Jorgrim OH Axe Build help

[Slashes]

So, I'm roughly level 9, I have all tier one skills for Both Axes and Combat Mastery skills unlocked, with Tier 2 Offensive Tactics and Reprisal unlocked. I'm currently using a Naval Hatched and a Fist shield as my weapons, with shovel as a back-up, mostly for breaking up pots/boxes. For my Armour, I'm using Lamellar Quilted Coat, Padded Coif, Splint Vambraces, Riding Boots and Jorgrim's Belt, Backpack. Silver Aquamarine and Silver Amethyst rings. My stats are 14 STR, 15 AGI, 11 PER. I intend on investing into Athletics and maybe a dip Geomancy for Stone Armour, besides purchasing myself a Crossbow later for some ranged capability. Any tips or directions for loot to acquire?

[DacianDraco]

When you say unlocked do you mean you can put points in them but haven't yet or do you mean you picked those skills, it's unclear and especially when you said for both Axes. As for gear it also depends where you are and Rep you have to access various NPCs' stock. I guess if in Mannshire get a Guard Helm and Soldier Boots as these aren't expensive, your body armor is very good and gloves are serviceable, you can get better stuff in Brynn but more expensive and you must unlock them by doing the Bailiffs tasks first, maybe you don't know how to do this or just haven't gotten there yet. Also if you do undead dungeons see if you can get at least Battle Axe to repair, not as good as Footman Axe but it works and it's free.

[Slashes]

Originally posted by DacianDraco:

When you say unlocked do you mean you can put points in them but haven't yet or do you mean you picked those skills, it's unclear and especially when you said for both Axes.

Sorry, when I meant Both there I mean as in Axes (OH) and Combat Mastery, both with points in them, I have not invested in Axes (TH) at all. Which is not like Geomancy, where I have the skills available but not unlocked (no points).
I have Amity with in Osbrook, and I have Benevolence with Mannshire. I have not laid step on Brynn yet, saving funds for when I get there for Bill of Exchange. I just did my first contract on Mannshire Against Brigands and let's just say that it was closer than I'd have liked.
Since most of my previous runs were based on Dirwin with bow, I have some ways to go. Thank you very much!

[DacianDraco]

Ok, and i take it it's also a Dirwin now and you want to play him as melee this time. Based on how you describe i would continue to get STR and AGL to 20 for both some Block and Dodge, also everything else that translates in damage from these attributes is good to have. Then i would aim to get in the high Medium armor (in Brynn a Light Brigandine next, Sallet then Heavy Barbute, gloves are fine so can skip gloves until Sergeant gloves, Sergeant Greaves then Reinforced boots, first ones being available at Neutrality/Benevolence in Brynn and final options at Amity). As Enchantments i'd try to get Bleed Res on Jewelry and Belt (if not unique, there is a better unique belt that is guarantied somewhere, also a good unique amulet, but maybe i shouldn't spoil location), and on armor pieces and shield aim for flat Block, Energy Restoration, flat Energy, even Dodge, the specific Resistances apply only to that bodypart it covers so other general Enchantments are better, also specific Resistances don't work at all on shields because of a bug. Weapon can be Nature dmg, Weapon dmg, Crit chance, Block chance, anything that helps.

I would also get the left side of Shields and keep using the light shields with Counter chance (for now get a Buckler from Smith in Mannshire, later in Brynn some of the better elven shields at Amity, normal Orient shield being the end goal), also i would get 1st column in Athletics up to Elusiveness and use Dash aggressively. I would buff in this order Offensive Tactic, War Cry, Shield Stance, Raise Shield and then Dash near enemy, this will raise Counter by a lot with a light shield, also i won't have any penalties. This way i get a lot of free attacks and have some Block and Damaged Reduced, also some positive Dodge too which is not main thing but is important because i wouldn't want to have negative Dodge and always get him.

Also i would not focus much on Axe skills themselves, if Energy is available sure both can help kill faster but what is important is to always save up some Energy and use Execution whenever i can kill an enemy to regain Energy, and if things get too rough with the saved Energy (or regained) i can activate Elusiveness and 1 normal hit, 1 walking away (Disengage passive helps here too) on repeat, so i can keep Elusiveness stacks up and still attack, hoping not only to stay alive until i restore Energy for Dash but maybe even kill enemy.

Lastly i would get 3rd column in Athletics up to No Time to Linger, this makes Sudden Lunge even greater than just skill denial, because before No Time to Linger i will use it on enemy shield guys so they don't activate their Raise Shield or Elusiveness or Adrenaline or Parry or Shackles or really any enemy skill i want to avoid. After No Time to Linger is picked Sudden Lunge it's free and also works better with Bleeds which can be cause by doing a lot of damage to bodyparts as Axes do and the Bleed chance from Axe skill tree. Also this 3rd column gets to Adrenaline which can be added sometimes to the order like this Offensive Tactic, War Cry, Shield Stance, Adrenaline, Raise Shield and then Dash.

Oh and in CM i would have skipped Seize, i mean Seize is a good skill and can still be used after enemy uses it on me but as i would focus more on buffing and Counter i would not be actively increasing it's stacks with Axe skills so only situational use, thou i guess it's very good starting out. I think these are all the skill points to get up to lvl 20, which is kind of when character outlevels current enemies and after which it doesn't matter much what is chosen, but if you continue playing maybe put further points in Adaptability from Survival tree, it can help with Energy because of Skill cost passive and maybe you can also use the Axe skills actively, also Cauterize and First Aid skills also from Survival help when out of combat, but even in dire situations may be useful. And i guess get the Axe tree stance and the passive after it just to max the Axe tree and get the achievement.