Kingdom Death: Builds - Early Game 1 - Rawhide & Katar (Patreon)

So as part of moving towards getting extra KD:M content online I've decided to increase my post content with a series of short pieces on the builds I like to use in the game.  Explaining why I do the things I do, the areas where you can be flexible in your build and so on.  These will not replace the 1 to 2 monthly painting posts I will put up, they're just going to be more content because it's something I enjoy doing and gives me something to post publicly on the feed.

So with that written, here is the first build I aim to construct in just about every game I play.  The Rawhide + Katar survivor build.

Costs:

3 Organs, 6 Hide and one Lion's Claw. 

Summary:

 This build is actually a DPS (Damage Dealing) build, but in the early game it allows you to not just attack, but work as the primary tank, while your real tank struggles to find himself a shield and your  Trapper (spear user) trains up towards their specialisation.

With the Graves Principle potentially giving you a survivor with +1 Luck early on, this build can be very powerful, farming resources via critical hits on a 7, 8, 9 or 10.  In addition, Katar mastery is one of the two most potent offensive early game masteries because of how defensive it's benefits are.  

Benefits:

Deadly, +1 Luck, +2 Evasion, +3 Survival when departing, 50% chance of regaining survival when spending it (great with Thrill Seeker + surge) and the ability to remove the priority token and not be a threat for a turn as required.

Flex Slots:

The Katar can be replaced by the Rib Blade from the Gorm, which makes it even easier to get 2 Blue Affinities for the Luck Charm.  This frees up a slot for a shield.  

Fecal Salve can be the Cat's Eye Circlet, Whisker Harp or Wisdom Potion.  Fecal Salve is just the easiest one of these items to make and also the least valuable (+3 survival when departing in the early game tends to be overkill).

If you are not primary tanking then the Monster Grease is also a flex item, but it is difficult to pass up +1 Evasion.

Transition into Mid Game:

This can build can be upgraded into the mid game by swapping the evasion for a Leather Shield.  In addition you can move into a more brawler style build by dropping the Luck Charm + Salve and getting a Shield + Blood Paint instead.  You will not generate as many resources, but it is very safe to activate your shield, surge and then attack, the shield will then protect you from unexpected reactions because you have already set the Block on it.

Why Rawhide for Katars and not White Lion?

Well, the fact is that I find the White Lion Armor to be inferior for Katar builds.  White Lion Armor does have some benefits, the pounce ability is solid. But it is very hard to get good defenses onto White Lion Armor and the complete set bonus can get you into a lot of trouble because of that +Speed.  In addition White Lion Armor costs effectively more than double the price of Rawhide (5 White Fur, 3 Hide, 1 Bone and 1 Great Cat Bone - that's 8 hide for minimal benefits in some areas and disadvantages in others).

As an aside: I am still trying to make White Lion Armor worthwhile, I'm getting closer to solving the puzzle, but the problem with it is the cost plus the bad affinities (Red affinities are not that valuable early game or indeed overall).

Expansions that this build benefits from:

Dung Beetle Knight, Dragon King or Lion Knight - for good late game Katars.  Gorm for Wisdom Potion and Rib Blade Alternative Build.