35 réponses à ce sujet

[Ferretinabun]

Anyone got some tips on how to build/use them? I obviously was doing mine wrong, as they both sucked for me, while everyone keeps going on about how great they both are.

For Merrill, I basically packed out her Entropy tree, so all she was doing was basically debuffing powerful enemies. Reasonably useful, but couldn't hold her own toe-to-toe at all.

Isabella also had a big survivability problem. Mostly she just got in the way of my AoE spells and attacks on Nighmare, and even when I whacked it down she was still always the first to die. I think I picked her talents from a range of trees - can't remember what I took though.

Any handy tips, please?

[cJohnOne]

I haven't played on Nightmare but I think Isabela should get the entire DW tree plus stealth. I've been building my rogues with equal amount of dexterity and cunning which I guess is wrong if you want more damage. You should pump Dexterity I think but then you will be even more squishy.

On a nightmare party don't you want one melee and three ranged?

[Ferretinabun]

I expect so, though I wonder if that still holds now Warriors no longer cause friendly fire, as of patch 1.03. Plus I do like to give all my characters a certain amount of screen time.

[Xalen]

Isabella is pretty much useless on NM. There has been numerous attempts to make her useful, but any party with Isabela is worse than party without her. I think mr_afk did a run with 2H Hawke (not sure?) while controlling Isabela manually, I also remember AreleX trying to set up build and tactics for her, but I'm too lazy to look for links. There's also Isabela's build in SuicidialBaby's Compendium here

As for Merril, look at guides all around the forum, I think each and every one of them include a build for her, as she is essential to any optimized party. Her personal tree is still amazing even after 1.03. Entropy besides HoT/Death Hex and Horror is not worth it, imo. What class are you playing btw?

On a nightmare party don't you want one melee and three ranged?

Well, I think DW Rogue works rather well with 2+2, but it's probably the only class like that.

[suckeffect]

Xalen pointed to SuicidalBaby's build. Just wanted to say that his build (and tactics) have worked very well for me with Isabella in Hard mode. I've not tried NM.

[Xalen]

Found it! Here starts AreleX's three pages long attempt to run 2h with Isabela. Worked rather well, but then again, it's AreleX...

Modifié par Xalen, 14 juin 2011 - 10:05 .

[Ferretinabun]

Thanks for the leads. I was a Healer/Force Mage, though I fancy something a bit more hands-on for my second run.

[Apathy1989]

I've had good success with isabela since 1.03, merrill was much better before this patch.

Merrill generally is Blood mage, running her Wrath of the Elven and Rock armour. Previously entirely specialised in the primal and personal trees. Now its rather debatable between primal or pure hexing. I do still love her personal tree though.

Generally I keep her running around on sustained, with blood magic turning off at 50% health (and on when above). She uses stones throw if health is below 50%, but above 25% (to avoid using blood magic to kill herself).

I have isabela using DW and scoudral tree. Similarly I have her running Back-to-Back to jump to the healer, stealth and lose aggro at 50% health. Without melee damage from allies (from 1.03 patch and avoiding using active abilities on melee tank) she becomes a single target dps monster.

You want speed, scoundral tree, dw tree and personal. Have her react to staggered with explosive strike, clusters with All Hands on Deck and if surrounded turn on Savvy (similar to shield defense default tactics, turn off if no one surrounding). End game getting rush can be useful. Early game it sometimes is nice for knocking down mages.

Edit: This is all on nightmare. Obviously isabela needs more constitution, in the end she had 22 con but was not the "tank". With avelines bodyguard ability on her, you do not need much con.

Modifié par Apathy1989, 14 juin 2011 - 10:30 .

[frustratemyself]

Have a look at Arelex's nuclear warfare mage guide (linked in the builds sticky thread at top of forum) there is a very nice Merrill build in there. I don't know how well she goes post patch though.

[Ferretinabun]

Cheers m'dears. Been doing a bit of reading and it seems I have been a bit dumb neglecting spells to buff Merril's toughness, and leaning on Subterfuge with Isabela...

[Apathy1989]

Ferretinabun wrote...

Cheers m'dears. Been doing a bit of reading and it seems I have been a bit dumb neglecting spells to buff Merril's toughness, and leaning on Subterfuge with Isabela...

I prefer the scoundral tree since back-to-back will stealth her and jump her to the healer, then links into nice skills like brand and the stamina regen increase.

[L6-636536]

I personally found massive success in just giving Isabella Fatiguing Fog fully upgraded and focusing her into all DPS. The Obscure and her natural rogue defense stats make her a beastly support and ST dps.

[AreleX]

I'm feeling generous (read: drunk), so I will go put together an Isabela build. I think I already told someone I'd do that anyways, so two birds with one stone.

Give me like, half an hour

[mr_afk]

Heh, I'm feeling...bored (read: terrible at prioritising), so I'll race you.
Except, just to be different- I'll create a semi-solo build with just her and hawke

[AreleX]

why do you continue to do this to yourself, bro

[mr_afk]

Because it's fun. and I'm done.
I'll see if I can record a vid of it...

edit: Actually, that build is a little boring. I'll try something else

I'll get back to this later. I've pretty much figured out a build that makes a pure dex-Isabela have survivability via threat management and still dish out reasonable damage. Only issue is that armistice etc seems to be directing threat at hawke instead of the dog, making it a lot harder for hawke to survive <_<

Modifié par mr_afk, 15 juin 2011 - 07:15 .

[AreleX]

hmm, i'll make a video as well

with 2h and sns

[AreleX]

this is f**king disgusting

i'm a genius

[mr_afk]

haha so much for 'half an hour'.

Anyway, here's an example of my isabela build optimised for durability, dps (not spike damage), and mild crowd control:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=AM09aWKJsZM

Despite been full-dex she does pretty crappy damage compared to hawke (also full-dex) but I'm pretty sure that's the max possible for her (with crappy weapons). I'll go through the abilities etc later if anyone is interested- Not sure how useful the build is for party setups though.

Modifié par mr_afk, 15 juin 2011 - 01:21 .

[Apathy1989]

End game I have something like this on isabela. http://biowarefans.c...PItElvs1zoYcmkR

Merrill used to run this, but lately I've been playing with going Spirit/Entropy rather than Primal/Entropy. http://biowarefans.c...dUriuPQfhGwKWgJ

Modifié par Apathy1989, 15 juin 2011 - 05:48 .

[AreleX]

i fell asleep

[Ferretinabun]

Cool. Apathy - do you prefer your Spirit Merrill?

I ask because I wonder if patch 1.03 has taken the edge off Chain Lightning

Modifié par Ferretinabun, 16 juin 2011 - 12:16 .

[cJohnOne]

Would getting 2 Dex. to 1 Willpower be good on a DW Rogue? Do you need willpower on a DW rogue?

[mosesofwar]

Not really. If you go assassin or scoundrel, you get enough stamina regen per hit to have a small stamina pool and be effective. DW you should go DEX just enough for the weapons, then put everything into CUN to increase Critical damage. I don't know how much is too much now with 1.03 out.. Maybe now since you can't one shot bosses, you may want to put a little more into DEX than before.

[cJohnOne]

Okay, I thought with Waves of foes coming you might need more Willpower for Stealth or evade, things like that and your spike damage like twin fangs.

Modifié par cJohnOne, 17 juin 2011 - 02:39 .