Build Suggestions

[xdesperado]

Just started a new game on Brutal. Currently party is level 5 and just recovered the Armor from the Spiders and cleared the two Ratkin villages seperated by the giant minefield.
Have Vraes (Sword and Shield), Kjartan, Kyera and Selen.
Pretty sure how I want to level up Kyera (Holy Retribution and Healer, no melee or buffs) and Selen (combination ranged and melee with Dance of Shadows after I hit level 12).

Wanting some suggestions for Vraes and Kjartan though.

So far Kjartan has Burning Blades 3, Firebolt 1, Choking Ash 1 and Pureflame Shield 1. Sorcery 6, Conjuring 3, Intelligence 6 and Knowledge 6. Was originally thinking of not adding anymore Burning Blades and starting to build his Immolation talent for a solid area effect punch. However thinking now about maybe going for a pure buff/de-buff build and ignoring his offense completely.

Vraes is going more or less classic tank with Crushing Blow and Stone Skin. Currently have Natural Mastery 2 (shouldn't have got the second level there...oops) and Crushing Blow 2. How soon should I start adding to Stone Skin? How high should I try and raise it? How much Crushing blow is recommended? Should I consider adding either Phalanx Shield or Burst of Speed to the mix?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[contributor]

Hmmmm, on Brutal you're probably going to find that you are going have a much harder time getting hits and the enemy has a much easier time landing hits on you. I'm curios about your Kyera build. Let me know if it works. I've never been bold enough to sacrifice her buffs/debuffs for offensive magic. If you're doing that with her, then I would recommend focusing on Kj as a buff/debuffer. Choking ash is great if you want to help everyone else get hits in. With Vraes I would pick one armor spell and stick with it. If you're going to keep a shield do Phalanx if you want to try 2 handed weapons go for Stone Skin. Natural Mastery is not a mistake. He'll need all his weapons points to get hits. You might even consider going with Savage Sweep rather than CB, or get CB up quick until you start getting some accuracy bonus from it (lvl 3-5). I do like a 2 handed Vraes build with Burst of Speed. It gives him move points to make sure he still gets his 2 hits in with a 3AP weapon.

On nightmare I'm using a two handed spear wield Vraes with Choking Ash, Pinning Shot and Ethereal Anguish to weaken opponents. I don't use them all, all of the time, but sometimes need to.

[fallen]

My suggestion - do not neglect Natural Mastery. Level 2 was no mistake Especially a Crushing Blow build should rely on NM to provide extra attack dice.

Also concur with contributor that is Kyera is going offensive, find ways to weaken her target's armor.

[algesan]

With Vraes, more Mastery is never a mistake. Each level gives you .3 successes (average) on both offensive & defensive, with higher levels giving some extra .3 offensive from the bonus accuracy. You have to balance it with the Spirit cost though, my pure Mastery build spent several levels where he required a Sacrifice 1 hit from Kyera to cast the second Mastery without drinking potions. OTOH, he just used the plain sword swing virtually all the time to hit regularly for solid damage.

Have fun for now, but in the end that will be a max talent.

[xdesperado]

Thanks for feedback guys.
In many ways this is a very similar party to the one I just finished E1A2 on hard with. I'm trying out Punishing Blades on Selen to go along with her Pinning Shot and Frenzied Blows. Right now the combination of Kjartan's Choking Ash 1 and Selen's Punishing Blades 1 is more than enough to strip all armor from enemies hit. Selen uses a 1AP dagger so she can go all ginsu master on targets with no armor
I know it's very early stages yet but Kyera is throwing very solid damage with her Holy Retribution so far. Since Selen and Vraes are pretty much out front all the time I find it hard to try shuffling her forward to get into melee so HR giving her the ranged attack works. Not a huge Ethereal Anguish fan so the EA 1 she starts with is enough there especially since Selen will be getting some AP de-buffing with Pinning shot which also gives better dodge and parry de-buffs than EA plus does damage and is AoE...Anyways giving Kyera Purifying Breeze 1, Myshana's Tears 3-4 and dumping the rest into HR should keep her doing solid damage while keeping Vraes and Selen healthy.

[xdesperado]

Ok just reached Oskahold with party.
After fight at gates everyone is Lvl 6.

Vraes 252HP (base without buffs) 90SP
Attributes
4 Dex
6 Con
10 Str
5 Will
3 Int
3 Know
Skills
8 Blades
3 Hammers
3 Polearms
1 Leadership
2 Lore
Talents
Crushing Blow 3
Natural Mastery 2
Stone Skin 1
Savage Sweep 1 (never use this)
Base Combat
3 Dodge
5 Resistance
7 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Short Sword (1H Sword) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 3Parry, 14-30Dmg
Buckler (Shield) 1Parry
Kallassian Overcoat (Light)16Armor
Steel-Shod Bracers (Bracers) +1Parry
Ring of the Bear (Ring) +2Dmg
Comments
Will use next couple Talent points to raise Stone Skin then raise Crushing Blow to 5. After that will see if more Natural Mastery is called for or if Burst of Speed might be in the works for more mobility and defence.

Kjartan 112HP, 222SP
Attributes
4 Dex
4 Con
3 Str
7 Will
6 Int
7 Know
Skills
2 Polearms
6 Sorcery
3 Conjuring
2 Lore
Talents
Burning Blades 3
Immolation 1
Choking Ash 1
Firebolt 1
Pureflame Shield 1
Base Combat
4 Dodge
14 Resistance
2 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Walking Staff (Staff) 2AP, 1Accuracy, 2Parry, 4-10Dmg
Traveler's Robes (Mage) 2Armor
Overcloak (Cloak)
Comments
Decided he needed a bit more offense so he wouldn't be wasted in combat so started Immolation. Will raise Immolation until he has 9 square AoE. Then look at raising Burning Blades and/or Choking Ash.
Problem with going straight Buff/De-Buff on him is that once he's Buffed everyone pre-combat and De-Buffed enemies in range he's left with nothing but an extremely weak and mostly inefectual attack option or else just stands around. Giving him an AoE, especially with the Burning Blades bump makes him a solid contributer to the team in my opinion.

Kyera 171HP, 204SP
Attributes
3 Dex
5 Con
4 Str
4 Will
6 Int
9 Know
Skills
2 Hammers
2 Polearms
8 Invocation
3 Conjuring
2 Lore
Talents
Holy Retribution 3
Myshana's Tears 2
Ethereal Anguish 1
Smiting Blow 1
Base Combat
2 Dodge
8 Resistance
3 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Banded Club (1H Hammer) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 1Parry, 12-28Dmg
Buckler (Shield) 1Parry
Quilted Armor (Light) 10Armor
Overcloak (Cloak)
Traveler's Boots (Boots)
Turquoise Ring (Ring) +2 Lightning Resist
Comments
Will pick up Purifying Breeze with next talent to give her Curse removal then will probably alternate between Holy Retribution and Myshana's Tears. Hoping to find the newly added Staff so I can have both her and Kjartan with good ones.

Selen 189HP, 137 (145) SP
Attributes
9 Dex
5 Con
5 Str
3 Will
5 Int
4 Know
Skills
5 Blades
5 Bows
2 Lore
2 Security
3(8) Stealth
Talents
Pinning Shot 3
Punnishing Blades 1
Frenzied Blows 1
Sly Look 1
Masterful Disarm 1
Precision Pick 1
Base Combat
6 Dodge
2 Resistance
5 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Broad Dagger (Light Blade) 1AP, 2Accuracy, 1Parry, 12-22Dmg
Ironwood Bow (Bow) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 13-23Dmg, 6Range
Thief's Garb (Stealth) 8Armor, +2Evasion, +3Stealth
Dusk Cloak (Cloak) +1Ranged Accuracy, +2Stealth
Banded Bracers (Bracers) +2Armor
Sage's Band (Ring) +8SP
Comments
Planning to raise Pinning Shot to 5? (When it becomes a 4square AoE)
Then will alternate Frenzied Blows and Punishing Blades until Dance of Shadows opens up. Biggest concern with her is the SP burn rate as she can blow through an incredible amount in very short order when she turns on Super Ginsu Ninja mode. May need to consider giving Kyera some Sacrifice to support her at some point. When possible she'll hit targets with Pinning Shot after Kjartan nails them with Choking Ash, then move in and give 2-3 a shot with Punishing Blades then have clean up the now defenseless opponents. Once she starts getting Dance of Shadows built up she'll be able to streak about the field wreaking devastation then pull back to a safer spot at end of turn.

Please feel free to continue making comments and suggestions as the above plans are always subject to possible changes. Even if I don't follow suggestions on this playthrough there's always next time.

I'll try and give some follow-ups on this as I progress and let you all know what's working or not working as the case may be.

[fallen]

xdesperado - don't be too shy about focused character standing around. My possible all-time favorite is Kjartan the Ash Wizard and he does a good deal of standing to conserve SP

[xdesperado]

Update time.
Party is now level 9 after taking care of everything out the West Gate, the Vault, both Farmhalls and the first couple ambushes in the Ratkin Warrin to reach the first exit from it. Must say the loot drops have been horrible to this point so hoping they'll start showing a bit of improvement soon. Only my extremely stingy use of potions has kept it from being a total disaster.

Vraes 300HP (base without buffs) 102SP
Attributes
4 Dex
6 Con
11 Str
5 Will
3 Int
3 Know
Skills
10 Blades
3 Hammers
3 Polearms
1 Leadership
2 Lore
Talents
Crushing Blow 4
Natural Mastery 2
Stone Skin 2
Savage Sweep 1 (never use this)
Base Combat
3 Dodge
5 Resistance
7 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Breach Blade (2H Sword) 3AP, 4Accuracy, 4Parry, 26-51Dmg
Or
Short Sword (1H Sword) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 3Parry, 14-30Dmg
Reinforced Shield (Shield) 3Parry
Leather Jerkin (Light) 22Armor
Steel-Shod Bracers (Bracers) +1Parry
Ring of the Bear (Ring) +2Dmg
Comments
Will use next couple Talent points to raise Stone Skin then raise Crushing Blow to 5. After that will see if more Natural Mastery is called for or if Burst of Speed might be in the works for more mobility and defence. Currently experimenting with the 2H Sword. While nice seeing the greater Dmg getting done with each attack, the 1H Sword & Shield makes him a bit more mobile and flexible in combat. Will have to play with both styles a bit more before I settle in on one.

Kjartan 136HP, 255 (295)SP
Attributes
4 Dex
4 Con
3 Str
7 Will
6 Int
8 Know
Skills
2 Polearms
7 Sorcery
4 Conjuring
2 Lore
Talents
Burning Blades 3
Immolation 3
Choking Ash 1
Firebolt 1
Pureflame Shield 1
Base Combat
4 (6) Dodge
14 Resistance
2 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Rimwood Staff (Staff) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 6Parry, 12-22Dmg, +40 max SP, +2Dodge
Traveler's Robes (Mage) 2Armor
Overcloak (Cloak)
Banded Bracers (Bracers) +2Armor
Firebrand Ring (Ring) +16 Fire Resist
Comments
Think I need one more rank of Immolation so he has 9 square AoE. Then look at raising Burning Blades a couple times most likely. May want to give Choking Ash a rank or two so beating down the enemies Iis a bit easier. Starting to get some solid contribution from him in the damage dealing once he's hit targets with CA to soften them up for the others.

Kyera 204HP, 228 (236)SP
Attributes
3 Dex
5 Con
4 Str
4 Will
6 Int
10 Know
Skills
2 Hammers
2 Polearms
10 Invocation
3 Conjuring
2 Lore
Talents
Holy Retribution 3
Myshana's Tears 3
Ethereal Anguish 1
Purifying Breeze 1
Smiting Blow 1
Base Combat
2 Dodge
8 Resistance
3 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Infantry Mace (1H Hammer) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 1Parry, 30-40Dmg
Reinforced (Shield) 3Parry
Kallassian Overcoat (Light) 16Armor
Overcloak (Cloak)
Silvered Bracers (Bracers) +3 All Resists
Sage's Band (Ring) +8 max SP
Comments
Still hoping to find the newly added Staff so I can have both her and Kjartan with good ones. Just raised her Tears so she can be more effecient at keeping Vraes/Selen healthy so will go back to Holy Retribution with next couple raises. Now that Selen is causing AP de-buffs with her Pinning Shot, Ethereal Anguish is seeing a bit more use, especially when she can't get line of sight for HR.

Selen 231 (241)HP, 158 (178) SP
Attributes
10 Dex
5 Con
5 Str
3 Will
5 Int
4 Know
Skills
6 Blades
6 Bows
2 Lore
2 Security
3(7) Stealth
Talents
Pinning Shot 5
Punnishing Blades 1
Frenzied Blows 1
Sly Look 1
Masterful Disarm 1
Precision Pick 1
Base Combat
7 (8) Dodge
2 (4) Resistance
5 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Broad Dagger (Light Blade) 1AP, 2Accuracy, 1Parry, 12-22Dmg
Ironwood Bow (Bow) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 13-23Dmg, 6Range
Stealth Brigadine (Stealth) 14Armor, +3Evasion, +2Stealth
Dusk Cloak (Cloak) +1Ranged Accuracy, +2Stealth
Blured Arm Guards (Bracers) +1Dodge
Korvain's Chain (Amulet) +10 Max HP, +20 Max SP, +2 All Resists
Comments
With Pinning Shot at 5 giving 4square AoE will now alternate Frenzied Blows and Punishing Blades until Dance of Shadows opens up. Biggest concern with her is definitely the SP burn rate as she can blow through an incredible amount in very short order. May need to consider giving Kyera some Sacrifice to support her at some point if I don't start getting more +SP gear. Also may have to consider raising Int insted of Dex to help out there. When possible she'll hit targets with Pinning Shot after Kjartan nails them with Choking Ash, then move in and give 2-3 a shot with Punishing Blades then have Vraes clean up the now defenseless opponents. Once she starts getting Dance of Shadows built up she'll be able to streak about the field wreaking devastation then pull back to a safer spot at end of turn.

Please feel free to continue making comments and suggestions as the above plans are always subject to possible changes. Even if I don't follow suggestions on this playthrough there's always next time.

I'll try and give some follow-ups on this as I progress and let you all know what's working or not working as the case may be.

[Gr8Scott]

Thanks for the info on your party.  That's pretty interesting.  I have felt that Kjartan has 2 major Cleric-like spells in Burning Blades and Pureflame Shield (Put them in Kyera's talent list and call them Divine Fire and Aura of Protection and they fit the character perfectly as they are party buffs).  So that frees Kyera up to focus on Divine damage rather than buffs.  Interested to see if this build works for Ep.2 to for you.

[xdesperado]

Update time.
Party is now level 12 at end of Episode 1, Act 1. With current group sset-up I must say the battle with the Great Shaman was almost anticlimactic. The individual engagements lacked the numbers to pose any serious threat to the party. Selen's Pinning Shot supported as needed by Kyera's Ethereal Anguish saw the enemies attacks severly restricted and made it much easier for Vraes to beat them down. Kjartan's Choking ash and 9square Immolate was also very useful in softening things up and helping to polish off Bow and Sword Rats before they could gang up on Vraes.
Really liking the new Incantation of Sustainment as it allowed me to save SP due to not needing as many recasts of buffs during the battle. The Incantation of Cleansing is also nice but I feel a bit more limited in its usefulness at this point. Did allow Vraes to remove the curses cast on him so Kyera didn't need to expend AP and SP on Purifing Breeze which was good.

Vraes 348HP (base without buffs) 114SP
Attributes
4 Dex
6 Con
13 Str
5 Will
3 Int
3 Know
Skills
13 Blades
3 Hammers
3 Polearms
1 Leadership
2 Lore
Talents
Crushing Blow 4
Natural Mastery 2
Stone Skin 3
Savage Sweep 1 (never use this)
Base Combat
3 Dodge
5 Resistance
7 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Captain Lukai's Blade (1H Sword) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 3Parry, 30-46Dmg
Reinforced Shield (Shield) 3Parry
Leather Jerkin (Light) 22Armor
Steel-Shod Bracers (Bracers) +1Parry
Ring of the Bear (Ring) +2Dmg
Earthen Walk Boots (Boots) +2Armor, +2 Earth Resist
Comments
Not exactly sure what I want to do Talent wise with him at this point. Could See adding to Stone Skin for even more damage soaking. Maybe raise Crushing Blow another point allthough he is already producing a pretty good beat down. Maybe it's time to start investing in Burst of Speed for some extra mobility...thoughts/suggestions?
If I find the right Light Blade I may ditch the Shield and go 2AP 1H Sword and 1AP Light Blade. Should be able to maintain solid Parry that way and really up his damage output while remaining a bit more flexible than going with a 3AP 2H Sword.

Kjartan 160HP, 314 (334)SP
Attributes
4 Dex
4 Con
3 Str
7 Will
7 Int
9 Know
Skills
2 Polearms
9 Sorcery
4 Conjuring
2 Lore
(2) Stealth
Talents
Immolation 4
Burning Blades 3
Choking Ash 1
Firebolt 1
Pureflame Shield 1
Base Combat
4 (5) Dodge
14 Resistance
2 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Ashwalker's Staff (Staff) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 4Parry, 10-18Dmg, +22 Max SP, +4 Fire Dmg, +1 Ranged Accuracy
Traveler's Robes (Mage) 2Armor
Dusk Cloak (Cloak) +1 Ranged Accuracy, +2 Stealth
Blurred Arm Guards (Bracers) +1 Dodge
Sage's Band (Ring) +8 Max SP
Comments
Definitely comming into his own in combat with Immolation 4 giving him a 9square AoE. Now the big question is do I raise Choking Ash first to make it easier for everyone to punch more damage through or raise Burning Blades so the party is getting the extra elemental damage through with their attacks...decisions, decisions. Maybe I should be considering raising Pureflame Shield some more to help the party soak damage better, just has a rather short duration compared to Burning Blades meaning it's liable to run out and require recasting in combat.

Kyera 237HP, 278 (326)SP
Attributes
3 Dex
5 Con
4 Str
4 Will
7 Int
11 Know
Skills
2 Hammers
2 Polearms
10 Invocation
3 Conjuring
5 Lore
Talents
Holy Retribution 4
Myshana's Tears 3
Ethereal Anguish 1
Purifying Breeze 1
Smiting Blow 1
Base Combat
2(4) Dodge
8 Resistance
3 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Rimwood Staff (Staff) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 6Parry, 12-22Dmg, +40 Max SP, +2 Dodge
Kallassian Overcoat (Light) 16Armor
Boots of the Hare (Boots) +1 Ranged Accuracy
Silvered Bracers (Bracers) +3 All Resists
Sage's Band (Ring) +8 max SP
Comments
Debating starting to work on either Warder's Shield or Piety Ward. May just raise Ethereal Anguish to AoE level instead...
Don't want to lose to much focus with her so determining what will provide the best benefit to the party long term is crucial.
Oddly enough prior to Selen's Pinning Shot causing AP de-buff, I rarely used Ethereal Anguish. Now it is seeing a lot more use as limiting an enemy the party can't kill immediately to fewer attacks actually frees her up for more Holy Retribution attacks in following turns.

Selen 273 (283)HP, 217 (237)SP
Attributes
10 Dex
5 Con
5 Str
3 Will
7 Int
4 Know
Skills
8 Blades
7 Bows
2 Lore
2 Security
3(5) Stealth
Talents
Pinning Shot 5
Punnishing Blades 1
Frenzied Blows 2
Sly Look 1
Masterful Disarm 1
Precision Pick 1
Base Combat
7 Dodge
2 Resistance
5 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Broad Dagger (Light Blade) 1AP, 2Accuracy, 1Parry, 12-22Dmg
Ironwood Bow (Bow) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 13-23Dmg, 6Range
Stealth Brigadine (Stealth) 14Armor, +3Evasion, +2Stealth
Ring of the Hunter (Ring) +6 Dmg, +2% Critical
Serpent-Tread Boots (Boots) +2 Accuracy, +6 Armor
Korvain's Chain (Amulet) +10 Max HP, +20 Max SP, +2 All Resists
Comments
Will most likely start working on Dance of Shadows now so she can more readily flit between ranged attacks and melee attacks. Getting both the effects of Pinning Shot and Punishing Blades on a target makes them much easier pickings for everyone. Add in the attacks from Frenzied Blows and she can help Vraes reduce the opposition to bloody ribbons in no time flat. Wish both Punishing Blades and Frenzied Blows were a bit higher, but think the extra mobility and critical bonus from Dance of Shadows will prove to be of more value. Broke down and invested in Intelligence for her with the last couple raises instead of Dexterity like I wanted. She just burns through SP way to fast for a smaller pool to keep up with and the level increases just weren't enough by themselves.

Please feel free to continue making comments and suggestions as the above plans are always subject to possible changes. Even if I don't follow suggestions on this playthrough there's always next time.

I'll try and give some follow-ups on this as I progress and let you all know what's working or not working as the case may be.

[fallen]

xdesperado - awesome build, looks very well put together. I can see you are getting a lot of synergy between characters, and that's when it gets really good! We have had a few people comment before that the Ratkin Great Shaman does not have enough guards, so perhaps it something we need to re-check.

[xdesperado]

fallen
Thanks for the complement on the build.

The Great Shaman doesn't necessarily need a horde protecting him, but either a couple more Deathkin or a several more Bow & Sword Rats in each wave would help make it feel more like the penultimate E1A1 fight it's suppossed to be. By himself he's not much of a threat, especially if you've managed to reduce his AP. Having either a bit more cannon fodder to wade through or a couple more dangerous opponents to deal with would increase tension and make winning the fight feel more like an accomplishment.
On this playthrough I don't think I ever needed Kyera to cast more than one Tears on Vraes a turn as there just wasn't enough incoming damage.
I realise that it's a fine balancing act between creating high tension and overwhelming odds, but this battle should be memorable as one of the tough ones and not as a cake walk.

[Swami]

Mar 2, 2014 21:14:00 GMT -5 xdesperado said:

fallen The Great Shaman doesn't necessarily need a hoard protecting him

I think you mean horde, which means large numbers of creatures. You wrote hoard, which means large amount of loot.

[xdesperado]

Swami thanks, corrected it now.

[xdesperado]

Update Time!
Party is all Level 15 after clearing the first 3-4 rooms of Redhill Depths.
Things are clicking along nicely though SP management is a bit of a concern forcing me to either rest after every encounter or use potions to keep Vraes and to a slightly lesser extent Selen at maximum combat rediness. Have been investing in Intelligence for both and its helped some but still not quite enough usually to be comfortable pushing two encounters unless both are very short.

Vraes 396 (404)HP (base without buffs) 148SP
Attributes
4 Dex
6 Con
13 Str
5 Will
4 Int
3 Know
Skills
16 Blades
3 Hammers
3 Polearms
1 Leadership
2 Lore
Talents
Crushing Blow 5
Natural Mastery 2
Stone Skin 5
Savage Sweep 1 (never use this)
Base Combat
3 Dodge
5 Resistance
7 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Captain Lukai's Blade (1H Sword) 2AP, 3Accuracy, 3Parry, 30-46Dmg
Spiked Shield (Shield) 5Parry
Leather Skin (Light) 28Armor
Hardbone Wrap (Cloak) +8 Max HP, +12 Armor
Earthen Walk Boots (Boots) +2Armor, +2 Earth Resist
Premonition Band (Ring) +2 Parry
Comments
High Armor and good HP with Stone Skin 5 active means he doesn't need nearly as much of Kyera's healing even when dealing with crowds of opponents. Archers are still the biggest threat since he doesn't have the greatest Evasion/Dodge meaning more frequent hits. But, even against ranged attacks his Armor is soaking a lot of the potential damage. At this point my next Talent points will probably go into Burst of Speed to give him a bit more range and mobility and help his dodge. With Blade skill maxed out will be looking at either Lore or Knowledge skill to extend his buffs. While I'd like to raise his Strength, think he'll need another point or two in Intellegence to expand his SP pool.

Kjartan 184 (236)HP, 359 (383)SP
Attributes
4 Dex
4 Con
3 Str
7 Will
7 Int
10 Know
Skills
2 Polearms
11 Sorcery
4 Conjuring
2 Lore
(4) Stealth
Talents
Immolation 5
Burning Blades 5
Choking Ash 1
Firebolt 1
Pureflame Shield 1
Base Combat
4 Dodge
14 Resistance
2 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Ashwalker's Staff (Staff) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 4Parry, 10-18Dmg, +22 Max SP, +4 Fire Dmg, +1 Ranged Accuracy
Weaving Shadow (Mage) 26Armor, +3 Evasion, +2 Stealth, +8 Max HP, +8 Max SP
Dusk Cloak (Cloak) +1 Ranged Accuracy, +2 Stealth
Guard of the Black Bear (Bracers) +28 Max HP
Doubter's Clasp (Ring) +16 Max HP, +16 Max SP
Comments
Burning Blades 5 has definitely helped increase the parties damage output. Increasing to Immolation 5 should see a nice Iimprovement in his personal damage output as it is a big jump in minimum damage making it much harder for oponents to soak. Thinking I need to get back to Choking Ash now to further reduce the enemies ability to soak damage, though Pureflame Shield may yet see a bump. Trying to keep him pretty focused so while Meteoric Shockwave looks interesting to target Boss/big nasties not sure how much value it would have in most fights.

Kyera 270 (278)HP, 302 (382)SP
Attributes
3 Dex
5 Con
4 Str
4 Will
7 Int
12 Know
Skills
2 Hammers
2 Polearms
11 Invocation
3 Conjuring
7 Lore
Talents
Holy Retribution 5
Myshana's Tears 3
Ethereal Anguish 1
Purifying Breeze 1
Smiting Blow 1
Warder's Shield 2
Base Combat
2(4) Dodge
8 Resistance
3 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Rimwood Staff (Staff) 2AP, 2Accuracy, 6Parry, 12-22Dmg, +40 Max SP, +2 Dodge
Mantle of the Wise (Mage) 26Armor, +1 Evasion, +32 Max SP
Svenick-Scale Cloak (Cloak) +8 Max HP, +10 Armor
Left Hand of Ice (Bracers) +6 Ice Dmg, +1 Ranged Accuracy
Sage's Band (Ring) +8 max SP
Comments
Will most likely give Holy Retribution one more bump for the minimum damage increase then start working on building Ethereal Anguish up to an AoE. Happy to have added Warder's Shield to her mix, but not so impressed by the next couple levels of that. Looking forward to Banishment giving her an AoE attack but that will have to wait for Episode 2. Finally got her Lore up to where she can max out Vraes in one shot of Myshana's Tears after he buffs with Stone Skin. If he bumps up his Stone Skin then she'll need to increase MT, but that's probably a ways down the road.

Selen 315 (325)HP, 257 (277)SP
Attributes
10 Dex
5 Con
5 Str
3 Will
8 Int
4 Know
Skills
10 Blades
8 Bows
2 Lore
2 Security
3(5) Stealth
Talents
Pinning Shot 5
Punnishing Blades 1
Frenzied Blows 2
Sly Look 1
Masterful Disarm 1
Precision Pick 1
Dance of Shadows 2
Base Combat
7 Dodge
2 Resistance
5 Toughness
Weapons & Gear
Broad Dagger (Light Blade) 1AP, 2Accuracy, 1Parry, 12-22Dmg
Oxbone Bow (Bow) 2AP, 5Accuracy, 16-48Dmg, 6Range
Stealth Sheathe (Stealth) 22Armor, +5Evasion, +2Stealth
Korvain's Chain (Amulet) +10 Max HP, +20 Max SP, +2 All Resists
Serpent-Tread Boots (Boots) +2 Accuracy, +6 Armor
Ring of the Hunter (Ring) +6 Damage, +2% Critical
Comments
Selen is my GIRL! She wreaks havoc on the opposition, first slowing them down and reducing their defenses with Pinning Shot, then dancing in close to make Sushi out of them with her knife. Even the ones she doesn't kill off personally become sitting ducks for the rest of the party to clean up after she has her say. Will be bumping Dance of Shadows up to get the 2nd free MP then looking at Punshing Blades to do more nasty things to the bad guys. Steel and Shadow looks promising for Episode 2, but I might delay in favor of a bit more Punishing Blades/Frenzied Blows. Just hoping to find her a more Accurate 1AP Light Blade with a bit higher base damage to ensure she gets those hits in and deals decent damage even without Criticals.
She has just about enough SP now to go two encounters and handle her non-combat duties while exploring so should be able to start raising her Dexterity again instead of Intelligence.

Please feel free to continue making comments and suggestions as the above plans are always subject to possible changes. Even if I don't follow suggestions on this playthrough there's always next time.

I'll try and give some follow-ups on this as I progress and let you all know what's working or not working as the case may be.