Request for comments: a faction dilemma for Ether-based character.

I am trying to play with an aether-based character and would like to get opinions which factions should I side with. They are Order of Death’s Vigil versus Kymon’s Chosen and The Outlast versus The Black Legion. Thank you in advance.

Is this your first character? Can’t comment on Order vs Kymon’s because I just pick whoever I want. As for Outcast, I recommend siding with her on Normal, then don’t pick any side on Elite. Ask yourself the following question afterwards: Do you want to play with Devastation? If yes, then kill Anasteria till you get Outcast’s secret. You can then choose to be friendly with her on either Elite or Ultimate (whichever one you still have the option to choose)

This is a second hero and she is 41. Just ran into this dilemma. The first one is Occultist/Shaman sided with The Outlast and The Order. I think of Reckless Power. No thoughts on Devastation nor Trozan’s Sky Shard yet. I have maxed Callidor’s Tempest/Inferno, Albrecht’s Aether Ray/Disintegration and Inner Forcus, 2 points to Arcane Will. I like how it goes on but dunno which factions of the two delivers most of the aether damage (gear, powders, etc). Well, I think I’ll come along with the Order at the moment.

Thank you for your reply, I’ll take it in account once the aether witch come.

P.S. Excuse my English.

On the factions, i can give u some advice, the Order is mainly caster(pet)/cold dam focused making it ideal for a aether/lightning shaman char while the Chosen focus on ranged phys and fire damage for the most part(also good melee items)

Same for the outcast/Black Legion, Outcast has caster gear and Black legion mainly melee gear but for these two u can go for both.
How? simple.
Choose the Outcast and just play on, the Black legion rep enemy has been changed to the Aetherial Vanguard instead of the basic ones meaning by diong quests and killing in Malmouth u can get lots of rep for both and thus getting both of their gear without to much trouble.

Hope this helps!

Death’s Vigil has a couple of nice things for Aether. If I’m playing an Aether character, I’d choose them.

I tend more into a caster playstyle. I have picked up The Order. I have Ashes of Malmouth and these changes you wrote about look like a good news. I decided to befriend with The Outcast and get the opposite’s reputation the way you described above. Thank you for your reply.

Already done. Thank you for your advice.

For an aether char siding with order is always good. For many light/fire specs though it actually makes sense to aide with kymons in norm then switch to order in ult/elite. The faction gear isnt exactly stellar but kymons badge can be BIS for some lightning/ fire build.

Also for aether chars consider siding w order initially the kynons later - Iron Maiden is like 10x harder for AAR builds than Zantarin

There are no dilemmas in GD.
Is your character melee? Pick Vigil, because Iron Maiden doesn’t have melee OHKO shotgun.
Is your character ranged? Pick Kymon, because Zantarin doesn’t have Blitz.
Do you plan to farm endgame dungeons (yes on your first character)? Side with Outcast.
Do you plan to farm Outcast hood? Become hostile with her.
Do you have all three forms of Ravager unlocked on ultimate difficulty (no on your first character)? Side with Barrowholm if no.

To sum up what I’ve read so far and considering a dim vision of what I want to end up with, I’m going to side with The Outlast / The Order in Normal / Veteran, switch to Kymons in Elite and stick with what will suits me best in Ultimate.

Thank you for your comment.

I see it has already been determined what is best for Arcanist and I may pick up some ready-to-go build. Instead, I play on my own and like to discover things myslef.

Oh, this will clarify my final decision. Thank you for this list of questions.