Re: [SM] Ultimate builds catalog for Sword Masters
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:38 pm
Hi Blu, first of all thanks for the thread, it has been really helpful to read and I have already made several adjustments to my build as a result. I just have a few general questions / need for guidance around how to develop my build.
Basically I managed to get full valewalker fairly easily and have really been enjoying playing as an avoidance tank. I've focused mainly hoeth (WW / CW / PoH) and thrown the rest in Vaul for PD and VB. Since reading here I've adjusted my tactics to run EA / IP / PD / VB and it has been amazing if I can guard a decent dps. If my warband is up against stiff competition I'll swap EA for Rugged to be a bit tankier.
Valewaker 6th and 7th set bonuses are kind of interesting, but I've since been thinking that they are bit unreliable: 6th bonus (+str) doesn't have 100% uptime and 7th (-armour debuff) has low chance to proc and usefulness really depends on which mdps I'm with. So I have thrown in some sentinel pieces instead: the boots for extra parry, and the belt to get the 3 piece bonus (+str, +wounds). Here's my gear.
So my first question is really how much of each stat should I be aiming for, especially wounds? With this setup I'm getting about 630 str, 500 ws, 430 toughness, 870 wounds. Should I swap some strength talis out for more wounds or is this in a good place already?
Also, I understand from this thread that toughness is not as useful due to the order of parry -> absorbs -> toughness, so am working on the BL set at which point I will probably go 5 pieces (for parry bonus) and mix in sent/VW for more parry... 7 piece bonus for reactionary looks nice, but this is already on Crimsonwind so I guess won't stack? Either way, BL cloak will allow me to finally drop the beastlord pieces (and what I assume is the less useful WS bonus?).
Which leads to another question, what is a good next weapon with this setup in mind? Fortress 2H looks very offensive, i.e. no parry or crit reduction bonuses.
Finally I was considering picking up Invader to try boardmaster for a bit, but on reflection I want to try full warlord (eventually, only RR63 atm) just to really lean into the hoeth theme and think I'd be short on tokens that way.
Thanks for any help!
Basically I managed to get full valewalker fairly easily and have really been enjoying playing as an avoidance tank. I've focused mainly hoeth (WW / CW / PoH) and thrown the rest in Vaul for PD and VB. Since reading here I've adjusted my tactics to run EA / IP / PD / VB and it has been amazing if I can guard a decent dps. If my warband is up against stiff competition I'll swap EA for Rugged to be a bit tankier.
Valewaker 6th and 7th set bonuses are kind of interesting, but I've since been thinking that they are bit unreliable: 6th bonus (+str) doesn't have 100% uptime and 7th (-armour debuff) has low chance to proc and usefulness really depends on which mdps I'm with. So I have thrown in some sentinel pieces instead: the boots for extra parry, and the belt to get the 3 piece bonus (+str, +wounds). Here's my gear.
So my first question is really how much of each stat should I be aiming for, especially wounds? With this setup I'm getting about 630 str, 500 ws, 430 toughness, 870 wounds. Should I swap some strength talis out for more wounds or is this in a good place already?
Also, I understand from this thread that toughness is not as useful due to the order of parry -> absorbs -> toughness, so am working on the BL set at which point I will probably go 5 pieces (for parry bonus) and mix in sent/VW for more parry... 7 piece bonus for reactionary looks nice, but this is already on Crimsonwind so I guess won't stack? Either way, BL cloak will allow me to finally drop the beastlord pieces (and what I assume is the less useful WS bonus?).
Which leads to another question, what is a good next weapon with this setup in mind? Fortress 2H looks very offensive, i.e. no parry or crit reduction bonuses.
Finally I was considering picking up Invader to try boardmaster for a bit, but on reflection I want to try full warlord (eventually, only RR63 atm) just to really lean into the hoeth theme and think I'd be short on tokens that way.
Thanks for any help!