Is this a good build for a hybrid type?

[callahan9119]

Yeah, yeah...Horse crossbows suck and all that. But is this a decent hybrid type build for one?

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 12
Agility: 24
Hit points: 55
Skills to attributes: 2
Ironflesh: 4
Power Strike: 4
Shield: 0
Athletics: 4
Riding: 7
Horse Archery: 4
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 6
One Handed: 60
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 150
Throwing: 1

I want to be able to do some 1 handed cav in addition to the xbow and have more options in the city maps... I'm not very knowledgeable about cav, yesterday was my first time really using it...but it was the funnest thing I've ever done in this game.

[OpenPalm]

No, it is not.  This is better:

    Strength: 15
    Agility: 21
    Hit points: 60

    Skills to attributes: 2

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

    One Handed: 120
    Two Handed: 1
    Polearm: 1
    Archery: 1
    Crossbow: 133
    Throwing: 1

This is a good fighter on and off horseback.  6 riding lets you get the Destrier, which is IMO better than a Courser for most things.  But if you want the Courser, you have enough Riding for it.  Your 24 AGI was wasted because none of your skill stats were 8.

15 str gives you access to the Arabian Cav Sword, which is pretty badass.  If you wanted, you could probably re-arrange points and get some Shield in there, and you'd be safe from projectiles.  If you're going to be mounted most of the time, I'd get rid of the Ath and get Shield instead.  You could even knock a point off of Riding and have 5 riding with a Destrier.

The build I'm going for on my main that you might find interesting is:

21 str
15 agi

5 WM
5 Ath
7 IF
7 PS
5 Riding

100 2h
120 Xbow

My first gen was 7if/7ps and I really liked it.  Enough punch to 2-4 shot people.  The only trouble is blocking quickly enough against Agility based builds and quick weapons.  But on foot I usually fight with my team-mates so it's not so bad.  When I'm mounted I'm going to basically be a HX that can wreck stuff with my Morningstar if needed.

[callahan9119]

You need 24 agility to get 4 horse archery...which you still need with xbows, unless I'm horribly mistaken.

[OpenPalm]

I don't think Xbow while mounted requires the HA skill.  You've put a seed of doubt into my mind though...  I will ask around, please post if you find a definite answer so I know.

[TurmoilTom]

I don't think Xbow while mounted requires the HA skill.  You've put a seed of doubt into my mind though...  I will ask around, please post if you find a definite answer so I know.

xbow is hella inaccurate on a horse without the HA skill.

[OpenPalm]

I guess you do need HA points.  Unfortunate...  I have to respec my main now. 

[callahan9119]

So in light of that, how's my build idea?

[OpenPalm]

It certainly looks better. 

I'd rather get only 5 riding and put those two points into WM so you can swing faster/be more accurate.  Under 100 wpf in a melee weapon makes it kind of slow apparently, though I haven't tested it personally.  Also, the extra riding is not being used unless you go for the Arabian.  So really it depends on what horse you get.

[callahan9119]

It does increase the horses maneuverability. It's not just a riding requirement.

[OpenPalm]

I made a cav with 8 riding, and on a Destrier I couldn't often get away from other cav on Coursers.  I might just be terrible at avoiding them, but it didn't seem to help too much having the extra riding.

[callahan9119]

It says on the screen where you add points that it increases riding speed, acceleration and maneuverability.

[TurmoilTom]

Cavalry and Xbows are both things that one can hybrid easily, but HXbow is not. The points necessary in Horse Archery require so much Agility you simply can't have the Strength to pull of a decent Infantry build to accompany it.

Your choices are either a 12/24 build that can pull off shooting while on a horse semi-decent but is extremely limited as infantry or a 18/18 build that is more useful as a melee build on foot and on horseback but mediocre as a shooter while mounted.

Some examples:

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 12
    Agility: 24

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Power Strike: 4
    Athletics: 8
    Riding: 8
    Horse Archery: 4
    Weapon Master: 5

    One Handed: 90
    Crossbow: 130

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 18
    Agility: 18

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 2
    Power Strike: 6
    Athletics: 6
    Riding: 6
    Horse Archery: 3
    Weapon Master: 6

    One Handed: 108
    Crossbow: 130

I'm no expert of Horse Crossbows, but the best possible advice you could get regarding them would probably come from ROHYPNOL.

[callahan9119]

The only thing I'm missing is 1 extra point in horse archery that the most extreme guys go for with 7/30. And getting the ten riding from the 7/30 build.

8 athletics is a huge investment when I plan on being on a horse most of the time. I just got 4 for the cases where I'm unhorsed or fighting on foot in cities. Does armor effect your crossbow skill when you're on a horse?

[Deathwhisper]

Afaik you get the horseback penalty only if you're moving. So you could simply stop before shooting when using the build with less HA, at least if you're not being chased by enemy cav.

[Rebelyell]

I'm not very knowledgeable about cav, yesterday was my first time really using it...but it was the funnest thing I've ever done in this game.

And why we still nerf fun