Highwayman (Darkest Dungeon II)

Base = Upgraded =

"Hunted, hurried, a fugitive seeking to outpace the past."

- The Academic

The Highwayman is one of 12 Heroes in Darkest Dungeon II.

Class Description

 * ANY RANK
 * HIGH DMG
 * VERSATILE
 * RIPOSTE

Combat Skills
The Highwayman will always start each run equipped with Wicked Slice,  Pistol Shot,  Duelist's Advance,  Tracking Shot,  Take Aim. All other skills must be unlocked through the Shrine of Reflection, after which they are permanently unlocked and available for subsequent playthroughs.



























Unique Trinkets
🔸Each Hero has their own 3 unique Trinkets, exclusive only to them.

Hero Paths
🔸 All Heroes Start The Game with No Hero Path. Each Hero has access to 3 unique Paths available only to them once they Invest into The Living City.

Strategy
DISMAS 🔸The Highwayman is a highly versatile hero that heavily focuses on dealing damage thanks to his ability to target the front Ranks as well as the back Ranks. His skillset places emphasis on damage and utility such as self-Buffs, Death Blow RES Piercing and a unique skill to destroy or steal powerful Tokens from enemies.

🔸 SKILLS OVERVIEW


 * Dd2 ability highwayman wickedslice.png Wicked Slice high damage skill that hits the Front-rank. Ignores 30% Deathsdoor dd2.png DBR, this is enough to to bring to the minimum Deathsdoor dd2.png DBR (5%) for most enemies.


 * Dd2 ability pistolshot.png Pistol Shot high damage skills that hits the Back-ranks. Applies / when Target has . Most used as a utility but still has enough damage to kill most enemies, is the only HWM skill that can directly damage Rank 4.
 * Dd2 ability duelistsadvance.png Duelist Advance Forward 1. Gives acces to Riposte, Highwayman Riposte has a chance to apply Combo on enemies, this make HWM's Riposte valuable as a DMG skill, Finisher Tool and a Support skill.


 * Dd2 ability trackingshot.png Tracking Shot Hard counter, Dodge. Very useful to counter certain enemies (Example: Librarian) as no only Ignores and Remove  Dodge but also prevents enemies to Gain  Dodge for 2 Turns.  Also adds Combo and Removes  Stealth as an added bonus.

Take Aim maths: The following is a mathematical analysis of Take Aim. To start, it is important to establish some basic rules.
 *  Dd2 ability takeaim.png  Take Aim is the cornerstone of HWM's damage output. It generates Dd2 token crit.png, Dd2 token dodge.png(and Dd2 token speed.png when mastered) while simultaneously clearing Dd2 token blind.png. Is recommended to always use this skills in combination with other DMG skills as the guaranteed  Crit will greatly improve your DPS.

Firstly. Your average attack hits between 50% and 100% of your "Maximum hit", coming to an average of 75%. Secondly. A critical hit deals 150% of your maximum hit. This means that you can view a critical hit as doing 75% more damage than your average hit. Taking this further, we can interpret each 1% of crit chance as a 0.75% increase to your average hit.

Take Aim requires you to invest a turn to use it in order to generate critical tokens. This means that in order to get an average damage with take aim, you need to work out the mean damage dealt per "Take Aim Cycle", or the damage you deal in the turns between using take aim, and the turn you used Take Aim.

For reference, C = Crit chance

Regular attacks: 75% + (0.75 * C)

Unmastered Take Aim: (0 + 150%) / 2 = 75%

Comparing unmastered Take Aim to regular attacks, we can already see that regular attacks do (C * 0.75) average damage than using Take Aim. However, when we factor in mastered Take Aim, it gets interesting.

Mastered Take Aim: (0 + 150% + 150%) / 3 = 100%

Using Mastered Take Aim, your average Damage Per Turn (DPT) is 25% higher than using unmastered take aim, or regular attacks when ignoring natural crit chance. From here, by dividing the 25% gain by the value of 1% of crit chance, 0.75%, we can see that Take Aim+ is equal in DPT to having a 33.333* crit chance. As we cannot have decimal crit chance, this means that in order to do more damage without using Take Aim when compared to using Take Aim, you need 34% or higher crit chance.

Another interesting property of crit tokens is that they affect all hits in a given attack, not just one, while natural crit chance rolls each hit independantly. This means that for Grapeshot blast the maths is somewhat different. Because we have 2 chances to critically hit, there is greater variance in the possible outcomes. This does not affect the value of crit % in damage dealt however, so the "34% rule" remains true.


 * Dd2 ability pointblankshot.png Point Blank Shot is a highly devastating skill, but has rather strict Rank requirement (Only can be used in Rank 1). Makes good combo with another Dancing heroes that can move HWM to Rank 1 (Example:Portraits-jester.pngr's, Portraits-manatarms.png-at-Arms).


 * Dd2 ability grapeshotblast.png Grapeshot Blast Multi-hit attack. Due to the Low Base DMG is preferably used to remove Tokens and to finish off enemies at low health. Combined with  Dd2 ability takeaim.png Take Aim can be used as a Pseudo Stress Healer (it procs Stress heal chance two times)


 * Dd2 ability openvein.png Open Vein Moderate Damage skill that hits the front ranks. Althought the direct damage is not high, the skill shines when the Target has Combo as it doubles the Bleed Dealt.


 * Dd2 ability doubletap.png Double Tap High damage skill that hits the Middle-ranks. Ignores 10% -20%Deathsdoor dd2.png DBR, and deals more DMG when the enemy is a low  HP.  Works as a main DMG Skill, as a Finisher and is most effective the more health has the enemy.


 * Dd2 ability highwayrobbery.png Highway Robbery is extremely useful against enemies that can apply positive Tokens on themselves or allies,(Example: Combat turnorder enemy cultist deacon.pngst) as it can remove these Tokens and destroy enemies' advantages to alleviate combat risks. With the skill upgraded, the Highwayman can also steal powerful Tokens to increase his damage and defense


 * Dd2 ability doublecross.png Double Cross can apply Vulnerable to enemies and  to Self. Is best pair with other heroes that can use  Vulnerable  (Example:Portraits-hellion.pngon, Portraits-leper.png) .  Dd2 ability takeaim.png Take Aim can make this Skill more effective as Crits ignores +20% Debuff RES.

Shrine of Reflection
🔸The Highwayman permanently gains access to 6 skills over 5 Chapters through accessing memories in the Shrine of Reflection.

Barks
Combat =

Landing a CRIT

 * Didn't see that coming, did you?
 * I never miss.
 * Right where it hurts!
 * You're outmatched.
 * Ha haa!
 * Damn - I missed your eyes!
 * My regards.
 * I've faced worse!

Stalling

 * Nothing to gain from dragging this out.
 * This ain't a scrimmage - finish them!
 * C'mon, daylight's fading.

Bleed

 * Another day, another bloodstain.
 * Got me good.

Blight

 * Am I seein' double?
 * C'mon... focus...!

Burn

 * Distract 'em! It stings my eyes!
 * They got me! I require aid!

Horror

 * Gotta... keep my hand steady...
 * Was... was she breathing...?

Stress

 * TBA

Torch Decrease

 * TBA

Entering Death's Door

 * Every road ends...

Ally On Death's Door

 * TBA

Surviving Hit on Death's Door

 * ... Been hit harder.
 * ... Do your worst.

Ally Surviving Hit on Death's Door

 * No time to mourn - get up.

Hit by CRIT

 * Won't get another of those.
 * This is it - my final shot at freedom.

Ally Hit by CRIT

 * I've seen you take worse. C'mon!

Pushed by Enemy

 * Can't keep my footing! Blast!

Meltdown (Phased out)

 * TBA

Fog Appears (Shroud)

 * TBA

Fog Fades (Shroud)
Positive Act Outs=
 * TBA

Stress Healing Partner - General

 * You're tougher than this. Breathe.
 * This will pass. Swear it.
 * It's a tough world. You're tougher.

Buffing Partner - General

 * Shoot to kill.

Healing Partner - General

 * Lemme patch this. Steady, now.

Combo Attack - General

 * One in the front, one 'twixt the shoulders!

Retaliation - General

 * Pay me back later.

Protection - General

 * I got this.

Attacking Ally - General

 * TBA

Praise for Support Skill - General

 * That's what we need.

Praise for Attack - General

 * Now we fight dirty!
 * Fast and deadly. I like it.

Stress Heal in Coach - General

 * TBA.

Stress Self in Coach - General

 * TBA

Stress Healing Partner - Hopeful

 * Put it behind you. I know you can.
 * Survive. The rest'll shake out.
 * You've been down worse roads.

Buffing Partner - Hopeful

 * Here. They'll never see it coming

Praise for Support Skill - Hopeful

 * We all got a job to do.

Praise for Attack - Hopeful

 * Give 'em no quarter!

Stress Heal in Coach - Hopeful
TBA

Stress Healing Partner - Respectful

 * We'll send 'em to hell - together.
 * Now, you... you've got gravel in your guts.

Retaliation After Partner is Attacked - Respectful

 * If they come for you, we'll stop 'em.

Combo Attack with Partner - Respectful

 * *appreciative whistle*

Praise for Support Skill - Respectful

 * Can't believe I hadn't thought of that.

Praise for Attack - Respectful

 * And you barely broke a sweat.

Stress Heal in Coach - Respectful

 * TBA

Stress Healing Partner - Amorous

 * How'd you get me so sweet on you?
 * Mhm, you're a good one.

Healing Partner - Amorous

 * You don't get to die on me.

Protection - Amorous

 * Mm, like knowing you owe me one.

Praise for Support Skill - Amorous

 * Show me that trick in your bunk later.

Praise for Attack - Amorous

 * Mm, there you are.

Stress Heal in Coach - Amorous

 * TBA

Negative Act Outs=

Attacking Ally

 * We're all safer with you in the dirt.

Dealing Stress Partner - General

 * Damned souls, one and all.
 * Push me again, I dare you.

Insult for Support Skill - General

 * Don't celebrate just yet.

Insult for Attack - General

 * Too slow.

Stress Damage on Ally - Suspicious

 * And show my back to you? Never.
 * I don't have the luxury of trusting people.

Stress Damage on Ally on Road - Suspicious

 * TBA

Insult for Support Skill - Suspicious

 * What's your angle?

Insult for Attack - Suspicious

 * Something ain't right about you.

Stress Damage on Ally - Envious

 * I'm nobody's mark.
 * Ever eaten rat? Didn't think so.

Stress Damage on Ally on Road - Envious

 * TBA

Insult for Support Skill - Envious

 * Now I know where you stand, eh.

Insult for Attack - Envious

 * ''Sure wish I could do that.'

Stress Damage on Ally - Resentful

 * Are you even on our side?!
 * Typical - I do all the dirty work.

Stress Damage on Ally on Road - Resentful

 * TBA

Insult for Support Skill - Resentful

 * Don't come lookin' for help from me.

Insult for Attack - Resentful

 * You're treadin' on my patience.

Attacking Ally - Hateful

 * ''One step closer. I dare you.'

Stress Damage on Ally - Hateful

 * You smell worse than a rat.
 * I've wet my blade for less...
 * I'd slit your throat myself.

Insult for Support Skill - Hateful

 * You know what I do to dead weight.

Insult for Attack - Hateful
Affinity=
 * Stand off or I shoot the next one through you.

Adding Buff

 * TBA

Guarding Ally

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Adding Token

 * TBA

Follow Up Attack

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Follow Up on Debuffed Enemy

 * TBA

Healing Ally

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Revenge Attack on Enemy

 * Gut the bastards!
 * TBA

Moving Positions - Positive

 * A good ambush is always preparation

Removing DoTs

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Stress Healing

 * TBA
 * TBA

Jealous of Buff

 * TBA

Jealous of Guarded Ally

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Jealous of Token

 * TBA

Jealous of Food (Unused)

 * TBA

Jealous of Healing

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Moving Positions - Negative

 * TBA

Jealous of DoT Removal

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Positive Road Banter

 * TBA
 * TBA
 * TBA

Negative Road Banter
Inn Items=
 * what's wrong? Look outside. You daft?
 * You'll double-cross me. I'm sure
 * TBA

Armor Repair Kit

 * This sort of work is never finished, is it?

Blasphemous Idol

 * Can't discount any potential advantage.

Book of Bawdy Tales

 * We all get bored.

BOOK: My time in the Desert

 * Sand for miles, what a strange land.

Book of Creative Insults

 * Any edge in a fight.

Poetry

 * What makes you think I've got a "favourite"?

Boxing Gloves

 * First to fall?

Calming Incense

 * You callin' me tense?... fine, fine.

Candles and Chocolate

 * C'mere.

Clarifying Poultice

 * I'll take a hit. Sleep is a luxury.

Clotting Poultice

 * No one likes to bleed.

Dartboard

 * Five relics for each bullseye.

Ceremonial Drum

 * Trust in your boots.

Slime Mold

 * I've had worse.
 * (If full) - Had enough.

Stale Bread

 * Can't be too picky on the road.
 * (If full) - Save the rest for the weeks ahead.

Apple and Cheese

 * Mm, hits the spot.
 * (If full) - I'm well'n good for now.

Steak and Spuds

 * Now this is the stuff!
 * (If full) - I'm stuffed.

Flapjacks

 * I'll take a half dozen.
 * (If full) - Hardly ever turn down a meal - but no.

Holy Beads

 * I felt a strange pull...

Impermeable Poultice

 * Protects against double-crossin'.

Leeches

 * I like my blood where it is.

Meditative Totem

 * Never been a superstitious type, but...

Mop and Bucket

 * Labour is a release from past sins.

Nightshade Concoction

 * Ain't hungry for the noose yet.

Pipeweed

 * A steadfast companion for the long road.

Playing cards

 * I'll shuffle.

Restorative Herbs

 * If it works, it works.

Roast Pig

 * If this is it - what a last meal.
 * (If full) - Tempting, but no.

Songbook of Amorous Ballads

 * Love spurned me once. But I can forget for a night.

Songbook of Touching Dirges

 * *Slow, haunting whistling*

Songbook of Rousing Tunes

 * We sang these at the chain gang...

Soothing Poultice

 * Hope I never need it.

Speed Bag

 * Got to wrap the knuckles first.

Invigorating Stew

 * The finest meal is the meal you're eating.
 * (If full) - I've had me fill. Leave me be.

Stimulating Poultice

 * Put 'em down before they see ya, ideally.

Stitching Kit

 * You'd think I'd be better at this by now.

The Wine

 * I'm not often the sharing sort, but what do you say?

Tinned Delicacies

 * Eat it now or it'll weigh us down.
 * (If full) - TBA

Knotted Tug Rope

 * Loser takes first watch!

Wax Inoculant

 * Horrible miasmas in these times.

Whetstone

 * *jaunty whistling*

Whiskey Barrel

 * Well, let's do it up proper then!

Whiskey Bottle

 * I don't usually share, but...

Whiskey Flask

 * Always gone too fast

Whittling Tools

 * I did this as a boy...

Wild Tea

 * I feel... oddly relaxed, yet awake. Huh.

Morbid Joke

 * You ever heard the one about the chandler...?
 * What's red and bad fer your teeth? ... A brick.
 * Dark humour is like food. Not everyone gets it.

Improvised Strategy

 * Hm. Seems sensible enough.

The Very Best

 * TBA

Experimental Remedy

 * Pass it here. This journey's wearin' me down.

War Paint

 * TBA

Tar-Filled Colambre

 * ''TBA'

Oddly-Tuned Lute

 * Feels nice. Feels... normal.

Precious Collection

 * Bold man, carrying the past around.

Guided Meditation
Hero Shrines=
 * Don't normally travel with a guide.

Shrine 1

 * Walls will never again hold me.

Shrine 2

 * Freedom was nothing like what I'd hoped for.

Shrine 3

 * Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Shrine 4

 * Was I desperate? Yes. Was I greedy...?

Shrine 5

 * Regret bind fiercer than any manacles.

Shrine 6
Locations=
 * My life's my own again. Whatever that's worth.

Oasis

 * TBA

Creature Den

 * TBA

Resistance Encounter

 * TBA

Resistance Encounter Success

 * TBA

Resistance Encounter Retreat

 * TBA

Assistance Encounter

 * TBA

Exiting Assistance Encounter

 * TBA

Valley Assistance Encounter

 * TBA

Region Gate

 * TBA

Exiting Crossroads

 * TBA

Exiting Hospital

 * TBA

Exiting Hoarder

 * I swear, I've seen him someplace before.

Exiting Valley Hoarder

 * TBA

Exiting Watchtower

 * TBA

Exiting Hoarder

 * TBA

Exiting Academic's Study

 * TBA

Cultist Encounter Success

 * TBA

Cultist Encounter Retreat

 * TBA

Tangle Lair Success

 * TBA

Tangle Lair Retreat

 * TBA

Foetor Lair Success

 * TBA

Foetor Lair Retreat

 * TBA

Sprawl Lair Success

 * TBA

Sprawl Lair Retreat

 * TBA

Shroud Lair Success

 * TBA

Shroud Lair Retreat

 * TBA

Exiting Oblivion's Ingress

 * In and out. A perfect Job.

Exiting Academic's Cache

 * TBA

Exiting completed Hero Shrine
Quirks/Diseases= TBA Travelling Stress=
 * So much for second chances.

Travelling Stress Heal

 * Perhaps there is hope for us yet...
 * We are not so dissimilar...
 * I accept you. We all do.
 * Chin up, shoulders back. We can do this.
 * The road is tough but we're going to make it.
 * Let us share tales of merrier times.
 * Come what may, we are united!
 * Hang in there. 
 * Can I get you anything?
 * It's a long road, but we've got each other.
 * Want to share? I've got extra...
 * You're even tougher than you look.
 * I'm glad you're here, for what it's worth.
 * You're going to live. I won't hear otherwise.
 * At least we aren't facing this alone.
 * Maybe all hope is not lost...
 * There are times I almost feel hopeful.
 * I had a pleasant dream, for once...
 * Whatever comes, we are united.
 * Perhaps we'll find glory after all...
 * This world is worth saving.
 * We are making a difference out there.
 * Hope is seductive, isn't it?
 * We're making good time.
 * If this is my fate, I'm content.
 * All is not lost.
 * We will best these fiends!

Travelling Stress Damage

 * 'Buffoon!
 * 'We're not going to make it, are we?
 * 'Everywhere, the world comes undone...
 * 'Stuck in a coach with the likes of you - feh.
 * 'I'm hungry and tired!
 * 'This cursed coach is a bouncing racket!
 * 'Let me out of this blasted coach!
 * 'Here we are, four corpses in a rolling coffin...
 * 'I can't bear to look out the window...
 * 'It's like a nightmare out there.
 * 'Like rats in a trap...
 * 'What if it's all for nothing...?
 * 'Can I really trust you to have my back...?
 * 'Can't sleep. Awful food. Worse company.
 * 'A waking nightmare...
 * 'We never seem to make any progress...
 * 'Just leave me by the roadside.
 * 'This was all a mistake...!
 * 'We're driving in circles...
 * 'Are we lost?
 * 'This is not the life I dreamt for myself...
 * 'Everywhere we pass - ruin, destruction...
 * 'Fools, fools we are...
 * 'We were damned before we set off.
 * 'Why us? Why me?
 * 'I'm not crying...! Look away!
 * 'I grow so weary of this fight.
 * 'Would it be so bad to give in...?

Travelling path type reaction=

Safe path

 * Too quiet...
 * Calm before the storm, I'd wager

Rough path

 * Hold on!
 * Keep it steady, damn you!

Hazardous path

 * TBA
 * TBA

Oblivion tear

 * Don't let it speak to me!
 * TBA
 * TBA

Trivia

 * The Highwayman is one of the eleven Heroes returning from Darkest Dungeon, and one of the first nine Heroes to be available in the sequel.
 * The Highwayman's default name - Dismas - is named after the penitent thief crucified next to Jesus of Nazareth.
 * There are several unused story sketches related to the Highwayman which depicts some parts of his past.