Dedicated Crossbower - Build

[Gurnisson]

I'm nearing retirement and I'm looking for the best possible build for a dedicated crossbower. Going to use a Masterwork Arbalest, Steel Bolts and a short, but hardhitting one-hander(I.E. Steel Pick/Winged Mace etc.) I ended up with three different builds, and I would like to hear what other guys thinks about them as well, before making my final decision.

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    * Strength: 15
    * Agility: 30
    * Hit points: 50

    * Converted: 20
    * Ironflesh: 0
    * Power Strike: 0
    * Shield: 0
    * Athletics: 1
    * Riding: 0
    * Horse Archery: 0
    * Power Draw: 0
    * Power Throw: 0
    * Weapon Master: 10

    * One Handed: 1
    * Two Handed: 1
    * Polearm: 1
    * Archery: 1
    * Crossbow: 190
    * Throwing: 1

This one looks a bit hard to use with a short one-hander, but the amount of crossbow wpf is stunning.

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    * Strength: 15
    * Agility: 27
    * Hit points: 50

    * Converted: 14
    * Ironflesh: 0
    * Power Strike: 0
    * Shield: 0
    * Athletics: 8
    * Riding: 0
    * Horse Archery: 0
    * Power Draw: 0
    * Power Throw: 0
    * Weapon Master: 9

    * One Handed: 1
    * Two Handed: 1
    * Polearm: 1
    * Archery: 1
    * Crossbow: 181
    * Throwing: 1

Here I've sacrifised one point of WM for 8 athletics. Speed will be very good, but I still like the thought of 190 wpf.

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    * Strength: 15
    * Agility: 27
    * Hit points: 50

    * Converted: 14
    * Ironflesh: 0
    * Power Strike: 2
    * Shield: 0
    * Athletics: 6
    * Riding: 0
    * Horse Archery: 0
    * Power Draw: 0
    * Power Throw: 0
    * Weapon Master: 9

    * One Handed: 1
    * Two Handed: 1
    * Polearm: 1
    * Archery: 1
    * Crossbow: 181
    * Throwing: 1

This one's pretty much a copy of the last one, bar the fact that I've gone for 2 ps instead of 2 ath. 6 athletics may be enough, so sacrifising two for ps could be worth it?

[Dravic]

If you know you are sharpshooter and can really shot everything in your sight, take first build, reload speed will be stunning.

If not, third.

[Adam_Bomb]

I'd go with the 2nd build.  Ive found athletics to be very important for a dedicated xbower. Of couse I never stand and fight when the baddies come near, (or even bring a melee weapon after the patch).  After they see that they cant catch you, they will usually find other targets, you can then reload, and shoot them in the back 

[Socrates]

I'd prefer this. I had a guy with 180 prof and 190 before to test and it's not really a difference from 170.

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 15
Agility: 24
Hit points: 54
Converted: 8
Ironflesh: 2
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 0
Athletics: 8
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 8
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 173
Throwing: 1

[FateFull]

i cant fiquer out how people use crossbows to kill with. i made a pure Crossbow and i cant ill even 1 person.

[Espu]

I'd prefer this. I had a guy with 180 prof and 190 before to test and it's not really a difference from 170.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 15
Agility: 24
Hit points: 54
Converted: 8
Ironflesh: 2
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 0
Athletics: 8
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 8
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 173
Throwing: 1

This is the exact build I was about to paste. You really need athletics to fight (=dance) with a short weapon. With 5PS, ATH8 and a steel pick you're very capable in melee and still able to shoot well.

I wouldn't go full-full dedicated crossbow as it makes you quite helpless in melee. At least max athletics is definately a must so you can flee from the fights you can't win. With 1ATH you're pretty much a sitting duck just waiting to get killed by melee.

[Phazey]

Like vargas said. You need a bit of powerstrike to swing that 1h effectively. So even though 20 points of extra WPF might be tempting, you are gimping yourself.

Go for the 15/24.

[Gurnisson]

I had the 15/24 before I retired to get the MW Arbalest. It's a good build, but I wouldn't mind even better accuracy and reload time. The third build then (9 WM, 6 Ath, 2 PS), not good enough for melee either?

[Espu]

Well with 6 ath you can at least run away so it's not so bad.

3PS is quite enough for meleeing even with a sword if you know how to play. My 9/24 1h guy uses a Niuweidao and it can penetrate even heavier armor, just needs more hits.

[Endo]

Consider using the 2h Spiked Mace as your melee weapon, since it's pretty much the same as a 1h but quite a bit cheaper (unless those 1h are 0 slot, I assume they are 1 slot). Also, if you ever put any wpf into your chosen melee weapon, using a 2h leaves you a bit more flexible for times when the xbow isn't viable.

[Rangerbob]

Agreed  I'm sure if you stick with like 170 wpf and put the remaining skill into 2 handers it'll work out better.  carry a spike mace and pick up anything thats an improvement if they catch you.

[angry_kitty]

I prefer to be in the middle I use heavy armor, 2h axe, crossbow. I can shoot ppl when I defend castle also I hirt them if they get close to me.

[Dravic]

I prefer to be in the middle I use heavy armor, 2h axe, crossbow. I can shoot ppl when I defend castle also I hirt them if they get close to me.

2h axe? Are you sure you use actually good crossbow (Sniper Crossbow) or just secondary shit (Crossbow)?

[Banok]

does agility / wpf effect reload speed? never remember if it was confirmed or not

I messed mine up but I would prolly go

15 str
27 agility

9 weapon master
that leaves you 8 points for alth and ps, I would prolly go 4:4

PS: does armour still have no effect on xbow wpf?

[Dravic]

Armour still has no effect on xbow wpf.

Wpf increase your reload speed.