Melee Fourm Challenge

[contributor]

So rygar, the big question is when are you going to join us in our melee misadventures?

My team is walking a fine line between offense and defense. Though, now that they're in to the Redhill Siege, they're looking pretty good on both accounts. Level 14 was really good for them. Vincent got Flash Freeze 6, so I can now take 2 AP out of a block shaped group. Kincaid hit Flanking Unity 3, bringing it's damage up to +4. Selen got more QsD and Fyona hit Cortias Shield 7. Needless to say, even when I can't take the enemies out too quickly we don't take a lot of damage. Accuracy is also good at the moment especially when Flash Freeze is in effect. This group is becoming a "run up" group when we encounter some enemies. In these levels especially, they're all grouped up nice and tight so a quick sprint lets Vincent cool the majority of the group. I think his next talent might actually go into that one that gives him MP.

[fallen]

contributor - it takes so few Talent points to make him really mobile, worth looking at, especially with AutoBuff in the mix.

[rygar]

contributor hah hopefully soon. I'd got some loose ideas on my next team build but none that seem to make the cut. So these days I'm checking the forums for all the awesome build you guys throw about for inspiration

[En1gma]

On the other hand, we can have an all ranged group contest... Kincaid and his TK, Kyera and her attack spells.... Could be interesting?

[crimsonshadow]

That is interesting, and I was just about to go start a group to do just that, then remembered that there are no point blank tanned attacks for the Hero's... That would make this challenge awkward at best and impossible at worst (if you got pinned into a 0 range situation). Too bad... I think I would have loved that one!

[contributor]

Dec 6, 2014 6:48:42 GMT -5 En1gma said:

On the other hand, we can have an all ranged group contest... Kincaid and his TK, Kyera and her attack spells.... Could be interesting?

Yeah, I think this would be far more difficult than all-melee. You could create certain rules though that would allow the use of melee weapons in certain situations. Certainly there would be no leveling up of melee talents. It would be interesting though.

My group just finished Redhill Depths. So there's one more level before Geraux. They're sitting at 84.9 mil. They're starting to lose their edge again, but I find that this happens to a lot of groups at this point until I can level them up and get new weapons after the Gatehouse. I'm thinking of probably hiking all the way back to the Spy's Path to get a leveling campsite. Since it's Nightmare Ironman, and this group isn't the strongest ever, I would hate to die in the Geraux fight and think there was something else I could have done to give them a little more of an edge. Sure it hurts my score, but not as much as dying. I've also been mulling Vincent's progression over. I'm liking Frigid Air so much that it's going to 6 and 5-hex AoE before I add some MP. This group's core strategy is to stay in a nice tight little knot slowly churning forward while Vincent ices everything at range. I'm really thinking about E2 and the changes in archer behavior. 2 extra MP for Vincent will be very nice by the Krete levels, and I'm thinking we should be able to get it.

[En1gma]

crimsonshadow, I could see Fyona being the only defensive point for the group using SoC and Holy Strickening, so everyone else can kill what piles up on her... Kincaid boosts Footwork and Darting Steel, with LbtB for mobility. KJ boosts Ash, BB, and Immolation, while Selen plays ranged curser. Alternatively, Tamilin could come in as death from afar. Could be a fun time, not much would get too close, and if they did, Strickening would make short work of them. Even if it doesn't become a forum challenge, it could be a fun group- just have Kincaid off-tank or pinch-hitter with a heavy dagger...

Even more alternatively-er, use pacifist Vraes with Phalanx, BoS, and SSk, have Kyera as holy nuker, use Vincent as curse mage or KJ as Ash Wizard and Immolation/BB, and Tam as herself...

[crimsonshadow]

So are we saying we can use standard melee attacks and starting melee skills... That might be OK.

[crimsonshadow]

If three are others interested in trying this ranged challenge with starting melee only, I am game.... Would rather go for maybe a normal game rather than nightmare though.... Just seeing if there is interest?

[En1gma]

I'll do one. I'm shite at nightmare, so a normal game is much more up my alley. Maybe even hard...

[crimsonshadow]

I prefer Normal, but will give Hard a I if that's what's needed to get a few takers

[boltsnblades]

I'd give this all ranged group a try; I've only done normal, but I'll try harder difficulties if necessary.

[crimsonshadow]

OK... Three's a go... Let's do this... Sounds like Normal is the choice... Hopefully a few more may join. I am moving in today, so won't have time to start the new thread with rules write up today, but will try soon... Unless one of you guys wants to go ahead?

[En1gma]

Lol, you guys can do normal, I've already started on hard. I'll make the thread for it.

[contributor]

Took Geraux down today. The fight was pretty calm and I think Selen made it through without a single wound. In the worst round I think Kincaid lost about 1/3 of his total health, but that was with a surprising number of archers hitting so he was getting really bad roles and had one big melee hit as well. As long as I stay with the same careful strategy they should be able to complete episode 1 with no deaths. Has anyone done that with a melee group before?