Planned gear query
Do, 06/30/2011 - 09:19
I had been planning to make a completely sword-oriented character, but after reading a few threads (particularly http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/13132 and http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/12793 ) I have reconsidered, and plan to go for a slightly more balanced (though still melee-oriented) build.
To that end, I would like opinions on this potential final setup:
Primary Weapon: Divine Avenger (high melee damage in two types)
Secondary Weapon: Callahan (for kiting and piercing-weak mobs)
Helmet: Justifier Hat, Nameless Hat, or Vog Cub Cap.
Body Armor: Justifier Jacket, Nameless Poncho, or Vog Cub Coat.
Shield: Not sure. Volcanic Plate? Aegis? Ironmight? Swiftstrike? Dragonscale? Grey Owlite?
The plan with the armor is to get one piece Vog Cub, and one gunnery piece -- I'm not sure which of the two would be better to use, and suspect it may depend on the defense type(s) of the shield I get.
Do, 06/30/2011 - 10:20
#2
I'm trying to minimize the
I'm trying to minimize the amount of gear swapping I do. 1) I've had my fill of gear swapping from playing Final Fantasy XI, where you can be expected to carry around anywhere from four to fifteen full sets of gear; and 2) I want to minimize the amount of crafting I have to do to make this set, since I'll have to spend a LOT of time grinding up more Crowns to get the CE to make stuff*.
Anyways, the Fallen gear seems less than great due to the resistance down effects, and I'm not a fan of damage penalties either. Plus, by my understanding in general elemental resistance is more useful than shadow resistance.
Still, Fallen might be worth contemplating as a niche gear set, after I finish making my primary gear, yes?
(*Buying CE with cash is not an option for me at this time.)
Do, 06/30/2011 - 10:24
#3
thats fine but...
I don't reccomend using the swiftstrike buckler. well I mean its OKAY. but the lack of proper defense on it'll mean you'll get chewed up real bad.
well actually, it might work for you, if you plan on using avenger. you could just swat the bad guys away rather than shield.
however, if you expect to do alot of shielding, I'd reccomend a different shield.
its OK if armor of the fallen doesnt work for ya. still, it would be best to have some sort of protection against shadow attacks.
perhaps dread skelly shield? that would cover poison and ice too. plus, it's just one more gear to make to cover that devilite issue.
Do, 06/30/2011 - 11:39
#4
Dred Skelly is a
Dred Skelly is a possibility.
And I don't really expect to shield all that much. I've come to favor kiting mobs around and wearing them down before coming in for the kill.
On the other hand, most of my experience is tier 1, just a couple tier 2 runs that have mostly communicated to me "you want 3star gear before you start to do these regularly" and "Royal Jelly wants you dead, will see you dead, and just killed you."
Do, 06/30/2011 - 12:16
#5
The Callahan is not an ideal
The Callahan is not an ideal gun for kiting. You can't move while shooting it. Don't expect to run circles around monsters while using it. It can be done but it wouldn't fit the play style you described.
You will have to use your shield more when you are in Tier 2 because monsters attack faster and have other abilities that you didn't see in Tier 1.
Do, 06/30/2011 - 12:46
#6
What I've heard regarding
What I've heard regarding Callahan is that it's good for kiting as long as you only make one shot at a time, using some attack speed up -- though I'm not sure how much attack speed up is required to make it practical for kiting.
Thanks for the note about blocking more.
Fr, 07/01/2011 - 18:55
#7
So here's a question - if not
So here's a question - if not Callahan, what gun would be recommended? Ideally one used for kiting that also covers for the combat effectiveness gaps left by Avenger.
Fr, 07/01/2011 - 19:25
#8
I'm sure that an
I'm sure that an Alchemer-line gun would be nice for you to have with you. The Storm Driver and Magma Driver both deal extra damage with their status effects but if by combat effectiveness you meant that you don't want a normal or elemental damage dealing weapon then you might need to skip on these unless you want an Umbra Driver which deals Shadow damage. I can't think of any piercing guns aside from Magnus ATM and the last one I can think of at all is Sentenza which deals both Shadow and Piercing damage.
For the shields, give the Barbarous Thorn Shield a thought since its line gives the sword attack bonus. Its just barely weaker than the Aegis but unlike the Aegis it gives a Medium Sword attack bonus. The only problem with the Swiftstrike Buckler is that its on its own with not upgrades so you shielding will be highly lacking. You're also getting the same bonus from Vog Cub items so its not too bad of a loss. The suggestion for Armor of the Fallen isn't bad at all. The only bad thing about that armor its lowered attack on fiends. I don't think its possible to be cursed from enemies, if it is then its rare so the curse resistance shouldn't bother you.
So to be the absolute safest, I'd go with a Nameless item and a Vog Cub item and probably pair it up with the Barbarous Thorn Shield, Owlite Shield, or Dragonscale Shield.
Sa, 07/02/2011 - 06:00
#9
The second weapon doesn't
The second weapon doesn't necessarily have to be piercing, but something that's either decent or strong against the beasts and gremlins avenger is weak on, and secondary to that, ideally strong against the slimes and/or fiends that avenger is only average against.
Sa, 07/02/2011 - 15:07
#10
Anyone, thoughts on second
Anyone, thoughts on second weapon? Shield?
Anyone have different advice on this set?
vog cub is pretty great, can't go wrong with it one way or another.
You may want to consider Armor of the Fallen. with vog armor and nameless hat, you'll have element damage covered and a medium boost to both guns and swords. with armor of the fallen, you'll cover shadow damage, and have the same boost. of course you'll do less damage to fiends, but with callahan's boosted speed you should be able to knock them down fairly well. depending on the stratum you visit, you can swap out the sets to compensate while still getting the same benefits.