Print Page - Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)

cRPG => Beginner's Help and Guides => Topic started by: WhiteAndMilky on September 04, 2012, 03:34:39 am

Title: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: WhiteAndMilky on September 04, 2012, 03:34:39 am

EDIT: I have left the original post info, but I am adding in my new build plan at the bottom of this post.

Hello, I used the calculator, and came up with this build that I thought might be fun for me to try out next. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed!

Playstyle: I'd like to ride around as cav in light/medium armor with a lance, maybe on a destrier, arabian, or courser, until I get lanced to the ground. At which point I will switch to my poleaxe and try to hack and slash my way out of my predicament. Damage is my main objective, with enough athletics and agi to move about at decent-normal rate.

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 21
Agility: 15
Hit points: 70

Skills to attributes: 2

Ironflesh: 7
Power Strike: 7
Shield: 0
Athletics: 5
Riding: 5
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 5

One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 148
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

I am new, and have yet to ride horses in cRPG, so if I made some big mistake in my build, please let me know!!

Also what are the riding level requirements for horses up to destrier? Thanks!

EDIT:

Changes:
1. I will be using medium price-range polearm axes and maces as my secondary, and quarter staff if I need to use a secondary that takes up only 1 slot. Weapon combos I had in mind:

Great Lance / Long Hafted Knobbed Mace. This gives me close range fighting weapon with knockdown, for when I may need to drop the lance (since it is only couchable)
Heavy Lance / Long Axe. Probably my main weapon setup
Pike / quarter staff (My main is a pikeman, so I am comfortable using this combo on maps that are not cav-friendly, or on seige. This is also a good way to farm gold for me.)
Red Tassel Spear / Long Hafted Knobbed Mace (For seige mostly, mace can be exchanged for an axe when needed)

2. Riding is now 6. This will give me the option of changing my gear and horses around when I like depending on the situation (not stuck with just destrier then) This will let me play more armored when I like, or faster and lighter on a courser.

3. Lower IF but higher athletics, I pan on wearing lighter armor and I don't have the best ping, which makes it hard to block manually. So more speed will let me fight/escape easier when I get dismounted.

Level 31 (8 892 403 xp)

Strength: 21
Agility: 18
Hit points: 62

Skills to attributes: 6

Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 7
Shield: 0
Athletics: 5
Riding: 6
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 5

One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 149
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

Also when I get low on funds, I plan to use the rouncey. so what do you guys think of my new setup?

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Zerran on September 04, 2012, 12:03:07 pm

I don't see anything wrong with the build itself, but I'd suggest using something other than a poleaxe as your alternate weapon to the lance. That, plus a lance, plus armor, plus a horse is going to annihilate your wallet.

Take a look around at the mid-tier polearms instead, many of them are extremely effective and cost a fraction of what the poleaxe does. (Long Axe, Long Bardiche, and Hafted Blade to name a few)

Also, the riding skill requirement for horses is simply the "difficulty" listed on the site. So the Destrier, for example, has 5 riding requirement.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Grumpy_Nic on September 04, 2012, 01:01:21 pm

Looks good.
With 5 riding you wont be able to use arabian or courser though. But Destrier is one of the best horses anyway. I'd also suggest something else than poleaxe. With 7PS I would suggest an axe, like Zerran suggested for example the Long Axe.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Jarlek on September 04, 2012, 01:35:56 pm

Long Hafted Knobbed Mace is a very good secondary polearm.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on September 04, 2012, 04:53:19 pm

If you're not using a shield, and only using polearms for WPF you could go 21/18 (or 24/15) but you'd have to give up IF and drop WM some. If you're going to be riding a 5 difficulty horse (and not a courser) then I'd go 24/15, not 21/18 (just modify the one below).

See what you think of this:

Strength: 21
Agility: 18
Hit points: 56

Skills to attributes: 8

Power Strike: 7
Athletics: 6
Riding: 6
Weapon Master: 4

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: WhiteAndMilky on September 05, 2012, 02:31:40 am

Yeah I actually changed my mind after I posted, and wanted to use the long axes and long maxes as my secondary instead, perhaps alternating between them depending on the map type. Most likely not the most expensive of these types though, I prefer weapon speed, and the lower priced ones seem to be faster and also cost less to repair.

Quote from: CrazyCracka420 on September 04, 2012, 04:53:19 pm

If you're not using a shield, and only using polearms for WPF you could go 21/18 (or 24/15) but you'd have to give up IF and drop WM some. If you're going to be riding a 5 difficulty horse (and not a courser) then I'd go 24/15, not 21/18 (just modify the one below).

See what you think of this:

Strength: 21
Agility: 18
Hit points: 56

Skills to attributes: 8

Power Strike: 7
Athletics: 6
Riding: 6
Weapon Master: 4

What advantages would this give me? Just the faster walking speed and access to Arabian and Courser? I don't mind the walking speed, and I like being a bit tougher, since my ping makes it tough to parry. I can block 2H sometimes, but its almost impossible to block 1h swings.

I have made this character, and I actually already have 5 WM , but I'm only at like 825,000 xp right now (level 21) so it wouldn't be THAT big a deal to respec if you really thought I should.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Sarpton on September 05, 2012, 05:25:10 am

Quote from: Zapper on September 04, 2012, 01:35:56 pm

Long Hafted Knobbed Mace is a very good secondary polearm.

This or the Long spiked mace. both are very nice.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: PhigNewtenz on September 05, 2012, 03:57:20 pm

That's the build that I'm running right now, and I'm fairly happy with it. A note on survivability: have you considered running a shield? It would mean taking a crappy 1-slot polearm as a sidearm or getting 1H proficiency and a weapon, but it helps a lot with keeping you and your horse alive. I missed my shield this gen.

My plan for next gen:

(click to show/hide)

A couple points:

Most of your mounted damage comes from your horse's speed, so trading one power strike for one riding won't cost you very much.
6 riding would at least let you try a Courser. Finding a Champion Courser and taking it for a spin is something everyone should do at least once. Those things travel at around Mach 2.
If you do decide to forgo the shield and go pure polearm, consider the Fauchard as a secondary. It's damage isn't huge but it's fast and long, things that will ward off enemy lance cav if they down you and come back to try to kill you. The lower upkeep will also let you ride your horse more often!

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: WhiteAndMilky on September 06, 2012, 08:46:56 am

I have edited the original post to include this new plan... soooo bump!

Changes:
1. I will be using medium price-range polearm axes and maces as my secondary, and quarter staff if I need to use a secondary that takes up only 1 slot. Weapon combos I had in mind:

Great Lance / Long Hafted Knobbed Mace. This gives me close range fighting weapon with knockdown, for when I may need to drop the lance (since it is only couchable)
Heavy Lance / Long Axe. Probably my main weapon setup
Pike / quarter staff (My main is a pikeman, so I am comfortable using this combo on maps that are not cav-friendly, or on seige. This is also a good way to farm gold for me.)
Red Tassel Spear / Long Hafted Knobbed Mace (For seige mostly, mace can be exchanged for an axe when needed)

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Jarlek on September 06, 2012, 11:59:09 am

Looks good, except for this part:

(click to show/hide)

Long Spear is 3 slots and Long Hafted Knobbed Mace is 2. That doesn't work D:

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: WhiteAndMilky on September 06, 2012, 12:49:36 pm

Quote from: Zapper on September 06, 2012, 11:59:09 am

Looks good, except for this part:
(click to show/hide)
Long Spear is 3 slots and Long Hafted Knobbed Mace is 2. That doesn't work D:

Ooh good catch. I had only used it with quarter staff. So I thought the pike was the only 3 slotted. I'll fix it up with red tassel spear instead, it's sheathable too.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Jarlek on September 06, 2012, 12:50:55 pm

Quote from: WhiteAndMilky on September 06, 2012, 12:49:36 pm

Ooh good catch. I had only used it with quarter staff. So I thought the pike was the only 3 slotted. I'll fix it up with red tassel spear instead, it's sheathable too.

Thanks!

No problem!

These are the 3-slot items, btw:
Pike, Long Spear, Long Maul and Great Maul.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: WhiteAndMilky on September 06, 2012, 12:57:45 pm

Quote from: Zapper on September 06, 2012, 12:50:55 pm

No problem!

These are the 3-slot items, btw:
Pike, Long Spear, Long Maul and Great Maul.

I actually didn't know the great maul was 3 slots either!

Also, on siege if I am only going to need 1 melee weapon, I often will bring a hunters xbow and steel bolts. Without any WPF it's crazy inaccurate, but it keeps archers from just backpedaling me when I got close. Ans it helps to defend ladders too.

So some other non-cav maps Or on seige I might use hunters xbow / (spear, mace, axe)

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Dexxtaa on September 06, 2012, 09:50:21 pm

I liked your initial 21/15 build.

It knew what it wanted to do (infantry support), and is good at it. The new one (21/18) is trying to be a lancer/ground-pounder/infantry support unit while trying to be viable. Jack of all trades, master of none.

I'd advocate the original build, because at 3 ironflesh (with the new build), you're not surviving any kind of dehorsing. Remember the circumstances of your rider. What kind of scenario are you basing the build off ? Will you be near teammates most of the time ? Will you be waist deep in enemy axes and swords when your horse goes down?

Building you character is fine and jolly, but outside the lab - in the battlefield - it's a very different game.

edit: my build is an infantry support build, somewhat similar to your initial proposed build. Capable on the ground, and able to ride if my team needs a sweeper. That's it. I don't try to shoot, I don't try to hit and run, I don't try to do what I cannot (unless we're scrimming).

I run defense for my infantry teammates, and take down anything that is an immediate threat to my teammates' (flanking cav, agility builds etc). Your new build will be more for lancing (hit and run, trying to couch the spawners etc), you will find that your combat potential on the ground will be hampered because of the combination of your low athletics and ironflesh.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: agweber on September 07, 2012, 05:43:42 pm

Quote from: Dexxtaa on September 06, 2012, 09:50:21 pm

I liked your initial 21/15 build.
...

Damn good response, wish I had gotten this response on my similar build but with a shield (http://forum.meleegaming.com/beginner's-help-and-guides/can't-decide-on-build-(pole-hoplite-lancer)/). I recall Dex commenting in-game about a week ago that I decided to go lance around for a bit and not doing so hot for my team, and now I understand why. I will definitely be more supportive when I go lancing now.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on September 07, 2012, 05:55:02 pm

Quote from: agweber on September 07, 2012, 05:43:42 pm

Damn good response, wish I had gotten this response on my similar build but with a shield (http://forum.meleegaming.com/beginner's-help-and-guides/can't-decide-on-build-(pole-hoplite-lancer)/). I recall Dex commenting in-game about a week ago that I decided to go lance around for a bit and not doing so hot for my team, and now I understand why. I will definitely be more supportive when I go lancing now.

I didn't go into reasonings and details, but you listed this as one of your builds:

Strength: 21
Agility: 15

Skill to attr: 2

Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 7
Shield: 4
Athletics: 5
Riding: 5
Weapon Master: 5

Polearm: 146

And I responded:

Use the minimum amount of agility you need for whatever your riding skill will be. So since it's 5 in all your builds, I would only go 15 agility. So something like your last build is exactly what I would suggest for someone who wants polearm and shield skill (and riding).

You would have maxed your athletics and you had put all your points into your main skills, and then threw the left overs into IF. That's exactly what you should do for a 5 difficulty horse, and still be very effective on the ground.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: agweber on September 07, 2012, 05:58:14 pm

I did like your response, and it will likely be the one I go with. But what I liked about Dex's response here was the reasoning on building a support character. One that can work as part of a group instead of running off and just trying to solo, but still keeping the ability to hop on a horse and try to take out the threats to the group.

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on September 07, 2012, 06:06:45 pm

yeah it was definetely an in depth response, and I probably should have given some reasoning behind my answer (and include that I'm a 12th gen cavalry lancer who has always had shield/1h as well, except for 1 gen).

Having more riding than your horse requires is nice for the little extra speed/manuever, but it's not worth giving up that 3 extra strength, and 1 extra power strike you can have instead.

as a 1h/shield/polearm/riding build, I would always recommend maxing WM (or almost maxing) and max athletics, riding and power strike. You only need 4 shield skill max for riding, and you could even get away with 2 or 3 if need be (although I would recommend against it). And ironflesh is certainly nice if you can afford it, but I'd give it up in a heart beat in order to max the other skills (besides shield).

Title: Re: Making my own build, hows this look? (lancer/ground-poleaxe)
Post by: Dexxtaa on September 07, 2012, 09:04:16 pm

Quote from: agweber on September 07, 2012, 05:43:42 pm

Damn good response, wish I had gotten this response on my similar build but with a shield (http://forum.meleegaming.com/beginner's-help-and-guides/can't-decide-on-build-(pole-hoplite-lancer)/). I recall Dex commenting in-game about a week ago that I decided to go lance around for a bit and not doing so hot for my team, and now I understand why. I will definitely be more supportive when I go lancing now.

I didn't see your post, otherwise I would have commented on it, Armentia. I enjoy working with you in-game very much. You're a solid support, and I feel comfortable with you when I move into battle with you checking my back. pm me your Steam if you'd like, and I'd be more than happy to help you with whatever you need!

But moving back to the build thing, remember that the circumstances of your character and your personal playstyle will impact your mortality much more than the numbers on your skills and attributes.

Your armor should augment your build, which in turn should augment your general playstyle. I have alts that I like to screw around on (crossbows, agility pikers etc), but none will perform as well as my main BECAUSE of the situations I put my main character in. It builds on how I play the game. As a result, my combat mentality matches my main build much better than any of my other alts.