Tree of Savior Forum

New player here, can you help me with my build?

Class and Rank Swordsman
#1

This is my first character ever in this game. I’ve played a lot of path of exile where they encourage players to plan out their build before-hand, and this game seems to do the same thing. So I didn’t want to completely mess up my character by the time I got to really difficult content.

I’m currently level 100 and my ranks are:
swordsman->swordsman->hoplite->cataphract

And I plan to go:
swordsman->swordsman->hoplite->cataphract->cataphract->cataphract->dragoon->dragoon

My exact build:
http://www.tosbase.com/tools/skill-simulator/build/k2ewqpncc4/

My invested stat points are:
60 STR
20 CON
30 DEX

I figured I didn’t need that much CON anymore because the pet gives me so much HP and I can train it to have higher HP.

For the first 60 levels or so I invested entirely in STR because it let me do the content a lot faster, because I was hitting harder. But it makes sense that as abilities become more powerful you want to crit more often. Because as the ability numbers get bigger (like over 4,000!) I’d want 50% of that rather than like 200 from str…

Except a lot of the guides from around april are telling me to go 4:1:2 (str/con/dex) or 2:1:1, but I feel like dumping all my points into DEX from levels 100 to 200ish seems like the best idea. That way as I get stronger skills they’ll start doing 50% more. Whereas if I put a lot of points into STR they’d only get a little bit more (200 damage extra from a skill that does thousands doesn’t seem good).

I got an arde dagger from the Lv 90 dungeon and my Earth Wave ability got HUGE damage increase, because it adds the fire damage to each line in earth wave (and there’s a lot of lines). It seems like most of cataphract and dragoon skills have a lot of damage lines to them.

So for head gear, would it be better to get physical attack or property attack?

Knowing that I don’t care about PvP much and that I won’t have super awesome gear, where should I put my stats?

In terms of PvE, what kind of problems will I run into to as a cataphract later on in the game?

Thanks in advance for the help

#2

Purely PvE focused build, a Peltasta - Hoplite 3 instead of Sword 2-Cataphract 3 would probably play a Dragoon better. But fret not, Catagoons aren’t that bad in PvE, while having quite a good PvP time compared to other swordies.

In terms of max level Stat build, you’d be fine with 50-80 CON (it’s quite needed as a frontliner melee, at higher levels you’ll probably feel pressured if your HP ain’t high enough), at most 100 STR and all remaining points to DEX. Dex is simply that relevant both in terms of increasing your high base damage skills and somehow your survivability and DPS consistency via the means of evasion.

Regarding your skill distribution, there’s a few things I’d adivise you to change especially for sword 2 and Dragoon (Hop is simple for a single rank and Cata seems fine, you’ve got Rush maxed, that’ s the most important, others are pretty much preference).

For sword 2: Gung ho level 3 is the most you’ll ever need. The scaling sucks, the attribute you get at level 3 is all you need (if you even feel like using the skill at later levels). Pain barrier should be maxed, no questions here. There’s nothing more annoying then having your multihits being stopped halfway, besides being knocked over all around is terrible for your DPS. Remaining points you put to Bash level 3 (best CC you have as sword) restrain and concentrate.

For Dragoon: I know Gae Bulg has a big base damage and it’s appealing due to that, but truth is it’s reaaaaly hard to use and it’s the lowest damage skill dragoon has due to it only being 1 hit (others are multihits and dethrone, well, it’s a long-range single hit wonder). You either keep gae bulg at level 1 (for the melee debuff) or don’t get it at all. The attribute for area damage is minimal and not very useful as well.

You could balance the points taken from gae bulg into dragoon tooth and dragon soar the way you see fit. Personally, I like dragon tooth range, so I’d prioritize that. On the other hand, dragon soar is your only reliable slash source besides rush (which has a rather long CD), so don’t neglect it.

By the way, I’m guessing the sword 2 part is already rather late, but there’s a good chance we’ll be getting skill resets in this on going event, so there might still be a way to respec for free.

1 Like
#3

don’t go hoplite…

#4

I feel like you screwed up with your 3rd circle. I’d reroll…

#5

Ignore that blabla no Hoplite, Swordman or you have to go Pelta.
Everything is fine as long as you have fun.
I can report back as Sword3Cat3Dragoon1 that the PVE Content is fine but a bit lacking in later stages which is no problem as (for most swordman) your damage is just splendid if you have a Linker in your group.
Single play is good, but takes a while for those 130k+ HP mobs which are not hard because of cc but tiring to kill. At least you move fast. :slight_smile:

Actually (for PVE) Sword 3 is nice because of Pain Barrier 15 which is really important! But nevertheless Hoplite gives you more damage options for bosses.
But be prepared that you will have to deal with a huge amout of retarded meta golems that won’t accept you in parties without having 1 rank Pelta.

1 Like
#6

don’t build a cataphract if you won’t pvp. go for hoplite dragoon.

#7


Pretty sure this is by far the best you can build your skills.

#8

Nothing. Cata can solo his way upto lvl 280 assuming you have good build. If you cant progress anymore at some point then that just means you failed at it and not swordsman class problem as a whole. Lots of people here in the forums who would tell you to build this build that, be careful what you absorb. Its better to use your common sense in game then ask whats the use of those skills, items, stats instead of asking for proper build in here because of of the time they suck.

#9

Problem is that if you don’t want to use a skill reset potion you need a build as the skill descriptions are useless most of the time.
In my opinion they could change all damage skill decriptions to “deals damage” this is as accurate as the actual ones we have.

#10

Thats why it’s better to ask the skills in question or what good items or stats vs mobs, stats in DG, stats in PVP, items, skills vs person, skills vs bosses, skillls for farming, cost efficient items, items that go along way upto lvl 280. Even if the skills description suck, you can skill search before hand whats the proper use, whats the skill looks like, comboes with it, synergies. Sucky description is not an excuse for future failure. We see so many people rerolled because they follow the guide blindly or just accepted what they were fed. Proof? Thats what i did, never re-rolled to have perfect build never followed any guide, just pure researched on my own.

Im guessing OP probably followed Rugal iTOS meta build. The great Lord Knight build.

#11

Going swordie eh. You must be a masochist.

IMHO, the general idea is:

PvP… builds that revolve around Cata3
PvE… go Doppel.

Hoplite being hot shhit, is way obsolete and outdated. It has no synergy with higher circle ranks.

Reroll ASAP.

#12

If you really like a PVE-centric mounted swordsman build, go Sw1 Pelt1 Hop1 on your first 3 circles. Rank 3 is just a filler as Hoplite at just C1 kind of gets lackluster later on except for Stabbing which is still nice against quest/dungeon/mission bosses even at higher levels.

Personally, if I’m playing SOLELY FOR PVE and really want Cata3 in my build, it’d be Sw2 Pel1 Cata3 Goon1 for a longer P. Barrier duration and having Restrain which always works great w/ Rush and Dragoon skills.

Nothing if you have Pelt1, though Metagoon2 (once R8 comes) will always outdamage your build and will probably be more wanted in parties.

Unless you don’t care about being wanted in Earth Tower parties (having Pel1 as alternative to linker or cryo3 and being core DPSer at the same time) and killing World Bosses (being metagoon2) - I guess your build is fine, just not optimal DPS-wise.

Cata3 is really more of a PVP build but it can handle PVE fine. You’ll just encounter problems from time to time specifically when dealing with high HP elite magic mobs.

I know some players who are doing fine with a Sw1 Pel1 Hop1 Cata3 Goon1 build. Sw2 Hop1? I unfortunately have no idea how they’re doing.

Sauce: Have a lv.265 Sw3 Cata3 Goon1 and a 100+ Sw1 Pel1 Hop1 Cata.

#13

Whut? Hoplite 2/3 is a key element of Dragoon 2 builds. Finestra + Spear Lunge (Stabbing’s also very useful) just make it that more viable. If you go hoplite 3, spear throw will be your best asset for dealin’ with groups in a constant way (even solo farm dgs becomes much easier).

Obviously the meta build takes a rank of doppel as well, but that doesn’t decrease hoplite’s importance to it.

Besides, with the coming rank 8 update, Swords get a lot better at PvE, actually topping World Bosses by the way. So nah, it’s alright to roll one.

#14

Follow this guy ^

This is your first char. It took me more than a dozen chars to find what I really like playing. With a good amount of silver, good items and Team Level bonus xp, creating an alt is much easier so you might end up doing so. Just keep playing this char if you have fun. It’s not screwed up. It’s a solid build.

Cata skills are fake multi hit (except for Rush, of course). Dragoon skills are all true multi hit. You’re better off with a 2H spear (Lydeka) for Earth Wave and Doom Spike. Arde should improve Stabbing damage though.

#15

Dont take Hoplite. I repeat. DO. NOT. TAKE. HOPLITE.
Just go SW2->Peltasta->Cataphract3->Dragoon because the player base is decreasing.

If you dont worry much about grinding on 200++ You should take SW3->Cataphract3->Dragoon.

Cataphract C3 is a Pure PVP Class.

Do not take Hoplite for spear lunge. God damnit. Why these ppl keep making new player astray.

Cataphract3 is the best swordman for PVP.

I do challenge ppl that commenting this thread to take hoplite, to duel me 1 on 1. Screw you hoplite build on Cataphract3!

Long story short, i have 250 SW2 Hoplite Cata3 Dragoon, and it sucks in pve and pvp, screw god on earth built!

2 Likes
#16

I think you should specify that you meant Hoplite at just C1.

Spear Lunge is only available at C2 and isn’t really bad considering it’ll boost DPS for real DPS builds (like Metagoon2). Well, there’s no way a Hop C2 can fit in a Cata3 Goon build anyways.

#17

Wow are people really telling someone who will go Goon2 not to take Hop?
I don’t see why there’s no reason to take Pelt>Hop1-3>X>Goon2 specially if they’d only be focusing in PVE.

And for those PvP headed people, HopGoons PVP play is more into Dethrone nuke sniping which is a thing in kToS.

#18

The Cata 3 speed of going around is addicting.

I have a PelHopCata3Dgoon stuck at 25X. I got bored with it. You millage may vary. One thing though, you will never have any difficulty looking for a party. Parties will look for you. The single circle spent on Peltasta is useful even at higher levels.

My primary issue with this build is the very short pain barrier duration, I get bored holding a shield and doing nothing.

1 Like
#19

I think they meant if OP really wanted Cata3 in his Goon2 build. Hoplite at just C1 (which is the only max hop circle possible with this build) doesn’t really help much at higher levels compared to having a longer P. Barrier duration and Restrain (with Sword C2/C3) which complements Cata and Goon skills better even at endgame.

#20

This made me reroll.

You cannot get things done without pain barrier.

1 Like