Hello!

I am new(ish) to the game, but I have been watching videos and reading forum posts fascinated by the many build possibilities. But at a certain point I need to stop planning and just commit to a character to at least get to Epic mode.

I want to keep Athena fairly simple: I am actually OK with a tanky straightforward, bash everything that moves with few skills gameplay loop.

Defense Mastery seems mandatory. Not just because it fits the Athenian theme but because I am not very good at the game and I need something idiot-proof. I am really worried about resistances: I gather that resistances are essentially more important than your offense.

The question is: what will be her other mastery?

Warfare on paper seems like the "best" and Conqueror seems to be the recommendation for the ideal new player experience. Straightforward, strong, simple. The problem is... theme. Swords just don't feel right on this character. Shes a spearwoman...

Which essentially leaves us: Warden, Corsair, Templar (Guardian, Spellbreaker/Runesmith etc seem too difficult/weird)

Warden... Doesn't look very promising at all on paper. Nothing in the hunting mastery looks powerful at all. I keep reading wood lore and volley are nice: but they seem redundant paired with Defense. No left mouse button strikes, no aoe. If someone can speak on their warden experience I would be curious to hear. It looks extremely mediocre to me.

Corsair. Now this interests me. I dunno if it works thematically or not, but the main point is I get to use a spear and poison, calculated strike, and lethal strike are REALLY good. Seems like this odd pairing actually complement eachother well. AOE is kinda meh, but single target I imagine she will just inject and melt things.

Templar. Thematically solid, using dreamy magic god powers to slip across space and time. I have heard really positive things about templar. Extremely tanky with an option to reflect endgame. Big AOE potential. Psionic touch is decent. Possibly more survivability than conqueror. Templar SEEMS like it benefits more from a fast weapon so a spear is probably not ideal here.

Since I cannot decide: I guess I will just stay in Defense mastery and just keep storing skill points for awhile.

Any thoughts and ideas appreciated!