|
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2011
|
After playing the demo on PC AND 360, I am very anxiously awaiting my copy of DKS to arrive tomorrow. I'm planning on playing a prdominantly ranged character with a little bit of melee mixed in (my idea being to open with a bow and fight mostly at range, but not have to kite all over creation once the bad guys get close). I have a few questions....
1) I know that you can respec skills, but not stats so what is the most versatile was to increase stats? I was thinking that I would try to be pretty even between DEX and Vitality (2 dex, 1 vitality one level, then reverse on the next level) with the 4th point going to strength. Is this sensible? do I need to be adding some to other stats? Conversely, do I need to be specializing more?
2) Suggestions on good skills for the type of char I described above? During the demo I really liked stun arrow and poison arrow. I also like the idea of ranger stealth and the vanish skill to get out of trouble and regroup. what are good melee skills to mix in for a mostly ranged char?
3) Back to stats...Is is possible to build stats in such a manner that you can respec skills into magic, melee or ranged and still be a viable character.
4) Finally, how useful is it to keep points in mindreading or lockpicking? By, nature it bugs me to not be able to open a chest, but is it worth using the points on those two skills.
thanks in advance for the advice.
|
|
|
|
Support
|
Support
Joined: Mar 2003
|
I am planning on the same type of character (but have only just started the DKS demo). Your stat build seems like a good idea, though I'm not sure you need to boost vitality that much. In D2:ED, playing a melee character on normal difficulty, I got my vitality up to about 20 and was thinking of stopping, then put another 10 points in to help with a fight I was trying to do much earlier than I should have. I'll have to see at what point vitality is enough in DKS, but if my ranger build is any good I shouldn't need as much as a melee character. I was thinking after I got strength up a bit, to help with regeneration and melee combat, that I would keep it about half of my dexterity, or so (depending on how often I had to resort to melee combat). For skills, Ranger Strength and Ranger Stealth are obvious. At least in D2:ED Splitting Arrows was suppose to be quite effective, especially at close range. I think the damage for Explosive Arrows was dropped in DKS compared to what it was in D2:ED, but it should still be an effective area affect attack. I am also planning to boost Unarmed Expertise and Whirlwind (depending how Splitting Arrows works out). Level 1 of Evade helped in D2:ED with melee combat (higher levels didn't give as much of a boost per skill point), so if I end up doing a fair bit of melee combat I'll probably invest a skill point there. Of course level 1 of Healing is helpful once you can learn it. A couple levels of Regenerate are nice if you have some skill points you don't know what to do with (though I don't think I'll have nearly as many free skill points as with a straight melee character), though the healing rate boost isn't fast enough to help during combat (might be if you max the skill). In D2:ED I started keeping a few stat and skill points in reserve when I didn't have an obvious need for them right away. Late in the game I could have easily switched my melee character to a ranger or mage. There was some rebalancing in DKS, but I would still expect you to be able to mix skills and still be effective. Even if you start off with a very specialized build you can augment neglected stats with charms and equipment bonuses. In D2:ED I maxed Lockpick (level 5) fairly early, and plan to do the same in DKS. I didn't bother boosting the mindreading skill in D2:ED, and at the start of DKS there are better places to put skill points. Later in the game, and particularly in FoV, there should be enough skill points from books or mindreading that you can easily max the skill, though. I plan on boosting Mindread when I have the spare skill points to do so. Welcome to the forum. 
|
|
|
|
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
|
1) I know that you can respec skills, but not stats so what is the most versatile was to increase stats? I was thinking that I would try to be pretty even between DEX and Vitality (2 dex, 1 vitality one level, then reverse on the next level) with the 4th point going to strength. Is this sensible? do I need to be adding some to other stats? Conversely, do I need to be specializing more? That's a tricky character. I haven't played one like it, so I can't recommend a good stat point build. You don't get enough stat points to be good at both ranged and melee, and rangers need points in Spirit if they are to use their skills without running dry on mana all the time. I would not worry about putting points into Vitality at all. Maybe hold some in reserve in case you run into a tough fight. 2) Suggestions on good skills for the type of char I described above? During the demo I really liked stun arrow and poison arrow. I also like the idea of ranger stealth and the vanish skill to get out of trouble and regroup. what are good melee skills to mix in for a mostly ranged char? Rangers these days tend to go for Explosive Arrow, it's a very powerful skill. Stun arrow and Poison arrows are of questionable value. What melee skills are good to mix with a ranged character? None! There are good skills for melee characters and good for ranged, but you'll need to constantly swap weapons when switching between melee and ranged combat. You want a point into Rush Attack so you can flee from the center of a fight to the edge, I guess. But Splitting Arrow is good up close, you can stick multiple arrows into one target. 3) Back to stats...Is is possible to build stats in such a manner that you can respec skills into magic, melee or ranged and still be a viable character. Say you reach level 40, which is a high level. That's 160 stat points. Subtract 70 for your primary skill (+30 for the set bonus armor), and you can have 90 remaining. There are other mind-read bonuses to stats, but you won't be able to get all three offensive stats up high, and even getting two up high is dubious. 4) Finally, how useful is it to keep points in mindreading or lockpicking? By, nature it bugs me to not be able to open a chest, but is it worth using the points on those two skills. Max Lockpicking, but do it slowly, get it up to level 5 on Sentinel Island. Don't waste skill points into Mind Reading or Wisdom, ever.
|
|
|
|
Support
|
Support
Joined: Mar 2003
|
Playing a warrior in D2:ED I got my spirit up to 5 and left it there (later in the game I maxed Mana Efficiency, so I could summon the creature before a tough fight and have enough mana left over to heal if I needed to). I'd like to do the same in DKS, depending on how frequently I need to use special attacks.
I am not planning on using Rush Attack for retreat (and will not need it for attack); running and jumping should be good enough for that. I did use Rush Attack a couple times in D2:ED to get away from tough opponents (one fight because I needed to, and another just to take out the weaker opponents first), but I don't think it would be worth the skill point if that is all it was going to be used for.
|
|
|
|
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
|
A warrior is not the same thing as a ranger. My Warrior didn't touch Spirit either.
But a Ranger has many good skills which have 5-second cooldowns, which means you'll want to fire them off again and again, as soon as the cooldown wears off. That sucks mana out of you like crazy (Life Tap helps with that a bit).
My pure warrior uses Rush Attack constantly, it's the opening move he does all the time. The ability to close on a target instantly is well worth a single skill point. If you're only going to use it for retreating, yes, it might not be worth it, but it's the only melee skill useful for a ranger because it helps you to get range on the enemies.
|
|
|
|
Support
|
Support
Joined: Mar 2003
|
My plan at this point is to primarily use regular ranged attacks, with ranger skills to initiate combat and for tough opponents. That may change as I actually play a ranger, though.
If I end up using active ranger skills enough that I need to boost spirit, then apparently I wouldn't be using standard attacks very much, so could divert a few stat points that would have gone to dexterity.
|
|
|
|
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Apr 2005
|
Hi trialus, Do what YOU think is the best for your Ranger And if you wish to read my suggestions, go on and read this post 1) I first of all put all statpoints into Vitality, all of them the first 5 level-ups, really. Playing mostly like a Ranger (using a bow) I haven't had any problems my dexterity was low and besides: you can find, make or buy potions for temporarily increase your dex. (or strength, intelligence or full resistance!) ... but there're NO potions to increase your Vitality  only Healing potions, but with a low vitality in a difficult fight you're stone dead before you noticed it  ... Later in the game I decided to go more for Magic Damage, so I begin to put statpoints in Intelligence (I began like a Mage with Fireball as starting skill!) and search for equipment that boost above all Vitality, Spirit & Intellingence or Magic Damage (worn the full Armour Set 'Defenders of Aleroth' boost greatly "Magic Damage", among other great boosts!). If you wish to only increase your Ranged damage, put points in Dexterity & for Melee damage go for more Strengh 2) I too like Stun Arrows because it give me more "time" to figth or run away  ... I'm a "slow" player, that's why I love that skill. Now I've 2 points in this skill, but 1 point is at least handy. and maybe 1 (or more) point in Ranger Suprize combined with Stun Arrows AND after that using the Warrior skill Rush Attack ... hmm ... it's a great & funny way to kill a strong fighter more easely or finishing of a Ranger that using poison arrows at you, very dangerous!! (bandits!) But using Ranger Suprize, Stun Arrows and after that Rush Attack the "bandit" is stone dead  ! I put NO points in Rush Attack, but only find/buy a Bracelet (or whatever) by a trader with this skill on. At least 1 point in Ranger Stealth can come in handy for sure! 3) I think it's possible, especially if you put points (like I do) in Intelligence : - a) if you wish to change to a melee fighter you can search for the best melee weapon that have the highest Magic Damage (and other stats you like most),
- b) if you wish to change into a Mage your only have to re-skill and go for Magic spells. But beware: don't go to the "battle field" without any melee weapon
... especially in the beginning you're searching your favorite Mage type and you're not strong enough to survive without any melee weapon (or bow). It Is possible, I've read on this forum someone playing the whole game as a Mage without using any weapon, only Magic!
4) I put no points in Mindreading or Wisdom. Lockpicking: I put 1 point very early (in Farglow to open the chest nearby the Mage), and a second point when I was around level 10/12. Some levels later I killed Jagon and wearing his Necklage almost all the time now and that Amulet has a point + 1 to Lockpick ! (I'm now level 15). By the time (just before!) I go for my Battle Tower I give Jagon's Necklage away for having the reward solving the Quest killing Jagon (and other huntings  ). But this is the way I DO. Just me. Have Fun with the DKS !!
On 7th of february 2015 : I start a new adventure in the Divinity world of Original Sin, it's a Fantastic Freaking Fabulous Funny ... it's my All Time Favorite One !
|
|
|
|
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Apr 2011
|
That is what I find alot of fun in, messing around with different builds, I want to go sword and board , but the inner ranger speaks to me..... lol.. I think this will be a fun challenge.
|
|
|
|
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Apr 2005
|
That's indeed Fun  ! I mostly use a Bow and a 1-handed sword + shield. Sometimes a 2-handed sword or the weapon that is from a Armour Set like the Mace of the Defenders of Aleroth Set.
On 7th of february 2015 : I start a new adventure in the Divinity world of Original Sin, it's a Fantastic Freaking Fabulous Funny ... it's my All Time Favorite One !
|
|
|
|
addict
|
addict
Joined: Apr 2011
|
Next playthrough as naked bishop. Hand to hand, no weapons, no armor and priest only tree.
UNKNOWN: Friends help you move...True friends, help you move bodies... E.A.P.: Blood was it's Avatar and it's seal. E.A.P.: Stupidity is a talent for misconceptions.
|
|
|
|
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Apr 2011
|
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Be careful though, you can't say naked and priest in the same post...
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men stand by and do nothing" - Edmund Burke
|
|
|
|
|