not-a-sampire

[happydictates]

ive recently returned to the game and started playing a character i was working on during my last return. the template is looking like

115 Swords
115 Bushido
115 Parry
105 Tactics
100 Anatomy
90 Healing
70 Chivalry

i plan to adjust some numbers if i can get enough money for 120 swords, bushido, and parry. until then, though, ill have to stick with 115's.

since returning to the game and browsing the forums a bit, it appears going sampire or an ABC archer are the only viable options. i do not want necromancy, so should i give up swords/parry and pick up archery/resist (or something else) or will a melee/parry/bushido be at least fairly effective without vampiric embrace?

 

[Kafka72]

I'd say ABC archer if you don't want to pick up Necromancy.

 

[Farsight]

That's pretty much what I run, but with less tactics and more chivalry.

It works perfectly. In fact, in groups, this template is high above a sampire in usefulness, so long as you trust your healers.

 

[Farsight]

Clarification (and double post due to the time between posts):

My "main" samurai on Catskills has a template that is close to the original template posted, right down to the no 120 skills. I could never be bothered to collect the scrolls for that character as it isn't my primary character. This character, when partnered with another similarly templated warrior, can take on literally anything in game. I loaded this character up with DCI gear and hit point increase gear so that I will always be the tank while my hunting partners heal me. The only four pre-SA creatures in game which I haven't managed to kill with this character are 1. Shimmering Effusion (that's our Achilles heels, we can't seem to get the keys to work), 2. Rikktor (The breath weapon is a killer) and 3. Abscess (again, with the breath weapon) and 4. The Harrower (couldn't be bothered with it, haven't tried).

But the key to running it successfully is to work in pairs or threes. If you work alone and still want to play the highest end of the game (peerless, champs, Doom), then your options are limited to weapon skill + necromancy. Otherwise, having no necromancy will do just fine.

I do have two sampires on other shards (Europa, Drachenfels), who do very well in just about every situation. I just find it dull to play alone, so my characters are now geared toward team-play.

 

[happydictates]

thanks for the info, farsight. i ended up finding about these incredible items called "Soulstones" which allowed me to take necro from my mage and put it on my bushido/chiv guy to test out (yes, im aware everyone here likely knows about them, but im new to all this and they ROCK!). so far i like the template, but clearly need more specialized weapons to help out with the lifedrain and im just so used to bandies.

i certainly appreciate the info about grouping. another friend of my possessed by nostalgia just reactivated his account and im running around with his tamer. i think im going to start looking into something that will allow me to help out with damage, take it if necessary (assisted by his heals), and also help him out in a pinch should something wish to bite his face off while hes on foot.

kind of random question: is there a way to remove my enemy of one buff? its occassionally getting me in trouble after ive killed my target.

 

[Jander]

Having spent an obscene amount of gold building my sampire, I'm thinking I will let him grow and see what the full extent of his possiblities are. I usually play lonewolf, so it's designed well for me. If I start to play with others then I will make the changes you guys have. I have several skills stored on a skill mule character. Thanks for the fresh ideas!!

 

[Jaimes]

kind of random question: is there a way to remove my enemy of one buff? its occassionally getting me in trouble after ive killed my target.

As far as I know, the only way is to recast it and then strike a different mob. So if you're getting attacked by multiple types of monsters, there's no way to get rid of it really..

 

[Wolfways]

...so long as you trust your healers.

Oh hell, UO is turning into WoW