Why am I still so weak at mid-late game? Combat balance issue or skill/build issue? Stats on the picture.
Equipment: Tidepiercer slightly upgraded (about 52-58 dmg per strike) and Scorching Pathway (88-132 dmg). Wearing full Usurper's kit and a Pendant of endless study for spell power and magic bonuses.
One handed and magic 100, sword right hand and offensive spell on the other.
145% melee damage and 313% Spell power should mean some decent amount of power no?
At this point in the game, Marrowghasts, curlghasts, some undead, are still tanking like 15-20 hits just to die, while they can kill me in 2 blasts or 3-4 lunges.
Frostbitten warriors are still nearly unkillable while 2-3 shotting me. I just now arrived at the Forlorn Swords.
Not even gonna mention other monsters like Flesh Trees which are basically bosses, or even worse, for me.
This was understandable maybe 25-30 levels ago where I was still developing, but my build and skills are pretty much maxed out and defined at this point. I now one-shot bandits and peasants and some animals, but that's it. Even bears still feel like mini bosses sometimes.
The way I get by and feel like I have some power is by having summons tanking and dishing hits. Running Sir Gawain and Bertilak feels like I have a chance.
So, is this a combat balance issue, or a skill/gear issue?