Requesting crossbow build from Wildan

[Eldakar]

As topic says.

[eLPuSHeR]

I would also like to hear his suggestion too.

[Eldakar]

So far i came up with this:

Str 8
Dex 6
Agility 4
Constitution 3
Perception 10 ++++?
Will 3
Int 6

Aimed shot
Marksman
Kneecap Shot
Vile Weaponry
Concussive Shots
Snipe
Special Tactics
Sharpshooter
Critical Power
Elemental Bolts
Hunter

[eLPuSHeR]

I take you are going for heavy armor then. Not the stealthy route.

[hilf]

I'm not Wildan but i'm quite sure you should:
dump STR,
get 7 DEX for Quick Tinkering,
get Deadly Snares,
get Ambush (it can be taken very late, you'll need it for trap immune enemies from DC; it's kinda redundant with Deadly Snares),
get more AGI for better stealth.

But let's wait for the expert builder.

[eLPuSHeR]

I think you also need to invest in crafting for those nice special bolts.

[Eldakar]

Str 3
Dex 7
Agility 8
Constitution 3
Perception 10 ++++?
Will 3
Int 6

Aimed shot
Marksman
Kneecap Shot
Vile Weaponry
Concussive Shots
Snipe
Special Tactics
Sharpshooter
Critical Power
Elemental Bolts
Hunter
Quick Tinkering
Deadly Snares
Ambush

So this is how it looks now.. I guess no evasion or dodge?

[Sanger]

You can take evasion and dodge if you want. Should have enough skill points to spread around crafting if you're maxing out crossbow, dodge, evasion, stealth and bumping traps as much as necessary.

Kneecap Shot isn't really necessary as Concussive Shots can trigger on any attack and you have serrated bolts for bleeding, consider something else. Opportunist, Trap Expert, Nimble are all useful.

I've never taken Ambush but it might be fantastic for all I know... you do have incendiary bolts.

[player1]

Considering that Crossbows are all about special attacks Opportunists is a must feat.

[Eldakar]

Recklessness also looks good..

[eLPuSHeR]

I agree with player1. On top of that Crossbows have a great synergy with all traps related stuff. I am looking forward to trying the "deadly snares" feat or whatever is called. I am getting "quick tinkering" too.

PS - Do you think "concussive shots" is worth taking? Judging from description, it seems nice.

[Sanger]

Concussive Shots is very good, it procs often and enemies affected by it take +15% Opportunist damage.

Recklessness is a good perk but if you find yourself relying on crit chance bonuses too much with this character then you most likely aren't making use of traps frequently enough to have taken Deadly Snares, so one or the other.

[eLPuSHeR]

Well, right now there are several things that I dislike specially from crossbows.

1. Degrade rate seems to be a little high for my taste. Either you keep a replacement crossbow or invest in mechanics to be able to create your own repair kits. It could be also that crossbows from earlier game are crap anyway. Poor durability.

2. According to stats, there are only 10% penalty for shooting in close quarters combat and while moving. Well the feeling seems to be quite the opposite. From a 95% to 74%- doesn't seem like a 10% to me.

3. World loot is full of bullets. Not many bolts except for purchasing them at shops. PS - I must admit this point might be invalid. Random loot generator tends to generate (redundancy implied) more bolts and or crossbow related stuff now that I am weilding one.

[Sanger]

Degrade rate seems to be a little high for my taste.

I hate this so much with crossbows. Can barely get through two combats without having to cram repair kits. WTF? Are they that powerful that they need to degrade so much faster than guns? (no. no they aren't)

[eLPuSHeR]

Heh. I ran out of bolts halfway GMS compound mission and had to trek back to base. Annoying. 

Well. Here is my view on crossbows so far:

+ Great damage against organic opponents.
+ Special bolts are fun.
+ Great synergy with traps.

- Crappy damage against heavily armored opponents. You may need a sidekick weapon but then, you find out, you need to invest in another discipline, like guns.
- Other weapon loadouts pay off earlier in the game, like SMG/Sniper combo. With crossbows you have to invest a lot and be patient.
- Special bolts make you invest a lot in several scientific paths, maybe spreading your points too thin.
- Snipe ability is way better with sniper rifles than with crossbows (at least early game).
- Only two attacks per round that may become nerfed as soon as you try to position yourself in combat.
- Fastest degradation rate of all weapons ?
- Attack percentage pretty variable at similar distances. Maybe it's just me. But other weapons seem more reliable when compared to same PER 10.
- I  have also found crossbows to be terrible when moving around in combat and/or disengaging from a close quarters opponent.

Overall, I am not very impressed with crossbows so far. I will keep playing to see how they evolve over time, but I have the suspicion that crossbows cannot be the main weapon and may need of some sidekick aid.