Build for a PotD Bleak Walker

[Jaime]

Hey guys,

So after going through pretty much every class in the game, and debating it amongst friends, I've decided to go with a Bleak Walker Paladin for my PotD playthrough because I feel like this offers some of the most interesting roleplay opportunities (How to solve problems in the most brutally efficient way possible while not coming off as an utter murderhobo).

What I want to know is whether they would work well as a tank/off-tank, and what stats I should prioritize for them. Since deflection is less important than Accuracy in PotD, I'm thinking Might, Perception, Constitution (Since having extra HP to take those big hits is still good to have) as my main three stats, with Intellect, Resolve, and Dexterity being at average or slightly below.

If they're better suited for DPS, could someone provide me an example of a DPS Bleak Walker that they've found success with on PotD? What weapons/armor should I use?

I'm planning not to multiclass for this first playthrough, since my previous playthroughs with multiclass characters have felt kind of disjointed. I've tried ones that are supposed to have good synergies, but it feels like Paladin is just strong enough on its own to get the job done.

Thoughts?

[jasta85]

I should point out that paladins in general make extra mutlicalsss material cause they only really need passive aura and a few key abilities to be useful, and you can take a bunch of other abilities from another class to kee up the variety. Chanter works very well as their phrases cover roughly the same area as your aura and you get some extra spells to throw around.

There is no "best" build. You'll want to go close range though simply so you are in the thick of things and can cover as many allies with your aura. Personally I go 2 handed weapons on my paladins as many other classes benefit more from dual wielding, but you can do that too. Paladins can do fine as an off tank, although I always have a chanter in my party who throws out disposable minions as meatshields so I don't rely entirely on my party to soak up damage. But that's just how I play.

[Nito]

I am playing as multiclass chanter/paladin bleak walker

you should focus on constitution for being able to tank(since the second stage of sworn enemy will simbly burn one or many enemies to death(literally) you just have to outlive them) and intellect for a greater zealous aura(one of the auras give armor and endless life regen) and longer effect of buffs


PS: As a chanter i just summon 4 ogres they basically just rapes anything on the way and one chant is a AOE life steal while other simply causes AOE damage

[Jaime]

Originally posted by jasta85:

I should point out that paladins in general make extra mutlicalsss material cause they only really need passive aura and a few key abilities to be useful, and you can take a bunch of other abilities from another class to kee up the variety. Chanter works very well as their phrases cover roughly the same area as your aura and you get some extra spells to throw around.

There is no "best" build. You'll want to go close range though simply so you are in the thick of things and can cover as many allies with your aura. Personally I go 2 handed weapons on my paladins as many other classes benefit more from dual wielding, but you can do that too. Paladins can do fine as an off tank, although I always have a chanter in my party who throws out disposable minions as meatshields so I don't rely entirely on my party to soak up damage. But that's just how I play.

I've heard that Paladin/Cipher (Soulblade) is really good for a bit of extra damage. Paladin/Fighter also seems like it'd work really well. Honestly, I'm inclined to go with that.

As for stats, I know there's no 'best', but I want to know what abilities I should prioritize. I'm thinking Might at 19 (7 points, plus Human/Living Lands), Perception at 17 (7 points), Constitution at 14, and then Dex, Resolve, and Intellect all unchanged.

For DPS, I'm thinking I'd do Might, Perception, and then Intellect instead of Constitution.

[Nito]

Originally posted by Jaime (Naoko):

I've heard that Paladin/Cipher (Soulblade) is really good for a bit of extra damage. Paladin/Fighter also seems like it'd work really well. Honestly, I'm inclined to go with that.

As for stats, I know there's no 'best', but I want to know what abilities I should prioritize. I'm thinking Might at 19 (7 points, plus Human/Living Lands), Perception at 17 (7 points), Constitution at 14, and then Dex, Resolve, and Intellect all unchanged.

For DPS, I'm thinking I'd do Might, Perception, and then Intellect instead of Constitution.

Cipher is more of a debuff class(more like tank work with anything)

Might and Dexterity is not for a tank if you are a making a ranged char or mage enchance might like no tomorrow

Perception is more for dialogue options and if your character relies on crits since it is 0-100 + acuraccy - deflection or reflex or fortitude or will if it the result is 0 its a miss lower than 30 it is a graze higher than 30 it is a hit and >100 it is a crit.

Constitution is a must for not dying

if it is a meelee i sugest dex and per(since you a paladin gets so defensive buffs with lvl and if you wear armor it will take forever to attack again without dex) if it is ranged might and dex(i dont suggest paladin since it almost dont have a buff for accuracy or anything to attack faster or harder)

[Jaime]

On Path of the Damned though? You need as much accuracy you can get to deal with the huge bonuses enemies get to their defenses.

I'm definitely planning on doing a melee Paladin. Either Fighter or Chanter sound good as a multiclass option.

[Nito]

Originally posted by Jaime (Naoko):

On Path of the Damned though? You need as much accuracy you can get to deal with the huge bonuses enemies get to their defenses.

I'm definitely planning on doing a melee Paladin. Either Fighter or Chanter sound good as a multiclass option.

well that is how paladins works they are more a tanky then a dps if you want a meelee dps get a barbarian or a monk or multiclass as i said use sworn enemy and tank let the enemies die burning while you defend and i dont know use a crush weapon since most enemies dont have defense aganist this so you can focus on action speed and acuraccy

[Qiox]

Very happy with my tanky Paladin/Fighter (Crusader).

At level 12 he has:

255 hp
110 - 117 - 117 - 111 defenses
69 accuracy
29.3 hp regen per 6 seconds (total of 3 sources)
35% chance melee attacks do no damage to me
4 engagements

He just does not die.

[EvilDonut]

I went Bleak Walker/soulblade and it is pretty strong. Haven't encountered any big difficulty so far.

[Jaime]

Originally posted by Qiox:

Very happy with my tanky Paladin/Fighter (Crusader).

At level 12 he has:

255 hp
110 - 117 - 117 - 111 defenses
69 accuracy
29.3 hp regen per 6 seconds (total of 3 sources)
35% chance melee attacks do no damage to me
4 engagements

He just does not die.

Do you think you could share your build with me? What stats did you start with? Also, is this for PotD, and how's his damage in return? Being a tank is all well and good, but I wanna be able to spank the enemies in return.

[Qiox]

Originally posted by Jaime (Naoko):

Originally posted by Qiox:

Very happy with my tanky Paladin/Fighter (Crusader).

At level 12 he has:

255 hp
110 - 117 - 117 - 111 defenses
69 accuracy
29.3 hp regen per 6 seconds (total of 3 sources)
35% chance melee attacks do no damage to me
4 engagements

He just does not die.

Do you think you could share your build with me? What stats did you start with? Also, is this for PotD, and how's his damage in return? Being a tank is all well and good, but I wanna be able to spank the enemies in return.

Yes playing on Path of the Damned, Expert mode, No scaling.

Fighter / Paladin (Kind Wayfafarers)
Mountain Dwarf
STR 17 (+ 2 Dwarf + 1 The Living Lands)
CON 16 (+ 1 Dwarf)
DEX 10 (-1 Dwarf)
PER 12
INT 12
RES 12

Athletics 14 Intimidate 14

Body Control: Resistance to all Might Aflictions
Confident Aim: 30% of Grazes converted to Hits
Determination: +20% to all Defenses against Intellect / Perception / Constitution
Exalted Endurance: +1 Armour, +4.4 Health per 3.0 sec
Faith and Conviction: +9.9 All Defenses
Fast Runner: +25% Stride, +5 Defense when disengaging
Hale and Hardy: Resistance to Constitution Afflictions
Unstoppable: Resistance to Dexterity Afflictions
Warrior Stance: +5 Accuracy, +5 Deflection
Weapon and Shield Style: +6 Sheild Deflection, Sheild Deflection Applies to Reflex

Profficiences: Sword, Med Shield, Mace, Small Shield, Sabre, Unarmed
Using Sword and Med Shield

Core Fighter Abilities:
Hale and Hardy
Mien of Death's Herald
Haymaker
Fast Runner
Second Wind
Sympathy for the Lost
Weapon & Shield Style

1st Level
Knockdown

2nd Level
Cleaving Stance
Confident Aim
Defender Stance
Determination
Warrior Stance

3rd Level
Disciplined Strikes
Rapid Recovery

4th Level
Body Control
Unstoppable
Vigorous Defense

Core Paladin Abilites:
Faith and Conviction
Kind Wayfarers

1st Level
Flames of Devotion
Lay on Hands

2nd Level
Zealous Charge
Zealous Focus

3rd Level
Glorious Beacon

4th Level
Exalted Endurance



Gear:

Horns of the Bleak Mother (Helm): +1 Resolve, Resistance to Resolve Afflictions, +10 Acc vs Beasts
Strand of Favour (Neck): +1 Int, -15% Hostile Effect Duration, +15% Beneficial Effect Duration
Miscreant's Leathers (Armour): Exceptional, -15% Recovery, +8 Reflex, 5% chance to ignore attacks, -20% Crit Damage Taken
Ring of Greater Regen: +3 Health per 3.0 sec
Boots of the Stone: +1 Dex, +2 Resolve, Resistance to Might Afflictions
Cloak of Greater Protection: +10 Fort / Reflex / Will
Guantlets of Discipline: +2 Max Discipline
Entonia Signet Ring: +3 all Defenses when Engaged (stacks 5 times), +2 Diplomacy
Upright Captains Belt: Immune to Push and Pull Effects, +2 Con, Bonus Concentration at start of battle
Abraham (Pet): Reduced Penalty to Recovery for Armour
Gladiator Sword: Superb, Grants Skrym (+15% Melee Damage, +5 Deflection when holding a shield), +1 Pen
Lethandria's Devotion (Med Shield): Superb, +1 Engagement, -25% Crit Damage Taken, Receiving a Crit from melee attack causes Confused on attacker, if Confused Crits, Charms instead), Grants Sheltering Light (+3.6 Health regen per 6.0 sec, +5 All defenses except Deflection)



Main Hand Damage: 22-32 (Displayed including only Might and Superb)
Penetration: 10
Recovery 3.5 sec

With med shield ability on: Block, Recovery is 4.5 sec, 30% of melee attacks do no damage
With sword ability on: Close Quarters, -15 Deflection, +2 Penetration


You can go all out on offense with Aura, Stances and sword/shield abilities, or all defence as the situation calls for.

Very Happy with how this has gone.

A big part of how I built this char is based on close quarters melee fighting. My party is all custom (hate the whiny companions):

Barbarian
Monk
Rogue
Priest

4 Melees swarm in tight focusing down 1 target at a time, very quickly, while the priest hangs back and keeps everyone healed.

I killed level 13 and level 14 stuff when my party was level 5 :)

[djinnxy]

My first character was Priest of Wael / Bleakwalker. Not too much to tell there. Summon the rod where possible and use flames of devotion blast to kill everything. Everything else is geared around making that as powerful as possible. It also has heals, buffs and debuff because of not having anything to spend it on at level. Later I'll respec it to maximize all possible aoe blast damage.

At some point I want to make a whole party of rod wielding multiclass paladins with pets and summons to tank while I sit back and blast everything. It should pretty much god mode everything.