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Titan Quest - Anniversary Edition => Gameplay => Guides AE => Topic started by: botebote77 on 27 October 2017, 03:21:08

Title: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 27 October 2017, 03:21:08
(https://titanquestfans.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQEVpaxr.jpg&hash=afef15dccd8d68026419520dd8ee9a13e97ffd3e) (https://imgur.com/QEVpaxr)

A somewhat unpopular combination?

Just want to share my experience on my 2nd favorite char in TQAE (Nature/Rogue). Whichever mastery you start with doesn't really matter but i suggest you focus on 2 wolves and traps early game. This is a petmaster/trapper/X build. Mine is a petmaster/trapper/archer/knifethrower build but the archer and knifethrower part may differ depending on your gamestyle preference.

The skills you would want are:

Rogue: Traps (max), flash powder and however you want to attack. I chose envenom tree (max nightshade and mandrake), calculated strike and lethal strike. You can also choose max knives and no calculated or lethal strike if that's your preference. Heck, i wouldn't fault you if you go PGB or none at all except traps and flash powder. A knifer is very good if you have resistance reduction not from weapon.. like Polaris or monkey kings trickery.. or in my case a mbutis advocate on secondary (the study prey procs with knives).

Nature: I suggest you put at least 1 skill point in every skill here.. All are good if you stack up + to all skills items (which you should).

My build (with +6 all skills):

https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titancalc-anniversary-edition/TitanCalce491.html?mastery=Illusionist&master1=4&master2=6&sa=0&m1=32-4-14-10-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-4-10-1-1-1-1-1-0&m2=32-6-0-1-7-1-6-6-4-1-14-0-10-6-1-1-6-0-1-1-6-0

Now you might think traps and strength of the pack don't synergize well because traps deal pierce damage and strength of the pack enhance physical. The solution is simple: a wraithlord's ring (the type that gives bonus physical to pets). 2 wraithlord's rings would be yummy. I wear a wraithlord's ring of immortality with demon's blood. I don't think you should sacrifice your amulet for another wraithlord's but well if you have a wraithlord's amulet of convocation then oof (i don't have that).

This is somewhat safe to play if you let the traps do the aggros first. You still get hit so flash powder, briar ward, regrowth (a 2nd source of healing while your pots are on recharge) and of course HoO is important here. I'm still in act 3 legendary and having no real problems (zero deaths in legendary so far). Frankly, i don't see myself dying if i play careful enough. I have finished the game several times so i have a pretty good feel for the game. I did die once in epic though when i wasn't totally focused on playing (bad Elton John).

Now you might notice i didn't include stat and gear optimization here. Basically because i leave it up to you. Go int and stack up CDR and bonus to pets (spamming briar ward and plague). str and dex and go melee. Use a bow just like me. It really depends on your preferred game style. I do suggest you stack up all skills though (at least + 4) and the mentioned wraithlord's (at least 1). A good place to farm mbutis advocate is from the frogmen just outside rhodes before the first rebirth fountain.. and also soronis (that lampido's potion quest). The free study prey is very valuable especially if you have the physical wraithlord's.


additional info:

looking at tq-db:

beastcaller's ring - lvl 3 (req lvl)

spiritcaller's - lvl 14

summoner's - lvl 28

invoker's - lvl 35

ritualist's - lvl 42

wraithlord's - lvl 53

all can be bought from merchants

update for ragnarok:

i found wolves to be extra squishy in ragnarok with this build. Still, with the new XP scaling and with all those bonus skill points in act 5, you should have enough skill points to add to survival instinct. Also, there is a new prefix (Allfather’s) that gives an even higher boost to pets than wraithlord’s but has lvl 68 requirement.

here is how my illusionist looks like optimized for ragnarok:

https://youtu.be/cCINC7qpcZM

start   :  surtr
6:00    :  muspelheim
17:00   :  loki
20:24   :  Olympus portal to Typhon

throwing knife is good for spreading CC and reducing resistances
a fair amount of cast speed is needed for traps and knives
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: nargil66 on 11 November 2017, 03:15:00
Only one suggestion for your build - I would take the points from Regrowth and put them on Disseminate. It doesn't waste mana and more heal for pets.
You should try Illusionist with Legion of Champions mod. Its a very fun build to play :)
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 11 November 2017, 04:36:17
Only one suggestion for your build - I would take the points from Regrowth and put them on Disseminate. It doesn't waste mana and more heal for pets.
You should try Illusionist with Legion of Champions mod. Its a very fun build to play :)

ah no.. i use regrowth on myself and only rarely on my pets.. i want to see my pets die once in a while.. i actually have an assassin's black pearl pendant and i favor hmm either amulet of hygeia or blessing of the gods(can't remember).. just to see my pets die so i can resummon them.. i also don't know why I'm not using aphrodite's.

and I'm not really a pet lover so...

edit: not that i hate pets.. but if i am to be called a petmaster then it should be just like that, me the master and they the pets.. i should be stronger.. lol yeah weird
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: nargil66 on 09 December 2017, 18:36:08
Check this out, this guy has alot of cool build videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viByG3JSPwE

Pity that knives aren't so viable with AE...
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 09 December 2017, 21:43:47

Pity that knives aren't so viable with AE...

pity that I'm not so dedicated to this game as i once was.. if i still am, i might enter a knifethrower in the xmax hardcore challenge.. it still is dude.. the DoT is so much better now especially with knives as it's easy to spread RR.. for an illusionist, all it needs is flat physical damage not from a weapon so it synergizes with strength of the pack.. the 10% nerf is ok because enemies in front die faster now.. the rule is never trash a skill or a playstyle :)
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: nargil66 on 09 December 2017, 22:19:57
Since you try alot of builds, i have a question. Do you know a viable build using Ensnare? I'm asking, because i'm considering to move it to nymph in Deities.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 09 December 2017, 22:49:49
it's ok for my mage haruspex because it's physical/DoT build.. not much different from the Freddy Krueger build.. i know a guy who probably tries crazier builds than me but damn i can't pull him to this forum.. life got in the way for him
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: 1cec0ld on 09 December 2017, 22:55:50
Funny, this is actually my favorite Class, just because it relies 0% on stats. Since my pets/traps do all the damage, I can stand back and watch. All my pets died? I'm so far back that I can run off and recreate my army. Get some extra -%recharge and I'm trapmaster. Rebind my F7 key to Scroll Button on my mouse, my wolves go wherever I want them to. Its great for the Naked Hardcore Challenge, since I don't care about armor when I'm not in the fight. Get a good Puppetmaster's Staff with 6-7 energy regen, and suddenly there is no need for a potion ever again. It's quite relaxing, but Alastor Scourge of Acheron is the worst enemy I have to deal with. Enclosed space running for my life, or cheesing his room with traps for 20 minutes due to his pierce resists...
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 09 December 2017, 23:05:05
that's why I'm an archer as well.. i hide in briar ward, cast plague, lethal strike, refresh, lethal strike

good of you to notice it doesn't rely on stats.. i kind of said the same thing the last part of my guide
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 13 December 2017, 07:50:17
I have been running an Illusionist build with the idea of doing damage with Plague and Poison Gas Bomb. I don't know how well it will work out, but I'm experimenting with it.

I run into problems with The Undead who seem to be highly resistant to Poison. The modifier for plague called Susceptibility seems to lower enemies Poison resistance. Anyone tell me if Susceptibility lowers Poison resistance for Poison Gas Bomb as well?
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 14 December 2017, 23:43:41
So can someone tell me if Poison build is viable across 3 difficulties? Is there any way of reducing Poison reduction outside of Susceptibility skill? I'm essentially playing a Poison caster (Plaguemancer). The Undead and Constructs take FOREVER to kill.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 15 December 2017, 08:28:01
Honestly don't know.  Both poison and susceptability affect undead, but by how much I can't say.  For constructs max out disarm traps, that'll give you 128% damage to devices/constructions according to the AE TitanCalc.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 15 December 2017, 12:21:31
Ah Thanks for the tip about Disarm Trap, that certainly helped with constructs and devices. I swear that Hero Device in Act 2 dungeon took me at least 10 minutes to beat!

Act 2 sure has a lot of Undead and Insectoids that seem to be highly resistant to poison, but I seem to be doing more damage to them as I level up my Plague and Envenom Weapon skills and modifiers. Every other type of mob dies instantly, it's quite funny the contrast sometimes.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 15 December 2017, 23:54:15
I have another question. I Googled but to no avail...

Do poison skills stack? For example does plague stack with poison gas bomb?
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 16 December 2017, 07:58:17
I have been away for quite a while.. Thanatos, while i encourage unconventional builds, i don't think plague and PGB alone can get you far.. the synergy would be like this:

the %poison from nightshade and toxin distillation should boost plague and PGB but flat poison from plague and PGB will not stack at least to my knowledge.. if it's DoT from weapon and skill, it should stack.. but if it's skill and skill, i don't think so.. for example EBD from distort reality and distortion wave does not stack.. knives are different though because they are considered weapons

i encourage you to try other skills or if you want, you can follow my guide (pets and traps with wraithlords).. I'm not saying you should go archer as well although it's not so bad, the synergies are there and also my combo: plague, lethal strike, refresh, lethal strike.. knives, pets and traps combo is ok too but i feel i kill faster with a bow.. it is safer though with knives
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 16 December 2017, 17:22:50
Thank you, botebote77. I have taken a look at your ideas and considered them. My plan was to go without pets, and mainly focus on being a poison caster. As you pointed it out, it might not work...but I want to give it a try. So far, I haven't had much trouble, but I am still in Normal.

I played a similar playstyle in Grim Dawn, and it is a fun way to play in that game. So far, it seems if you stack enough poison damage from gear, you can hit an enemy once and walk away and it will die due to the DOT. This works less well with Undead and Constructs, obviously.

So the playstyle so far is either launching a poison gas bomb into a crowd and watch them die. If they get close, I plague them and they die. If they are within melee range I can slash them with my Deathweaver Legtip (I think that's its name/don't know if it's actually a dagger or sword quite honestly), walk away and the DOT kills them. I will probably use Briar Ward and its modifiers for some CC later on. Is that a useful skill?

I am using a one handed weapon and shield for the most part. Bow seems to be more safe, but I have played way too many bow characters in the past, and I'm trying to do something different.

Like you said, I should experiment with more skills. I don't see a lot of other poison skills unless I'm missing something. I suppose I could add pierce and bleed from the Rogue mastery, assuming gears support those damage types with poison.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 16 December 2017, 18:02:47
since you're dead set for it, i say go for it :)

is briar ward useful? hell yes especially with sanctuary.. my self rule is never trash a skill so of course that includes briar ward.. i always find good use for each skill.. for briar ward it's especially useful for ranged attackers

for others though i can't help you.. this is your own unconventional build 8)
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 19 December 2017, 08:35:32
botebote77 (or anyone else reading this) - This seems like a good place to ask since I'm playing an Illusionist. I was having such a great time with my "Plaguemancer" playstyle, but now I have hit a wall. I had my first death/fail during Act 4 quest where you have to protect that torchbearer outside of Rhodes. I simply couldn't kill the Undead in time due to their insane poison resistance. Every other enemy type has went down easily, even Typhon on the first try. But when it comes to those pesky Undead, it's like my character goes back to level 1. My DPS is around 650.

Susceptibility seems almost completely useless in my experience, even maxed out. I'm a little surprised by this. What is the Undead's poison resistance like 5000%?!

I tried to link my build from Titancalc but it isn't saving it right when I try to post in on this forum.  :-\

Basically, I am using Poison Gas Bomb, Plague + Susceptibility, Nymph, Heart of Oak + Permanence of Stone, Envenom Weapon + rest of the tree, and that's basically it so far.

I don't foresee how dealing with the Undead as a poison based character can be overcome at this point.

Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 19 December 2017, 08:55:47
because in AE, undeads don't have poison resistance but they have poison absorption.. meaning you can't lower them with RR or susceptibility.. at least that's my understanding

based on my personal observations, undeads are weak against fire and physical.. pierce even with RR is still weak

better get other skills then

edit: from the AE changelog under enemies:

- Undead now absorb 70% Poison damage (on all difficulties) rather than having a resistance
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Thanatos on 19 December 2017, 09:02:49
Thanks. Based on what you said, I may try Lethal Strike or Calculated Strike, as they both have Physical Damage.

Now I am thinking about trying a similar build but with Spirit + Rogue for Spirit Ward and Spirit Bane, but that's off topic. Anyway, away I go, to deal with my Undead enemies! I can't give up now. lol
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Bobinho11 on 03 April 2018, 23:58:21
I was thinking of making an illusionist but i would like to go melee...any tips or advice? Or advice against? 😁
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 04 April 2018, 01:09:48
actually i have played this melee + wolves, archer + wolves, pure petmaster (traps + pets).. but eventually settled for this build (i use throwing weapons now btw)

i don't know what build you're thinking but i strongly suggest wolves' strength of the pack, HoO, nightshade, mandrake, plague tree, and if you really plan the melee way, calculated strike and lethal strike.. if you get traps, that is a huge plus and not much different from my build.. survivability will be a problem that's why you need the CCs from both masteries

advice against, i have none.. try it and try whatever build you can think of.. if you're playing a character, you might as well play with it, right?

you might want to look at thorny maul if you have one.. but it's slow and has no life steal so it will demand more from your other items
SB cuffs probably with rage of Ares though is a good item choice
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Bobinho11 on 04 April 2018, 01:39:24
Thanks will give it some thought..i am starting from scratch on xbox so i have no equips for this char but i dont mind. Like you said, need to play with it. Oh and i think plague is bugged for us but they will patch it up.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 18 June 2018, 11:56:05
I'm glad i wrote this guide.. i decided to reread it and only then did i remember about mbuti's advocate.. maybe i changed weapons when i was trying to optimize this for ragnarok and just forgot about it.. anyway it's my secondary again and i like it more than winds of asphodel because the study prey procs with knives.. and I'm playing x3 so a debuff is better if it's AoE.. i killed 3 Typhon and 3 Surtr faster this time.

btw, if anyone is following this and can't beat Toxeus, there is a trick to that.. if you hug the wall you can summon wolf inside the cage without opening the gate.. immediately cast refresh so you can summon 2 wolves quickly inside.. then cast plague.. you can eventually summon 3 wolves inside.. nymph is no go.. do not hug the gate because you might accidentally open it, just the wall to the side (press shift just to be safe).

actually the trick is not mine.. it's a trick thought of by someone from another forum borne from his desperation of trying to kill Toxeus with his petmaster (not illusionist).. i just ripped the idea.. credit to that guy (sorry i can't remember your name :/  )

it takes time but i can guarantee it works because it's the only way i can beat Toxeus with this character.. you can use scrolls like ice nova or stalwart alliance or something if it takes too long to your liking

the other bosses in SP pose no threat to pets + traps even if you open the gates.. it doesn't work against the newest cage (the one with no door) so you just intentionally let yourself get teleported by that mage guy with a staff.. or if you can attack melee, melee weapons can reach through those walls (sometimes the mage does not want to cast teleport)

ps: this build is still so much fun i decided to play it again starting Typhon.. I'll go through the whole act 4 and act 5 again :)
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: legowarrior on 31 July 2018, 15:03:58
Is it wrong that I beat both the final Telkine and Surtr by throwing traps at them out of range, and just having them do all the work?  Is that still an option at the higher difficulties, because it really fits my gameplay style (No risk and no satisfaction!).


Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 31 July 2018, 17:34:09
Why would it be wrong?  You brought them down, that's all that matters.  Fully maxed they should work.  May take a while and a lot of traps, but it can be done.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 31 July 2018, 21:48:29
yes nothing wrong with that.. and you can still do it in higher difficulties because there are better pet gear on higher difficulties.. i killed 3 Barmanu without even seeing the other 2.. and the first one was on the far edge of my screen too busy attacking my traps  ;D

possible only with traps O0
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: legowarrior on 01 August 2018, 14:58:21
That's cool, but with Sutr and the final Telkine, I can just hangout on the cliff edge.  There is no risk.  I just keep throwing Gas Bombs and Traps.  I think the developer might consider that a bug. 
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 August 2018, 15:14:54
Why would it be a bug?  There are several skills in the game that you can do that with.  Also skills like Squall can be cast through walls to attack foes while you stay safely out of the way.  I've happily thrown Traps, Squall, Volcanic Orbs, Lightning Bolts down from the Great Wall onto the Giant Peng to take him out. 
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: WNG on 01 August 2018, 16:00:45
Not only with skills. Surtr can be taken down with a bow by shooting from up the hill. Though, it doesn't work for its first form.
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: legowarrior on 01 August 2018, 17:38:24
Doesn't seem anticlimactic though?  Basically, you've avoided the whole final battle.     
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 August 2018, 19:46:47
I've brought the big guys down, that's all I care about.  Any way I can is fine with me.  ;D
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 01 August 2018, 20:51:54
I've brought the big guys down, that's all I care about.  Any way I can is fine with me.  ;D
yep me too  ;D
the game allows it.. why put a self-restriction on yourself that only you will follow? ^-^

i actually do the things I've shown on my TQ tricks 2 video.. and more cowardly things like:
attack Hades while the crystal gate is closed (you have to open the gate first though)
force minotaur to follow you outside the gate and into the labyrinth
don't let the gate close against act 2 telkine

TQ tricks 2 link
https://titanquestfans.net/index.php?topic=213.msg5427#msg5427
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: Medea Fleecestealer on 01 August 2018, 21:03:02
Don't get locked in with Cerebus either.  Stand just inside the gate so it won't close on you then potshot him - even if you're a melee toon.  I think my Xmax HC Guardian used a bow a lot more than he ever melee'd.  ;D
Title: Re: Illusionist Build
Post by: botebote77 on 31 October 2018, 11:47:58
mini update:

a slightly alternate build

a few weeks ago, i thought about this build, a more survivability focused build

(https://i.imgur.com/Nj6RkyH.jpg)
i got lucky with the immortality suffix

few key things:

mountaineer's armor and rage of ares - both give flat physical damage.. with these 2 items, throwing knife is really outperforming calculated strike.. it's because each knife carries the flat physical.. in muspelheim legendary, each of my knives does 300 - 400 damage.. but when the 450 damage from rage of ares procs, it goes up to 3000-4000.. and as long as i spam throwing knife, it procs all the time.. sometimes more than 1 knife procs the 450 damage

that means my life steal got way better.. but where to get my life steal? Deimos + Kydoimos.. i can't get back to phobos + deimos because i lose rage of ares.. and my throwing knife damage gets way lower without rage of ares so my life steal also gets way lower

now, because this is focused on survivability, i gotta have permanent briar ward.. the most i can do is 60% but i found that at lvl 7 refresh, 60% CDR is just enough for permanent briar ward.. lvl 6 still doesn't cut it, and at lvl 8 the cooldown gets too long

and because i have high CDR, i can spam plague

so yeah that's about it: good life steal + permanent briar ward + plague spam + 7 pets + mass confuse = great survivability.. plus lay trap is a great cheese skill

energy problem is solved by uhhh what's the name? the 2nd upgrade of HoO and the 3rd upgrade of briar ward

the bad thing is i lost my cast speed from touch of nyx and mechanical parts, so i had to switch one of my pet rings for an occult.. but it's worth it because my knives also got stronger

of course this is also possible with int build.. ele damage will probably come from eitr.. but you gotta have vit res from elsewhere because you might lose on demon's blood.. mine is str + dex build so i gotta focus on physical damage
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