Interesting/viable builds

[龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん]

230+ hours into the game. Some people can still say I'm novice but here's my take anyway.

• Dirwin/Bow/T.H.Axe, plus light equipment for dodge – just put everything into perception, learn long shot, confuse them, hit-and-run, also learn dash and elusiveness, and it's probably the best build in the entire game? Can hit-and-run everything, and kill some in melee while under elusiveness. Might be problematic at bosses in enclosed locations like Manticore, but for majority of the game it feels like the game was balanced around this build – I-IV dungeons are a breeze, also you have animals that you can hunt from lvl 1, which are merely decorations for most of the builds but for Dirwin, animals are the main feature I guess. From which you can make tonn of moneys etc. The game even has an achievement for killing a bear under level 5, which is only viable to do as Dirwin, pretty much? Tier V dungeons I'm not so sure because I'm not as much no-lifer to grind this many to actually get there. I think Dirwin should stand out pretty nice? I'm still trying to achieve respect reputation in Brynn to get tier V bows, so can't say for sure. Overall, Dirwin feels like true main character.

That's it? That's most interesting and viable build, I guess? Dirwin. I've spent around 200 hours playing just Dirwin in various patches, dozen of hours after Rags update. Also I'm interested but haven't tested:

• Arna/Spear. Unlike Velmir, who's trait only works when attacked, Arna benefits from the trait at all times. It will be harder to get through the early game than Velmir due to not having proper skills, but eventually I think Arna should be a better build at spears than Velmir? When it gets to hunting, if/when you get dash, you will be able to catch deers etc with a spear, too. Without needing a bow.

• Arna/Sword/Shield. Shields always looked interesting to me. To tank troll hits all day all night? As a Dirwin player, this sounds cool to me. Also with Dash+Onrush, you can hunt animals too. I'm not quite as sure if I should get medium or heavy armor though, nor if I should get medium or heavy shield. I'm not playing shields but assuming the latest heavy shield nerf, it seems 30STR/20VIT for medium shield is pretty much the same as effective as 20STR/30VIT heavy shield, in terms of reliably holding damage. But medium shields do not rely on active skills as much, therefore you have more opportunity to actually deal some damage. So I guess I would like to choose medium shields, more likely. And since we're playing Arna not Velmir, we have some additional boost for energy, that means we can afford to invest into heavy armor? Not sure.

• Jonna/Pyro. Probably the easiest class? High dps. Animals can be roasted right in the field, so you'll never go hungry. I honestly don't like it as much as Dirwin, because fire does corrupt the pelts, therefore I don't get money from the hunt, but it is a honorable mention, because it is probably the highest dps in the game, if you take Jonna's trait into consideration? Not sure about survivability at higher tiers though, I haven't played mage builds a lot. How does Jonna solve survivability? Same hit-and-run tactics as Dirwin, plus Hard Target passive ability from archers?

That was the list of some viable/interesting builds I'm looking into. Now let's get to the funny builds worth noting:

• Arna/Electro. Due to having a lot of cooldown reduction and bonus energy, you can deal with vast crowds quite easily stacking resonate, which make you somewhat comparable if not more effective at electro magic than Jonna herself? Sounds funny.

• Jogrim/Stuff. There's one particular staff called Vampiric Staff, which does give you whole +25 vampirism, and with Jorgim's passive ability of increased damage, he can be more than just devastating as he normally is with axe, but also unkillable with this one. Not sure how would you spend 100 hours before getting this unique vampiric stuff tho.

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What do you think about these? And who/what else do you think is an interesting/viable build, if there are some?

[Pixel Peeper]

I'm doing Arna Spear right now, and it's highly uneven.

At level 15 I was almost killed by a boar in three turns, then I fought another one a bit later and it barely did anything before I killed it. I can do a two-skull Proselytes dungeon like it's nothing, just rush in and completely control and decimate enemies as they come. But a three-skull Undead dungeon is a nightmare due to the heavily armored dudes that I can't immobilize and can barely hurt. Ranged units are annoying too. I'll try to get a Tier IV spear and see if it helps.

Arna Sword and Board is just super reliable in general. Good all-around skills. Tough, mobile, solid enough damage, it's good.

I haven't played magic so I can't really tell you anything about it.

[龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん]

Did you learn dash tho? It should get you infinite second chances, no?

[Pixel Peeper]

Originally posted by 龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん:

Did you learn dash tho? It should get you infinite second chances, no?

I didn't. Dash's cooldown is pretty long; for me it's still 15 turns despite my cooldown reductions. And you'd have to run away for almost that many rounds to make sure it's available again on your next attempt (and hope enemies don't have it too, or it's pointless).

I picked Leg Sweep because its cooldown is less than half that of Dash, but admittedly, if the Immobilization fails, you're right back in melee, so Dash is more reliable that way. Another reason I didn't go for Dash is that you have to take Disengage, which is super nice for a Light Armor build if you plan on being attacked a lot, but extremely weak otherwise. I knew I wanted Inner Reserves so I went the Leg Sweep, Inner Reserves path.

Maybe that was the wrong choice. I really miss Dash to attack ranged units. For some reason, your character will refuse to use Finisher unless an enemy is in range, so you can't use it to move. And looking at the higher-tier gear, the way higher-level enemies hit like trucks regardless, and the obscene cost of buying and repairing even Medium armor... I'm thinking I'm eventually going to convert to Light armor regardless. When that's the case I'll wish I had Disengage, and am not going to have that many Energy issues with said armor so I won't need Inner Reserves as much.

So yeah, I should probably have taken the other path. Gone for Disengage and Dash. Dash is so good, I'm starting to think it's mandatory on all builds.

But there still isn't a Respec feature, so... I guess my character is permanently ♥♥♥♥♥♥.

Ah well. I might still take Dash eventually, still not 100% sure where I'll be dropping my last few points. But then I'll be angry I also spent two points on Leg Sweep and Inner Reserves. Could have gotten much better stuff with those points.

In any case, I haven't been enjoying the Spear build much. I overkill soft targets, and can't do anything against tough ones (or large crowds). At level 16 I'm currently shopping for a Tier IV or Tier V weapons, I have just enough rep to access the occasional Tier V spear in Brynn (just saw one earlier today, though it was one of the bad ones and it cost 10k). But once I have to do Tier V dungeons, it'll all catch up to me again and I won't have the option to farm a Tier VII weapon to make it easier.

Ah well. It was an informative run. I think I'll play until level 20 or so and then start something I enjoy more.

[Včelí medvídek]

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

So yeah, I should probably have taken the other path. Gone for Disengage and Dash. Dash is so good, I'm starting to think it's mandatory on all builds.
re.

Its far from mandatory. Spear make good combo with ranged - Equip crossbow as second weapon and zou have very decent option agains ranged enemies without even any skill invested. But at least Dexterity is almost gamechanger - jsut get used to finish with melee and switch to crossbow when enemy is range for free taking aim (not even needed take the skill) Add constant practice for more reliable shots and Distracting shot - and you have immediately more mobility, very solid ranged damge (with garrison crossbow you can easily pick any enemy in game without any PER ivnestment or ranged focus) that pair verz well with spear.

Or use the tools like smoke bombs and just wait on edge of cloud for enemy coming to you.

[龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん]

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I didn't. Dash's cooldown is pretty long; for me it's still 15 turns despite my cooldown reductions.

Here. That's your issue. If the fight starts badly, not the way you wanted, you can dash away, run away a few tiles until dash recharges, then make another attempt. If failed again – dash, recharge, retry. Repeat until you start the fight the way you wanted. Win. Task complete.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I picked Leg Sweep

Only it doesn't guarantee you escape. Dash does. But Leg Swipe is still useful, I will leave example why, below.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

Dash is so good, I'm starting to think it's mandatory on all builds

Yup.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

But there still isn't a Respec feature, so...

Yeah. Respec feature is something Stoneshard misses badly. I wish it had respec, for something like 1000g at trainer or something.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

and can't do anything against tough ones (or large crowds)

One idea could be to spend 1 point into Runic boulder, and make narrow spaces in doors and other similar environment. This way you can take those groups of enemies one by one. And if they get staggered, they just sit there while you're attacking them. If there are rangers behind them, most likely they will attack their own guys. If you fail to stagger with spear, use Leg Swipe, continue with spear, stagger, stagger, stagger. If you fail to stagger again, use dash and go to another door. This is hit-and-run tactics similar to what I use as Dirwin. That's for complex situations where there are a lot of enemies. But can be used similarly for fewer enemies – only the boulder won't be needed.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I overkill soft targets, and can't do anything against tough ones

I guess the problem with spear is huge targets who immune to stagger, yes. Not sure what to do about this case 🤔 They're not spear-able. It's probably good idea to have secondary loadout with something like sword+shield, and just 1v1 them.

EXACTLY! You just happen to help me with the build. It still makes sense to put points into both sword and spears. Start with sword and go through early game with breeze, then put points into spear. For most enemies, spear is superior. For heavy units (mini-bosses) who can't be staggered, just use the sword+shield. I guess so. Gotta do the math if there will be enough points, but I think it should be enough if chosen wisely. Unfortunately, there's no Stoneshard skills calculator so gotta do this myself.

[Pixel Peeper]

Originally posted by Včelí medvídek:

Dexterity

smoke bombs

Dexterity isn't crazy as a ranged support skill. It does give you a free Taking Aim after switching to your Crossbow, and lets you go back to your melee weapon instantly. It's just enough to deal significant damage as an opener, finish off a runner, or hunt smaller creatures that run away. Hard to fit in my build, though.

Smoke bombs are pretty cool, but... consumables, and they take two slots.

[money3030]

Originally posted by 龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん:

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I didn't. Dash's cooldown is pretty long; for me it's still 15 turns despite my cooldown reductions.

Here. That's your issue. If the fight starts badly, not the way you wanted, you can dash away, run away a few tiles until dash recharges, then make another attempt. If failed again – dash, recharge, retry. Repeat until you start the fight the way you wanted. Win. Task complete.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I picked Leg Sweep

Only it doesn't guarantee you escape. Dash does. But Leg Swipe is still useful, I will leave example why, below.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

Dash is so good, I'm starting to think it's mandatory on all builds

Yup.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

But there still isn't a Respec feature, so...

Yeah. Respec feature is something Stoneshard misses badly. I wish it had respec, for something like 1000g at trainer or something.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

and can't do anything against tough ones (or large crowds)

One idea could be to spend 1 point into Runic boulder, and make narrow spaces in doors and other similar environment. This way you can take those groups of enemies one by one. And if they get staggered, they just sit there while you're attacking them. If there are rangers behind them, most likely they will attack their own guys. If you fail to stagger with spear, use Leg Swipe, continue with spear, stagger, stagger, stagger. If you fail to stagger again, use dash and go to another door. This is hit-and-run tactics similar to what I use as Dirwin. That's for complex situations where there are a lot of enemies. But can be used similarly for fewer enemies – only the boulder won't be needed.

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

I overkill soft targets, and can't do anything against tough ones

I guess the problem with spear is huge targets who immune to stagger, yes. Not sure what to do about this case 🤔 They're not spear-able. It's probably good idea to have secondary loadout with something like sword+shield, and just 1v1 them.

EXACTLY! You just happen to help me with the build. It still makes sense to put points into both sword and spears. Start with sword and go through early game with breeze, then put points into spear. For most enemies, spear is superior. For heavy units (mini-bosses) who can't be staggered, just use the sword+shield. I guess so. Gotta do the math if there will be enough points, but I think it should be enough if chosen wisely. Unfortunately, there's no Stoneshard skills calculator so gotta do this myself.

Maces not Swords, Either pick Two Handed or Single Handed One. Sword have issues with Heavy Armor too.

[Pixel Peeper]

Originally posted by 龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん:

It still makes sense to put points into both sword and spears. Start with sword and go through early game with breeze, then put points into spear. For most enemies, spear is superior. For heavy units (mini-bosses) who can't be staggered, just use the sword+shield.

Unusual idea. People generally don't want to spend points into multiple Weaponry trees because those points are wasted whenever you're not using that weapon. The only exception is if you have Right on Target and are using one-handed weapons with nothing in the other slot (because then you get a small increase to your Main Hand Efficiency), but that's usually not worth it.

But yes, Spears have been doing exceptionally well for me against soft targets. They can't do anything. It's the heavy targets I can't hurt.

In that sense, going just for the basics in two different weapons trees would allow you to deal with different kinds of threats relatively efficiently.

It's hard to gauge how powerful it is to have "counters" against multiple types of enemies, but it's probably underrated. Most things that can't be listed in combat statistics usually are.

[Gamerzilla]

Anyone else miss being able to mix magic schools? Just me? T_T Wish the devs weren't anti-fun...

[Trolleur_Durden]

Originally posted by Pixel Peeper:

Originally posted by Včelí medvídek:

Dexterity

smoke bombs

Dexterity isn't crazy as a ranged support skill. It does give you a free Taking Aim after switching to your Crossbow, and lets you go back to your melee weapon instantly. It's just enough to deal significant damage as an opener, finish off a runner, or hunt smaller creatures that run away. Hard to fit in my build, though.

Smoke bombs are pretty cool, but... consumables, and they take two slots.

Dexterity gives you one more turn to shoot before having to switch when a fight starts, which can translate into one more crossbow bolt fired before having to switch to melee, which means more damage.

Regarding Dash, I view it as an absolute mandatory skill on permadeath. It's useful on both offense and defense.

[laveley]

Originally posted by 龍宮寺 りゅうぐうじ 堅 けん:

it's probably the best build in the entire game?

Most definitely not.

Strongest build right now is definitely involving magic mastery tree. Seal of power+jolt is just too good of a combo early game and opens up the possiblity to go for a better hibrid late game or just full magic.

I heard shields were also imba but got nerfhammered last patch so I don't know how they are now.

As for weapons, all of them are viable but some definitely "feels" easier than others. I liked 2h swords a lot in this patch.

[Freeman]

Too optimized builds are boring. I'm going Arna sword and dagger dual, classic duelist. All dodge and counter. Just killed troll at level 10, but it was a tough fight.

[|Revenge|]

I'll Tell you know that a lvl 20+ electromancer is the most powerfull thing this game has to offer, Seal of Power, seal of finesse, ball lightning, chain lightning, ball lightning again because its off cooldown for some reason and oh everything is dead already.

[laveley]

Originally posted by |Revenge|:

I'll Tell you know that a lvl 20+ electromancer is the most powerfull thing this game has to offer, Seal of Power, seal of finesse, ball lightning, chain lightning, ball lightning again because its off cooldown for some reason and oh everything is dead already.

UNLIMITED POWAR!

Geo late game is also Something to be seen.

[Stirling]

Playing a sword/shield Jorgrim at max level and while he feels a bit slow to get going as he has to build up his buffs (Fencer's Stance/Hold the Line!/War Cry and Defensive Tactic>Offensive Tactic, stacks of Ancestor's Gaze, optional: Ranger's Brew and artifact buffs), the man is pure momentum once you get it all lined up. Near guaranteed blocks means he doesn't have to dip into his health, high chance of counters means you don't even have to look at weak enemies, and also has great enemy control due to high mobility with Keeping Distance and Onrush, and the ability to daze with Shield Bash and Battering Ram. Energy economy doesn't even matter cause you get it back from blocking hits and killing enemies. I'm always giddy when the group of enemies seems too big or suddenly 5 of them come from the other direction because I made too much noise, cause they're about to get buried under an avalanche of angry dwarven fury.