Changing my build slightly and i’m adding more strength so i can use spears more effectively.
But what is considered better? Second Skin or Combo master?
This one strongly suggest experimenting around in Single Player first.
Are you running an Agility or Grit build?
Combo Master is only useful if you routinely complete combos, which is a real question in the current stamina/ damage (point @Kapoteeni ) economy.
This is a valid point. Also, little things die before you reach the end of a combo, and big things will hurt you back before you reach the end of a combo.
Second skin at least lets you carry a little more stuff before you’re encumbered, which is useful for a “always prepared for all situations” player such as myself.
Excellent point about how fast things die.
Edited above with credits to reflect this.
Also, with the new loot being more finished goods to be dismantled (read: heavier things to lug around) that extra weight may matter.
This one supposes another question is what weight of armour one will be wearing.
Currently this one is putzing about with a Strength Spear Light Armour build, so neither are particularly alluring, but due to rolling thrust, this one sometimes finishes a combo on bigger monsters, and so combo Master has some merit.
Someone in Medium or (Dagon forbid) Heavy Armour probably not only benefits more from the reduced bulk, but also doesn’t roll as much.
You wanna be in the green when it comes to weight to properly handle a fight. Right now, second skin is a no brainer. Mobility is your greatest ally in a fight.
Definitely second skin for the exact reasons above.
I’m currently doing complete average (10 in all attributes) and the agility encumbrance perk is huge. so anything to take weight off and keep you in the yellow or green.
That usually depends on where I am and what I am planning to do. For example, if I were just adventuring and gathering around an easier biome such as the River or Jungle biome, then I would take second skin to give my character some additional carry weight. However, if I was going to be battling an enemy with a larger health pool such as Thag, or skeleton bosses in the Unnamed City, then I would take out combo master to increase the damage rate and try to shorten the duration of the fight.
My character runs 20 Str 20 Grit 15 Vitality and 5 Expertise. Always go Second Skin on her due to armour weight. (Bulked upgrade on all gear)
You might want to check that, especially when AoW chapter 2 becomes live. There were some changes in combat. It seems your combos will be more easily interrupted. If high stamina usage could already hinder doing full combos, now there’s also this.
Usually I always go for the higher DPS. I made an exception for second skin because of two things: agility dmg bonus (green and yellow encumbrance) and better dodge (green encumbrance). So I sacrificed combo master, because I hardly do full combos now. Check it and see what works best for you.
Second seems more useful. I wonder if i have it. I could ditch 5 in expertise too and put that in atrength
To be absolutely honest with you @MarcosC I hope that is the case, and I look forward to it. I am not one for chest beating and I am not going repeat the tired old trope about being able to kill the giant crocodile with stone daggers and a loincloth. But I am very much looking forward to some additional challenge. And I do not mean to boast, but I can generally win in any situations with most loadouts I have tried.
This tends to be my favourite, and often default loadout. The remaining 10 points may get shuffled around to either Agility, Authority or Expertise, depending again on where I am and what I am doing.
I seldom ever have fewer that 10 points in Grit, even before the changes. And the gripe that it is not worth investing in Grit was a PvP centric one in my books. I also frequently go up to 20 points in Vitality, and my strategy is frequently staying power. Have a nice large health pool and I can weather any storm and wear the enemy down with time and tactics. Heck I don’t even wear very good armor; just the Lemurian armor (medium) pictured as it is super simple to repair. Leather, nothing more.
This is something which for my own personal playstyle is a non-concern. I favor the one handed axe myself, and with 10 points in Grit I can still complete combos and apply debuffs even in yellow or red encumberance/carry weight. Either HA, LA, LA, HA or LA, LA, LA, HA. The final blow loads them up with debuffs. My choice in axe I will not mention here, as I have always been fearful it will be nerfed, but I am willing to mention it in PM if you are curious. In terms of the dodge I do not really need a faster dodge; as long as our timing is good, the iframes will keep us safe.
I should add to that I greatly prefer Strength over Agility. For one it confers additional carry weight. And for two I dislike may of the perks on the Agility tree. Quickfooted is gold, but the 5 and 10 point ones before it hold little appeal to me.
One important point to note for my playstyle is this: I regularly experiment with very different and unfamiliar loadouts then battle tougher enemies to take me out of my comfort zone and force myself to adapt. I would also put this out there: To each man his own style! There is more than one way to win the day, and I love hearing them from other members and hearing their own tactics and approaches. Happy to talk about it more.
I used to think that until I started using authority with it (technically I am playing 10’s in all attributes and I am loving it). With the thrall distracting the enemy, those two levels plus strength 5 perk does sufficient damage. For axe, you can’t beat the additional armor pen of level 10.
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