How do I build a good combat deck?

[Omnipotent]

this one is fine I think

No maneuvers... Do you normally run chin-up?

What would commonly be considered "high enough" openings to try to land a heavy damaging sword skill? Obviously, higher is better, but surely people have some general criteria.

Anything open 50+ will tend to do some damage (depending on their armor ofc). But I usually prefer to opp knocks when 50+ to open them up to 80-100, and then cleave for max damage. Plus if its a player then you get to leave them with a nice Wretched Gore memento!

[dabongske]

Whats the recommended UA agi and Str to kill a bear?

[Sevenless]

Whats the recommended UA agi and Str to kill a bear?

Zeratul recommends 120 ua 120 agi. Outside rage, they are surprisingly "weak" actually. It's just you want a nice fat cleave set up for when they do rage to finish that fight fast. Cheesing wise 50/50 is fine to boat kite them, they can cause issues if you're on horse so don't horse fight them without being able to fight them head on if needed.

[NeoBasilisk]

Is it still beneficial to use a shield with Shield Up maneuver if you don't have a sword, assuming your MC is still leveled? It appears to me that the 250% bonus to block weight would make it a benefit even if your base MC is only half of unarmed. But are there other factors to consider? My unarmed attacks would still use my Unarmed Combat rating, right?

[Ysh]

Is it still beneficial to use a shield with Shield Up maneuver if you don't have a sword, assuming your MC is still leveled? It appears to me that the 250% bonus to block weight would make it a benefit even if your base MC is only half of unarmed.

This I think is accurate.

But are there other factors to consider?

None come to my mind.

My unarmed attacks would still use my Unarmed Combat rating, right?

Yes.

[MadNomad]

this one is fine I think

No maneuvers... Do you normally run chin-up?

just replace the jump with a manuever and it will be fine I think, chin up is fine for some things, but yeah, sometimes another manuever is necessary

[NeoBasilisk]

Is there a way to change the default maneuver that you have when entering combat (other than macro or script), or does that always need to be initialized?

[MightySheep]

Is there a way to change the default maneuver that you have when entering combat (other than macro or script), or does that always need to be initialized?

left most in the deck is the one you open with

[zaramoth]

why do so many combat decks use knock its teeth out over quick barrage? it seems like the fact that QB is free, fast, and can generate IP vs KiTO costing 1 IP being slower and only providing like 7% more effective opening/CD i dont really get what im missing

[jorg]

why do so many combat decks use knock its teeth out over quick barrage? it seems like the fact that QB is free, fast, and can generate IP vs KiTO costing 1 IP being slower and only providing like 7% more effective opening/CD i dont really get what im missing

KITO uses UA, whereas QB uses MC. They combo nicely to let you make IP, but they're oftentimes isn't enough reason to combo those two over something else.