Arcane Warrior Specializations - AW/Keeper build?

[mbz]

There's been a long and heated discussion on how to play an AW. But there are very few mentions of an AW/Keeper build (I saw only one post online, without a conclusive answer). So here I shall reopen the topic and welcome any suggestion or comments. I shall discuss the build, and possibly also the equipment and tactics, and assume that you all have DAO : awakening. Possible SPOILERS ahead.

I know a mage is an overkill for Awakening even on nightmare. But for power gamers, and especially for such a good game, the compulsion to abuse the game machanics (legitimately) is overwhelming...


Why AW/Keeper? AW has great defence, armor, and even dodge bonuses, but she lacks physical resistence, being susceptible to activated attacks which bypasses defence and dodge such as: the common warrior talents, the Reverent's Pull, etc (armor still negates the damage). When an AW engages in melee, shield bashing skeletons become a nuissance. Of course you can stuff your weapon with Hale runes, but don't you want to save the precious weapon slots for something better? such as spell resistence?

A Keeper's "one with nature" provides immunity to knockdown effects. With the spell activated, the Keeper automatically "resist" Shield bash, overpower, pull (Grievous Insult), and anything that knocks the character down. But last time I tested, it does not provide immunity to stun effects(from two weapon talents), web, and the Golem's slam attack (since the character is not knocked down, but simply pushed back which is still interesting with One with Nature activated). Keeper also deals immense amount of damage with its school of spells.

Build: put every attribute to Magic. I read the posts regarding AW builds, and Crenshinibon was right about bolstering Magic. Skills: Max Combat, Health, and Mana, and one point into poisen. Talents: discuss that later. Basically, even without infinately abusing the Manual of Focus (works on PC, I am disinterested in infinate exploits), you'll probably still have enough points to distribute by the end of Awakening

Variation 1: AW/Keeper/Blood Mage
This build offers the most flexibility. She can wear good armor protection, cast and attack, cast and keep casting, attack and still be able to cast. This is because Blood Mage compliments both specs nicely. The benefits of AW/BM has already been repeatedly discussed. The benefits of Keeper/BM is that the healing effects from the Keeper's replenishment is only "slightly affected" (see Replenishment - Dragon Age Wiki).

tatics: (always) activate rock armor. Deplete mana reserve by wrecking havoc on enemy mages and archers. When melee fighters (they come in scores) come close, activate one with nature and blood magic, and blast away with Blood wound, thorn blades, nature's vengeance, etc, time spiral, rinse and repeat. Against boss creatures: use the usual AW strategy with compliment from one with nature.

The downside of this build is that it is a bit danagerous messing with health, especially when combat magic is on. And with high fatigue due to sustainables, the caster cast very few spells before health depletes.

Variation 2: AW/Keeper/ Battlemage
Battle mage offers more "punch" than Blood Mage, but is nevertheless a less sustainable build. Draining aura is an overkill for white critters, but the healing effects are greatly diminished against boss/elite foes. It saps mana regardless of fatigue. However, you still run the risk of disabling your sustainables.

Hand of Winter provides insane cold damage with an OK area of effect. It's cool down is however much longer than Blood wound. The freeze time is shorter. You'll probably only be able to use it once in a battle any way before your mana depletes. So, I'd call it even.

Stoic doesn't appear to provide the mana replenishment as the wiki says: Stoic - Dragon Age Wiki. In game experience shows only about 1 mana to every 4~5 damage sustained (nightmare difficulty). I need more testing on that. Trading blood for mana in this ratio is not recommend. With high armor, cold and keeper spells, you won't be gaining much mana anyways, so don't count on it, and you'll probably be better off quaffing lyrium potions.

I haven't tried elemental chaos yet, but I can imagine it can be very mana consuming. In short, an effective battlemage require huge reserves of mana (stamina and mana bolstering items), which somewhat contradicts with the concept of AW, since sustainables occupy too much mana. Battlemage spells offer something like a one-time thing. Once mana is nearly depleted, player must deactivate and refrain from using Battlemage spells until battle is over, unless she plans to deactivate sustainables, and quaff lyrium potions.

Blood mage offers more flexibility. Player may use blood wound several times during battle, and fatigue shouldn't be a major issue UNLESS combat magic is on. Player should seek items bolstering Constitution/health (although more stamina/mana is always welcome).

The only adversary I can think of that poses a chalenge to the AW/Keeper/BM build is the imaginary Dwarven Templar Archer Build (with full spell resistence, high dodge, and massive DEX)..... Too bad there is no PvP in DAO, or it would be interesting...Ofcouse the AI poses no challenge in any event.

Anyone tested whether One with Nature resists the Ogre's "Grab" effect?

[mbz]

no comments on my post...

Last I checked: One of nature DOES NOT resist the Grab and Overwhelm effect of Ogre and blight wolves.

One thing I have discovered when testing my Bloodmage/ BM/Keeper build (on Anders), is that he's too "squishy". Without using the right killer spell combinations, he gets squished easily. Also contrary to the wiki: Draining Aura - Dragon Age Wiki, draining aura takes away HEALTH, as opposed to mana, when blood magic is active, (v. 1.04) resulting in a net loss of health when both blood magic and draining aura are active.

Therefore (considering that Stoic is not as efficient as it seems), I would argue that Blood Mage and Battle Mage do not synergize with each other well enough that warrents simultaneous activation of the full talents of both specs. It is advisable that one deactivate Draining aura/ Elemental Chaos, before using blood magic.

I've also ran into 2 scarce posts on a AW/Blood Mage/Keeper build. See one of them here: Choose Language | BioWare Social Network

"Keeper, AW and BM can have amazing synergy. It doesn't make for a good melee AW build, but it makes an amazing armored caster build.

The strategy is to run right in to the middle of the enemy pack with your defenses up. Immediately activate Blood Magic to root the enemies in place, and then activate one with nature and start chain casting the Keeper AoE spells. You can achieve very high damage per tick with no friendly fire. The third level keeper passive will replenish your health as enemies get hurt.

The health regen is so good you can actually cast damaging spells like blizzard on top of your self. Once all your spells are on cooldown, turn off blood magic, activate time spiral and recast blood wound, and the keeper spells again.

The AW spec allows you to equip the armor to withstand the punishment, and the gear to get enough health and mana regen."

Being a Keeper does not, however, reduce the effectiveness of AW being a Spellsword. Since one of nature does provide immunity to knock down effects, and it is advisable to use it against bosses and magically resistant critters in close combat.

Any comments are appreciated