Post cap rogue DS hpel

[Asha]

Hi best friends.
I just thought I’d ask here what to do about my DS.
I’m running a martial mastery / Kroderine build. Maxed out dodge. Max ambush. Max PF. Max CM. Maxed ranged, edged and thrown. Maxed perception. Maxed s&h. Basically maxed out all my physical rogue skills.
I’m currently working on going 1x multi opponent.

My armour is plate at 8x (padded but that doesn’t matter I guess)
Bow is 7x.

My DS compared to sword and board + spells is hilariously low. Like 400 in offensive. Though nothing can hurt me if they get past dodge and manage to hit. It’s just shrugged off completely up to 200 end roll then I get minors. So can live.

My only question basically is is there any point dropping Kroderine soul to go into spells. If I do I’ll miss using my trusty blade for ensorcelling me and cutting down legs. But the DS if it’s higher might be worth it.
Or am I training wrong? Orrrr is it normal to have low ds when you’re ranger without spells!
Thanks.

[Asha]

Rogue without spells. Not ranger.

[Mobius1]

Honestly, I am not a fan of KS, personally. Even if you don't learn spells.

HW could make it more lucrative, but even then I question its value.

Here's my thoughts on KS. Let's just use Rift as an example, as it's as low as you can get with spells, basically. (Assuming you KNOW the spells for spell sever):

401 + 406 + 414 = +30 DS/eTD, +15 sTD
101 + 103 + 107 = +10 DS, +25 sTD, +12 eTD
1712 = +25 DS

So that's a total of 65 DS, 42 eTD, and 40 sTd you are missing out on, just from those few spells. Obviously if you don't hunt the rift, this is an even greater loss because you can carry more spells elsewhere.

When it comes to AS based attacks, your KS does nothing for you, so you get nothing but net gain against them not being KS. But against CS spells, That 40+ TD can literally be a 40% difference in your chance to be warded. This also means that the spells that DO hit you, are reduced in their effectiveness (Much like KS is doing for you!), and is far superior vs disabling spells especially.

Where KS shines for me, is vs SMR attacks that are lethal to you, and in situations where any CS spell will land on you almost 100% even with +spells (which I don't think is even the case in HW unless you don't know 430/120.). But even against deadly maneuver attacks, I find they can usually be mitigated through +resist through 620 or warrior fittings (and padding/plate).

It's not that KS is bad, I just feel it is inferior in most situations, but it also depends on how you want to play. If you love not having to bother with spells, it's pretty cool. I think it's a build suited to shield though, since as you are realizing, DS is a precious commodity with plate and no outside spells. A shield is also -15 CvA.

If you want to just boost your DS without going shield, +Dodging/Agility through enhancives/ascension is an option. If I were KS, +aura/wisdom/agility/dodging would be my prime enhancive boosts (And DIS for HW). Everyone gets so wrapped up on offensive stats/skills....

[BLZrizz]

KS adds 5% to your top end redux, which is the equivalent of like a million training points. So the assertion that KS doesn’t affect AS resolutions isn’t all that accurate.

[Mobius1]

KS adds 5% to your top end redux, which is the equivalent of like a million training points. So the assertion that KS doesn’t affect AS resolutions isn’t all that accurate.

It's literally so small I didn't want to muddy the point further with it. +65 DS will always be a significantly better boost, in every single circumstance your character will ever be in.

EDIT: Lol, I guess I can concede that if something dispelled the crap out of you. But even so, 5% aint going to make or break you.

[Asha]

Dudes you’re my heroes. I’ll read through this when I get home. I’ll make something work I don’t care what the potion costs are or how many times I have to drink them. Any other input or views are welcome of course.
I have hcp doubles, robes and brig too. They alter DS massively but if you’re hit your fucked. Crit padding or not.

[Asha]

Oh and archers don’t get a lot of good times in the rift. I mean, I don’t.

[Mobius1]

Oh, you are an archer? Well, at least you get the extra DS from that!

But yeah, I think lighter armor with KS is only possible if you have enough DS that you can't be hit even when immobilized. Which is probably not possible without a shield.