Shackles is great in the early and midgame while the game is still not super trivial. I dont plan a build for 15+ i plan it for 1-15 basically because after that you are an immortal god anyway. Executioner will not give u +4 AP if u kill 2 enemies at once. It will only give you 2 until next turn regardless how many you kill.
I have started another solo campaign with Sebille with all this in mind. Finesse was a hell of a lot easier in the early game Compared to INT. Id recommend starting out with a rogue/ranger build and respec into this on the boat. Struggling to get to lvl 4
What I find works best for early game is shadowblade on fane taking chicken claw, backlash and chameleon cloak. Then on the boat, shapeshift to elf, steal the limb off the dead guy and eat it for adrenaline.
From level 1-2, combat is basically:
backlash -> Backstab -> Backstab -> Adrenaline ->Backstab -> Chameleon Cloak and wait 2 turns -> Spam Backstab -> If still not dead, remove 1 dagger and use sucker punch ->backstab next turn.
From 2-4, buy battle stomp+that warfare charge ability and invest 1 point into warfare and 1 point into memory. This gives you a bunch of CCs for the early game. The teleport gloves are useful for lining enemies up to CC many of them at once. Also dump all other points into warfare and all points into finesse. Also, take cloak and dagger.
Level 5 I would put 1 into Aerothurge and take teleport so you can stop using teleport gloves.
Level 6-8 just dump into warfare. Maybe grab Whirlwind. Also start using time warp here.
Level 9: You are now in Reaper's Coast.
