6 réponses à ce sujet

[Sawtooth357]

I'm trying out a Sword and Shield build I've read here on the forums, putting enough in Dex and Cun (including fade bonuses) to get talents and coercion, and dump everything else into strength. I'm going with Reaver/Templar for specializations. There are a few points I'm unsure about, though.

For my weapon, I'm not sure if the Veshialle or Starfang longsword is the better ultimate goal. Given that I'm pumping up strength I don't know if the strength modifier on the Veshialle makes it a better deal. As for runes in that weapon, should I just load it up with spell resistance runes?

As for talents, I'm not sure whether to use Shield Wall or Shield Defense. With all the talents to buff them, I understand that Shield Wall still gives a penalty to damage. Should I leave one or the other up at all times, or switch them depending on the enemy I'm fighting?

[galelabriel]

I'm just finishing up a playthrough with this type of build. I used a Dwarven Noble and I used the best mace or axe I could find until I had the cash to purchase the Veshaille. I can't use swords with my Dwarven builds... that's just my own bias though. To better answer your question, I think using Starfang may be the better option until your STR is 60+ and then use Veshaille. I'm not a numbers cruncher though, so maybe someone else will have better info for you. I always just leave Shield Wall on.

[Random70]

Sawtooth357 wrote...

For my weapon, I'm not sure if the Veshialle or Starfang longsword is the better ultimate goal. Given that I'm pumping up strength I don't know if the strength modifier on the Veshialle makes it a better deal. As for runes in that weapon, should I just load it up with spell resistance runes?

Early on for a STR build, Starfang is the superior option. Late game they're pretty much a wash.
For runes, run 2x Elemental + 1x Hale until mid-game, then switch to 3x Elemental. Keep a backup weapon with 3x Dweomer runes for those rare occassions when enemy spellcasters actually pose a threat.

Sawtooth357 wrote...

As for talents, I'm not sure whether to use Shield Wall or Shield Defense. With all the talents to buff them, I understand that Shield Wall still gives a penalty to damage. Should I leave one or the other up at all times, or switch them depending on the enemy I'm fighting?

The tooltip is incorrect. Shield Wall doesn't actually reduce damage making it, by far, the superior option to Shield Defense. That said, neither one is worth the Stamina cost until you have both Shield Expertise and Mastery. Save the Talent books from Bodahn / Garin, giving you the ability to take Death Blow, Shield Expertise and Shield Mastery at Lvl 12. At that point, run Shield Wall at all times. 

BTW: I'd highly recommend Champion as one of your specs...the buffs from Rally and the AoE knockdown from Warcry are much more beneficial than anything you get from either Reaver or Templar.

[Storm-sky]

I made my tank, a axe and shield combination, I finally settled on 2 axes, Aodh, and Axe of the grey. Veshialle seemed more beneficial to a rogue type character, didn't increase my damage really, and I felt wasn't worth the money, when you have equal axes for free. I went 2 point strength, i point dex, for most of the game. I leave shield wall on, as it provides immunity to knockdown along with shield mastery, For specializations I went Templar, Spirit warrior. This is one of the best combinations I have found so far. Holy Smite, is a great aoe spell, and stuns enemy spellcasters. Beyond the viel you get with spirit warrior in awakening is pretty awsome as well, as it converts your damage to spirit damage and ignores armor, it also increases your attack speed later on. Playing at the normal difficulty i am almost unbeateable, with the right equipment. And oddly I have found that high defense and light armor is better than heavy armor, as you can spam out way more talents with light armor, with light armor sets with high defense along with a high defenseive shield you are still unhittable, look at my character for further info.

[Mike3207]

I tried a equal STR and DEX tank on my last character. I ended with both strength and dex over 80. It seemed to work out pretty well.

[Last Darkness]

Yeah sounds like you guys got the feel of my build. Its alot of fun.

Sawtooth, Starfang until 60+ Strength as Galalabriel has said then switch to Veshialle. It does the highest damage of any 1 handed weapon in the game after 60+ Str and keeps getting better the more Str you get. Matter of fact you will likly even use it all the way through Awakening until Vigilence. Keep in mind Axes have high damage mods and a higher crit rate.

Sup random70 havent seen you around, hope youve been well. As always your advice is sound but I disagree as usual.
About Specs yes the Champions Rally and Warcry are great, Ive come to avoid that spec and put it on a companion character to run instead of the Warden because Rally is so annoying to manage and mostly because it uses alot of stamina. The Aggressive Weapon and Shield build is all about spamming talents and needs all the stam it can use. Though of course if your really good at micromanging you can move in and spam some abilities and then use rally instead of having it on all the time. I find it just easier to mix Reaver/templar for a good selection of abilities.

I need to finesh my Berserk mod then that would be viable for this build as well but thats semantics.

As for Shield Wall/Defense. Use as needed, though its just simply easier to run shield wall all the time. If you know what enemies can stun you and such though you can accuratly predict when you can use which though.


On a Side note for Awakening (Sorry Storm Sky your info was confusing for a Origins thread)
I found both the new specs useful in their own ways, though Guardian+Spirit Warrior is crazy awesome if you pull it off right. Reaver/Spirit Warrior/Guardian was crazy fun.

[Sawtooth357]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the input.