In sandbox I prefer Blacksmithing over Constitution - these skill aren't first priority, so you either choose between having unbreakable items (50% from skill, +20 from bracelets, 20 from dragon's cape and 10 from dwarven gloves) and abysmal flat bonuses.

Usually I either go for 5/1 levels or 3/3.
Stamina bonus
a)you will need astral energy for stamina anyway
b)second level of Athletic gives Recuperation 3. After rest +5 stamina.
Health bonus
Warrior have biggest Health attribute.
Regeneration
Very situational ability. When I need heal, I usually use vampirism with round attack.
Though it will increase health regeneration on global map.


For early game it is a good idea to have some units, either healer with protection or disposables which will take all hits, while warrior do finishing blows.

There's another advantage useful mostly for multiclass warriors: When you solo siege enemy castles, you'll regenerate health while sieging, which you wouldn't otherwise.

@Chmilz

Actually the context was clearing 'land of dead' with solo warrior - shaman (in fact all tier 1 & many tier 2 units) won't survive long enough to do anything substantial against the ghost AND the rest of the undead army. Plus given the limited spell slots on the warrior, magic arrow is probably the worst spell! For comparison - astral energy giving 7 stamina will actually allow the warrior 7 extra attacks / counters which would definitely deal more than 8 damage of magic arrow.

@tuxutat

I get your logic somewhat - against multiple units (acting together - including ranged) there would be many times where +1 defense will actually prevent more damage than regeneration would heal! Good point about siege - though I find that solo warrior takes ages to siege anything!

@Gremlion

The idea about using vampirism with round attack is great - but I normally try to play good and hence can't rely on this spell being available - any other options? BTW, does life steal work on undead - logically shouldn't but I haven't ever fought undead while vampirism was active.

I also agree about going for 5 levels in the skills as 4th & 5th level are normally equivalent to first 3.

Unfortunately I am just at the stage where the fights I take result in only the warrior surviving - 'constitution' lets me avoid going back to heal and pick up more disposable units. I normally have enough spare weapons / armors to last a few fights without going for repairs.

Yeah, magic arrow doesn't work so good past beginner.

Maybe I'm not as efficient as others, but I'll load up specific spells just for one battle if I need them to win. In the LofD case, that includes what I need to kill the Ghost, and then run roughshod over the rest. Any decent first-strike weapon tears non-ghost undead a new a-hole. They haven't been a problem for me. A stack of direct damage or magic weapon spells, some astral energy, and some vampirism is usually what I take into any tough undead battle with ghosts.