Grim Dawn - Now Content Complete!!

[Majes]

Can't agree. Path of Exile's combat feels more robotic and stilted, and the mechanic I enjoyed the most early on was the gem/materia-type system and that just became tedious pretty quickly.

It has some good elements but didn't gel well.

I feel the exact opposite when comparing combat. Combat in PoE is smooth and fast, not as good as D3, but it moves. Grim Dawn can be slow and clunky... At least playing melee and firearm characters. I haven't messed more than a few hours with casters and summoners.

I also cleared all of Grim Dawn in about 2-3 days of playing (Didn't do much with factions but cleared the bosses and most side areas I could research). PoE has a bit more longevity for me.

 

[Denithor]

Slow and clunky? Try a nightblade, the whole focus is mobility and speed. If you get pinned in, you just...die. Unless you're super lucky or have a get-out-of-jail-free cooldown available.

Like I said, I'm splitting time between two toons so not a straight up playthrough. I'm also a stickler for exploring the entire map (hate seeing residual fog-of-war covering anything!). So I'm not sure exactly how long the game would last just running through, also don't quite know where the different Acts split up.

 

[datalink7]

Me too. I have a huge backlog so I can afford to wait.

Same boat here. Kickstarter backer. Played a bit, thought it looked like it was developing nicely and will be fun. Just waiting for full release.

 

[bystander36]

Slow and clunky? Try a nightblade, the whole focus is mobility and speed. If you get pinned in, you just...die. Unless you're super lucky or have a get-out-of-jail-free cooldown available.

Like I said, I'm splitting time between two toons so not a straight up playthrough. I'm also a stickler for exploring the entire map (hate seeing residual fog-of-war covering anything!). So I'm not sure exactly how long the game would last just running through, also don't quite know where the different Acts split up.

Based on how the games were released to us, and some logic:
Act 1 ends when you kill the Warden, so the whole area straight north of the prison.
Act 2 ends when you reach Homestead.
Act 3 ends when you kill Karroz at Darkvale Gate.
Act 4 isn't quite finished, unless they plan the final battle area to be Act 5.

 

[Adrenaline]

Slow and clunky? Try a nightblade, the whole focus is mobility and speed. If you get pinned in, you just...die. Unless you're super lucky or have a get-out-of-jail-free cooldown available.

Like I said, I'm splitting time between two toons so not a straight up playthrough. I'm also a stickler for exploring the entire map (hate seeing residual fog-of-war covering anything!). So I'm not sure exactly how long the game would last just running through, also don't quite know where the different Acts split up.

Nightblade is awesome. I made a Blademaster that I have invested a lot of time in. I did a write up on it at the Grim Dawn Forums. It wrecks everything in sight.

Blitz is used to hit enemies bunched up. Shadow Strike is used to hit a single target at a distance hard at first before it hits me. Both skills are used together to move quickly through areas and it works flawlessly.

I am leveling a Witchblade and a Conjurer right now. Neither is remotely as fast at leveling and killing as my Blademaster was at their respective level.

 

[bystander36]

I've leveled just about everything, and my 2 fastest killing machines have been Druid and Warden. The druid focused on Primal strike, with 1300 offense, crits are going off like crazy, and it hits everything, with storm totems and wendigo totems as a good safe measure. Arcanist has a few great defensive abilities and also adds to damage.

The Warden is the hardest hitting char I've made, with cadence frequently hitting into the 20k damage range (max of 28K). Both chars are two handed users.

Blademaster is pretty good, but doesn't compare to those two.

 

[Majes]

Slow and clunky? Try a nightblade, the whole focus is mobility and speed. If you get pinned in, you just...die. Unless you're super lucky or have a get-out-of-jail-free cooldown available.

Like I said, I'm splitting time between two toons so not a straight up playthrough. I'm also a stickler for exploring the entire map (hate seeing residual fog-of-war covering anything!). So I'm not sure exactly how long the game would last just running through, also don't quite know where the different Acts split up.

I did play a nightblade. It was fun, but I don't like the way melee characters hit in Grim Dawn. Some people may like it. You really feel the hard hits, but the hit boxes can be glitchy and the way it bounces between normal to hard hits feels wrong. I prefer the animation in PoE. Attack speed is way faster and you really mow things down. If I want to be in a fight I'll play D3. Grim Dawn is a mix of the two that doesn't really do it for me.

Just an opinion. Im a huge PoE fan, I think they do almost everything right over at GGG. But I got a lot of play out of Grim Dawn. It's a good game. I'll play it more when Talisman league dies down a bit. I'm also going to check Devilian out in a few weeks.

 

[Adrenaline]

I've leveled just about everything, and my 2 fastest killing machines have been Druid and Warden. The druid focused on Primal strike, with 1300 offense, crits are going off like crazy, and it hits everything, with storm totems and wendigo totems as a good safe measure. Arcanist has a few great defensive abilities and also adds to damage.

The Warden is the hardest hitting char I've made, with cadence frequently hitting into the 20k damage range (max of 28K). Both chars are two handed users.

Blademaster is pretty good, but doesn't compare to those two.

My Blademaster kills white mobs in one hit nonstop. My largest crit on my current Blademaster is just under 55k. My crits constantly hit over 30k on bosses which is nice.

Stacking Savagery will probably get you more consistent dps than stacking Cadence on your Warder. I thought about a Trickster that would be based off Savagery, with Lightning and Execution (best skill in the game) when the level cap is increased. A Trickster and a Blademaster that uses swords with Execution and Oleron's Rage are probably equal in killing speed.

 

[bystander36]

My Blademaster kills white mobs in one hit nonstop. My largest crit on my current Blademaster is just under 55k. My crits constantly hit over 30k on bosses which is nice.

Stacking Savagery will probably get you more consistent dps than stacking Cadence on your Warder. I thought about a Trickster that would be based off Savagery, with Lightning and Execution (best skill in the game) when the level cap is increased. A Trickster and a Blademaster that uses swords with Execution and Oleron's Rage are probably equal in killing speed.

I've done both ways. Cadences gives you AE damage. Savagery is single target only, with some random AE. They are all viable.

The power of Primal strike is there is no cool down, and it hits everything all around you and beyond.

I haven't done the execution blademaster since the cap was 40, but I'm assuming you are either not stacking defense at all, or adding up the single strikes.

 

[Adrenaline]

I've done both ways. Cadences gives you AE damage. Savagery is single target only, with some random AE. They are all viable.

The power of Primal strike is there is no cool down, and it hits everything all around you and beyond.

I haven't done the execution blademaster since the cap was 40, but I'm assuming you are either not stacking defense at all, or adding up the single strikes.

I stack defense and resists on my character. All of my attacks are weapon procs that deal single target and AoE damage. I attack really fast. Shard of Beronath is really nice and increases the damage of all my attacks. Nothing is better than when you get back to back Execution procs to start on a boss. A drop of about 50% health immediately.

 

[Denithor]

Adrenaline, that's your build? LOLOLOL I've been more or less modeling my build on that post! Hahaha! Is Ring of Steel effective in crowds? I'm working toward Execution, really need to refund some points I guess. And haven't put anything into Soldier yet, haven't even chosen the second class.

Currently running a pair of Duelist's Sabers one that dropped on my Occ/Sham and one that dropped on my Nightblade. DPS is awesome for level 31 I just mow through whites, still have to use hit-and-run tactics for bosses though. If I stand still for those, or get surrounded by a pack, I just die, quickly.

 

[bystander36]

I stack defense and resists on my character. All of my attacks are weapon procs that deal single target and AoE damage. I attack really fast. Shard of Beronath is really nice and increases the damage of all my attacks. Nothing is better than when you get back to back Execution procs to start on a boss. A drop of about 50% health immediately.

I think the problem is I'm talking about level 40 without the devotion points, and you are looking at 55+. I'll probably do a Blademaster spec sometimes after my current all defensive build. I need something with damage after this super defensive build.

 

[bystander36]

Adrenaline, that's your build? LOLOLOL I've been more or less modeling my build on that post! Hahaha! Is Ring of Steel effective in crowds? I'm working toward Execution, really need to refund some points I guess. And haven't put anything into Soldier yet, haven't even chosen the second class.

Currently running a pair of Duelist's Sabers one that dropped on my Occ/Sham and one that dropped on my Nightblade. DPS is awesome for level 31 I just mow through whites, still have to use hit-and-run tactics for bosses though. If I stand still for those, or get surrounded by a pack, I just die, quickly.

Ring of steel can be useful, but its radius is just a little too small, and tends to miss a lot of stuff. It's worth a point for the freeze, but I wouldn't use it for a damage dealing ability.

 

[Adrenaline]

Adrenaline, that's your build? LOLOLOL I've been more or less modeling my build on that post! Hahaha! Is Ring of Steel effective in crowds? I'm working toward Execution, really need to refund some points I guess. And haven't put anything into Soldier yet, haven't even chosen the second class.

Currently running a pair of Duelist's Sabers one that dropped on my Occ/Sham and one that dropped on my Nightblade. DPS is awesome for level 31 I just mow through whites, still have to use hit-and-run tactics for bosses though. If I stand still for those, or get surrounded by a pack, I just die, quickly.

Ring of Steel is effective with the modifier in crowds. It freezes everything it hits and allows you to clean up. It is not for damage but mainly for a little crowd control. Execution is amazing, it just tears chunks out of mob health. Try crafting yourself a Mistborn Talisman and put Troll Rage as your primary attack. Your weapon procs will go off with Troll Rage as your primary skill. The bonuses from it will enhance all your weapon procs.

You have a pair of nice swords.

I think the problem is I'm talking about level 40 without the devotion points, and you are looking at 55+. I'll probably do a Blademaster spec sometimes after my current all defensive build. I need something with damage after this super defensive build.

You mentioned Shaman. When the Shaman was introduced, the cap was already at 50. At 50 during b26, Blademasters were amazing. When they released b27 the Shaman was very powerful. Now that b28 is here, and the level increase to use Shard of Beronath, Blademasters have gone back up in power.

Even at 50 and using Mistborn Talisman, Blademasters wrecked everything. Just try out a Blademaster, you will not be disappointed.

 

[bystander36]

You mentioned Shaman. When the Shaman was introduced, the cap was already at 50. At 50 during b26, Blademasters were amazing. When they released b27 the Shaman was very powerful. Now that b28 is here, and the level increase to use Shard of Beronath, Blademasters have gone back up in power.

Even at 50 and using Mistborn Talisman, Blademasters wrecked everything. Just try out a Blademaster, you will not be disappointed.

I personally just build new characters. I never play a character again after I start a new one. I've done blademaster a number of ways. I may try it again, but I doubt I'd hit level 60 with it. Content only gets you to 52-53 now.

I like a character that's good from the start to end. I don't focus on the end only. Trickster was my most recent Nightblade character, but I focused on the proc line at the top, rather than execute. My favorite Nightblade was one that focused on the throwing knives, but it got nerfed pretty good.

I'll give it a go again, I'm sure.

 

[Adrenaline]

I personally just build new characters. I never play a character again after I start a new one. I've done blademaster a number of ways. I may try it again, but I doubt I'd hit level 60 with it. Content only gets you to 52-53 now.

I like a character that's good from the start to end. I don't focus on the end only. Trickster was my most recent Nightblade character, but I focused on the proc line at the top, rather than execute. My favorite Nightblade was one that focused on the throwing knives, but it got nerfed pretty good.

I'll give it a go again, I'm sure.

Phantasmal Blades is still really strong. For leveling, I enjoy Cronley's Hideout. Easy to get to and mobs die fast. It is probably the best place to farm at level 60 right now.

I linked my character guide I posted on the Grim Dawn forum. I found the character fun to level from 1 to 60. It was set to deal damage quickly and have some defense for survivability.

 

[Denithor]

Okay, so played several more hours tonight on my now Blademaster. Put 1 point into Soldier baseline and then 1 point into Markovian's Advantage, to get the 2 bonus points on my swords. 2 points to get the equivalent of 4, yes please! Made it into Homestead and starting to clear Pine Barrens. Will probably do the fields after that.

I also did some subtracting in other areas in order to get up to Execution. OMG. Wow. You're right, this attack just shreds enemies, especially bosses!! Have it at 5 points for max percentage to hit.

Will have to look into making that Mistborn Talisman for sure!

 

[Martimus]

Oh I'll concede grim dawn looks better. But its not leaps and bounds over titan quest immortal throne.

TQIT : https://youtu.be/o6hS2QHcpvY?t=566

GD : https://youtu.be/wqiSV1I6Pm4?t=440

That Grim Dawn video is from 2013 as well. It looks much better now, although I wish they would increase the poly count for the main character. You look so cartoony compared the the rest of the game characters. The rest of the effects are pretty good though.

 

[Denithor]

So I died a lot on the bug queen and that aether abomination last night. Finally got through them, but sheesh, my build doesn't work very well at all toe-to-toe with tough enemies. If I can't hit-and-run I'm easy meat. Not sure what to change to fix this.

 

[bystander36]

So I died a lot on the bug queen and that aether abomination last night. Finally got through them, but sheesh, my build doesn't work very well at all toe-to-toe with tough enemies. If I can't hit-and-run I'm easy meat. Not sure what to change to fix this.

This is where a collection of gear helps. You need hitpoints and resists. If this is one of your first characters, you'll just have to live through this period, and keep an eye out for gear to store and save for future characters. But most characters do need to do some hit and run tactics on her. At least to some degree. My druid was one of my few characters that could stand toe to toe with her.

 

[shortylickens]

Picked up this "pre-release" in the Steam sale, been playing the hell out of it for the last week. Leveling an Occultist with a buddy and a Nightblade solo. Having a blast with both so far. Very polished for a pre-release game.

Anybody else playing?

It should be. They have had about 3 years to polish it.

 

[Denithor]

This is where a collection of gear helps. You need hitpoints and resists. If this is one of your first characters, you'll just have to live through this period, and keep an eye out for gear to store and save for future characters. But most characters do need to do some hit and run tactics on her. At least to some degree. My druid was one of my few characters that could stand toe to toe with her.

Yeah, that's very likely my problem, going into the bug queen for first time I had ZERO poison resist. LOL With predictable results...

I swapped for higher poison resist gear, got it up to 80% and was able to survive the first hits in order to run away and wait for cooldowns to reset, then rinse and repeat until she was finished. The aether guy, well, that was just painful, I didn't have any aether resist gear at all collected. So just had to brute force him down.

So, could you link a grim calculator for your druid build? I'm curious how it's set up, would like to try it for next toon run.

 

[bystander36]

Grim Dawn is complete!

And the first shocking thing I've run into...all the bonuses on runes are gone, and when I clicked auto combine, everything completed vanished.

 

[bystander36]

Alright, the runes didn't vanish, they stack now. So instead of my whole inventory being taken, they stack on top of each other. Maybe that is why they removed the bonuses, so they are all the same and make that easier to do. And crafting auto uses what is in your storage.

 

[CPA]

Grim Dawn is complete!

And the first shocking thing I've run into...all the bonuses on runes are gone, and when I clicked auto combine, everything completed vanished.

Awesome, now I can start playing it.