Anjali

Anjali

• Effective long-range offense
• Melee blows harm multiple foes
• Attacks may set enemies ablaze

Anjali is an archon—a legend, come to life. In the old stories, archons were spirits of fire who served the long-lost creator gods. But Anjali was raised by friends of the Legion, and she does not know how she came to this world or what happened to the others of her kind.

Developer Commentary

While Anjali's name came later on, the concept of having one of the characters be an archon came up in the very initial stages of the project. Anjali and Lucas were two of the four initial character class ideas we had. When we first were designing the character, the idea was to have one stance be earth magic and the other stance be fire magic. At some point the idea of earth magic was dropped from archons so we got rid of the earth magic stance.

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Playing as Anjali

Anjali can shift freely between her human form and an incarnation of elemental fire. In human form, she fights with a staff or a spear, allowing her to fend off multiple attackers while leaping in and out of the fray. In her fiery incarnation, she can hurl bolts of flame at ranged targets, flood areas with heat and fire, or inflict searing wounds that injure her foes over time.

Though Anjali can hold her own against mobs of enemies, she truly shines as long-range support for her companions. Still, Anjali is versatile enough to be effective in any scenario—use her melee weapon to battle enemies up close, or evade direct combat and scorch foes from afar with Anjali's fiery archon form.

Anjali's Abilities

Many of Anjali's abilities focus on causing a lingering burning effect that damages her enemies over time. Her human form abilities largely revolve around striking multiple foes and crowd control, while her archon abilities focus on single-target damage. Anjali is also one of two heroes who can summon a familiar to fight by her side—this helps draw some of the enemy's fire away from this sizzling archon.

Spinning Kick

1 Power Sphere per empowered use

Anjali leaps forward with a twirling kick, damaging all enemies in front of her. When empowered, Spinning Kick knocks down all enemies struck by Anjali's leaping attack.

Proficiencies

Crushing Impact : Anjali's Spinning Kick gains a 10 percent chance per rank to stun enemies for two seconds.

Fire Dance : Spinning Kick has a 20 percent chance per rank to inflict a burning damage-over-time effect on enemies.

Spinning Kick is Anjali's default anti-group combat ability, and it's quite useful. Purchase ranks in Crushing Impact to gain up to a 50 percent chance of stunning enemies when you unleash Spinning Kick—this is a very effective group stun that gives Anjali some welcome crowd control. Consider placing a rank or two into Fire Dance to add a three-second burning effect to Anjali's Spinning Kicks, which inflicts minor damage over time (1.95 HP at level 1 up to 138.5 HP at level 30).

Developer Commentary

This was the very first ability we got into the game for Anjali. It helped define the melee warrior feel we wanted her spear stance to have.

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Aura of Immolation

30 Focus Points per regular use

1 Power Sphere per empowered use

Anjali projects a circle of heat that burns an area for nine seconds. Enemies caught in the area take damage over time. An empowered Aura of Immolation burns with greater intensity. Enemies also have a chance of being stunned every second they spend trapped in the heat.

Proficiencies

Fiery Presence : Each rank of Fiery Presence increases the Aura's damage per second by 10 percent.

Cauterize : Anjali and any companions in the area of Aura of Immolation are slowly healed up to 2 percent of their total Hit Points per rank.

When enemies rush in, unleash Aura of Immolation to surround Anjali in a circle of righteous fire that burns all surrounding foes. The damage is minimal, but its persistence can be enough to keep weaker enemies at bay. Aura of Immolation can be extremely useful in tight spaces, such as corridors, where the enemy can't escape the flames. You can increase Aura of Immolation's damage output by adding ranks in Fiery Presence, but you might find Cauterize's group healing effect to be even more beneficial.

Developer Commentary

While the ability is a fairly simple mechanic, it is one of my favorite abilities in the game. You can choose to sit in the middle of it and force your enemies to take the burning damage for getting close to you, or put it down and move around, having enemies move into it. It's also a menace against stationary enemies. When I play Anjali by myself, I like to take the Fiery Presence proficiency. When Anjali is my companion or I'm playing multiplayer, I like to focus on the Cauterize proficiency. Coordinating with other players to have everyone get in the fire zone for some free health adds some tactical options to multiplayer.

When we first implemented this ability, the aura would move with Anjali instead of staying in one place. We found that wasn't very interesting because the player didn't have to think about where to put it or have the option of putting it down then backing off, or using it against stationary enemies and backing off. Making it so that the aura stayed where the player dropped it made it more interesting to use.

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Inner Warmth

Anjali enters a state of inner spiritual warmth, regenerating 50 percent of her health over the next 30 seconds. The benefits of Inner Warmth are shared with the party when the ability is empowered.

Proficiencies

Searing Warmth : Anjali's Inner Warmth grants her a 10 percent chance per rank in Searing Warmth to deal damage to enemies when she is attacked in melee.

Rejuvenating Spark : When Anjali uses Inner Warmth, she immediately regains 2 percent of her health per rank in Rejuvenating Spark.

Inner Warmth is the first ability you get to purchase when playing as Anjali. This vital ability allows you to slowly recover 50 percent of Anjali's Hit Points over 30 seconds and requires one Power Sphere to activate. Block enemy attacks to build up Power, then use Inner Warmth to heal Anjali while she battles her foes. Devote ranks to Rejuvenating Spark for a welcome jolt of HP the moment Inner Warmth is activated. If you prefer to fight in close combat with Anjali's weapons, consider taking ranks in Searing Warmth for a chance to reflect up to 50 percent of enemy melee damage back at the attackers.

Developer Commentary

While we wanted every character to have a healing ability for themselves, we wanted each character to be able to spend proficiency points to customize their heal in ways unique to the way they played. In Anjali's case, one can spend points to turn it into a damage shield or get more burst healing, which can be great to have ready when engaging in risky melee fighting.

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Hurl Spear

Anjali hurls her spear through the air, damaging all targets in a straight line in front of her. Anjali's empowered Hurl Spear attack inflicts higher damage and will bounce from target to target.

Proficiencies

Blinding Strike : Enemies hit by Anjali's Hurl Spear attack have a 5 percent chance per rank to suffer a three-second stun.

Incendiary Javelin : Anjali's Hurl Spear ability has a 20 percent chance per rank in Incendiary Javelin to set her opponents ablaze.

Hurl Spear is a second-tier multi-foe combat ability with good range and a high damage potential. Its low Focus cost and multi-target potential make Hurl Spear ideal for practically any combat scenario. Purchase ranks in Incendiary Javelin for a good chance to set enemies ablaze, dealing damage over time similar to the Spinning Kick ability's Fire Dance proficiency. Or devote ranks to Blinding Strike for a small chance to stun enemies you strike with spears, setting them up for further damage and providing Anjali with a bit more crowd control.

Summon Jackal

Anjali summons a Fire Jackal to attack and harass her foes. The empowered version of Summon Jackal will detonate Anjali's summoned pet in a deadly conflagration.

Proficiencies

Tireless Companion : Each rank provides an additional 10 percent bonus to the Hit Points of summoned Fire Jackals.

Canine Conflagration : Attacks from summoned Fire Jackals have a 10 percent chance per rank of inflicting a burning damage-over-time effect.

Anjali is one of only two characters who can summon a familiar to fight by her side, the other character being Katarina. Anjali can unlock her Summon Jackal ability much earlier in the adventure, however, at level 5 (compared to Katarina's level 12). Use Fire Jackals to give enemies additional threats to worry about—this helps draw some of the enemy's fire away from Anjali. Put a few ranks into Tireless Companion and a few into Canine Conflagration to add extra burning damage to the Fire Jackal's attacks and help the fearless familiar survive longer in battle.

Developer Commentary

This was among the last abilities we got into the game. I was worried we might not be able to get summonings into Dungeon Siege III, but fortunately we managed to pull it off. I'm very happy with the results. Some people feel bad about blowing the Fire Jackal up with the empowered version of this attack, though…

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Ignite

Anjali sets her weapon ablaze, increasing her damage by adding 50 percent of her Will to her Attack DPS. When empowered, Ignite sets the weapons of all party members ablaze.

Proficiencies

Everlasting Flame : When struck by Anjali's weapons while Ignite is in effect, creatures have a 20 percent chance per rank in Everlasting Flame to be set afire.

Radiating Warmth : When Anjali damages enemies with her weapon while it is ignited, she has a 5 percent chance per rank in Radiating Warmth to regain health.

Ignite is a fantastic ability for those who enjoy Anjali's melee combat stance. Use it to significantly increase the archon's normal attack damage by adding half of her Will score to her Attack DPS value. When you place ranks into Radiating Warmth, Anjali gains a chance to recover HP equal to 50 percent of the melee damage she deals to enemies while Ignite is active. Putting ranks into Everlasting Flame gives Anjali's melee blows exactly the same chance to set enemies afire as the Spinning Kick ability's Fire Dance proficiency.

Fall from the Heavens

Anjali leaps into the air and crashes down at the targeted location, dealing heavy damage to any affected enemies. When empowered, Anjali's Fall from the Heavens creates a searing radius of damage-over-time at the location where she lands.

Proficiencies

Thunderous Descent : Anjali has a 10 percent chance per rank in Thunderous Descent to knock down enemies affected by Fall from the Heavens for four seconds.

Heaven's Fury : Fall from the Heavens inflicts an additional 10 percent damage per rank.

Fall from the Heavens is a fantastic anti-mob combat ability that inflicts heavy damage against groups of foes. Its Focus cost is high, but you certainly get what you pay for. Thunderous Descent is a worthwhile proficiency that can leave multiple enemies vulnerable to follow-up assaults, while Heaven's Fury simply piles on the damage—this makes Fall from the Heavens even more hazardous.

Developer Commentary

This was an ability that we developed very early on in the project that helped us figure a good target for how awesome abilities can look in DS3 . Even early on, the visual effects associated with it were impressive, and we were proud to show it off in our 2010 E3 demo.

– Richard Taylor, Project Director

Pillar of Fire

Anjali summons a massive pillar of fire at the targeted location. When empowered, Pillar of Fire conjures a wall of flame wider and more destructive than the column of fire normally summoned.

Proficiencies

Staggering Heat : Pillar of Fire slows enemies by 15 percent per rank.

Relentless Inferno : Each rank increases Pillar of Fire's damage by 10 percent.

Pillar of Fire is a devastating combat ability that scorches multiple adversaries with its unexpected and violent arrival. Though a fire-based attack, Pillar of Fire features no prolonged burning or damage-over-time effect. The pillar normally persists for three seconds, but it lasts for six seconds when the empowered ability is used. Depending on your style of play, Pillar of Fire can be upgraded to greatly slow enemies, making them easier to manage, or its damage can be significantly increased to ensure swift decimation.

Volatile Barrier

1. Anjali is encased in a volatile magical barrier, lasting up to 30 seconds. If it absorbs 25 percent of her health, it will explode, causing damage. When it's empowered, each member of the party is shielded by a Volatile Barrier.

Proficiencies

Shroud of Radiance : Volatile Barrier can absorb 10 percent more damage per rank before collapsing.

Fiery Backlash : The explosion from Volatile Barrier's collapse inflicts an additional 20 percent damage per rank.

Volatile Barrier is a unique defensive power that boasts significant offensive potential. Upgrade its Fiery Backlash proficiency to add much more damage when the barrier is destroyed by unwary foes. Shroud of Radiance can make the barrier far more formidable, adding to its defensive value—but every rank you purchase in this proficiency reduces the odds that the barrier will buckle and subsequently detonate in combat.

Anjali's Talents

Anjali has an array of interesting talents, many of which improve upon the benefits of her critical hits—this makes Agility a worthwhile stat to enhance while upgrading Anjali's adventuring gear. Several of Anjali's talents are also meant to improve the archon's ability to heal and inflict damage. Consider the combat stance you most often rely upon and upgrade talents that best suit your unique style of play.

Radiant Will

Anjali receives a 5 percent bonus to Will per rank in Radiant Will.

This talent's benefits are obvious to those who enjoy Anjali's powerful combat abilities. More Will means more Ability DPS—this adds extra sizzle to Anjali's special moves.

Grace of Flame

Five percent of Anjali's Agility per rank of Grace of Flame also applies to Block value.

Though she can handle herself in close quarters, Anjali isn't the sort of melee juggernaut that her comrade Lucas can become. Put ranks into Grace of Flame to boost Anjali's Block score—now, whenever you increase Anjali's Agility to help her land more critical hits, you'll also be improving her ability to block attacks. This translates to easier Power recovery, which allows Anjali to activate healing and defensive abilities more often.

Spiritual Devastation

Anjali's critical hits have a 4 percent chance per rank in Spiritual Devastation to stun enemies.

Critical hits are great, especially when they have a chance to stun enemies. Max out this talent to give every one of Anjali's critical hits a 20 percent chance of also inflicting a three-second stun—assuming the victim survives, of course.

Phoenix's Warmth

Anjali has a 10 percent chance per rank in Phoenix's Warmth to regenerate life when she takes damage.

When Phoenix's Warmth succeeds, Anjali recovers 5 percent of her maximum HP over the next five seconds. This may not seem like much, but Phoenix's Warmth has a chance to succeed each time Anjali takes damage, making it an oft-used talent. With full ranks purchased, Anjali will effectively regain 5 percent of her maximum HP every other time she's hit—a welcome bonus, particularly for fans of the archon's melee style.

Militancy

Anjali's critical hits grant her additional Focus. The amount of Focus gained increases with each rank of Militancy.

Each rank in Militancy causes Anjali to recover 2 Focus Points whenever she scores a critical hit. Combine this with certain other talents, such as Spiritual Devastation and Grace of Flame, to make Agility an increasingly important stat for Anjali to increase—she'll score critical hits more often and begin reaping their many benefits.

Radiance

Whenever Anjali is healed, she heals an additional 4 percent per rank in Radiance.

If you're finding Anjali to be too flimsy and easily slain, rank up her Radiance talent to significantly boost the amount of healing she receives from all sources. This talent combines nicely with Anjali's many healing abilities.

Fury of Fire

Anjali enters a combat fury after defeating opponents that increases damage dealt for 10 seconds. Each rank increases damage dealt.

Fury of Fire grants a 2 percent damage bonus per rank, up to a maximum of a 10 percent boost that lasts for 10 seconds. It's not much on its own, but when combined with Anjali's many other damage-enhancing qualities, this archon's attacks gain a far greater impact.

Brutality

Anjali's critical hits have a chance to spawn an area-of-effect attack that knocks down her opponents.

Here's another useful talent that enhances Anjali's critical hits and crowd control. Each rank of Brutality grants Anjali's criticals a 3 percent chance to knock down surrounding foes, up to a maximum of a 15 percent knockdown chance. It's not much, but each time enemies are knocked to the ground, they'll be defenseless for several seconds while they struggle to right themselves.

Defender's Advantage

When Anjali blocks an attack, she has a chance to gain Defender's Advantage, granting her bonus damage for 10 seconds.

With Defender's Advantage, blocking not only restores Anjali's Power, it also has a chance to fire her up and increase her damage for a short time. Each rank gives just a 1 percent chance to gain Defender's Advantage, up to a maximum of a 5 percent chance, so it's rare that you'll ever notice this talent's damage bonus unless you block quite often.

Reprisal

Each time Anjali is hit, there is a 3 percent chance per rank that her attacker will suffer a burning damage-over-time effect.

Burning things is what Anjali does best—help her set the world afire by giving the archon full ranks in Reprisal. When this talent succeeds, Anjali's attacker is set ablaze, suffering damage equal to Anjali's Ability DPS value spread over three seconds. This is particularly useful to those who prefer to tackle enemies with Anjali's heavy melee blows.

Party Planning

Anjali will first meet Lucas in Stormsong Cavern, followed by Katarina when her journey leads her into the swamps. Reinhart will join Anjali in Stonebridge under certain conditions, much later in the adventure.

When playing as a character other than Anjali, consider the beneficial Deeds that the archon can provide you when set as your active companion. Keep Anjali by your side and make choices during dialogue sequences that impress her. This will gain you Influence with Anjali—and the more Influence you gain with the archon, the more beneficial Deeds you will acquire

Tier 1 Deed: Celestial Ally
(3 Influence Gains)

You have earned the trust of the archon, Anjali.

Player Gains: +2 Attack

Tier 2 Deed: Fiery Loyalty
(14 Influence Gains)

Anjali's faith in you has become unshakable.

Player Gains: +3 Attack

Tier 3 Deed: Radiant Friendship (21 Influence Gains)

You have earned Anjali's undying loyalty and friendship.

Player Gains: +5 Attack

Sample Builds

Consider the following sample builds of Anjali—these are level-by-level examples of the abilities, proficiencies, and talents that one might invest in to make this awesome archon really heat things up in battle.

Anjali—Defensive Build

Many of Anjali's abilities and talents can be upgraded to give her a defensive advantage. Purchase the following abilities, proficiencies, and talents to help Anjali persevere throughout even the most grueling and prolonged of battles.

Stats to Max: Armor, Stamina, Block

Useful Chaos Effect(s): Vampire, Weakening, Warding

Anjali—Crash and Burn Build

Anjali's greatest strength lies in her complete mastery over the lethal element of fire. Upgrade Anjali's abilities and talents as shown in the table to transform this archon into a fiery incarnation of mayhem and vengeance.

Stats to Max: Attack, Will

Useful Chaos Effect(s): Fire, Ice, Poison, Lightning