Frank Sojourner
10-02-2006, 11:22 PM
<DIV> <DIV>I was reading the discussion regarding stances for mages on the Combat forum and was wondering if this would be a way to address some of the issues facing warlocks. Now, I will readily admit I am only a lvl. 67 warlock. I retired a zerker before KOS came out and am returning to the game. I soloed most of my levels on my warlock but am about to get into raiding. So, I have been focusing on grouping more and have become disenchanted with my survivability in a group much less a raid while performing the niche SOE has dictated for warlocks. Fortunately, I have a good static group with a healer that doesn't like to see me die so I get healed when I draw aggro. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As a warlock, I feel the issue about stances isn't about increasing physical mit or defense. What I would prefer to see is a stance that provides further aggro reduction at the cost of potential dps or increased aggro with increased potential dps.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I use the word 'potential' to qualify dps because as it stands now unless I have multiple classes in my group protecting me there is no way I can approach my full dps potential, especially against groups of mobs. Most tanks simply do not have the tools to hold aggro from me on groups of mobs as encounter taunts can and often are resisted by one or more members of the encounter and have 20+(?) sec recast times. So, if 1pt. of dmg = 1 point of hate I have to figure out at what point the tank is going to surpass the dmg. potential of my first encounter spell before I can safely land what has been determined to be my role in a group, encounter dmg.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sure, I can throw some debuffs and single target spells as I wait and end up with fair dps for the encounter. But, for fair dps you can bring a number of other classes to the group that can surpass me in dps while maintaining more stable aggro control for the mt and bringing greater utility/group benefits.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, my suggestion is to create a sorceror 'defensive' stance that gives us a 10-20% aggro reduction at the cost of around 50-75 pts. of intelligence or 10-15 pts of disruption. Yes, that is double dipping since with lower int. our dmg. will be lower hence our aggro generation won't be as high. Call it 'Lurking in the Shadows' or something of that nature. We find concealment and only pop out to cast so mobs don't notice us as much but we aren't as effective since we are spending some of our time trying to conceal ourselves. Balanced with an 'offensive' stance that increases our aggro 10-20% while bumping our intelligence 50-75 pts and/or lowering subjugation 10-15 points. Call it 'Brazen Rebuke' or similar, we are out in the open with 100% of our concentration being spent on burning down the enemy as quickly as possible while looking them in the eye.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The numbers would have to be tweaked, but at least it would allow a sorceror to use more of their arsenal in a group without a paladin, coercer and troub. Allowing us to maintain respectable dps in a safer manner. And if we have the correct group setup? Then we can truly shine.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I added the casting skills in there as they are supposed to have more benefit in the upcoming expansion. The lowering of subjugation is to decrease any overpowering effect while soloing with the offensive stance. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, simply my thoughts, what is your opinion?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When a warlock's best built in mechanicism to avoid aggro is long cast times and the best mechanism to lose aggro is death, something is wrong... </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So sayeth Elementus Nox, Warlock living and dieing on Lucan D'lere</DIV></DIV>