Channeling, Voln Fu UAC Badass

[DrZaius]

Hey everyone,

with new Voln and new UAC, I'd be curious to know what people think of this hybrid build.

Race: Elf
Starting Stats:
STR: 73
CON: 82
DEX: 82
AGL: 77
DIS: 70
AUR: 70
LOG: 62
INT: 62
WIS: 62
INF: 20

Non capped stats at 100:
DIS: 98
AUR: 98
INF: 78

[Aside: can I tank Con a bit (set it at 70), so I can boost my WIS for more TPs/CS?]

Skill training:
Armor: 1x, til 8? 35? 70?
Brawling: 1x
CM: 1x
PT: 1x
Perception: 1x
AS: 1X
MIU: 1X
HP: 1x-1.
Spell Aim: 1x (for Runestaff DS, probably pushed to 2x later when I start to hunt with bolts / can't brawl anymore)
SMC: 24 by 18, then back off to 1x
MjS: 215 by 20, then back off for a while
MnS: 103 by 21
Clc: 1x+ Spare points.
10 Blessing, 10 Religion lore by 20 (working towards chrism lores. Not really sure about this, would probably like some advice.)
10 climb, 5 swim by 20, then as needed.

Hunting style: Open channel 302, or UAC. Possibly some combination of the two. Thoughts? How long can I expect 211 and 215 to prop me up? I would also be ok with him starting as a brawling badass, but then changing into more of a pure caster as he got older (50s/60s).

I'd consider getting a runestaff for the DS (I'm trained 7.9x at the moment in magical skills), but it may be annoying to keep sheathing it when I want to kung-fu stuff.

[Androidpk]

1x brawl, no UAC masteries, no hiding/ambush or even open aiming. Your UAC is going to be very weak. You'd have better results sticking strictly to open channel 302.

[Whirlin]

I don't see the value in this build either.

I'm not sure how 211 and 215 interact with UAC... and I don't understand fully the UAC calculations, but if it's the least bit similar to AS, you're looking at 2 spells which will provide +40 AS to something you can only single in. That benefit would be gone by level 40.

Warmaging functions for wizards due to Haste to overcome low AS, as well as the addtional +.5AS per level growth from 425, for capped melee bonuses of 65. But once these bonuses are exhausted, builds with 2x weapon training, plus whatever potential additional CMAN AS boosts will far surpass 1x weapon training builds. Read my Warmage Breakdown in the Wizard's forum for more details about AS slowdown for the 70s. The same concepts apply here

If you're looking for an alternative mechanism of attack for a cleric besides CS wards, I'd recommend spell aiming. It utilizes the same benefits from 211 and 215, but since it can be 2x'ed... the slowdown isn't as substantial as starting off with a 1x weapon skill.

[DrZaius]

Technically, I could get another +20 AS from 215 with lores, but I take your point. I think the concept was more a hybrid build, not hunting with UAC or 302 exclusively. I can fit in 2x spell aim as well if I snip here or there. This may just be a useful diversion when I have lower mana pools early on, but I'll admit I'm more interested in the concept than is perhaps warranted. Additionally, I'd have no issue switching to a full time warding build as the UAC stops working as effectively (like you said, in the 40s).


I don't see the value in this build either.

I'm not sure how 211 and 215 interact with UAC... and I don't understand fully the UAC calculations, but if it's the least bit similar to AS, you're looking at 2 spells which will provide +40 AS to something you can only single in. That benefit would be gone by level 40.

Warmaging functions for wizards due to Haste to overcome low AS, as well as the addtional +.5AS per level growth from 425, for capped melee bonuses of 65. But once these bonuses are exhausted, builds with 2x weapon training, plus whatever potential additional CMAN AS boosts will far surpass 1x weapon training builds. Read my Warmage Breakdown in the Wizard's forum for more details about AS slowdown for the 70s. The same concepts apply here

If you're looking for an alternative mechanism of attack for a cleric besides CS wards, I'd recommend spell aiming. It utilizes the same benefits from 211 and 215, but since it can be 2x'ed... the slowdown isn't as substantial as starting off with a 1x weapon skill.

[Androidpk]

Not being able to boost your MM or tier up as quickly is going to be a much bigger issue than your AS.

[Whirlin]

I have a cleric that's all of level 17 right now... I definitely feel the low-level pure pain on mana... Except... I actually can't... since Whirlin is trying to master Alchemy, and I have a stockpile of about 200 wands and rods, and now a working wand/rod script integrated with Bigshot. But, I can see how for non-me people, it would suck though.

If you want to use it as a patch to get you to your 40s, or til whenever you feel you an rely fully on 302... then now is probably a time to roll up a cleric and do it up... I think you'd be out of your 30 days when the annual fixskills hits, so you could store that for once UAC becomes unviable.

[DrZaius]

I have a cleric that's all of level 17 right now... I definitely feel the low-level pure pain on mana... Except... I actually can't... since Whirlin is trying to master Alchemy, and I have a stockpile of about 200 wands and rods, and now a working wand/rod script integrated with Bigshot. But, I can see how for non-me people, it would suck though.

If you want to use it as a patch to get you to your 40s, or til whenever you feel you an rely fully on 302... then now is probably a time to roll up a cleric and do it up... I think you'd be out of your 30 days when the annual fixskills hits, so you could store that for once UAC becomes unviable.

I could just try it for fun. Maybe'll 301 stuff, then wail on it. Or 302 to stun, then smack it til it's dead to save mana. Maybe 211/307/215 don't even add to UAF. I can keep people posted on here, if it makes sense.

[Aluvius]

They do add to your UAF, anything that gives an AS bonus works the same for UAF. I'd drop the 1x SA or go 2x with a wand waving build. I'd also recommend not training for chrisms until later and just fixskill into a chrism build.

Have you tried a pure CS hunting build, +21 over level in cleric base and fully 1x in religion lore?

[Donquix]

I don't see the value in this build either.

I'm not sure how 211 and 215 interact with UAC... and I don't understand fully the UAC calculations, but if it's the least bit similar to AS, you're looking at 2 spells which will provide +40 AS to something you can only single in. That benefit would be gone by level 40.

Warmaging functions for wizards due to Haste to overcome low AS, as well as the addtional +.5AS per level growth from 425, for capped melee bonuses of 65. But once these bonuses are exhausted, builds with 2x weapon training, plus whatever potential additional CMAN AS boosts will far surpass 1x weapon training builds. Read my Warmage Breakdown in the Wizard's forum for more details about AS slowdown for the 70s. The same concepts apply here

If you're looking for an alternative mechanism of attack for a cleric besides CS wards, I'd recommend spell aiming. It utilizes the same benefits from 211 and 215, but since it can be 2x'ed... the slowdown isn't as substantial as starting off with a 1x weapon skill.

not to say it's as effective as a pure build for a cleric, but physical clerics still work fine for a good long while. not a monster like mid level (that sweet spot post 1 sec RT before your AS growth really starts to hurt) warmages but still does fine. hell, i did a swinging cleric that trained OHE, shield, and thw into late 30's/early 40's ( i forget) and in voln pre-buffs using a shitty 3x sancted cold flaring bastard sword for both ohe and thw (so less than optimal even for an already non-optimal build) and it was fine. things were starting to get a little slower but had i just changed to a maul or sancted claid, etc. and dropped the ridiculous two weapon styles for more spells that would have gone away even. the issue was really because it was TOO physical i was starting to have issues landing the setup spells.

now i can't speak for UAC, but this is general physical clerics in general (channeling my inner throgg). from what i've heard, it would be pretty shitty and slow with without the help of the maneuvers/ambushing. who knows though, might be worth a shot for giggles and shits. pretty much anything works pre-40

[DrZaius]

Quick update:

It's going pretty well so far. Level 11, so just got Bravery, which helps a ton. a note, a successful 301 gives me +20 MM against stuff that's bound. Being able to bless my own gauntlets and boots means no need to beg for blesses, which is also nice. I still use 302 to hunt, mostly when I'm so weighed down with boxes that my RT on punches and kicks is over 7-8. I'm going to try to keep it up at least until my 30 days are up, possibly longer (depending on how far I get). 215 is the next goal, and will makes things go even faster.

[SpiffyJr]

UAC sucks with pures. Even an empath, which has the highest pure AS, sucks.

[DrZaius]

UAC sucks with pures. Even an empath, which has the highest pure AS, sucks.

Having UAC'd with a rogue, I'd tend to agree. However, not being able to hunt because you're OOM also sucks, and I've been able to avoid that so far. Additionally, I can be a bane cleric and not have to punt on live creature bounties because of my added versatility. I'm not buzzing in 2 minutes flat, but I'm also in no danger and can hunt whatever I want, whenever I want.