What is your favorite Melee build?
Moderators: Forum Moderators, Active DMs
-
- Arelith Gold Supporter
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:16 pm
What is your favorite Melee build?
I'm open to it being a mundane class or one that augments its abilities with magic. I am looking for a characters whos focus though is melee combat and preferably a strength-based build. What are some of your favorites?
I see Ftr 20/Wm 7/ Ro 3 mentioned a bit. I have also heard that a Bard 20 / Harper Paragon 5/ Ftr 5 can be really good for melee with the ability to also use the divine power and might feats.
Any other suggestions? Thoughts on these?
I see Ftr 20/Wm 7/ Ro 3 mentioned a bit. I have also heard that a Bard 20 / Harper Paragon 5/ Ftr 5 can be really good for melee with the ability to also use the divine power and might feats.
Any other suggestions? Thoughts on these?
Last character: Vahrix Amolyn
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Ftr/WM/Rog is pretty much the staple melee build. Don't know much about Bard/Harper Paragon/Ftr, but be aware of the RP requirements before going after that one.
Personally, I greatly enjoy quarterstaff builds. Ftr 18/Mnk 6/Rog 6 comes to mind, or Ranger 23/Mnk 3/Ftr 4 (though you're limited to divine wands, there).
Personally, I greatly enjoy quarterstaff builds. Ftr 18/Mnk 6/Rog 6 comes to mind, or Ranger 23/Mnk 3/Ftr 4 (though you're limited to divine wands, there).
Last edited by Baron Saturday on Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
My favourite is 20 bard, 3 fighter, 7 wm. However, I played in the old gift system and with full ASF reduction on greensteel items.
Currently playing: Seth Xylo
-
- Posts: 1184
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:56 pm
- Location: 422nd layer of the abyss, sacraficing some poor sap to Yeenoghu
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
I've always wanted to play a nice stick-fighting gnoll. Quarterstaffs just aren't in a good place. :/ or has a reasonable build been made?Baron Saturday wrote: Personally, I greatly enjoy quarterstaff builds. Ftr 18/Mnk 6/Rog 6 comes to mind, or Ranger 23/Mnk 3/Ftr 4 (though you're limited to divine wands, there).
DM Void wrote: Don't be a salty idiot and everything will be fine.
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Wait, how are quarterstaves not in a good place?
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Fighter 18 / Monk 6 / Rogue 6 sounds very weird, almost like rogue and fighter levels should be the other way around.
Let's face it: monk forces you into an unarmored dex based build, so all the fighter shield and armor bonuses don't mean squat. Instead, try something like this: Rogue 16 / Monk 6 / Fighter 8, which gets more skills and way better sneak attacks, along with epic dodge out of the deal, for a few lost points of BAB.
Let's face it: monk forces you into an unarmored dex based build, so all the fighter shield and armor bonuses don't mean squat. Instead, try something like this: Rogue 16 / Monk 6 / Fighter 8, which gets more skills and way better sneak attacks, along with epic dodge out of the deal, for a few lost points of BAB.
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
The fighter armor bonus applies to cloth as well, and the helmet bonus + an addy helm makes the shield spell redundant except for resisting missile spam. +6 discipline and +1 (soft) dex are also nice. You could certainly adjust the rogue/fighter ratio, though.
Actually, with blade thirst the way it is now, I prefer the ranger/monk combo, especially since it gives access to GSF Abjuration.
Actually, with blade thirst the way it is now, I prefer the ranger/monk combo, especially since it gives access to GSF Abjuration.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
-
- Posts: 1184
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:56 pm
- Location: 422nd layer of the abyss, sacraficing some poor sap to Yeenoghu
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
I'm a bit far behind in the recent state of builds, haven't been able to play this semester due to overloading my schedule. Has some love trickled its way down the monks/quarterstaves?Baron Saturday wrote:Wait, how are quarterstaves not in a good place?
DM Void wrote: Don't be a salty idiot and everything will be fine.
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
They're finessable, get +2 AB as a large weapon, benefit from monk APR, and they have a masterly damask variant. Personally I would pick quarterstaff over kama any day of the week.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2017 8:20 pm
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Question:
Is the purpose of GSF Abjuration to give additional DC versus Breach spells?
Because from a role play perspective, Transmutation makes more sense to a ranger.
Abjuration only benefits a few spells, mainly Protection from Elements and Freedom of Movement.
On the other hand, Transmutation benefits Blade Thirst, Cat's Grace, Ultravision,
Camouflage, Entangle, Magic Fang, and a few others.
Is the purpose of GSF Abjuration to give additional DC versus Breach spells?
Because from a role play perspective, Transmutation makes more sense to a ranger.
Abjuration only benefits a few spells, mainly Protection from Elements and Freedom of Movement.
On the other hand, Transmutation benefits Blade Thirst, Cat's Grace, Ultravision,
Camouflage, Entangle, Magic Fang, and a few others.
All articles that coruscate with resplendence are not truly auriferous. Meaning: all that glitters ain't gold.
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
GSF Transmutation might actually not be a terrible choice. It doesn't actually change anything on most of those, but a +1 to all the zoo buffs is nice, and -teleport is fantastic.
GSF Abjuration makes it so that the Shield spell gives you immunity to Isaac's Greater Missile Storm, which can be a Big Deal when going up against casters.
GSF Abjuration makes it so that the Shield spell gives you immunity to Isaac's Greater Missile Storm, which can be a Big Deal when going up against casters.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
-
- Posts: 1481
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2016 11:14 pm
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
They're in a very good place, basically being "large sized kamas with 2 more ab but can't use flurry of blows."Dalenger wrote:Quarterstaffs just aren't in a good place.
tl;dr, they aren't as good versus targets with less ac, better against those with more.
-
- Posts: 800
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 5:25 pm
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
My favorite melee builds are generally the ones that are strength and charisma-based and use divine might and shield. Most of these builds have alignment restrictions though (you must be either LG, evil, or a harper); charisma battlecleric allows any alignment. Those that take paladin or Blackguard get very high saves, in addition to excellent AB, AC, and damage. More than that, high-charisma characters are just fun to play.
Some examples:
22 ftr/3 rogue/4 paladin or BG
20 Bard/6 ftr/4 paladin or BG
11 Ftr/16 BG/3 rogue or bard
23 Paladin/4 ftr/3 rogue or bard
20 Bard/5 ftr/5 Harper Paragon
All of these builds start with ~17 str and ~16-18 cha, putting all attributes into strength while leveling and gearing for str and cha.
Some examples:
22 ftr/3 rogue/4 paladin or BG
20 Bard/6 ftr/4 paladin or BG
11 Ftr/16 BG/3 rogue or bard
23 Paladin/4 ftr/3 rogue or bard
20 Bard/5 ftr/5 Harper Paragon
All of these builds start with ~17 str and ~16-18 cha, putting all attributes into strength while leveling and gearing for str and cha.
-
- Arelith Gold Supporter
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:16 pm
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
How would the Ftr 20 WM 7 Ro 3 compare against a battle priest for pvm or in their power level equivalently? Does anyone have a good build example of the ftr/wm/ro?
Last character: Vahrix Amolyn
-
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 4:34 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
There's a guide to the WM builds here. It's one of the most "stable" builds out there in that none of the classes involved are likely to see major mechanical changes.
As for WM v Battlecleric, you have to understand that WM is dangerous and ready to kill at the drop of a penny, while Battlecleric requires lots (and lots and lots and lots) of time to buff to reach its full potential. In a PvM party, I would probably rather have a battlecleric, because of party buffs and other potential utility - access to all of the ESF spells is a tool that cannot be underestimated.
But if me and a buddy are just chilling out rping and suddenly Drow raiders pop outta nowhere? You bet I'm gonna want my buddy to be a WM.
As for WM v Battlecleric, you have to understand that WM is dangerous and ready to kill at the drop of a penny, while Battlecleric requires lots (and lots and lots and lots) of time to buff to reach its full potential. In a PvM party, I would probably rather have a battlecleric, because of party buffs and other potential utility - access to all of the ESF spells is a tool that cannot be underestimated.
But if me and a buddy are just chilling out rping and suddenly Drow raiders pop outta nowhere? You bet I'm gonna want my buddy to be a WM.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
20/7/3 with the right scrolls and tactics will ruin just about any builds/classes day besides few big AC builds like PM.
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Is that the most powerful melee build or your favorite melee build?OutOfChwi wrote:20/7/3 with the right scrolls and tactics will ruin just about any builds/classes day besides few big AC builds like PM.
A barbarian is arguably stronger than this in 1v1 in the current meta. Maybe a dedicated paladin too.
Currently playing: Seth Xylo
-
- Posts: 1589
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:20 am
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
It's the rock melee build. It's stable as hell basically all the time and never turns off unless you're crit immune, and even then it's good.
\
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
I have a Barb WM and its been my favourite. The cookie cutter WM is just consistently good against a variety of builds.Astral wrote:Is that the most powerful melee build or your favorite melee build?OutOfChwi wrote:20/7/3 with the right scrolls and tactics will ruin just about any builds/classes day besides few big AC builds like PM.
A barbarian is arguably stronger than this in 1v1 in the current meta. Maybe a dedicated paladin too.
-
- Arelith Gold Supporter
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:16 pm
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
What build are you using for your Barb?OutOfChwi wrote:I have a Barb WM and its been my favourite. The cookie cutter WM is just consistently good against a variety of builds.Astral wrote:Is that the most powerful melee build or your favorite melee build?OutOfChwi wrote:20/7/3 with the right scrolls and tactics will ruin just about any builds/classes day besides few big AC builds like PM.
A barbarian is arguably stronger than this in 1v1 in the current meta. Maybe a dedicated paladin too.
Also doesn’t the 20/7:3 build suffer from poor saves?
Last character: Vahrix Amolyn
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
With gear and bard I think you can get them pretty respectable. Im using 17/6/7 barb fighter wm kensai
-
- Arelith Silver Supporter
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:49 am
- Location: Tuscon AZ, help I need friends
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Dragonsha---
Palemaster or Battle Cleric.
[Secretly Monk, don't tell prestige]
Palemaster or Battle Cleric.
[Secretly Monk, don't tell prestige]
Mithreas wrote:get good
eters wrote:I will try to resonate with you in a way you can understand
Peppermint wrote:if Barradoor is the voice of reason you know things have taken a horrible turn
Barradoor wrote:!!HIGH LEVEL MECHANICS BELOW!!
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
It doesn't. With spell craft, will save gear and some artefects later on you get really okay saves vs spells.Jeloran wrote: What build are you using for your Barb?
Also doesn’t the 20/7:3 build suffer from poor saves?
And about the barb build, I'm curious as well. I'd use 17 barb, 6 fighter, 7 wm and go kensai with two handed weapon. But that's a full on offense build with no tricks.
Currently playing: Seth Xylo
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
Yep thats what I have, see above post. Its got no umd but it does hilarious damage. Probably one of the biggest dps in game.Astral wrote:It doesn't. With spell craft, will save gear and some artefects later on you get really okay saves vs spells.Jeloran wrote: What build are you using for your Barb?
Also doesn’t the 20/7:3 build suffer from poor saves?
And about the barb build, I'm curious as well. I'd use 17 barb, 6 fighter, 7 wm and go kensai with two handed weapon. But that's a full on offense build with no tricks.
-
- Arelith Gold Supporter
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 1:38 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Re: What is your favorite Melee build?
I'm currently playing a kensai rogue/wm/shadow dancer with a scythe.
I opted not to do it, but if i went down the path of overwhelming critical i know my criticals would be around 300 at 30..... base hits roughly 80 damage each. But the issue with this is you NEED true strike pots to hit a wall when you're standing next to it, because power attack(-5) on a toon with 40 ab isn't really that practical.
Honestly even without the overwhelming critical its the most broken toon i've ever played, level 21 and i was soloing duergars....
I opted not to do it, but if i went down the path of overwhelming critical i know my criticals would be around 300 at 30..... base hits roughly 80 damage each. But the issue with this is you NEED true strike pots to hit a wall when you're standing next to it, because power attack(-5) on a toon with 40 ab isn't really that practical.
Honestly even without the overwhelming critical its the most broken toon i've ever played, level 21 and i was soloing duergars....
Cortex wrote: Addendum, the immediate above post by godhand is wrong in about every aspect, as were most of his other posts.