Character build help?

[Spyder7723]

I've always been terribly bad at making character builds in new to me games. Anyone willing to help a newbie with a warrior build?

Thinking sword and board but not adverse to 2 handed weapon fighter if the benefits outweigh the negatives.

I just ask that it be newbie friendly and not heavily rely on finger skills.
Also a clear progression plan would be nice, specifically what traits and skills to take. Thanks to any suggestions or advice.

 

[Alex420]

Look on the wiki there Are plenty of amazing builds showcased.

 

[IronJosh1988]

I'm relatively new also but I am a second time newbie. I've always found 2handed to be best because no amount of armor will completely negate any attacks from even the lowest enemies. also Whirlwind is pretty much a must have on any warrior build from my admittedly limited experience and research. I like to put atleast 1 point in cleave also. 1 point in intelligence and personality are pretty beneficial aswell. if you go with sword and board you should sink most of your points into agility. if 2handed most should go to strength. also make a save before you spend your points not a quick save. that way you can try out different things check your dps and what not. as far as giving you a ground up build level by level I can't do that I'm still learning myself. then just have fun and put the points in what matches your style. I know it's very generic to day that but it's true. hope it helped

 

[VDX_360]

Sword and Shield warriors have two main choices: Light weapons (short swords, daggers etc) or 1-H Weapons (long swords, maces, hand-axes). Light weapons get most their damage from Agility. 1-H Weapons get most their damage from Strength. That might impact your weapon choice and trait allotment.

Sword and Shield warriors do well in the early parts of the game because of the higher defense. Low level characters have less hit points and less gold so the better defense really helps (remember shield users get minimal 40% of defense per hit). Around the mid-game, Sword and Shield warriors start to lag behind 2-H Warriors as enemies get tougher and more elemental damage is used. That can be offset by having skills and advanced skills that increase total damage.

There's no real "must do" to character building. There's a lot of personal room.

 

[Spyder7723]

I looked at the builds on the wiki and they do seem to be rather impessive, but my concern is they read as a respec. Will they handle the game leveling from 1 to 20 or will it be an exercise in frustration testing my patience skills?

 

[VDX_360]

...they read as a respec...

There's an entire debate about pros and cons about having a 1-H shield warrior until about level 15, than resetting the skills and traits to build them as a 2-H beast.

"Player Choice" is what will keep rearing it's ugly head. I've gotten Warrior builds to Level 20 (and higher) doing completely with 1-H and 2-H build and as well 1-H turned 2-H. Each approach is effective. If you like 1-H builds, use them (I'm partial to shields too) but in my experience in the game, 2-H warrior builds are more enjoyable and preform better (subject to debate).

The open nature of the game leaves a lot to simply Player Choice. Find a build you like to play, and play it.

 

[Spyder7723]

Currently level 7. Did the part of the main quest where you end up in the sewers. And after resting up in the local inn i went back to explore it. Very near the entrance is a pack of undead that just ate me for lunch. It was almost funny how quickly they devoured my character. that encounter worries me a bit. am i simply under level for this area or should i be concerned with the character?

Current stats are 322111 and skills are whirlwind 2, resilience 1, charge 1, shield expert 3, dungeoneering 1, gossip, 2 unspent points and 1 more in two handed fighting which was a brain dead click the wrong button mistake.

 

[MikeB]

Currently level 7. Did the part of the main quest where you end up in the sewers. And after resting up in the local inn i went back to explore it. Very near the entrance is a pack of undead that just ate me for lunch. It was almost funny how quickly they devoured my character. that encounter worries me a bit. am i simply under level for this area or should i be concerned with the character?

I wouldn't be too concerned about character build at this point. In those early levels most of the character progression is made via gaining better equipment, so that's probably the direction where you should consider some improvements.

Concerning the ghouls in the sewers: They have a quite nasty toxic bite, which will indeed rapidly drain your life if you get surrounded by them. Opting for some equipment with toxic resist might considerably improve your chances with this specific opponent.

 

[DavidBVal]

Regarding ghouls, there isn't an absolute "recommended level" for an area, you can always run into something powerful around the corner (like that white wolf in NW Sagar Forest).

 

[VDX_360]

Yes, those ghouls are a bit of a step up, by design. Getting some levels and toxic resistance makes them a lot easier.