Strategy and tips?

[Copperha]

<DIV>One of the useful tidbits of information I was able to learn from the Templar forums is that higher level templars have an easier go of things than lower level templars.  So although I wasn't really enjoying playing my Templar post-LU#13, I decided to bite the bullet and level (almost 51 now). I have to admit that the addition of glory of combat and focused benefaction and an upgrade to atoning fate have made a big difference. I also learned (and experienced) how poorly Templars solo and handle easy content but gleamed that Templars shine in harder encounters. Much of my time was spent soloing and in fairly casaul groups. So I changed my habits and now only join hardcore types of groups. HUGE difference in my fun factor. I also did not know about some of the cool items that could be obtained in DoF to help equip my toon. There is a very nice recent post concerning non-fabled WIS items that I found very useful for filling in some of my equipment slots. The point I am trying to make is that it is a shame that there are so few 'informartive' or 'helpful' posts on the Templar forum. While I understand many who post here (and agree) that Templars have issues that need to be LOUDLY brought to the attention of the developers, it would also be useful if other types of information could also be found on these forums. I certaintly have benefitted from the wisdom of some of my fellow templars and I know there are probably plenty of tricks, tips and valuable pieces of information I don't know. Lets hear about at least some of them please!</DIV>

[Nari]

You've posted about non fabled WIS items.  I am interested to know if these are crafted or looted. <div></div>

[Copperha]

<P>The thread I was referring was started by adaman and is linked below. Most of the items listed (including the boots) are non-fabled quested/looted items for level 50-60 templars. </P> <P><A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=13&message.id=11513" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=13&message.id=11513</A></P>

[Redorio]

<P>Ok here's my tips <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Make macros, saves you a TON of time and hasssles. I have four I use mainly. First casts Mark of Princess and Involuntary healer, second Reproach and Atoning Fate; third starts HO, then 2 DD nukes, fourth is Mastery strikes. This makes things MUCH easier.<BR></P> <P>I can quickly cast Mark of Princes and Involuntary healer, really effective, need to be cast quickly for best effect. The second macro helps mobs die faster and gives heals ot the group when mob dies. If I want to hurl nukes, the nuke macro is awesome. And mastery strikes take up too much hotbar space, you can put them all on one macro!</P> <P>MASTERY MACRO</P> <P>/: ;usea Gnoll Master's Smite ;usea Giant Master's Smite<BR>/: ;usea Golem Master's Smite ;usea Skeleton Master's Smite<BR>/say Golem, skeleton, gnoll, giant uber smite, HO!</P> <P>You get the idea. macros allow you to quickly debuff several mobs, try it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P><p>Message Edited by Redorious on <span class=date_text>12-06-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:22 PM</span>

[Copperha]

<DIV>Thank you, I will give this a try. I particularly like the marcro that will allow me to clear all those mastery strikes off of my bars. Do you know that there is also a macro that allows you to swap characters faster (ie bypass the character select screen?). This macro I love <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> .</DIV>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Copperhand wrote:<BR> <DIV>Thank you, I will give this a try. I particularly like the marcro that will allow me to clear all those mastery strikes off of my bars. Do you know that there is also a macro that allows you to swap characters faster (ie bypass the character select screen?). This macro I love <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> .</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Per Mystique of Fires of Heaven:</P> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV>In game, open the macros window. Name it something like "Character Switch". If you want to switch to a character on the same account and server, and you've used autoplay before, type the following 3 lines in the command boxes:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>/camp<BR>/cl_autoplay_allowed 1<BR>/cl_autoplay_char charactername</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Replace "charactername" with the name of the character you want to switch to. Save the macro and give it a test. After the character you're currently on camps out you'll be taken to the screen that pops up just as if you had just logged in with autoplay on and selected the alt from the dropdown box.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you have characters on different servers, but on the same account, you must manually do /camp, then click a macro with these lines:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>/cl_autoplay_allowed 1<BR>/cl_autoplay_world servername<BR>/cl_autoplay_char charactername</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Replace "world servername" with the name of the server the alt is on.</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Nari]

See? There's that 51% showing through.  That was really helpful.  Thanks! <div></div>

[OlaeviaTraisharan]

<DIV>I made a macro to fire off a message to my group that %T is "ghetto" mezzed and not to hit it. That helps a lot when communicating if a mob is mezzed or not since it's so hard with our line of mezzes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only thing I don't like about the macros is I can't see the refresh, so I may end up spamming the group message and find out that I can't cast the spell yet <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> OlaeviaTraisharan wrote:<BR> <DIV>I made a macro to fire off a message to my group that %T is "ghetto" mezzed and not to hit it. That helps a lot when communicating if a mob is mezzed or not since it's so hard with our line of mezzes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only thing I don't like about the macros is I can't see the refresh, so I may end up spamming the group message and find out that I can't cast the spell yet <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>I asked for a solution to this at the Summit in June.  I sat down with Mirk and Froech in-between sessions and brought up an idea that would allow players to add a line or two of text to an existed spell icon.  This way we could still watch refresh timers, range colors, tool-tips, and whether or not we had available power to use...and still inform our group that we're using the spell.</P> <P>The current workaround is to create a macro and place it beside or under the spell itself.  </P> <P><BR> </P>

[Copperha]

Actually I think that is a very good idea. Has it been included in the Templar suggestion/wish threads? <p>Message Edited by Copperhand on <span class=date_text>12-06-2005</span> <span class=time_text>01:26 PM</span>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Copperhand wrote:<BR> Actually I think that is a very good idea. Has it been included in the Templar suggestion/wish threads? <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>It's not specific to Templars, so I've not included it.  I could do so, I suppose.</P> <P> </P>

[Copperha]

Yes I realize that implementing your suggestion would be beneficial to many different classes. However, it is a good idea, so why not include it in our (ie Templars) problem/wish list and hope someone who can act on it sees it?

[Merrilee]

<P>Very happy to give my favorite tips and tricks, that is what these boards are really for.  This is generally my practice as a level 60 raiding Templar, in groups in challenging zones.  This is also the same I tell lower level Templars in my guild.  Some of these may be too basic for you, but here they are:</P> <P>1. Life for all priest classes is much easier when you hit level 54.</P> <P>2. Upgrade all your spells as best you can, it makes a world of difference.</P> <P>3. Use Glory of Combat on 2 melees in your group, lovely if you have 2 dual wield scouts.</P> <P>4. Keep group reactive up always, it will save those casters and scouts damage if the tank loses aggro (our tanks do not often lose aggro but I do it anyway, Templars have no lack of mana, spend your mana, don't be lazy).</P> <P>5. Max your subjugation skill and use your stun often as you can every fight, especially when you see a mob turn on a caster.</P> <P>6.  Pay very close attention in all fights and do not ever go AFK without clearing it with your tank.  Auto follow him when you can and stick to him like glue.</P> <P>7. Maintain healing focus on your tank, you can always rez anyone else who dies, but if your tank dies your group may wipe. </P> <P>8. Don't believe anyone who opines that you can't solo heal a group in hard zones.  You surely can, tell them and show them you can.</P> <P>9.  Don't believe anyone who says Templars are no longer the best healers.  Until other healers can solo heal Poet's Palace as Templars can, let them keep on puffing  ; )</P> <P>10. It is the player behind the character that makes a great healer.</P> <P>Kind regards,</P> <P>Eillie</P> <P>Eillie Moonglimmer, Vanguard of the Blades</P> <P>Level 60 Templar</P> <P>Guildleader, Elven Blades</P> <P> </P>

[kenji]

<DIV>Until other healers can solo heal Poet's Palace as Templars can<BR><BR>i read Fury and Warden board they claimed they did with 1 healer.</DIV>

[Timaarit]

<span><blockquote><hr>kenjiso wrote:<div>Until other healers can solo heal Poet's Palace as Templars cani read Fury and Warden board they claimed they did with 1 healer.</div><hr></blockquote>They can. Our fury has solohealed it since lvl 57 and with mainly adept I spells. She had some adept III's then, but not many.</span><div></div>

[Antryg Mistrose]

Some very good points there.  Just a couple I'm not sure I agree with. Perhaps a level difference (50templar) 4. Keep group reactive up always.  It gets a lot of aggro, if I kept it up permanently I'd be dying more. 5. Stun?  Takes an tensely long time to cast in hard fight.  Time enough for 1andabit heals.  I'll give this a try in place of the first heal, and see how it goes .  The 15 minute recast DontDie spell (forget its name) is also one I currently use here. 6. Autofollow?  Only if AFK, then tank is a bad choice - try a mage (scouts have safe fall<span>:smileywink:</span>).  In a fight never - you can get turned around, and behind the mobs using Screaming Mace, or out of melee range, is safer than out front <div></div>

[Nari]

I have to agree about the group reactive.  It is pretty expensive for the few seconds it lasts.  I try to cast it often, but I don't always make sure it is constantly applied. <div></div>

[OlaeviaTraisharan]

<DIV>I only use the group reactive if the tank pulls a group of mobs and can't seem to hold aggro on all of them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The power cost and lesser healing amounts isn't really worth it when you're only pulling one monster. Unless the tank is hideous, you really don't need to cast this on the entire group. I'd much rather use half the power and get double the healing from the single reactive on the MT.</DIV>

[Merrilee]

<DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When do Templars ever run low on mana really?  We have more than enough mana to spend, keep the group reactive up.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And use your stun any time you can, it is invaluable.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>No one has to listen to my favorite tips if they don't want to.. but I'm the MH in my raiding alliance and I get 5 tells a night for instance groups : ) </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>That is a far cry from the tone here that Templars are worthless and no one wants us, isn't it? : )</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kind regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Eillie</DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[RipFlex]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Merrilee wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When do Templars ever run low on mana really?  We have more than enough mana to spend, keep the group reactive up.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>Hehe, unless your tank a lagging slow group member aggros 3 60+ groups in Pearl Palace place I forget the exact name sorry... I be OOP fast being the only healer or the party wipes... mobs there like 64th level in some areas 3 groups of them is scarey stuff where I'm waiting for my recast timers to refresh just to cast them again and again... Templars only in this situation can run OOP - luckily it's the only 1 situation. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm good player behind my Templar, and I seem better mainly of Legendaries and Fables with power regen up the [Removed for Content] and adept3s.  Being a Provisioner I make my uber drinks... <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Group reactive heal is still power consuming and not needed to be spammed... I only cast it if the pull gets a bit messy or the group about to pull something that may seem a bit tricky...  I do use it alot on Chain Pulling XP Grind group - only to pause to get some power back - one time we had an Inquisitor where we See-Sawed our group Heals to never run out of power in a Chain-Pulling (2 MTs) XP grinding group... it's a blast. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by RipFlex on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:25 PM</span>

[kenji]

actually single target reactive (master 2, 54 choice, very common) is better ratio and actual amount per hit than group reactive (Master 1, supposed ultra rare) <BR><BR>maybe your best method isnt everyone's best.<BR><BR>

[Merrilee]

<P> </P> <P>I keep both reactives up in a hard fight.  Spend your mana, you have no lack of it, or should not if you have decent gear : ) </P>