Hi, I was wondering if Cross Guard is usable when a 2H sword is NOT equipped or equipped in the weapon swap slot. I’ve always thought you had to swap between weapons to use abilities that require a certain weapon to use. That was until I leveled up my archer to Cannoneer and noticed that to use Cannoneer abilities.
To use Cannoneer abilities, I did not have to switch my active weapons to cannon, but only had to have it equipped in the weapon swap slot. Meaning I can run around w/ a crossbow and a Manamana and use Cannoneer abilities without switching my Manamana to a cannon to use my abilities requiring a cannon. This makes the class considerably more enjoyable, weapon swapping seems to be laggy and take too long.
I want to make a Dragoon and am wondering if I should take Pelt or highlander as my rank 2 as well as if I should take Doppel for rank 6 or just take pelt and high for ranks 2 and 6. The path I’m considering taking is Swordsman > Pelt/High > Hop 3 > Doppel/Pelt/High > Dragoon 2. I’ve only played swordsman up to Barbarian, taking Swordsman 2 and Barb, so I don’t really have knowledge of the classes.
Anyways, the reason why I would want to take Pelt is for the utility it brings through swash. The taunt seems to make grinding/dungeons considerably easier and the 25% health buff looks very strong as well. Guardian seems like it could see some use too through the evasion attribute, but the attack cut looks big.
Second, the reason why I would want to take Highlander is for the Cross Guard piercing debuff it inflicts after blocking. I have several questions regarding this skill though. First off, I’m going to be going near full dex, meaning I won’t be adding block to this skill through str (will I get wrecked if I try to block end game bosses?). Also, while using this skill, is it possible to dodge instead of block with such high evasion? I’d assume if I were to dodge instead of block, that the piercing debuff would not be inflicted against the attacker, which would be bad (the only reason this class is being considered is for that piercing debuff).
And finally, is Doppel even strong in this build? From what I understand is I’d be taking Doppel for Cyclone AoE, and possibly Deeds of Valor. But does the utility this class bring outweigh that of Peltasta and Highlander? Also, would Cataphract be a good alternative as well? It gives a passive 40% block penetration when using 2h spears (seems really bad imo).
I want a build that is an extremely strong boss killer (is dragoon/fencer still the strongest?), and I don’t want to take classes that will be useless in the end if I don’t really have to. I want to take the classes that will boost my single target output the most, but I also understand that grinding is considerably less painful with AoE and taunt.
Help to my questions would be greatly appreciated, thank you!