Early Game Blackguard Without a Town

[Selkie]

Originally Posted by DavidMedley

What about Berserk Strength? Is the +melee skill (used to be +to-hit) worth the -AC, or is it just useful for protection against fear?

Actually AC is not something I valued as highly as the others. I swapped out a partial plate mail with 68 AC for a black dragon armour with around 35 because of the resist and the acid breath.

I use beserk strength before every fight to increase my to hit, but fear resistance is also really useful. I'm of the school that favours damage over defence.

[archolewa]

Originally Posted by DavidMedley

What about Berserk Strength? Is the +melee skill (used to be +to-hit) worth the -AC, or is it just useful for protection against fear?

Berserk Strength is part of why like to have a very high AC. The to-hit bonus is often significant (sometimes +8% chance to hit) and when you are swinging only once or twice per attack, you really want to make sure you hit. Not sure berserk strength is worth it in the very early game, when it can drop you to negative AC, but once you get your AC into the thirties and fifties it becomes less of a concern. Get your AC to 100 or better, and the penalty is inconsequential

[Selkie]

So I've got a question, although I sort of know the answer.

I'm wielding a Glaive of extra attacks (+2 attack speed). It's giving three blows per turn and putting out 120 damage (even more with Venom cast). But when I leap into battle next to an adjacent enemy I only get two attacks.

When I wield a standard non-speedy weapon with 1.3 attacks per round (as standard), I also get two attacks per round with leap (making it a powerful ritual with a standard heavy weapon, but pointless with a fast weapon).

I'm just wondering if leap should take into account weapon speed when making its attacks per turn calculation. It seems it doesn't. Aside from catching fleeing enemies, or quickly closing down on breathers, the spell is no longer much use to my character.

Any thoughts?

[DavidMedley]

Yeah, the spells are intended to reward heavy weapons and low blows. It's not always satisfying, but I haven't figured out anything better.

I am working on some stuff for 4.2.3 that should be cool, like Bloodlust extra blows work with spells, and Werewolf Form and a brand new spell that will both burn SP to your benefit. But I don't envision Whirl, Leap, Maim, and Forceful working well with high blows weapons.

[Selkie]

Yeah I totally see the balance issues with leap. If it doubled all blows against adjacent enemies it would be far too powerful with a weapon like a Glaive of extra attacks. I'd be doing six blows a round from the third ritual I learn in the game.

With maim foe and venom I'm already dealing serious damage - an extra three blows per round would probably be a bit broken.

Thanks for the explanation and I look forward to seeing the development of the new class