by roanispe Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:12 am
Currently, you have very low Magic Adjustment which is the factor that determines the actual effectiveness of the spell. Mid-roll in PtD is viable, but you'll need to be careful, and if you like to use Dexterity weapons, you are going to find the change to a much slower pace very jaunting. The Manus Catalyst is more of a novelty than anything serious, but if you really want to use it, then this is the build I'd use for it. You have 27 Strength, which means you have maximum effective AR when two-handing it when you'll need to hit something. As well, you have on the off-hand, the Moonlight Butterfly Horn which allows you to put some pressure on mid-range. As a last resort, you can use it as shield, remember! It comes with a Chaos Dagger to allow you to do a backstab if the situation arises. However, with the Horn, and Dark Beads, you won't find yourself needing to often. Then again, there is no reason not to have the option available.
In terms of spells, it features the Dark Beads, and the Black Flame. You'll really be using the Dark Beads most of the time, and you essentially need to have 2x the castings as the Manus Catalyst will half the number of times you can cast a spell with it out. As expected from a shotgun-style blast, it is very effective at hitting things that are close to you. Ideally, you'll use it when you expect a parry attempt, or they are rolling at any level other than DWGR towards you. It will do immense damage if all the beads land, but most of the time it will do moderate. It also features Black Flame to keep with the Dark Sorcery motif, and should you find yourself out of Beads, or they are just too close for comfort, the Flame might be a good response. Ideally, you'll use the Flames with your Chaos Dagger out, as the half-castings effect carries over to even magic not cast with it if! The most fitting use for the Flame will be as a wake-up to a backstab you have done; your Catalyst will have already been put away, and you can set yourself up very close.