
Originally Posted by
MagicBlade
I have Human ATTACK, Human DAMAGE, and Fighter Haste, not double hastes. And the reason for giving up the Sword and Board setup, is because I want more dps with a THF style. Only reason I'd go S&B on a character is a tank/semi-tank, and the idea of Cleave and Great Cleave is to use them together. With both, I could handle a larger group and take them out quicker, without fully needing the Sp until later levels where I get Blade Barrier and such.
If I invest in the Warpriest for the Ameliorating Strike, then that's points that have to be taken from somewhere else. Doing RS enough to get the Aura, and a couple others, and that's not even heavy investing in the variety of enhancements, but still costs 36 points, since most are 2 AP/rank. Took 20 in Human, while it can be done with a few less, I like the idea of SLA Greater Heroism, and since it's only 4 AP total to get, since have the pre-req to get healing amp. Just those 2 alone took up 56 AP, only leaving me with 44 left. I'll put 8 in Kensai, for 30% Haste +2 Action Boosts, and +1 hit/dmg. That leaves me with 36 AP left, 4 of which are put in the Paladin tree for +3 Lay on Hands, and the last 36 points are put towards Warpriest.
Also, you don't list enhancements anywhere on that link, so how would it help with enhancements?
People are saying that should take Maximize early on? For what reason? Does the Aura benefit off Maximize? Is it for Blade Barrier? Or what is Maximize really for?
I ask this because my experience as a level 15 Palemaster pure caster has led me to believe Maximize and Empower are a WASTE unless tied to one or two specific spells. Sure it gives extra SP, but the costs of all spells increase as well while it's active, meaning you burn SP at least 20-30% faster... for how much of an increase? Quicken and Empower Heal I can understand, Quicken and Empower can both be applied to the highest single, and highest group heal I have, so that I can throw off a quick heal when needed. The character is a melee build, using spells to buff and heal, and a couple offensive spells such as blade barrier, so unless Maximize affects Aura, or something else like that, I don't see it's use for taking it early.
To answer your question, I've a level 8 TRed Fighter, past life Druid, a level 17 (9 Fighter/7 Wizard/1 Barb) For a Fighter melee based Eldritch Knight, and have played around with various other toons between levels 4-9, Offensive Casting Cleric, Battle Cleric, Monkcher, Bardic Arcane Archer, Mechanic Rogue, Barbarian and a couple others.
Honestly, not a lot of your post makes a lot of sense... you ask if I was sure I want to give up the Sword & Board, and then say 2hf melee are easier to build. And at the start, the Ame strike to heal... 2W is? 2 Weapon, 2[W] damage? What?
Cleave is good early, but overkill at that level? How so? I'd say that no damage is really overkill, faster things die, the less I take, thus reducing the need for healing.
Human Attack Boost allows me to get +6 to hit to counter the Power Attack downfalls, so if I find I'm missing, I use the Attack Boost. If I find that I'm wanting a little extra damage, I use the Human Damage Boost, and since I'm using a Great Sword/Falchion, my attack speeds slow, so to counter that, I've got Fighter Haste Boost, which in addition to Cleave, Great Cleave, and any few AoE spells I select, that's a decent amount of damage for large groups. Also, I've tested it, and Damage Boost and Haste Boost can be used together. As far as the gimping healing spells at mid level? How so.. Empower Heal and Quicken are both taken before I even hit level 12, and Maximize taken at lvl 12, and I don't know about you, but from what I have seen, up until level 14-15, quests are easy, even 14-15+ quests are still easier if you have the gear for it. Since they become harder at mid-level (14-15), that's why I'd be taking the Pally levels then for the saves. Only thing "gimped" from this feat spread would be my melee fighting until later levels when I take ITWF and IC, so what is it.. take Maximize early and gimp melee, or take Maximize later and 'gimp' healing/casting or whatever the hell Maximize is to be used for.
Level 13 = 12 Cleric for Aura, Up to 4 6th level spells.
Spell Selection: [ ] = Spontaneous Casting slot.
Level 1: (6) Nightshield, Shield of Faith, Divine Favor, Nimbus of Light, Command [Cure Light Wounds]
Level 2: (6) Close Wounds, Soundburst, Hold Person, Spawn Screen, Seek Eternal Rest (undead quests), [Cure Moderate Wounds]
Level 3: (6) Aid, Mass, Remove Curse, Remove Disease, Prayer, Searing Light [Cure Serious Wounds]
Level 4: (5) Divine Power, Panacea, Restoration, Freedom of Movement [Cure Critical Wounds] Shield of Faith, Mass/Recitation
Level 5: (5) Stalwart Pact, Raise Dead, Divine Punishment, Flame Strike/Spell Resistance/Protection from Elements, [Cure Light Wounds, Mass]
Level 6: (4) Cometfall, Blade Barrier, Heal, [Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass]
Level 7: (3) Resurrection, Greater Restoration/Restoration, Mass [Cure Critical Wounds, Mass]
This would be my most likely spell selection by time I reach character level 13. 14 and 15 for Paladin 1 and 2, then pick up the spells again at level 16. Adding in 1 additional 4th level, and 3 7th. Above in RED and continue with them through 20, taking 2 level 9 spells at 20. Heal, Mass... and True Resurrection/Imposion.