Not quite. If you got 50 stamina, it uses only 50. If you got 70, it uses only 50. The problem occur if you got 100, at which it uses 100.
So it's valid -- but far from smooth. I personally got sick of it this time around, since it puts a hole in an otherwise smooth playstyle. The knockdown is invaluable against maulers though, as no other knockback works on them.
thats the problem, before i got it my playstyle was smooth, since i got it it breaks the flow. Also after getting t3 stuff im also realising deathblow is overkill for stuff under 50%, on high hp bosses again its worthless as it will empty your stamina. While spinning blades (weaker hidden blades) with the right perks pays back all its stamina back, has no limitations on use (ie HP levels).
But as said main problem is its massive overkill especially on an assassin, cause we anyways get more damage the lower the targets life so at 50% and below even a couple of auto attacks from flank end up finishing the enemy. While for openers hidden blades, twin fangs hell even spinning blade are quite good.
So i am struggling to find a place for deathblow in my rotation and to justify its use on my 8 slot limit.
Matth85, would you be so kind to expand your builds further up to lvl 20? I built my party using your suggestions on my characters before going to Skyhold, so now I'm lvl 15 and still confusing a little where to invest points next? I'm playing as fire mage with Cass as S&S, Solas as healer and archer Cole. I'd really appreciate your advices since it's my 1st walkthrough and I'm on nightmare.
Matth85, would you be so kind to expand your builds further up to lvl 20? I built my party using your suggestions on my characters before going to Skyhold, so now I'm lvl 15 and still confusing a little where to invest points next? I'm playing as fire mage with Cass as S&S, Solas as healer and archer Cole. I'd really appreciate your advices since it's my 1st walkthrough and I'm on nightmare.
Hm.. The problem is that after skyhold you gain specializations, and there are so many combination of valid ways to build. Towards level 20 you can even go full a hybrid between a lot of builds and still make it work. It also depends on how you want to play. My general rule of thumb, though, is just to grab everything in your specialization after what I have recommended is taken.
Otherwise it all depends on you. Which is sort of why I decided to spend time pre-skyhold rather than post-skyhold; It's easier to define builds, and it's harder.
Matth85, are you aware of this farming Tier 2 Superior schematics method?
At first I thought it was blasphemous and way too game breaking (not to mention it makes the Schematics Perk redundant), however, after thinking it through a little more, I guess it is not very different from revisiting the Forbidden Oasis over and over for Tier 2 Metal early in the game.
What are your thoughts?
I am, indeed, aware. I've knew about it since day 1. There is also tier 2 schematics in 2 chest near the Templar encampment.
But I am not a fan of the whole chest-farming method. I find it.. distasteful. Just like I find using Thousand Cuts distasteful. Though that's more my own gaming style than anything!
It's a way to get early masterwork though, which may help some if they require it! Me -- I don't even craft. On my DW rogue I ended up fighting the Ferelden Frostback with 1 level 3 dagger, and 1 level 9 dagger. Just my luck, aha!
I had no idea about this until today. If I had known, I might have exploited it on my first couple of playthroughs and spoiled myself, so I am glad I didn't know 
I guess no one has an issue about farming Tier 3 schematics late in the game when most people just want to find the coolest armor or whatever.
But this one, this early in the game, gets me puzzled. Maybe I have to agree that it is distasteful after all.
But fighting the Fereldan Frostback with level 3 equipment is a little too spartan for my taste, lol.
It was a long, long, fight. I would not recommend it to anybody
I wonder how that fight will go on my future solo mage. That will be painful!
K i take back about deathblow. It still beats spinning blades cause damage, 2 the passives we get while getting deathblow are a LOT better than the spinning blades route. SO yea i hope they fix the dance of death bug with it or atleast not make it suck 100 stamina.
Matth a question, Do first blood and pincushion passives work with a DW assassin?
Matth a question, Do first blood and pincushion passives work with a DW assassin?
Afaik; Yes.
However, I hear First Blood isn't working quite as intended. I am a bit unsure on that though. You should check the Rogue Advice thread! There are some excellent information there!
Another question, artificer's tricks of trade passive, does it boost all damage by 10% or just dots and the like?
im not sure about the benefits of the damage reduction passives if you have shield wall? i'd probably use either or...
if you use shield wall (or the ai uses it well) you simply do not benefit from the passives? if not then why use shieldwall at all?
i'd rather combine the passives + payback strike OR the shield wall...?
also i think warhorn is quite nice - kill off any guard aoe and gives you room to breath.... alternating between war cry and war horn gives you a lot of breathing room
im not sure about the benefits of the damage reduction passives if you have shield wall? i'd probably use either or...
if you use shield wall (or the ai uses it well) you simply do not benefit from the passives? if not then why use shieldwall at all?
i'd rather combine the passives + payback strike OR the shield wall...?
also i think warhorn is quite nice - kill off any guard aoe and gives you room to breath.... alternating between war cry and war horn gives you a lot of breathing room
You can't have a 100% uptime with shield wall. Especially not when the AI uses it. No matter what you do, the passives is without doubt the best place to put points!
Also, War horn + Horn of Valor are nice -- but not needed early game and too heavy in investment. You simply don't got the luxury to get one, or both, without sacrificing something you really need. As a 2h warrior you sacrifice important points + stamina + CD using it. As a tank you can go for it, but I would not get either before after Skyhold.
That said, try out builds! Mine are not the be-all best builds. It's whats worked for me over multiple runs. Take these builds as recommendations -- a safe build to pick when you are uncertain. Once you get some hours in the game, you can change whatever you want, as long as it works!
Did you remove your Dragon kill video Matth85?
This is one of the best threads. You've helped me so much. And, because of this thread, I tried a Rogue Archer on Nightmare, and it was the most fun I've had with the game so far.
I spend a lot of time crafting, because I enjoy it, and that has helped me in Nightmare. I can see where it's not necessary for the experienced / talented player, but it is helpful for some of us senior citizens
Thanks!
Did you remove your Dragon kill video Matth85?
Ah, yes. The amount of people wanting to watch it was minimal, so I decided to get rid of it. If I get some motivation to play more DA:I I might upload a kill on a DW rogue and on an archer rogue. Perhaps a warrior as well. But that'll have to wait! I've played DA I for way too much the last couple if weeks
Thanks Matt, using your builds and gear choice for Cassandra I just killed the Fereldan frostback at level 12 on NM difficulty. First Dragon kill despite playing 165 hours, which isn't too surprising when I haven't reached Skyhold on any character yet.
Yes I'm a chronic re-starter, mostly thanks to your character looking different in the CC compared to in game.
So, Matth, any tips about beating Envy with a 2-Hander?
I'll be doing a 2-hander Champion/Vanguard run without the SnS passives, cause f*ck shitty warrior's design.
rant
I'm up in arms about the 2-handed warrior design in DAI. You have absolutely no spike damage against stuff that can't be knocked down, cooldowns are way too long without criticals, no way to increase critical chance through skills, no way to mitigate (ranged at all and melee to a degree) damage (the only reason for the existence of real world two-handed warriors was a good enough armor that allowed them to forego the shield), and to top it off - the motherf*cking Earthshaking Strike! Seriously, every skill in the warrior and rogue trees (Leaping Shot aside) bears some resemblance to reality, and then we get a magical opening of the ground sprouting fires... Really?! WHAT THE F*CK?!
/rant
Now, once I get Champion, I don't care, cause To The Death and Walking Fortress. Problem is, Envy is before that. With SnS, I can block projectiles, I can dart in for quick spikes of damage and then swiftly roll/charge away. But 2-hander seems totally screwed.
So, any ideas beside sitting in the corner while Varric takes care of it?
Would you recommend these builds for a nightmare run with Cassandra, Blackwall, vivienne, and a DW Rogue Inquisitor? Or are these specifically for each inquisitor build and not AI controlled builds.
Yup 2 handers got shafted in this game and since i do not like W&S ive just accepted the fact and gone to my next thing DW Assassins.
It's also ridiculous that it's the only weapon tree across all 3 classes that requires respec the moment you get your specialization. Vanilla 2h just doesn't cut it, you have to change completely your play style. Reaver renders the 2h completely obsolete, Templar prioritizes Wrath/Purge combos and Champion has to be developed first, otherwise you are toast before you can bring your 2h skills to bear. Just... ugh.
also i would have preferred spirit warrior (makes total sense) and berserker back.
@Xelander
Envy is horrible for melee. Especially for slow melee. The only time you can hit Envy is when he is casting his ranged attack. He goes to either side. So just place your tank in the middle, set ranged dps to the corners and your melee dps to either side. Then just have them hold while you run around with your tank avoiding his attacks. Once envy goes to either side to do ranged attack, go to your 2h warrior (press hold again) do a combo and back to your tank (press hold).
Tons of fun!
@xnarcosyx
Would you recommend these builds for a nightmare run with Cassandra, Blackwall, vivienne, and a DW Rogue Inquisitor? Or are these specifically for each inquisitor build and not AI controlled builds.
These are my go-to builds for all companions, yeah! The only thing I avoid is using a DW rogue, Knight Enchanter or Reaver partymembers. Simply because how the AI works. Otherwise it's all good!
@Xelander
... go to your 2h warrior (press hold again) do a combo ...
IIRC, Envy cannot be knocked down or stunned, so no combos there. Unless I'm mistaking him with the Demon Commander from MP.
It occurs to me now that the Two-Handed Warrior may be the best suited melee character for Envy because of... wait for it ... Earthshaking Strike! Oh, the irony...
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