Help with a Hardmode build

[Greyfox643]

Greetings! Due to no reason whatsoever (and certainly not public content or future bbw healsluts) I want to start off nice and fresh and do a Hardmode playthrough!

And I was looking to get ideas on how to MECHANICALLY build my character (everything from background and so on) and my party, to fit my goals. As currently, the wiki doesnt have much to go on for stat crunching purposes.

I want to make a "Spell Blade" (that's, 50/50 on offensive magic and physical abilities) focused solely on going first and hitting dem crits. But I'm not sure what to chase for skills, and items. Not to mention, what party combination would cover my obvious weakness: no sustainability, no lust damage, no threat management.

I was thinking of starting off as a Noble Thief, and sticking to their skills for awhile until I can snag the SpiralSword. (As I believe there are no range catalysts that can use weapon skills.)
(Confirmed otherwise, cool chasing a basic wand, until I can get the Holy-crit catalyst from Floof Haus)

And Keeping Cait or Ryn for healing and sustain. And swap between either Arona or Honey Maiden Azzy for a wall of meat. I'm TEMPTED by Atugia for the party tank, but I'm worried about her in more difficult boss fights.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm still at a complete loss on what skills to chase

 

[Burnerbro]

Black Mage and Thief are both viable options for your actual class. BM will give you bonus spell crits and access to Scholar background that is the only one providing you with extra Cunning at the start of the game, while Thief has more consistent damage bonuses, better level 5 perk and, arguably, a better ultimate power.

Atugia is a good tank/healer hybrid, that can also target the enemy resolve with all of her offensive moves. It's just that she is a hybrid Resolve/HP tank with good defensive stats across the board, as opposed to Arona tanking the shit out of anything physical but being quite vulnerable to magic and tease attacks. Enemy crits are another thing that can really trip Tui up, but it has a chance of happening regardless of your choice of tank, because the enemies can nuke your squishies before the tank can establish aggro.

Don't forget that even with low Presence you can still run Resolve nuking comps if need be, through spells and later certain weapons. Add just one of Dancer Cait, Quin or Bimbazzi and you are set.

 

[Greyfox643]

Thank you very much!