When playing SC 12 years ago (maybe more), I use to just solo, gain prof points and then Re-roll since I did not have the gear to pass level 25 or 35 (took too long) and built up my Ranks to 10 before joining a full group with crap gear ... basically tanking with stat gear ... Vita / Intellience chain/plate on a Barbarian. The game has become a ton easier now, and since I only play hardcore, I changed my playstyle.
Pre Note: I only like using Heavy Weapons, I basically have a set of each, and they are not complete or great, I have also died with better ones, ouch.
Guardian: is my preferred Feeder class to start with, that is because of the starting Vitality and Intelligence in the 50's ... I compensate my damage by using +Stat (Str, Dex or dual stat) and when I hit 100 vitality, I add to damage stat (either Str or Dex depending on whether I use Longsword or Polearm). I also try to have Tier 45 to 55 Chain / Plate with around 40+ Intelligence and use a damage stat charm in main slot, I put my best healing charm (currently level 25 with 12x % enhanced effect) to Master Quest. The two(2) and only abilities I choose is Retribution & Salvation.
Note: this build ends up with a ton of shrine-able items and basically I sell off the best and hardly ever use them unless I am facing Ambush at like level 65+, I don't use Regen gear, I don't skill during towning at certain times confronting a lot of EP waves.
Samurai: is also built around Melee / Heal, I stat to 100 base vitality and then go to 30 base intelligence. Again I use stat gear and not Enhanced Effect gear and heal. Abilities are Salvation and Two Hit Back... only two(2) abilities.
Note: This build also ends up with a lot of shrine-ables, BUT, if I use my level 40 Scale (+47 Str + XX% Heal Mastery) and encountering level 65+ Ambush, I can run out of shrines, I am also using a +47 Str level 50 Wind (can not be used on Guardian, so I use a 30 Str Wild on Guardian) now. So it really depends on my encounters, and Bush is a Biatche.
Paladin: Now I like this class for my play style, again, I do the same with stats (100 vita / 30 intelligence) and rest with either Str / Dex depending on me using Longsword or Polearm. The two abilities I use are Revenge and Salvation... again, I only use Stat armor and charm and EE Heal in my Acc slot.
Note: Again, I have at times hit Ambush at high levels or taking on Four Corners around level 65 and even above 70 and using a lot of shrines, even if my Damage stats are high.
I don't bother with monk as much because I play ALL my characters on Hardcore, and when or if I play Robed character, again Melee / Heal with +stat armor... I may change at higher levels by using my healing charm in the Main slot to compensate for the - (negative) 25% healing capacity.
As you can tell, I rely on getting hit for damage abilities instead of striking or attack abilities... vs multiple monster wave, they charge up faster than me attacking using Heavy weapons with a 1.8 sec delay. And even if I was using normal weapons with 1 sec delay, I find that I still get charged up faster vs Multiple monsters in the wave. However, when vs a single monster, there is a difference... slight.
End Note: when I was playing SC, I played with the intention of not dying. So with HC, it just makes it more enjoyable even if death occurs, you get back up on the saddle and try to get back the gear you lost and start from scratch with prof gain. And no, I don't use the /whistle 1 command, I have tested it, it works out, but not a fan of it.
This post was edited by izParagonzi on Jul 24 2022 05:46pm