The Kodiak, v.1
I'll post the rest tomorrow...
Hey everyone, long time no see. I've finally kicked the habit but my final character was something I wished to get to as close to perfection as possible since I began with druids back in .08. For those of you that don't know.. Hi. I'm zabo *points to the name* ex druid-spammart, former member of 76legit/clan honor, and druidpk.
Ever get sick of being smacked around and looked down upon for being a shifter? Tired of seeing the only (used) characters with stun damage being smiters? Perhaps you're in a melee dueling crowd and are just looking for something new and difference to use to gain the respect of your peers for trying something unconventional. Whatever your reasoning, maybe the Kodiak Mauler is for you.
The Kodiak- v.1
Starting off with the skills, and a breakdown of their usage.
1 point- Werewolf. Not much you're gonna do about this one, it's a must seeing as it's the pre-req for Lycanthropy. Beyond that you won't be spending time in wolf form much (more on that later).
20 points- Lycanthropy. This skill adds on to your total life, and duration of your bear time. What's not to like? And a quick bit of info. The life gained by this skill is ADDED, not multiplied to bonuses such as Oak Sage, Battle Orders, or even a Jah rune. Max this out, ASAP.
20 points- Werebear As if there were to be a single doubt that this skill would be maxed. Know it. Love it. Oh yea, don't forget. MAX IT. 50% more life compared to that of your wolven buddies, a defense bonus (don't laugh, it IS important). And oh yea, that little damage bonus
20 points- MaulThis is a mauler after all adding points into this skill will add AR, damage, and stun length.
20 points- Oak Sage/Heart of Wolverine Depending on the level you end your Kodiak, you may have one of either or both spirits. My bear is currently level 92, and has both spirits maxed.
1 Point Possibilities If you feel compelled to max only one spirit, you have a few options you can dump points into.
SHOCKWAVE One point MUST. Details on that later.
Ravens, Spirit Wolves, Poison Creeper, Cyclone armor.
Quick note on Fireclaw: I personally have never used it on this bear, because I had other skills to worry about, and I didn't feel the need for a few extra thousand AR, if that. Seeing as I didn't have an abundance of + skills on this char. Find out on your own though, and report it to me if you so wish.
The following shots are with no prebuff (meaning, equipped gear only).
My stats at level 92 (unshifted, no BO, or spirit):
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6140/screenshot0221qa.jpg
My stats (Shifted/BO/Heart of Wolverine)
http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot0217aw.jpg
My stats (Shifted/BO/Oak Sage)
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2020/screenshot0237iu.jpg
Equipment There is no such thing as one set of ideal gear for every duel, you have to gauge your oponent and regear as needed.
Weapons:
Griswolds Redemtion- 3x ed/ias and one shael reach the 5 frame maul breakpoint. This is the weapon I use in all screenshots above, and duels. In my opinion no other weapon cuts it, but if you dare to try other alternatives, here goes.
Custom Phase blade- 4 shael's, and two jewels. This leaves for quite a few options. ed/ias jewels, res/ias, or AR/ias. Honestly these blades remind me too much of fireclaw bears and it's just something I'm trying to keep away from. If you're looking for a more concrete reason not to use one, here goes. While you are swinging at four frames, the damage just doesn't cut it against ANYTHING. I've tried it against wolves, and it does mediocre at best. It's a deathwish against any other melee char.
BoTD/Grief- A few people have tried them, saying 6-8 frames are viable but honestly the increased damage output just wasn't worth it. I needed some speed to be able to take out my oponents. Having an interruptable attack really can catch up to you.
Helmets
Cerebus' Bite- I absolutely love this helmet. You lose a bit of FHR, but that's quite alright. You can pick it up elsewhere. 33% open wounds, up to 120% AR (this stacks, mind you.), a hefty chunk of defense and did I mention a possible +4 to shapeshifting skills, leaving it equal with Jalal's? Socketing can be: ed/min jewel, a shael, 30 max, or a cham if you so desire. I skipped all of that, and went for a zod. Reasoning? http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/4017/screenshot0241sk.jpg
Jalal's Mane- We all know the stats by now, it's been our friend since the expansion came out. FHR, stats, 4 shapeshifting, and res. The ultimate anti caster helm for this build, if you so desire to chase one down. If you plan on using one, try to get an upgraded one with a decent amount of defense.
Guillaume's Face- Another old helm, but against other shifters and melee's it's superb. The only thing that gives a cerebus competition really. I shaeled mine. 50% fhr, crushing blow, and deadly strike are a force to be reckoned with. And that handy little bit of str. Defense could be better though.
Crown of Ages- Two o/s, res, and up to 15% dr. If you use this, it's only because you have something better than a Verdungo's laying around. You can have fun with the socketing on this, but I never got much use from this alternative.
Armors
The age of .09 druidpk may be dead, but you can still use a jeweler's armor in shifter vs shifter combat. I have a 120 maxer laying around in my stash for such an occassion, otherwise, it's more of a collectors item in this build.
Fortitude- I hate to say it, but this does wonders. Once that chilling armor goes off, you will have 13k+ defense. Nothing to be amazed with but it does help out with duels against melee's. Anything that can lessen the hit rate of your oponent is friendly in my book. Keep in mind the life bonus is not multiplied by any skills.
Duress- Massive FHR, res, and a bit of crushing/open wounds. I didn't use it as much as I thought I would, but it still works from time to time.
Gloves
Bloodfists- An old option, but good regardless. 40 life, 30 fhr, 5 min damage. Negligible defense though. My oddball set for you collectors.
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8416/screenshot0256ir.jpg
Steelrends- The defense=amazing. Crushing blow is another nice add-on. Str/ed are just icing on the cake.
I'll post the rest tomorrow...
Hey everyone, long time no see. I've finally kicked the habit but my final character was something I wished to get to as close to perfection as possible since I began with druids back in .08. For those of you that don't know.. Hi. I'm zabo *points to the name* ex druid-spammart, former member of 76legit/clan honor, and druidpk.
Ever get sick of being smacked around and looked down upon for being a shifter? Tired of seeing the only (used) characters with stun damage being smiters? Perhaps you're in a melee dueling crowd and are just looking for something new and difference to use to gain the respect of your peers for trying something unconventional. Whatever your reasoning, maybe the Kodiak Mauler is for you.
The Kodiak- v.1
Starting off with the skills, and a breakdown of their usage.
1 point- Werewolf. Not much you're gonna do about this one, it's a must seeing as it's the pre-req for Lycanthropy. Beyond that you won't be spending time in wolf form much (more on that later).
20 points- Lycanthropy. This skill adds on to your total life, and duration of your bear time. What's not to like? And a quick bit of info. The life gained by this skill is ADDED, not multiplied to bonuses such as Oak Sage, Battle Orders, or even a Jah rune. Max this out, ASAP.
20 points- Werebear As if there were to be a single doubt that this skill would be maxed. Know it. Love it. Oh yea, don't forget. MAX IT. 50% more life compared to that of your wolven buddies, a defense bonus (don't laugh, it IS important). And oh yea, that little damage bonus
20 points- MaulThis is a mauler after all
adding points into this skill will add AR, damage, and stun length.20 points- Oak Sage/Heart of Wolverine Depending on the level you end your Kodiak, you may have one of either or both spirits. My bear is currently level 92, and has both spirits maxed.
1 Point Possibilities If you feel compelled to max only one spirit, you have a few options you can dump points into.
SHOCKWAVE One point MUST. Details on that later.
Ravens, Spirit Wolves, Poison Creeper, Cyclone armor.
Quick note on Fireclaw: I personally have never used it on this bear, because I had other skills to worry about, and I didn't feel the need for a few extra thousand AR, if that. Seeing as I didn't have an abundance of + skills on this char. Find out on your own though, and report it to me if you so wish.
The following shots are with no prebuff (meaning, equipped gear only).
My stats at level 92 (unshifted, no BO, or spirit):
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6140/screenshot0221qa.jpg
My stats (Shifted/BO/Heart of Wolverine)
http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot0217aw.jpg
My stats (Shifted/BO/Oak Sage)
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2020/screenshot0237iu.jpg
Equipment There is no such thing as one set of ideal gear for every duel, you have to gauge your oponent and regear as needed.
Weapons:
Griswolds Redemtion- 3x ed/ias and one shael reach the 5 frame maul breakpoint. This is the weapon I use in all screenshots above, and duels. In my opinion no other weapon cuts it, but if you dare to try other alternatives, here goes.
Custom Phase blade- 4 shael's, and two jewels. This leaves for quite a few options. ed/ias jewels, res/ias, or AR/ias. Honestly these blades remind me too much of fireclaw bears and it's just something I'm trying to keep away from. If you're looking for a more concrete reason not to use one, here goes. While you are swinging at four frames, the damage just doesn't cut it against ANYTHING. I've tried it against wolves, and it does mediocre at best. It's a deathwish against any other melee char.
BoTD/Grief- A few people have tried them, saying 6-8 frames are viable but honestly the increased damage output just wasn't worth it. I needed some speed to be able to take out my oponents. Having an interruptable attack really can catch up to you.
Helmets
Cerebus' Bite- I absolutely love this helmet. You lose a bit of FHR, but that's quite alright. You can pick it up elsewhere. 33% open wounds, up to 120% AR (this stacks, mind you.), a hefty chunk of defense and did I mention a possible +4 to shapeshifting skills, leaving it equal with Jalal's? Socketing can be: ed/min jewel, a shael, 30 max, or a cham if you so desire. I skipped all of that, and went for a zod. Reasoning? http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/4017/screenshot0241sk.jpg
Jalal's Mane- We all know the stats by now, it's been our friend since the expansion came out. FHR, stats, 4 shapeshifting, and res. The ultimate anti caster helm for this build, if you so desire to chase one down. If you plan on using one, try to get an upgraded one with a decent amount of defense.
Guillaume's Face- Another old helm, but against other shifters and melee's it's superb. The only thing that gives a cerebus competition really. I shaeled mine. 50% fhr, crushing blow, and deadly strike are a force to be reckoned with. And that handy little bit of str. Defense could be better though.
Crown of Ages- Two o/s, res, and up to 15% dr. If you use this, it's only because you have something better than a Verdungo's laying around. You can have fun with the socketing on this, but I never got much use from this alternative.
Armors
The age of .09 druidpk may be dead, but you can still use a jeweler's armor in shifter vs shifter combat. I have a 120 maxer laying around in my stash for such an occassion, otherwise, it's more of a collectors item in this build.
Fortitude- I hate to say it, but this does wonders. Once that chilling armor goes off, you will have 13k+ defense. Nothing to be amazed with but it does help out with duels against melee's. Anything that can lessen the hit rate of your oponent is friendly in my book. Keep in mind the life bonus is not multiplied by any skills.
Duress- Massive FHR, res, and a bit of crushing/open wounds. I didn't use it as much as I thought I would, but it still works from time to time.
Gloves
Bloodfists- An old option, but good regardless. 40 life, 30 fhr, 5 min damage. Negligible defense though. My oddball set
for you collectors.http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8416/screenshot0256ir.jpg
Steelrends- The defense=amazing. Crushing blow is another nice add-on. Str/ed are just icing on the cake.
