Try this order:
- Shield
- Pen
- DJ
- Pen
- SOF
- Shield
- Shield
- Pen
- hold
- Pen + SOF
- Sould Power
- Ward
- Ward
- Ward
- SOF
- Ward
- DJ
- DJ
- DJ
- Ward
Ther reasoning: Shield beyond level 3 has minimal return on investment value. You also want to get spirits on the field as quick as possible due to their damage capabilites.
Last stand is not recommended. With shield+port you won't die much at all.
Why I suggest getting penitence at level 2 and DJ at level 3: Your monks will be keeping your health regen up a bit. Between that and Blood, even if you engage 1v1 you will be able to regen quickly while guarding a tower. Mana regen, on the other hand, is abysmal except on maps with +mana flags (levi etc.). The DJ really helps get that mana back up for your next engagement. However, without penitence, you really wont need the mana regen at all. Hence I recommend getting the pen first so you have a damage+debuff as quick as possible. At level 2 you can cast 1 pen and 1 shield. Be sure to not cast pen twice though lol.
I recommend soul power before getting spirits becuase this adds +20 damage to your autoattack. Spirits @ Ward 1 die easily but when you have 1 spirit, you get an additional +20 damage (+40 total) to your autoattack, and if you have 3 spirits active you get +60 to auto. One option at ward 1 is to park your three spirits at the citadel until you get ward 2 or 3.
My recommended items:
Start: Monks & Blood of the Fallen or Cloak.
1st trip to cit. (war score 2) Vlemish + banded + port (always keep a port scroll)
2nd trip (war score 3) - Currency 1 or XP1 or Fotify Structure 1 (depending on which one isn't bought):
then:
(always have a lock and sigil)
Nimoths, Plenor, Hauberk, Groffling,
Recommended artifacts, for that rare occassion:
Girdle of the Giants, Mage Slayer (add narmoths ring to those two for additional happy fun time), bulwark etc.
Have fun !