2 handed empath utility question

[dszabo]

I'm currently at level 21.
I have spells 215, 120, and 1121 and am now singling until I hit double spells to catch up on secondary skill.
I also have 15 ranks of armor training for LBP right now.
I am wondering if I should forget about Combat Maneuvers for now...I don't hunt maneuver critters.
My two choices I'm contemplating are (1) 18 rank of Combat Maneuvers OR (2) 46 ranks of spell aiming and 20 ranks of spirit summoning for the web bolt to help set up critters for the sword.
Any input would help!
Thank you in advance, Snoggi.

[Drew]

Swinging empaths need to single CM every level, just for the AS. Every 2 ranks gives you 1 AS. If you skip CM you'll be down 50 AS at cap.

[dszabo]

I know that, I plan on recovering the CM while I finish singling my spells. By the time I'm 30 or 31 I should be close to .75x CM.

I guess my main question was what is more useful, a web bolt, or a few ranks of MoC. I should be back up to 1x CM by the time I hit 40 or 50. I would also be stuck in LBP until then as well. I don't know if that would be a problem or not.

[Drew]

Most of the THW empaths I know didn't learn spell aiming till much later in life.

[audioserf]

Yeah 1x CM and forget spell aiming completely, or learn it later if you have to. It's not by any means a necessary skill. Ask Rogane about that.

[dszabo]

I've played around with both builds now. Currently I have:
Armor Use..........................| 70 15
Two-Handed Weapons.........| 102 24
Physical Fitness...................| 102 24
Spell Aiming.......................| 143 43
Harness Power....................| 96 22
Spiritual Lore - Summoning..| 90 20
Along with spells 1122, 120, and 215.

I find having web bolt with a 40% web chance and the knock down chance is much nicer then the 11 AS I'm currently missing from the CM. And by my calculations I'll be back up to a 1x CM around 50th. I'll be doubling until then as I'll be singling spells until I drop to a 2x spell path.

Thats just my thoughts though, I do appreciate everyone's input!

Thanks, Snoggi

[Jace Solo]

Look at it as, creatures that can be webbed and knocked down lose 50 DS.
That clearly makes up for the lack of 11AS from CMan. You should do what you can afford and play catch up later. Just be selective with what you hunt and I don't see it being an issue.

[WRoss]

spell aiming? WTF is that?

[waywardgs]

spell aiming? WTF is that?

It's when you play the class you selected and stop trying to be a warrior!

[WRoss]

Experience: 10043152

...............| 201 101
Physical Fitness...................| 302 202
Arcane Symbols.....................| 201 101
Magic Item Use.....................| 194 94
Harness Power......................| 201 101
Mental Mana Control................| 111 27
Spirit Mana Control................| 200 100
Spiritual Lore - Blessings.........| 200 100
Mental Lore - Transformation.......| 157 57
Survival...........................| 150 50
Perception.........................| 200 100
Climbing...........................| 141 41
Swimming...........................| 138 39
First Aid..........................| 302 202

Spell Lists
Major Spirit.......................| 40

Spell Lists
Minor Spirit.......................| 67

Spell Lists
Empath.............................| 122

[WRoss]

Fuck a warrior, I'm a medicine man that *bops* things on the head.

[waywardgs]

haha