Hello everyone,
It's StarFlorge,
So here is another one of my build, this build is revolved around getting guard so that you can use your reaver abilities and survive on really low health to utilize the passive bonuses of missing health. You can also with this build get an ifinite whirlwind as long as you keep hitting two enemys constantly. Hope you enjoy this video, subscribe to see all future builds, leave a like and Happy Adventuring 
So here it is:
So seen as the forums have been change, to be merged which i must think was a big bad idea, ill be bumping my post as they used to be page 1. all i want to do is give builds to people to take away change to their own or not and get a good experience with the mage and other classes i have done.
Also my group will get each video posted sooner than the main forum as it is more convenient now, and also if you want to share ideas for a build or want a build please post in my group and then i can turn it into a video so just head over here:
http://forum.bioware...ge-dragon-age/
My goal is to make a community to bring loads of build and also game play when new dlc's/games come out
Happy Adventuring
Uhh ... maybe just make one consolidated post with links to the others and bump just that one? A lot of us use most recent posts to manage our time, but your constant bumping of 8 posts is going to interfere with that.
Kinda weird that you didn't get turn the bolt or turn the blade from the shield and weapon tree. I always thought those were staples.
I just finished a reaver play through on nightmare and not once did I feel the need to dig into the SnS tree. *shrug* In fact, I don't think I had the skill points to do so, if I wanted. Then again, I am not exploiting amulets of power or using a mod to give back the ones that were removed. The key was getting guard on hit, charging bull+, and high crit. Then devour is always cheap and readily available to use.
I just finished a reaver play through on nightmare and not once did I feel the need to dig into the SnS tree. *shrug* In fact, I don't think I had the skill points to do so, if I wanted. Then again, I am not exploiting amulets of power or using a mod to give back the ones that were removed. The key was getting guard on hit, charging bull+, and high crit. Then devour is always cheap and readily available to use.
BD- Did you try your Reaver in the Descent? Curious how he fared. I have a Reaver and established the first camp but haven't progressed him any further yet.
I just finished a reaver play through on nightmare and not once did I feel the need to dig into the SnS tree. *shrug* In fact, I don't think I had the skill points to do so, if I wanted. Then again, I am not exploiting amulets of power or using a mod to give back the ones that were removed. The key was getting guard on hit, charging bull+, and high crit. Then devour is always cheap and readily available to use.
Considering the game is pretty much over when you start to craft, I'm not surprised.
Though the strength of the build should come from the build, not endgame equipment.
Why are you investing heavily in the vanguard tree for defense if there are 2 skills in weapon and shield that do that job better?
I just finished a reaver play through on nightmare and not once did I feel the need to dig into the SnS tree. *shrug* In fact, I don't think I had the skill points to do so, if I wanted. Then again, I am not exploiting amulets of power or using a mod to give back the ones that were removed. The key was getting guard on hit, charging bull+, and high crit. Then devour is always cheap and readily available to use.
I agree. This is especially true if you run a tank to manage aggro.
Considering the game is pretty much over when you start to craft, I'm not surprised.
Though the strength of the build should come from the build, not endgame equipment.
Why are you investing heavily in the vanguard tree for defense if there are 2 skills in weapon and shield that do that job better?
My last completed run was 2H Reaver on nightmare with no crafting.
The answer is because those SnS skills do not do the job better. CB is for knockdown (synergy with Coup de Grace), some guard generation, and stamina reduction on MB or Devour.
Turn the Blade and Turn the Bolt do reduce incoming damage, but not from flanking. Damage reduction vs ranged is ok, even though it wastes a point in PBS. The damage reduction from Turn the Blade is much less useful IMO since it wastes 2 points and Reaver has little problem with any melee accept perhaps Revenants. This is especially true after crit chance goes up and you have Terrifying Fury, since most melee will become panicked easily (FF notwithstanding).
I agree that investing heavily in Vanguard is not the best thing to do with Reaver either, but picking up CB w/ Gore and Trample doesn't really require much investment for the benefits. Also grabbing Trust the Steel is pretty decent since it is nearly free armor since CB is used often, and off cooldown.
What makes the most sense instead of SnS passives IMO is just grabbing Horn of Valor and its upgrade since 2H Reaver is going into Battlemaster for Crippling Blows and Coup de Grace.
I agree. This is especially true if you run a tank to manage aggro.
My last completed run was 2H Reaver on nightmare with no crafting.
The answer is because those SnS skills do not do the job better. CB is for knockdown (synergy with Coup de Grace), some guard generation, and stamina reduction on MB or Devour.
Turn the Blade and Turn the Bolt do reduce incoming damage, but not from flanking. Damage reduction vs ranged is ok, even though it wastes a point in PBS. The damage reduction from Turn the Blade is much less useful IMO since it wastes 2 points and Reaver has little problem with any melee accept perhaps Revenants. This is especially true after crit chance goes up and you have Terrifying Fury, since most melee will become panicked easily (FF notwithstanding).
I agree that investing heavily in Vanguard is not the best thing to do with Reaver either, but picking up CB w/ Gore and Trample doesn't really require much investment for the benefits. Also grabbing Trust the Steel is pretty decent since it is nearly free armor since CB is used often, and off cooldown.
What makes the most sense instead of SnS passives IMO is just grabbing Horn of Valor and its upgrade since 2H Reaver is going into Battlemaster for Crippling Blows and Coup de Grace.
Reaver's have trouble with anything they can't knock down, which is where their main defense comes from. That includes arcane horrors, brutes, revenants, any thing immune to the knockdown effect. I tend to leave Horn of Valor to Cassandra, I'd rather the tank carry support buffs than waste two seconds activating on my dps even though that's pretty minmaxy. Plus AI isn't as limited in their available skills.
I go get coup de grace and crippling blows too.
I don't really sacrifice anything to make the build work, beyond maybe whirlwind, but I'd rather be dragon raging anyways.
The reaver is about maintaining yourself at low health, which means your armor has to be high enough that hits to your guard are negligible. Turn the Blade does more for that than pretty much any point in the Vanguard tree.
Reaver's have trouble with anything they can't knock down, which is where their main defense comes from. That includes arcane horrors, brutes, revenants, any thing immune to the knockdown effect. I tend to leave Horn of Valor to Cassandra, I'd rather the tank carry support buffs than waste two seconds activating on my dps even though that's pretty minmaxy. Plus AI isn't as limited in their available skills.
I go get coup de grace and crippling blows too.
I don't really sacrifice anything to make the build work, beyond maybe whirlwind, but I'd rather be dragon raging anyways.
Negative. It's amazing how often fear works on things. I still laugh when a wall of fire causes fear on a rage demon. High crit and the Reaver passive that causes fear means you won't be getting knocked down or blocked. Besides, if you are in front of the target you're doing it wrong. Charging bull through to the back side and attack from behind while your tank maintains aggro.
As for horn of valor, just give a mastercrafted horn of valor shield and give it to your tank.
*EDIT* Ok I had to re-read the post I quoted. Seriously, why are you getting knocked down? Stay behind the target. Use charging bull for mobility. Fear should be proccing constantly. I think I had like 65% crit chance.
Negative. It's amazing how often fear works on things. I still laugh when a wall of fire causes fear on a rage demon. High crit and the Reaver passive that causes fear means you won't be getting knocked down or blocked. Besides, if you are in front of the target you're doing it wrong. Charging bull through to the back side and attack from behind while your tank maintains aggro.
As for horn of valor, just give a mastercrafted horn of valor shield and give it to your tank.
*EDIT* Ok I had to re-read the post I quoted. Seriously, why are you getting knocked down? Stay behind the target. Use charging bull for mobility. Fear should be proccing constantly. I think I had like 65% crit chance.
I'm saying knocking things down is the reaver's main defense. Anything that is knocked down can't hit you, and thus can't chunk your guard.
Things that CAN'T be knocked down are what the reaver struggles against, if he/she struggles against anything.
I have very specific masterworks I give to my tank endgame, I'd rather just get the actual skill for HoV, which gives you a better damage bonus as well.
Edit: Oh you're talking about Terrifying Fury. This is a preference point to me, I'd rather not be chasing down panicked enemies all day and panic causes enemies to move erratically, though I think the CC is good. By the time I get my crit chance to a significant level where this procs consistently, I've already started crafting and am thus invincible. You can still get it if you wanted, 28 points isn't the most points you get in the game.
I'm saying knocking things down is the reaver's main defense. Anything that is knocked down can't hit you, and thus can't chunk your guard.
Things that CAN'T be knocked down are what the reaver struggles against, if he/she struggles against anything.
I have very specific masterworks I give to my tank endgame, I'd rather just get the actual skill for HoV, which gives you a better damage bonus as well.
Edit: Oh you're talking about Terrifying Fury. This is a preference point to me, I'd rather not be chasing down panicked enemies all day and panic causes enemies to move erratically, though I think the CC is good. By the time I get my crit chance to a significant level where this procs consistently, I've already started crafting and am thus invincible. You can still get it if you wanted, 28 points isn't the most points you get in the game.
I get what you mean. I was concerned about it too (things running away) but either hamstring is working now, or something else is helping but I never had trouble. I starting using War Horn right before I went reaver and it was day or night in terms of survivability. Things start to swarm you, pop War Horn and they stop swarming. But I always had a support mage who had ice trap, lightning bolt, etc and there was something to always hit.
Before reaver spec, keeping things knocked down was really important and helpful. Once I was full reaver though, I didn't have time (or stamina) for mighty blow, pommel strike, etc. It was dragon rage spam, followed by a quick charging bull & devour. Things run away sometimes, but the thing I'm intent on killing is either locked down, or dead. Plus I had grappling chain so I'd be able to say "GET OVER HERE" and have them right back to me.
Also, many things when feared, just seem to stand there and quiver in fear. It was great fun.
I get what you mean. I was concerned about it too (things running away) but either hamstring is working now, or something else is helping but I never had trouble. I starting using War Horn right before I went reaver and it was day or night in terms of survivability. Things start to swarm you, pop War Horn and they stop swarming. But I always had a support mage who had ice trap, lightning bolt, etc and there was something to always hit.
Before reaver spec, keeping things knocked down was really important and helpful. Once I was full reaver though, I didn't have time (or stamina) for mighty blow, pommel strike, etc. It was dragon rage spam, followed by a quick charging bull & devour. Things run away sometimes, but the thing I'm intent on killing is either locked down, or dead. Plus I had grappling chain so I'd be able to say "GET OVER HERE" and have them right back to me.
Also, many things when feared, just seem to stand there and quiver in fear. It was great fun.
I'm a big proponent of the passive in multiplayer, I just can get away without it in single player. As I said, the build has enough free points that you could get it if you wanted.
I never had enough crit to get the crit passives working constantly until I crafted my ornate battleaxe (I suppose this is now the Axe of the Dragon Hunter) and got the mask of the empress.
I just keep mighty blow around for detonations. Charging Bull's free ability is generally used on Devour's exorbitant stamina cost.
I'm a big proponent of the passive in multiplayer, I just can get away without it in single player. As I said, the build has enough free points that you could get it if you wanted.
As I said, I never had enough crit to get the crit passives working constantly until I crafted my ornate battleaxe (I suppose this is now the Axe of the Dragon Hunter) and got the mask of the empress.
I just keep mighty blow around for detonations. Charging Bull's free ability is generally used on Devour's exorbitant stamina cost.
That was my only pet peeve with reaver, was that I missed out on the detonations. With ring of pain, I barely had enough stamina to use CB+Devour. So I actually dropped mighty blow from my bar. On the positive side, it was awesome to see 20k damage crits against the alpha ogre in Descent.
Without crafting, Rebuke of the Sunderland or Axe of the Dragon Hunter both have enough crit chance to proc Terrifying Fury fairly frequently. That was actually a problem in my last run since FF was on and I could panic my team (bugged most likely, didn't always panic team). In any case, if you get around 35-40% you can have frequent enough procs given how often you generate hits via DR or even CB. I did end up dropping it due to FF, which I didn't want to do since the panic is helpful, and I was losing crit chance via cunning.
I noticed that the build posted has 28 points invested. IIRC I fought Corypheus with my glamazon at 22 or 23. 28 is a lot of points, and most of the game you will have significantly fewer. I respec'd my character many times in the teens trying to find the best balance, and it mainly turned out that buffing strength and offense helped me the most in that run. Hence the req for HOV. I was already right next to it in Battlemaster to get the passives and CR, and Cassandra was light on points since I want Spell Purge, There is no Darkness and taunts, as well as Combat Roll.
Also wrt Brutes and the large melee enemies, Combat Roll plus a little taunting from the tank goes a long way. Dragon Rage them in the back, roll out against unavoidable attacks.
I would not run War Cry unless I either used it outside of taunt range, or had Terrifying Fury.
I also do not care for Ring of Pain if you have semi decent weapons.
If you craft high tier weapons, you can more easily afford to spend points in SnS early. Which is why I jumped into this discussion, I think the idea that the build doesn't need SnS because of crafted gear is backwards.
So thanks for the advice and i will now post into one new thread which will mean only one bump, and just a note to everyone, this is just one build i my self have many others with pros and cons, and soon i will start the variation builds where i will basically take this same 2 handed reaver and just change some spells around for another look on the 2 handed reaver, so i know other spells are better and worse but this is just one of many. and all the comments will go in to the creation of the variations of builds so thank you
I just hope you enjoy my videos rather than just want to change it all xD i will have more builds for everyone's tastes, im just one guy with many builds
Happy Adventuring
And also for many people wondering why i when into vanguard tree more, is first make sure you listen to the whole thing, cause this build i made is about getting the guard you need to be able to sustain low hp. In my next build i already had has things like turn the bolt etc along with guard but again just remeber this is one of many builds.
Happy Adventuring
stuff
? I just don't like the terrifying fury, its a matter of preference to me in single player. You can get it if you like, I'm not disputing its usefulness, just running around chasing enemies is aggravating to me.
Ring of pain is alright. It's just more damage that doesn't interrupt dragon rage spamming. The stamina drain is annoying, but if you set it up correctly, you'll barely need your stamina.
Upgraded War Cry isn't about building aggro or guard, it's about the armor buff. I can redirect aggro back to my tank pretty easily through another war cry, if I even need to.
Combat Roll doesn't travel far enough for me. I like block and slash and charging bull for avoiding damage, either through charging through the enemy, or blocking the hit entirely. Both also knock the opponent down. I feel like combat roll doesn't do enough for me.
I'm pretty sure level 27 is the max level. This is my max level build, not a leveling build (the topic is about a max level reaver build iirc). I don't build the 2 hander the same pre-specialization, and I don't build the 2 hander the same pre crit.
? I just don't like the terrifying fury, its a matter of preference to me in single player. You can get it if you like, I'm not disputing its usefulness, just running around chasing enemies is aggravating to me.
Ring of pain is alright. It's just more damage that doesn't interrupt dragon rage spamming. The stamina drain is annoying, but if you set it up correctly, you'll barely need your stamina.
Upgraded War Cry isn't about building aggro or guard, it's about the armor buff. I can redirect aggro back to my tank pretty easily through another war cry, if I even need to.
Combat Roll doesn't travel far enough for me. I like block and slash and charging bull for avoiding damage, either through charging through the enemy, or blocking the hit entirely. Both also knock the opponent down. I feel like combat roll doesn't do enough for me.
I'm pretty sure level 27 is the max level. This is my max level build, not a leveling build (the topic is about a max level reaver build iirc). I don't build the 2 hander the same pre-specialization, and I don't build the 2 hander the same pre crit.
Terrifying Fury is critical if you don't want to dig into the SnS tree. You need that free CC or you need more survival. I never had to chase anything though. Whatever I was hitting stayed put while everything else sort of ran in circles. You'd think they'd run away from me, but they sort of just run randomly waving their hands as if being stung by bees. I truly feel that 1 point for Terrifying Fury is better than digging 4 points into SnS tree and/or deeper into Vanguard for extra guard generating abilities.
I really think we're talking about two different reaver styles. I'm talking head-on full DPS insane damage reaver rip your guts out I am DPS God. I do not tank. I don't play tac cam and toggle warcry to get some guard. I pick a target and he knows he's going to die and explode in a pile of gory mess. Warcry has no place in my reaver play style. From the looks of it, your reaver is more of a hybrid and less DPS god.
I really want to use combat roll. And honestly I love it before I pick my specialization. But afterwards, the upgrade from charging is sooo good that it just takes over. I need the cheap devour (or wrath of god). Or even on a champion when I've been whirlwinding and my stamina is low but suddenly I need to use walking fortress. An upgraded Charging Bull is just too good. If they'd change the upgrade on combat roll I would reconsider it's value late game.
Terrifying Fury is critical if you don't want to dig into the SnS tree. You need that free CC or you need more survival. I never had to chase anything though. Whatever I was hitting stayed put while everything else sort of ran in circles. You'd think they'd run away from me, but they sort of just run randomly waving their hands as if being stung by bees. I truly feel that 1 point for Terrifying Fury is better than digging 4 points into SnS tree and/or deeper into Vanguard for extra guard generating abilities.
I really think we're talking about two different reaver styles. I'm talking head-on full DPS insane damage reaver rip your guts out I am DPS God. I do not tank. I don't play tac cam and toggle warcry to get some guard. I pick a target and he knows he's going to die and explode in a pile of gory mess. Warcry has no place in my reaver play style. From the looks of it, your reaver is more of a hybrid and less DPS god.
I really want to use combat roll. And honestly I love it before I pick my specialization. But afterwards, the upgrade from charging is sooo good that it just takes over. I need the cheap devour (or wrath of god). Or even on a champion when I've been whirlwinding and my stamina is low but suddenly I need to use walking fortress. An upgraded Charging Bull is just too good. If they'd change the upgrade on combat roll I would reconsider it's value late game.
What makes my reaver less of a DPS king than yours? Because I don't take a skill that has nothing to do with DPS and annoys me?
There is literally no damage difference. I just take more S&W passives than you do.
Seriously? You stick points into the SnS tree for damage mitigation. Or did you forget that? I put points into things that let me do more damage. Enemies can't block or parry when they are feared and standing still. When you warcry, I'm doing more damage. When you mighty blow and do crap damage, I'm doing more dragon rage under ring of pain. You taunt, I do damage. You knock down, I do pure damage. You pick up mitigation/con passives, I pick up more str/crit/damage.
I'm not saying your style is wrong. It's just different. Your playstyle definately has more durability. I'd just rather kill something faster and let my tank...tank things.
Seriously? You stick points into the SnS tree for damage mitigation. Or did you forget that? I put points into things that let me do more damage. Enemies can't block or parry when they are feared and standing still. When you warcry, I'm doing more damage. When you mighty blow and do crap damage, I'm doing more dragon rage under ring of pain. You taunt, I do damage. You knock down, I do pure damage. You pick up mitigation/con passives, I pick up more str/crit/damage.
I'm not saying your style is wrong. It's just different. Your playstyle definately has more durability. I'd just rather kill something faster and let my tank...tank things.
And you can't dps when they run halfway across the map. Through proper aggro management and positionining you can make sure that melees are never in the position to aggro and thus, block. That and I never have to run around like an idiot chasing enemies who run halfway across the screen, makes my dps higher. I don't need grunt melees and guardsmen to be feared. That enemy class is child's play.
Oh yeah btw, not having an impact detonator on the highest weapon damage class in the game is hilarious. No one is saying use mighty blow all the time, but why should I dragon rage when I can detonate for 3 times the damage. Don't be silly.
My build also has RoP, so that point is hilarious.
I do just as much damage as any other reaver, I just don't go into vanguard or battlemaster or get terrifying fury. I probably kill everything faster considering I don't make enemies run away from my tank.
I stick points in S&W because I have points to spare.
Terrifying Fury is critical if you don't want to dig into the SnS tree. You need that free CC or you need more survival. I never had to chase anything though. Whatever I was hitting stayed put while everything else sort of ran in circles. You'd think they'd run away from me, but they sort of just run randomly waving their hands as if being stung by bees. I truly feel that 1 point for Terrifying Fury is better than digging 4 points into SnS tree and/or deeper into Vanguard for extra guard generating abilities.
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I really want to use combat roll. And honestly I love it before I pick my specialization. But afterwards, the upgrade from charging is sooo good that it just takes over. I need the cheap devour (or wrath of god). Or even on a champion when I've been whirlwinding and my stamina is low but suddenly I need to use walking fortress. An upgraded Charging Bull is just too good. If they'd change the upgrade on combat roll I would reconsider it's value late game.
You can get away without Terrifying Fury, and it is annoying to chase panic'd enemies sometimes, but I agree it is offset by CC and preventing blocks (which are very annoying). It would be even nicer if enemies would just stand in place and do the fear dance that friendlies do though. If you play with FF on it is pretty bad though.
I used both Charging Bull and Combat Roll on my recent Reaver. You have enough slots for both and they have slightly different roles. It is easier to avoid some attacks with CR than CB, and if you do screw up and get knocked down CR can pop you up. I basically don't use Block and Slash on mid - late game Reaver and stick with those two. BnS is pretty cool early game though.
Mighty Blow has some uses, even with FF on. It is situational, but gives you knockdown and combos. Granted, it is difficult to build a decent Reaver in the mid teens that has it though, unless you drop CR or CB or a couple passives (although dropping Coup de Grace is probably counterproductive if you are running MB).
I stick points in S&W because I have points to spare buddy. Not because I'm sacrificing dps. Hell I don't even get guard on hit, because I don't need it.
At what level do you usually start investing there?
At what level do you usually start investing there?
I get the Arrow Passive pretty early on nightmare, and I get the frontal DR when I start facing higher level dragons so circa 16-18.
This is my level 16 build, keep in mind I still have access to the amulet of power from the fade that was removed after patch 1.5
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