(Slightly) More CM or Spells?

[Axhinde]

Currently, my fixskill would look like this...


At level 71: Ranks X # PTP MTP
Armor Use 150 (2.1X) 3 3 0 150
Shield Use 144 (2.0X) 2 3 0 2x
Edged Weapons 144 (2.0X) 2 3 1 2x
Combat Maneuvers 91 (1.3X) 2 5 4 91
Multi-Opponent Combat 55 (0.8X) 1 5 2 55
Physical Fitness 144 (2.0X) 2 3 0 2x
Climbing 40 (0.6X) 2 3 0 40
Swimming 30 (0.4X) 2 2 0 30
Perception 36 (0.5X) 2 0 3 .5x
Harness Power 59 (0.8X) 1 0 5 59
Spell Research 72 (1.0X) 2 0 27
Minor Spirit 20 (0.3X) 2 0 27 20
Paladin 52 (0.7X) 52
Spiritual Lore 25 (0.3X) 2 0 7
Religion 25 (0.3X) 25

CMANS:
Feint - 5
Sbash - 4
Wspec - 3
Surge - 1

OR, I could go with slightly more CM with this...

At level 71: Ranks X # PTP MTP
Armor Use 150 (2.1X) 3 3 0 150
Shield Use 144 (2.0X) 2 3 0 2x
Edged Weapons 144 (2.0X) 2 3 1 2x
Combat Maneuvers 108 (1.5X) 2 5 4 1.5x
Multi-Opponent Combat 55 (0.8X) 1 5 2 55
Physical Fitness 144 (2.0X) 2 3 0 2x
Climbing 40 (0.6X) 2 3 0 40
Swimming 30 (0.4X) 2 2 0 30
Perception 36 (0.5X) 2 0 3 .5x
Harness Power 56 (0.8X) 1 0 5 56
Spell Research 55 (0.8X) 2 0 27
Minor Spirit 20 (0.3X) 2 0 27 20
Paladin 35 (0.5X) 35
Spiritual Lore 25 (0.3X) 2 0 7
Religion 25 (0.3X) 25

CMANS:
Feint - 5
sbash - 4
wspec - 4
surge - 2

The difference in AS is negligible, being 4 less for 17 more spells. The CS is considerably higher, I do use 1615, 1630, and 1602 often. The added cman defense wouldn't hurt, the difference in total CM ranks with 1611 benefits would be 5 in favor of 1.5x CM and 35 ranks in Paladin. Thoughts, recommendations would be appreciated.

[Stry]

You know. I've gone back and forth on this same issue.

I ended up going with the extra spell ranks for CS. An just 1x'd Cman until cap. You do still get some AS bonus to make up for the Cman loss via 1611. So it isn't bad.

This strategy worked out well for me, especially in the bowels with CS high enough to never miss.

1615, feint, hit it in the face. This allowed me to hunt the bowels sucessfully enough to get through it, even though SO much can still go wrong in there at any moment.

Without the CS to disable Jarls/Elders, I'd have struggled a lot more.

At 71 you should be wrecking minotaurs with either of these strategies. But in 10 levels... I'd recommend going with more spell ranks if you plan to hunt the bowels at all.

With 1x Cman I didn't ever struggle with feinting casters. That's when you need it anyway.

[GTG]

Yea, I would say go for more spells since you are a shield\ohe user as well. Being able to make things kneel before you attack is a huge benefit.

[Androidpk]

Even as a THW user I'd go for a higher CS as well.

[Axhinde]

I went with 1.5x CM. I still have a high enough CS to ward consistantly. My spells fail more due to hindrance than not warding. Currently hunting the Tower at 72 with extremely prejudice. Only death I have was an insta-DC from a goleras that literally gave my guy a heart attack. I'll have enough points to at least 1.5x spells until I catch up in 12 levels or so.