I personally think it's more useful to talk about builds in terms of several steps reaching a final Goal. Since level 35 is the highest level one can achieve, i figured it would make sense to deal with a build that ends at level 35, but also provide intermediate builds that occur at every 5 levels [starting at 15 since it becomes very difficult to be useful at a lower level anyway]
I didn't create these initially to share with anyone, but to try out myself. But I figured I might as well share them. Obviously I haven't the time to try all of them out to their final level, though I have tried the Balanced Polearms to level 26, and the ninja build to level 22, and the xbow build to level 23.
I'll post my commentary on my idea behind each of them. You can post your feedback, and note that the [1] at the end of each line denotes that an extra skill point is available after all have been spent at a given level, but cannot be used until a higher level is attained. I didn't add what the [skill-to-attribute] conversion was for all of them.
Crossbow [Sniper-Sword] Build:
Level 35: S/A=15/30 IF=5 Ath=7 PS=4 WM=10 1h=130 xBow=161 [con 10]
Level 30: S/A=15/24 IF=5 Ath=7 PS=4 WM=8 1h=120 xBow=130
Level 25: S/A=15/18 IF=5 Ath=5 PS=4 WM=6 1h=105 xBow=120
Level 20: S/A=12/15 IF=4 Ath=5 PS=3 WM=5 1h=100 xBow=103
Level 15: S/A=12/10 IF=3 Ath=3 PS=4 WM=3 1h=75 xBow=84
When I started this build, My idea was for a crossbowman that would use the heavy-xbow or the arbalest, and at close range would follow through with a sword. Hence 'sniper-sword'. This is also why this build involves no shield.
When I used the heavy-xbow [xbow skill at approximately 100] I found it inferior to the light-xbow. 1. It did not appear to be noticably more accurate 2. faster projectile speed [and range] did little for me since the weapon accuracy made it more practical as a medium-range weapon. 3. The higher damage did not compensate for the slower reloading rate.
I'm hoping that as the Xbow wpf increases, and I get an arbalest, things will change. But supposing even if i got close to level 30ish I still found the light crossbow superior, having the same strength level would still probably be adviseable. Having the higher strength allows for purchasing ironflesh/powerstrike, since my build ended up getting 1 kill with a sword for every 2 kills with an xbow. [Regular Espada, mainly thrusting]
On the issue of not having a shield; I didn't find it very frustrating. At long range my ironflesh-strength-chainmail
Archer [Hybrid] Build
Level 35: S/A=18/27 IF=2 Ath=9 PD=6 WM=10 1h=130 xBow=161 [con 10]
Level 30: S/A=18/21 IF=2 Ath=7 PD=6 WM=7 1h=120 xBow=130 [con 8]
Level 25: S/A=15/18 IF=2 Ath=6 PD=5 WM=6 1h=100 xBow=126 [con 6] [1]
Level 20: S/A=15/15 IF=2 Ath=5 PD=5 WM=5 1h=120 xBow=130
Level 15: S/A=12/12 IF=2 Ath=4 PD=4 WM=4 1h=75 xBow=100
Similar to the Sniper-Sword, except the archer is forced to put points into power-draw instead of IF and PS, which makes them less effective in melee. Once again this class is not completely specialized since 130 points are put into 1h melee. I'm kind of nervous about trying this kind of class.
Dismounted Polearms : [Balanced]
Level 35: S/A=21/21+2 IF=7 PS=7 Ath=7 WM=7 Pol=168 [con 8]
Level 30: S/A=18/20 IF=6 PS=6 Ath=6 WM=6 Pol=154 [con 6] [1]
Level 25: S/A=18/15 IF=5 PS=5 Ath=5 WM=5 Pol=140 [con 6]
Level 20: S/A=15/12 IF=4 PS=4 Ath=4 WM=4 Pol=125 [con 4] [1]
Level 15: S/A=10/12 IF=3 PS=3 Ath=3 WM=3 Pol=108 [con 4]
My favorite class so far, partially because I am most familiar with dismounted polearm combat in the first place. I call it a Balanced polearms build because it focuses neither on heavy-hitting [high strength] or fast-swinging [high agility], but provides an excellent mix of offensive and defensive attributes.
The 21+2 denotes that the 2 additional attribute points gained at level 35 can be invested in either strength or agility with no other consequences.
My preferred weapon with this build was the English Bill, which was long enough to defend against cavalry but fast enough to be effective against infantry; especially with the piercing-overhead swing. This build is also very teamwork oriented; since it relies on overhead swings and thrusts, it can [and should] be used in conjunction with other players attacking enemies from afar. [similar to how multiple longspear or pike thrusts and overheads can be used against a single enemy without any of the pikemen/longspearmen endangering their allies.
Polearm Cavalry:
Level 35: S/A=21/21 IF=7 PS=7 Ath=4 Rid=7 WM=7 Pol=168 [con 4]
Level 30: S/A=18/18 IF=6 PS=6 Ath=4 Rid=6 WM=6 Pol=154 [con 2]
Level 25: S/A=15/16 IF=5 PS=5 Ath=4 Rid=5 WM=5 Pol=140 [con 2]
Level 20: S/A=12/13 IF=4 PS=4 Ath=4 Rid=4 WM=4 Pol=125 [con 0]
Level 15: S/A=10/10 IF=3 PS=3 Ath=3 Rid=3 WM=3 Pol=108 [con 0]
Have not tried this build yet. It's basically the above polearms build with 2 key differences. First, it takes points out of athletics and puts them into riding, second, it converts fewer skill points into attributes to accomodate for additional riding.
The idea behind such a build would be to ride with a lance and another lighter polearm.
Ninja:
Level 35: S/A=15/30 IF=1 PS=5 Ath=10 WM=10 2H=192 [con 10]
Level 30: S/A=15/24 IF=1 PS=5 Ath=8 WM=8 2H=172 [con 8] [1]
Level 25: S/A=12/21 IF=1 PS=4 Ath=7 WM=7 2H=158 [con 6] [1]
Level 20: S/A=09/18 IF=1 PS=3 Ath=6 WM=6 2H=142 [con 4] [1]
Level 15: S/A=09/13 IF=1 PS=3 Ath=4 WM=4 2H=119 [con 4]
I'm not sure what to think of this build yet. The plan was to create a fast moving 2h user. I chose 15 as a cap for strength because most of the standard 2 handed swords max out at that strength requirement. You could alternatively buy a lighter 2h like a Katana and get a build like this...
Level 35: S/A=12/33 IF=1 PS=4 Ath=10 WM=11 2H=201 [con 10]
However I hardly consider the loss of the high damage given by the extra Str, PS, and weapon worth the marginal speed increase granted by 9+wpf
