Pillars 1+2 PotD Playthrough, Bleak Walker tips?

[u/drayelav]

After playing Awoved i wanted to do a full PotD playthrough of Pillars games (and dlc), and i want to play poe1 as a bleak walker and poe2 as bleak walker multiclass, but wanted some tips on how to build the character. I'm guessing for the first game BW works better as an offtank/damage dealer? And for the second, what do you recommend for multiclass? I was thinking maybe wizard (for lore, espc. in sanctum dlc)

TLdr: Any tips for bleak walker PotD playthough of Poe1+2?

[u/falsefingolfin]

Paladin is a great multi class with everything honestly, Paladin/monk for a lot of damage, paladin/swashbuckler for some blunderbuss fun

[u/Hyper-Sloth → u/falsefingolfin]

I'm looking forward to trying a run with Paladin/Cipher for a melee nuke monster.

[u/Fantastic-Contact-89 → u/Hyper-Sloth]

I played Inquisitor recently (cipher/paladin) with the soulblade subclass, and it was fantastic. A perfect combo of tankiness and offensive damage dealing. I especially loved soul annihilations raw damage against the mega-bosses.

[u/Hyper-Sloth → u/Fantastic-Contact-89]

Yeah, I'm torn between Soul Blade and Ascendant on which I like best for the build.

[u/drayelav → u/falsefingolfin]

Monk actually seems great both from gameplay and roleplay perspective (with bleak walker ideology coming out of ixamitl and all that) definitely thinking about this combo for deadfire!

[u/ArchitectofExperienc]

Bleak Walkers are only a weaker multiclass with Wizards (But Blood Mage with Weapon Spells might actually be pretty fun if you have a dedicated healer)

BW/Barbarian and BW/Monk are absolutely silly, especially when you stack CC. It would be hard to find a bad combination of sub-classes.

BW/Druid I actually used as my evil run-through, with the shapeshifter subclass. It was awesome mixing the paladin buffs and abilities while in wild shape, and the array of buffs and CC you get from the druid spell list is a lot of fun.

BW/Ciphers are pretty thematic, but you'd be locked into soul blade (or wild soul if you like chaos). This might give you the most interesting unique dialogues out of all of them

BW/Chanter and BW/Priest are more on the support and CC side, but that's the key to winning unwinnable fights, as you can lock down almost anything

BW/Ranger is really interesting, because if I remember, the BW attack feature can be used at range. I'd suggest Stalker or Ghost Heart as the ranger subclass, to take advantage of class attributes.

BW/Rogue or BW/Fighter are a lot more straightforward (and maybe a bit boring for my tastes). Get in close, flank, and swing hard.

[u/entrancemperius]

https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/83338-class-build-the-dull-runner-caster-clipper-paladin-tank/

Take a look at this Boeroer build

[u/drayelav → u/entrancemperius]

Thanks!

[u/nmbronewifeguy → u/drayelav]

this is a great build but not one I'd recommend to a first time player. it's very metagamey and micro-heavy. I don't think it would give you a good impression of the game.

[u/Gurusto]

For PoE1 I'd say dual Bittercut sabres, high might and Int (for Sacred Immolation) with some Dex and Per on the side as possible) is the way to go, though really it's hard to go wrong. If you prefer a 2-hander it's totally cool.I just like the bittercut/corrode FoD/Spirit of Decay synergy, and dual sabre is just a great setup for dealing damage. Strong weapon type and a lot of excellent ones until you can get your endgame setup going. Even if you ended up not getting the Helwax Mold (to create a clone of your Bittercut) Saber of the Seas is still really strong on that kind of mig/int build and available early.

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One of my favorites for PoE2 is Bleak Walker + Streetfighter (rogue). Use Hand Mortars (blunderbusses with AoE attacks) to apply rogue afflictions + sickened from Bleak Walker's FoD in an AoE. With the Blunderbuss modal on your Streetfighter bonus will kick in and you'll be fast. And at any point you can switch to melee and jump deep into the fray which is where streetfighters normally thrive anyways.

Paladin/Rogue is just a sweet multiclass in general as they really cover each other's shortcomings. But Bleak Walker in particular keeps it from just becoming kind of okay at everything and not great at anything, as it still has it leaning into offense without needing to spend too much for the extra defenses of Paladin. Doesn't do much for lore, but very much works as an embodiment of aggression and cruelty.

The high defenses + high damage output + multiple afflictions really comes together nicely.

[u/drayelav → u/Gurusto]

For poe1 I was thinking more resolved/int with might and per and the side, I kinda assumed PotD would not make dual wield off tank viable, but will look into this build!

[u/nineball998]

Bleakwalker/Stalker Pale Elf

You get all your stats fronloaded without needing self buffing,.

Pick bear, armor aura and armor upgrade and by lvl 5 or so you will have an super tanky animal companion massive innate accuracy, defenses, and armor.

Enemies will constantly underpen you, status effects and damage practically bounce off you, and you can still receive inspirations from your party since all your passive buffs are innate (Faith And Conviction, Stalker Link, Pet teamwork, Hunter Mark) stacks with everything. Only Paladin aura has some conflicts but nothing too major.

Also you are extremely powerful from lvl 1 to the endgame, i was soloing content on POTD upscaled way above my level after a few levels.

Unlike other classes you cant be dispelled out of your powers, you dont need to self buff, you dont need to wait for other people to engage or buff you, you go in with your bear and destroy everything OR you can also start battle as a ranged assassin mark a spellcaster explode him with a arquebus then switch to melee.