Hybrid fighter

[Linkpwns]

I really like the idea of a hybrid fighter and wanted to pick the brain of other hybrid fighters or combat fanatics. So here's what I can think of...
-What is a preffered UAC to MC level ratio?
-Do I stick with shield or use other maneuvers? (Please specify which manuvers)
-Are there any common or do you have a personal favorite finishing combo or openning gambit for hybrid fighter?
-What kind of entry level gear to practice on animals with do you recommend?
-What about high end gear?
-Is hybrid weaker or stronger then a pure UAC or MC opponent?

Thanks! Any combat info in general will also be well noted and appreciated.

[Sevenless]

Hybrid is generally speaking considered superior, but that was before the sword nerf. B12 is still around though, so I think it still holds true.

Ua is much stronger in a one to one fight, but melee has the damage for kills. If you level melee about 1/3 to 1/2 your ua, you can use the damage moves after knocking their defense out with UA.

[Linkpwns]

Hybrid is generally speaking considered superior, but that was before the sword nerf. B12 is still around though, so I think it still holds true.

Ua is much stronger in a one to one fight, but melee has the damage for kills. If you level melee about 1/3 to 1/2 your ua, you can use the damage moves after knocking their defense out with UA.

Ah good my UA is higher then my mc atm so thats good. But..
I never got why UAC was so good at taking down the enemies defences when VS uses 1.75 of your MC weight tho? Is it just its cooldown or is there something I'm totally missing?

[Zachary09]

I think MC needs you to stack IP first, and while using UA you can just run up to your opponent and instapunch him (maybe even doing damage if your UA is high enough)

[Linkpwns]

I think MC needs you to stack IP first, and while using UA you can just run up to your opponent and instapunch him (maybe even doing damage if your UA is high enough)

How much UA higher then my opponet are we talking here?

[Sevenless]

Melee only has access to the block manoever, which is nice but lacks versatility. However UA controls the power of all the others like bloodlust, oakstance and etc. Ua also has cheaper attacks that don't deal a lot of damage but have decent enough weight for knocking down defense bars.

Combination of versatility and cheap attacks is very good at getting a bar down.

[Terean]

In addition to that, the AMOUNT of whatever resource those maneuvers give you is based on the difference between yours and your opponent's UA. If his is higher, he'll get more attack % from bloodlust and you'll get less. That's why I went mildly hybrid. I don't think I'll be a full hybrid, more than just 2/3 will go into UA.

I mainly got a sword and some MC for amusement and to explore that style. This is the first world I've played with the combat system or been able to kill bears outside of a river shallows.

[Gallade]

Even if you go pure melee and use a shield, not raising unarmed equals to inviting the first UA player you fight to get tons of IP with Death or Glory, insta-refill his attack with Bloodlust and defense with Oak Stance, and knock you down when you try to restore your defense.

[Sevenless]

Even if you go pure melee and use a shield, not raising unarmed equals to inviting the first UA player you fight to get tons of IP with Death or Glory, insta-refill his attack with Bloodlust and defense with Oak Stance, and knock you down when you try to restore your defense.

I was under the impression that if you're using block as a melee fighter, the delta off that is based on your melee*1.25 for delta calculations. I've never heard it was that insanely unbalanced before and have known pure melee fighters.

edit: Fighter I talked to does seem to confirm this, weird as hell though imo.

[Terean]

I do agree. The delta should be based on UA+MC or, like you said, MC when using shield. That would make pure melee much more viable outside of group fights.

UA+MC would basically make any pure fighters at a disadvantage, given it's easier to be 250UA and 250MC than it is to be 500UA or 500MC. Then again, maybe it would be a way of balancing the added weight pure fighters get, by having that sort of delta bonus. Balancing combat is hard in any case. Simplest is probably making MC calculated when wearing a shield or using block.

Though I digress.

With bear hunting, hybrid is pretty good for killing bears. Valorous strike is great for a finishing move, even before the bear is enraged. It's easy to get the MC needed to do this, around 80, compared to increasing UA more, but it doesn't actually improve defenses. For a hybrid fighter, increasing UA is increasing your defense and maneuver capabilities along with the attack from punch and knock their teeth out, increasing MC is pretty much only offensive capabilities.