W/R UW Solo Build (Long...)

Before you get too excited, let me inform that I have not quite yet perfected it. But from what I've done through testing, it can work. Probably not as powerful as the low life monk build, and not having to rely A LOT on luck makes this feat very difficult. My purpose in making this was to prove that the warrior class is not as pathetic as some may think, and to show just how much the tactics tree helps when soloing.

Anyway, on with the build:

Strength - 5 + 1
Swordsmanship - 8 + 1
Tactics - 12 + 4
Wilderness Survival - 9

Skills:
Gladiator's Defense
Riposte
Deadly Riposte
Shield Stance
Dolyak Signet
Watch Yourself
Healing Signet
Quickening Zepyhr

Odd? Prehaps. But it can work very effectively. Provided you know how to efficiently time everything and can manage your energy wisely.

Skill Choice:
Gladiator's Defense - One of your main forms of damage and defense. It will deal 37 damage each time it blocks. At 16 tactics, it lasts for 11 seconds and will recharge in 15 because of Quickening Zepyhr.

Riposte - Another method of attack. Choosing when to use it is key. This build is in no way about speed, it is very tactical and patience is absolute. When you're first attacking, this and Watch Yourself will fill at the same time. Having +20 armour is more important than dishing out a bit of damage to a level 29 ataxe. The purpose of this skill is to block the ataxe's Savage Slash when setting up your spirit and during times of Healing Signet. After the ataxe attacks, use Healing Signet and Riposte to recover 159 health and take no damage.

Deadly Riposte - The bleeding as a result of this is very nice. Only use it when you have a lot of energy, a lot being enough to use both it and either a Gladiator's or Shield Stance. Or when you have no other option and have to heal with the Signet and need to ensure you won't be hit.

Shield Stance - 21 Second duration with 75% chance to block. Very nice skill to use. When this is up, you are free to use Deadly Riposte ONCE without fear of being without energy when you have to throw up Gladiator's.

Dolyak Signet - You need as much defense as you can get. This skill will act as an extra shield as a result of the Zepyhr's faster recharge. Always have it in use.

Watch Yourself - Again, every bit of defense helps. It should recharge fast enough before it starts to fade providing another +20 defense. Between Watch Yourself and Dolyak Signet, it almost offsets the -40 AL when using Healing Signet.

Healing Signet - You are a W/R. Your options of healing are very limited. Troll Ungent uses too much energy, I've tried it and it just doesn't cut it. The only use I found it had was fodder for a Savage Slash. Getting this away makes or breaks you. When it fills, use it. Don't wait for Riposte or Deadly Riposte if you must heal. Have faith in the 75% chance to block when you have to.

Quickening Zepyhr - At 9, it lasts for 102 seconds. More than enough time to take down ONE ataxe. That being said, when faced against two you have to start casting it when Riposte is filled to ensure that you avoid a Savage Slash. I like to cast it while the other is still alive so the recharge time is 30 seconds if the Savage Slash hits because of panic or simply for peace of mind. I set it up out of the way where the ataxe won't bother attacking it. Even when I set up the second one, they don't attack it. Remember, and this is very important, your skills will all cost 7 energy now instead of 5. This is a small sacrifice for the constant 75% chance to block you will enjoy.

Armour: Currently, I am short of funds due to recent testing of this build with my current Wyvern ensemble and Ascalon Helm. Superior Vigor, Tactics and Absorbtion. Minor Strength and Swordsmanship. Gladiator's would work a lot better, not only for the +20 vs. physical, but the extra energy.

Weapon - The collector outside of Rankors has a max damage longsword with +15% damage in stance. You might as well use it. I currently have mine with a +7 vs. physical pommel and shocking hilt. I would prefer a zealous hilt, but oh well. Regardless, all you really need is a sword in hand to utilize Riposte and Deadly Riposte.

Shield - Again, just outside of Rankors is a max defense shield with +45 health and -2 damage while in stance. What a godsend this shield is to this build.

All and all, I have 455 life and 20 energy. My health is always 500 though as a result of the shield's very nice bonus.

Here we go:
When you first enter the UW, walk up near the ghost and lay a Quickening Zepyhr. Attract the attention of one of the lone patrols. If it causes a group of two to move, don't fear. Simply run away and they won't pursuit. Wait for the lone patrol to come to you. Immediately throw up Dolyak Signet, Gladiator's, and a Deadly Riposte. When Watch Yourself fills, use it, followed shortly after by Riposte if you need to heal. Once Gladiator's is about to end, use Shield Stance and use Deadly Riposte once and only once while it is up. Make sure to use it once the ataxe stops bleeding from the first Deadly Riposte to maximize the damage. Once Shield Stance begins to wear off, throw Gladiator's back up and repeat. A well earned 200 exp.

Now the problem of dealing with two ataxe. This is where you best hope Dwayna hears your prayers and 75% chance to block means just that. Before aggroing them, set up a fresh zepyhr by the ghost. Aggro the mob, and run to the side of the closest staircase. Only one can attack you at a time while nestled away. Repeat the above process, but note that you won't have the grace of allowing everything to recharge. Also, your spirit will die. As such, sometime before the first ataxe dies, or just before fighting the second one, cast another spirit. A few things to remember:

1. Have either Deadly Riposte or Riposte ready. 75% is good, but if you're hit, your death is more than likely going to follow.
2. It takes 5 SECONDS to cast. That ataxe can get a few attacks away. Before attemtping the cast, have around 350-400 life. A somewhat fresh Watch Yourself and Dolyak Signet in effect will also help greatly. Again, in that 5 seconds, you can be hit a lot and in my experience this is the time when 75% seems like nothing. Just pray you block the Savage Slash and you should be fine.

Grasping Darkness. Regardless of ability, any warrior should be able to handle a group of them. Watch Yourself or Dolyak Signet makes them do 0.

I'm still in the process of tweaking this build. Like I said, bringing down a set of Gladiator's Armour would greatly improve my chances of survival when faced against the ataxe. I might even consider bringing in a minor tactics rune since a 14 tactics still gives 11 seconds to Gladiators and 19 to Shield Stance, plus 11 on Watch Yourself. Having 75 more life would also offset the amount of health lost by 2 less levels on Healing Signet (kinda).

Any thoughts, comments or suggestions? I will get some screenshots once I get past the initial ataxes and onto the grasping, maybe get a movie depending on size.

Edit: The results. Without a zephyr up, the smites made quick work of me. Lesson learned. I didn't take a shot of my corpse, I felt sorry for the big guy. Note that although you can attack smites with Dolyak Signet up and not get knocked down, the damage is a bit much. Thus I've realized that build will need to find some way to deal with smites. Prehaps a trap instead of Watch Yourself or Dolyak since those skills are the only thing somewhat replaceable.

Nice, think of all the demonic remains you can farm.

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I did get 3 Ectos from Aataxes last night while soloing U/W with monk (which I found peculiar). Maybe your farming will pay off

I have a W/R too so maybe I'll try it out... but I'm favoring the axe so I gotta think about that build.

i think u should bring apply poison for more damage

Smites = no flesh.

smites = flesh...

Looks like a very good warrior build.

Although, to be honest, I'd much rather have the cold, hard, reliable mathematical numbers behind protective bond rather than the 75% chance to evade. I'd rather control the environment than rely on a chance to evade that could totally throw off my character with a streak of bad luck.

Then again, it is getting boring using only monks, so this is a welcome change.

Quote:

Is it me...Or in that picture there was only you fighting ONE monster..then the rest was "i kill UW mnstr! i ub0r!!!!!"? Go farther in and show us a picture fightning more than ONE monster, and then you killing them...or is this a "one monster only" UW "solo" build? Good luck :P

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i applaud this guy. people have done a wonderful job of pushing mo's very far, but it is good to see that people are working on pushing the other professions far also.

so have u tried the warrior/elem build to see if it would work too? i have a warrior/elem and it would be easier than switching to ranger.

Just curious Racthoh... you say energy is a big problem with this build. Have you tried adding Bonnetti's Defense? And if so, how'd it work out for you? I kinda want to try out this build:

Gladiator's Defense
Bonnetti's Defense
Shield Stance
Watch Yourself
Healing Signet
Armor of Earth
Riposte
Deadly Riposte

Or maybe this build:

Conjure Lightning
Glimmering Mark
Bonnetti's Defense
Shield Stance
Healing Signet
Sever Artery
Gash
(1 undecided skill to deal with Smites)

Spam the mark to keep the Aataxes at bay, when you get low on energy, use Bonnetti's and Shield stance to recoup. Use the Signet while they're blind.

What do you guys think?

Is there a special armor needed for the W/R build like Gladiators armor....?

The w/e build could work VERY well.... I'll have to see it myself :P
EDIT: Rocinante w00t!!

Did anyone try W/E?

Wow, thread ressurection. :P Anyways, I did try glimmering mark etc. and it din't work (wars cant keep up gm at all times.)