batter and Rend Armor only need one point. Colossus Form can give you more damage and health.

Dream: Lucid Dream for more damage, Dream Stealer for rejuvenation, and Trance of Convalesence for survival.

Earth: Brimstone and Volativity for more damage. Heat Shield and Stone Form for defense.

Hunting: Wood Lore for increased defensive ability and another attack speed bonus for throwing weapons. Study Prey and Flush Out to debuff enemies. A point each in the Art of the Hunt Tree. Marksmanship and Volley for throwing weapons.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Consequences and Mutual Suffering reducing resistances. Smoke Cloud when surrounded. Weakest Chakra for debuffing enemies.

Rogue: Envenom Weapon and its synergies to add poison damage to your attacks. Disarm Traps for increased damage to traps and constructs. Flash Powder for defense. Blade Barrier for an offensive defense.

Rune: Reckless Offense for more damage when dual wielding. Frightening Power for a buff when health is low. Rune of Life to buff yourself. Runeword: Feather for increased offensive ability.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Thunderball and Concussive Blast for reducing defensive ability. Eye of the Storm for resistances. Obscured Visibility for reduced resistances.

[dwaynegand]

Defense

Batter and Shield Charge your main attacks and have the best flat damage numbers. Disruption allows Shield Charge to hit more targets. A point in Colossus Form for more damage and health.

Dream: Get Defiance and combine it with Trance of Empathy for damage reflection. Lucid Dream increases your damage. Dream Stealer for attacking multiple targets and rejuvenation.

Earth: Brimstone and Volativity for more damage. Flame Surge to reduce enemy defensive ability. Heat Shield and Stone Form for defense. Defiance can help inflict damage reflection for Stone Form.

Hunting: Wood Lore for increased defensive ability and attack speed for spears. Study Prey and Flush Out to debuff enemies. A point each in the Art of the Hunt tree. Finesse to increase melee combat effectiveness and Volley for a triple attack.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns. Earthbind can immobilize enemies and reduce defensive ability.

Neidan: Consequences and Mutual Suffering together with Weakest Chakra for reducing resistances. Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Combine with Defiance for damage reflection. Essence of Jade for more resistances.

Rogue: The Envenom Weapon tree for adding poison damage to weapon attacks. Blade Barrier for an offensive defense. Flash Powder for defense. Disarm Traps for increased damage to traps and constructs. Poison Gas Bomb and Poison Mayhem for a poison attack.

Rune: Rune of Life for buffs. Runeword Explode to add more damage to your attacks. Runic Mines for surrounding enemies. Runeword: Absorb to enchant your shield. Aftershock for debuffs.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Thunderball and Concussive Blast for reducing defensive ability. Obscured Visibility for reduced resistances. Get Defiance and combine it with Reflection for damage reflection. Eye of the Storm if you need resistances.

Warfare: Weapon Training for increased attack speed and offensive ability. Onslaught and Ardor to increase damage and attack speed. A point in War Horn for when enemies surround you. Battle Standard for more damage and skill levels. A point in each of the Battle Rage tree.

[dwaynegand]

Rogue

Poison Gas Bomb, Poison Mayhem, and the poison buffs from Envenom Weapon. A point in Disarm Traps to increase damage against traps and constructs. Flash Powder for defense.

Defense: iron Will for protection against status ailments. Rally for healing.

Dream: Hypnotic Gaze to reduce resistances Lucid Dream to increase your physical damage and Dream Stealer for rejuvenation. Distort Reality and Temporal Rift for when enemies surround you.

Earth: Earth Enchantment and Ring of Flame. Stone Form and Heat Shield for defense.

Hunting: Flush Out for resistance debuffs. A point each in Art of the Hunt tree. Anatomy and Exploit Weakness to boost Shrapnel. Wood Lore to increase defensive ability.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Weakest Chakra for reduced resistance. Essence of Jade for more resistance.

Rune: Aftershock for resistance debuffs. Menhir Wall to block enemies. Rune of Life to buff yourself. Runic Mines and a point in each synergy for melee defense.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Obscured Visibility to reduce resistance. Eye of the Storm for more resistances and to increase damage of Squall, further boosted with Static Charge.

Warfare: Battle Standard for skill level boost. A point in War Horn for when surrounded. Weapon Training, Onslaught, and Ardor for increased damage, offensive ability, and attack speed. A point in each skill of the Dual Wield and Battle Rage trees.

[dwaynegand]

Hunting

Marksmanship with Scatter Shot is your best choice. Have a point in Puncture Arrows. Study Prey and Flush Out debuff enemy resistance. Get a point in each skill in the Art of the Hunt Tree. Wood Lore increases attack speed with bows and throwing weapons as well as your defensive ability. Volley gives you a triple attack.

Defense: Iron Will for increasing your resistance to status ailments. Rally for Healing. Unyielding Phalanx for temporary minions.

Dream: Lucid Dream for increasing damage. A point in its synergies for buffs. Trance of Convalescence for survivability.

Earth: Earth Enchantment, Brimstone, and Volativity for increasing damage. Get the Monster Lure's Detonate.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Weakest Chakra for reduced resistance. Essence of Jade for more resistance.

Rogue: Lay Trap tree for temporary minions. Flash Powder for defense. Envenom Weapon tree for damage supplements.

Rune: Rune of Life for buffs. Later on, respect Marksmanship and its synergies for Rune Weapon to increase elemental damage of Seal of Fate and Runic Mines. Aftershock debuffs enemies, Menhir Wall for blocking them, and a point in Reckless Offense for two weapons.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Obscured Visibility for reduce resistances. Eye of the Storm for elemental damage. Squall for damage and Static Charge to buff it.

Warfare: A point in Dual Wield, Battle Rage, and Crushing Blow. Weapon Training for more attack speed for throwing weapons and increased offensive ability. Battle Standard for more damage and skill levels. A point in War Horn when surrounded. Onslaught and Ardor to increase the damage and attack speed of Marksmanship. Slam for a ranged attack.

[dwaynegand]

Spirit

A point each in the Life Drain tree. Max Necrosis for reducing enemy vitality resistance. Use the Liche King to help with your damage with a point in each synergy. Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for offense and defense against the Undead. Death War for emergencies. Unearthly Power for more damage. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation. Circle of Power for more vitality damage, less recharge, faster casting, and lower energy costs of skills. Vision of Death when surrounded. Summon Outsider for tougher fights.

Defense: Iron Will for increased protection against status ailments and Rally for healing.

Dream: Trance of Wrath to stack with Deathchill Aura which should also be maxed. Lucid Dream to increase damage of the trance.

Earth: Max Deathchill Aura then stack Ring of Flames. Max Earth Enchantment and get a point in Volativity for more damage of the aura.

Hunting: Flush Out for reduced resistances, Wood Lore for increased defensive ability, and a point in everything in the Art of the Hunt Tree. If you need a spammable attack, get Marksmanship and its synergies.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Weakest Chakra for reduced resistance. Essence of Jade for more resistance.

Rogue: Anatomy for more bleeding damage to increase the Poison Gas Bomb's Shrapnel. Disarm Traps for more damage to constructs and traps.

Rune: Seal of Fate and Aftershock for another attack and debuff. Rune of Life to buff yourself and the Liche King. A point in reckless offense for two weapons. Menhir Wall to block enemies and Guardian Stones for tough fights.

Storm: Eye of the Storm for more elemental damage. Obscured Visibility for more enemy resistance debuffs.

Warfare: A point each in the Dual Wield and Battle Rage trees. Weapon training and Ardor for more attack speed and Onslaught for damage. Battle Standard for more damage and increased skill levels. A point in War Horn when surrounded.

[Psixi]

Originally posted by dwaynegand:

Rogue

Poison Gas Bomb, Poison Mayhem, and the poison buffs from Envenom Weapon. A point in Disarm Traps to increase damage against traps and constructs. Flash Powder for defense.

Defense: iron Will for protection against status ailments. Rally for healing.

Dream: Hypnotic Gaze to reduce resistances Lucid Dream to increase your physical damage and Dream Stealer for rejuvenation. Distort Reality and Temporal Rift for when enemies surround you.

Earth: Earth Enchantment and Ring of Flame. Stone Form and Heat Shield for defense.

Hunting: Flush Out for resistance debuffs. A point each in Art of the Hunt tree. Anatomy and Exploit Weakness to boost Shrapnel. Wood Lore to increase defensive ability.

Nature: Heart of the Oak for more life, Permeance of Stone for Resistances, Sanctuary for damage absorption, and Susceptibility for debuffing enemy resistances. A point in Refresh reduces cooldowns.

Neidan: Aura of Tranquility and Melding Armor for defense. Weakest Chakra for reduced resistance. Essence of Jade for more resistance.

Rune: Aftershock for resistance debuffs. Menhir Wall to block enemies. Rune of Life to buff yourself. Runic Mines and a point in each synergy for melee defense.

Spirit: Unearthly Power for more damage, Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane for improved offense and defense against undead. Circle of Power for reduced recharge and energy costs. Soul Vortex for rejuvenation and Vision of Death when surrounded. Death Ward for emergencies.

Storm: Obscured Visibility to reduce resistance. Eye of the Storm for more resistances and to increase damage of Squall, further boosted with Static Charge.

Warfare: Battle Standard for skill level boost. A point in War Horn for when surrounded. Weapon Training, Onslaught, and Ardor for increased damage, offensive ability, and attack speed. A point in each skill of the Dual Wield and Battle Rage trees.

if you're starting Rogue, you dont take Runic mines at alll, the huge energy cost and theres nothing in rogue that you would be investing into intelligence early for. That's a levelling skill, and huge sp investment.

For early lvling, once you're about 40+ and in Epic, then you can grab Rune of life, and Sacred Rage, if you've been levelling with PGB, and then you can take traps if you have +4 to all skills already

Otherwise, if you have no plans to be a caster and switch to weapon based in Epic, then Thunder Strike, Runeword explode and Reckless offense would be most suitable options