18 réponses à ce sujet

[mikehanna]

I just got back into DA:O, even though I have my copy of Skyrim.  Anyway, I wanted to try a build that wasn't a typical "tank" warrior.  I wanted a tank that could also deal some respectable damage.  I started a new game as a Dwarven Noble warrior.

I wanted to try a sword and shield warrior, with specializations in beserker and reaver.  It's probably been done before, but I can't find any hints or help on the forums about this type of build.  I was even toying around with the idea of instead of using reaver, using templar.  I figured though that templar is good only against a specific threat, so opted with reaver instead.

I have been dumping points into STR (at 2/level) and switching between DEX and CON (at 1/level).  I only put points into CUN to open up the Persuasion skills (need 1 more point in it since I found all the fonts in the Broken Circle quest).  Then, I am thinking of switching CON for WILL once I get a decent amount of health.  My logic for continuing to put points in DEX is that it also increases attack, but also defense (at a 1:1 ratio).  Since I will have aggro from the mobs (not "off-tanking"), I think the added defense will be a benefit.

Equipment wise, I plan on getting The Veshialle axe as a weapon and probably the Fade Wall (or Duncan's Shield, as the +20% to Healing is bugged on items) as a shield.  For armor, I don't think I'm going to go massive, but stick to heavy.  My reasoning being the fatigue will be too high to actually use any berserker/reaver abilities often.  Also, Wade's Superior Dragonscale armor has stamina regen (plus -25% fatigue AND +5 defense).  Helm of Honnleath will probably round out the armor.

Anyway, please let me know if this is any good or am I just WAAAAYYYY off.  offer up some suggestions before I play this character too long, LOL.

[gandanlin]

Sounds like it should work, though I have not used Reaver spec. much. I usually go with Templar and Champion.

Ordinarily, I build warriors with sword and shield or 2H-sword talents, but this playthrough I decided to build one with dual-wield talents. Must say that I am reasonably impressed with the result.

[Ferretinabun]

The classic mistake with Sword and Shield is to pump Dex to the max. This makes you practically invulnerable, but also means your attacks are comparatively weak so you end up playing an incredibly boring character who just very slowly batters everyone to death (or just stands there taking the hits while their companions do the fun stuff).

Once you have enough Dex for the top talents, you should really start pumping Str pretty much exclusively. Maybe just a touch more Dex if you think you're dying too quickly, but don't go overboard. Cun is fine for Persuasion, but stop once you get that last one. But nothing in Con! Con and Magic are a complete waste.

With this build you be tough enough to take a good beating, but strong enough to take enemies down thick and fast and, most importantly, keep the combat enjoyable.

See how you get on. If you still think S&S is tedious, well, a tank was never a very exciting build to go for really. Hope you enjoy it though.

Also beserker and reaver is... an interesting choice. Champion is pretty much the go-to spec for tanks. Though again, I suppose it could work if you're playing an aggressive Str-pumped tank.

[galelabriel]

I agree with Ferret. I just finished a DN SnS playthrough. Stopped dex at 26. Cun at 16. Every other point went to str. I had no problems. Party mainly consisted of Shale, Sten, and Morrigan.

Gandanlin - I mainly play SnS or 2-handed warriors as well. I just started up a dual wielding dwarven commoner playthrough. I haven't made it very far in my previous dual wield warden attempts. Hoping to change that with this playthrough.

[gandanlin]

galelabriel wrote...

...Gandanlin - I mainly play SnS or 2-handed warriors as well. I just started up a dual wielding dwarven commoner playthrough. I haven't made it very far in my previous dual wield warden attempts. Hoping to change that with this playthrough.

Yes, that is the same origin I am playing -- Dwarf commoner.  I decided to wield two full-sized swords, even though axes may be the more traditional choice for dwarves.  At lvl 23 and just escaped Fort Drakon.  It seems to be going fairly well....

[mikehanna]

I understand that STR is the go-to stat for any warrior, tank or DPS. My thinking was, once I start pumping points exlusively into STR and DEX, my attack skill will go up just as quickly as if I was just dumping points into STR. 3 points into STR will raise your attack score 1.5, plus adds to your physical resistance and weapon damage. 2 points into STR will raise your attack score by 1; 1 point in DEX will increase attack by .5 (so you get the same attack score increase), also 1 point in defense (always good not to get hit at all), contributes to physical resistance and ranged weapon attack scores. As you can see, the only benefit of putting 3 points/level into STR is for a little more damage (but how much?). DEX provides the defense bonus and option to use ranged combat as well, if I choose to.

I am only adding 1 more point to CUN to unlock the last persuasion skill.  Once my health is relatively high, I will start putting points into WILL for more stamina.  I do not want to be an auto-attack warrior.  Once, stamina is decent to maintain all active abilities and using special abilities, it'll be STR and DEX all the way.

Basically, I want this SnS warrior to DEAL damage, and either take the hits or avoid them all together. High defense, moderately high armor rating (I want to go with heavy, not massive armor to save on fatigue as mentioned above) and the specializations to really do some damage while holding aggro.

Also, I was trying to go for a SnS warrior that is "different" from the rest.  Traditionally, I would also choose the Champion specialization.  While a good choice for a support tank, not good for a DPS tank (if there is such a thing, LOL!).

I'm going to keep playing him. I'm currently at level 9 and just finished Broken Circle.

Modifié par mikehanna, 27 janvier 2012 - 01:21 .

[Ferretinabun]

I don't have numbers to hand by I remember reading a pretty detailed analysis on S&S warriors. The bottom line is that after a certain amount of Dex you are pretty much invulnerable to all attacks except specials which you will never be immune to, while pumping Str will still add on the damage you do with attacks such as Shield Bash. So after a certain point, pumping Dex rather than Str is simply a waste.

Though I will add that S&S warrior is the one build I haven't actually played. Though I am planning on doing one very soon. So let me know how you get on with this.

[mikehanna]

Ok, will do.

Right now, he still gets hit a lot because I'm stuck in medium armor. That's a play choice though as I am saving my gold for The Veshialle axe. Once I get it, I should have, or be close to getting, Wade's Superior Dragonscale armor. I tossed around the idea of saving for Evon the Great's Mail, because of more numerous bonuses, but I would lose out on the set bonus of -20% fatigue on the Dragonscale armor. With luck, I'll also get Fade Wall as a shield.

Should be interesting....

Also, since I'll be importing him into Awakening and other DLCs, I think the DEX increases should keep coming.  Enemies in those expansions tend to hit a lot more often than in DA:O.

Modifié par mikehanna, 27 janvier 2012 - 04:04 .

[galelabriel]

Evon the Great's Mail w/ the Wade's Superior Dragonscale gloves/boots will still give you the set bonus of Wade's Superior Dragonscale armor set.

[mikehanna]

galelabriel wrote...

Evon the Great's Mail w/ the Wade's Superior Dragonscale gloves/boots will still give you the set bonus of Wade's Superior Dragonscale armor set.

Really?  Is there anywhere I can confirm this?  Dragon Age wiki site?

[mikehanna]

Nevermind, just confirmed it on the wiki site. Thanks galelabriel! I didn't know that at all! Now I have 2 things to save up for! I hope I can afford it.

[mikehanna]

I compiled my equipment and ability bonuses to kind of show people what this build can do...

Berserker specialization
Berserk (with Constraint): -3.0 Stamina Regeneration
Resilience: +1.5 Health Regeneration

Reaver specialization
Blood Frenzy: -5.0 Health Regeneration

Total specialization bonuses/penalties: -3.5 Health Regeneration
-3.0 Stamina Regeneration

Equipment
Wade's Superior Dragonscale Armor (with Evon the Great's Mail chestpiece): +2.0 Stamina Regen
+1.0 Health Regen

Lifegiver (ring): +3.0 Health Regeneration

Andruil's Blessing (belt): +2 Stamina Regeneration

Fade Wall (shield): +1 Stamina Regeneration

Total equipment bonuses: +4.0 Health Regeneration
+5.0 Stamina Regeneration

Total bonuses with activated abilities: +0.5 Health Regeneration
+2.0 Stamina Regeneration

[mikehanna]

My weapon is The Veshialle legendary axe. With 3 rune slots and a focus on DPS, I chose a Grandmaster Frost Rune (+5 frost damage), a Grandmaster Lightning Rune (+5 lightning damage), and a Grandmaster Paralyze Rune to help control the mobs.

In DA:O - Awakenings, I believe Evon the Great's Mail gets 3 rune slots as well. I think going with a Paragon Reservoir Rune (+7 WILL or +35 Stamina), an Endurance Rune (depending on what my fatigue looks like) or Paragon Immunity Rune (+25% fire, frost, and electrical resistance), and a Paragon Barrier Rune (+7 Armor).

[Ferretinabun]

Nice work.

[mikehanna]

My final sword and shield warrior build looks as such...

WEAPONS
The Veshialle (Intensifying Rune, Momentum Rune, and Dweomer Rune)
Longshot

ARMOR & SHIELD
Wade's Superior Dragonscale Gloves and Boots
Evon the Great's Mail (Immunity Rune, Endurance Rune, and Reservoir Rune)
Helm of Honnleath
Landsmeet Shield (Legion of the Dead Heraldry)

JEWELRY
The High Regard of House Dace
Andruil's Blessing
Ring of Ages
Lifegiver

I am using Berserker, Reaver, and Guardian specializations.  My base, auto-attack, damage is 92.8; my critical hit chance is about 33% and armor penetration is 10; armor is 41; defense is 121, missile deflection is 177; attack is 149.  All these stats are based on my current level of 30.

Mental resistance is 59, with a total of 20% spell resistance (10% from a Dweomer Rune, the other from racial ability).  Physical resistance is 136.  Fire resistance is 55%; Cold resistance is 35%, Electrical resistance is 65%; Nature resistance is 75%; Spirit resistance is 20%.  The elemental resistances will be higher once I place a Paragon Immunity Rune on my armor (currently using a Grandmaster).

My bane are mages as my Mental resistance is not high enough to resist spells that go through my spell resistance.  Damage spells are not bad due to my resistances, though.

TACTICS
When fighting elite or higher enemies, I immediately go into Berserk mode.  I then use Taunt to get myself surrounded.  Then I activate Aura of Pain for AoE around myself.  I then use Frightening Appearance on the colored enemy to stun them.  I then use Assault, followed by Overpower on the main enemy.  If my health drops to around 50%, I activate Carapace, Fortifying Presence, and Blood Frenzy.  If any dead enemies are around, I may use Devour to restore some health.  If the main enemy is still alive and their health is low, I may use Final Blow followed by Second Wind (I usually have a large amount of stamina left causing Final Blow to deal over 500 points of damage).  Otherwise, I would use Peon's Plight and continue cycling through Assault and Overpower.

My character is EXTREMELY resilient.  I don't need a healer, but the rest of my party may need them if I can't keep the hate on me.  If holding the enemy is becoming a problem, I would activate Aura of the Stalwart Defender and Taunt or Air of Insolence.  I turn off abilities as needed (only one enemy near me or health is high again, for example).

With this build, I can't remember the last time I actually died and had to reload a saved game.

[gandanlin]

In the past couple of playthroughs I started to apply heraldry to my warriors' shields in Awakenings. There is a very nice attribute bonus to that.

I sort of like to use Massacre (for ordinary enemies) and Fade Burst (for fade demons) -- so I normally pick the specializations that go with those talents. Great way to deal with multiple enemies.

Awakenings has some pretty cool talents for warriors. Warriors are much more interesting to play in Awakenings than in DAO, I'd say.

[mikehanna]

All the heraldry gives +3 bonus to all attributes, except the Legion of the Dead which gives +20 to all attributes. Would be silly NOT to take the Legion herald except in role-playing cases. Since I'm a dwarf anyway, Legion of the Dead is role-playing to me, hehe.

I don't have the Massacre talent yet, but next level or 2 and I will. I heard it is pretty good for clearing a group of trash enemies. And warriors are definately fun to play, if you choose good specializations to go with the class.

[gandanlin]

Yeah, the Legion of the Dead heraldry. Sweet bonus.

[mikehanna]

Just finished DA:Awakening at level 33, just shy of 34. All in all, pretty happy with the way this build went. It certainly made for interesting fights; it took some strategy on when to use abilities and such. Definately better than a plain old "sword and board" warrior.

Now, to transfer my save to DA2...