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[PapaCharlie9]

TL;DR: How do I calculate the cross-over point for when the 35% party-wide damage buff from Horn of Valor/That's the Spirit isn't worth the 5 skill point investment, specifically for Cassandra?

 

I've been dragon hunting, purposely underleveled by about 5 levels, on Nightmare. For levels 7 through 14 (current), I've used Cass as a Taunt spammer to soak up aggro while my KE IQ does all the heavy melee lifting. I also have Sera and Solas along for ranged damage, weakness and barrier spam. The AI is extremely effective at spamming Taunt and Horn of Valor, so I've been getting maximum value out of that investment.

 

It may seem extravagant to burn 5 skills points on Horn of Valor/That's the Spirit, particularly when all you've got is 6 points, but for dragon hunting, every little bit of additional damage and defense helps.

 

Now that I have access to Tier 3 schems and mats for Cass, I'm starting to wonder if I'm giving up too much in skills, like upgraded Lunge & Slash or There Is No Darkness, by having those 5 points invested in Battlemaster.

 

At what point can Cass's effective damage output exceed the party-wide benefit of Horn of Valor? If any?

 

I'd really like to get the 10% elemental damage resistance from Templar There Is No Darkness, but that will cost 3 points with my current build (see below). I'd have to respec to get it now. 

 

For the sake of argument, assume stuff like Might Offense tonic and other boosters aren't an option. Consider the problem purely as a skill point trade-off. Also assume leveling up for the sake of getting more skill points is not an option. 

 

For reference, my current build of Cass is:

 

Level 14 (15 points)

 

Shield Wall/Chevalier's Step

Warrior's Resolve

Shield Bash/Ring the Bell

Lunge & Slash

 

Grappling Chain

Crippling Blows

Coup de Grace

Horn of Valor/That's the Spirit

 

Spell Purge

Champions of the Just

The Last Sacrifice

Rally

[Cydh]

 

At what point can Cass's effective damage output exceed the party-wide benefit of Horn of Valor? If any?

 

 

In all honesty, never.

 

What you can do though is farm for a chance to cast Horn of Valor masterwork, and use Improved War Horn instead. Improved War Horn is straight up the best warrior skill in the game (tied with Charging Bull), it has a crazy large area of effect and hits each target with three effects (damage, panick and armor reduction), and that practically guarantees you to refresh your Horn of Valor buff up.

 

At your level though, I would simply keep doing what you do and fill up the Templar tree. The elemental damage resistance is extremely good, I consider it a 10% party damage buff, since it enables you to use more offensive gear slots.