Solo heroic encounter tactics

[Mux1]

<div>Heyas my fellow Templars <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div> </div><div>I have a question or two regarding solo heroic encounter tactics.</div><div> </div><div>I play a Templar, currently lvl 31. I'm fairly new to EQ2 but like what I see so far. I've read posts regarding soloing Templars and haven't formed an opinion just yet. I'm writing this message because I believe it's my technique that is causing me difficulty with heros and am therefore farming information from more seasoned EQ2 Templars (regardless of level).</div><div> </div><div>Here's my current strat ...</div><div> </div><div>1. Throw up a reactive such as Intercession (pause a moment to let it set up).</div><div>2. Immediately engage the critter with Combative Faith (Master I)</div><div>3. Try to lower the critters defenses with a debuff.</div><div>4. Start a heroic opp and blast away with Reproving Smite (Adept 1) and Celestial Strike (Adept 1)</div><div>5. Rinse, repeat (except the heal once engaged. I usually go with a faster cast heal like Supplicant's Prayer, Greater Heal, Arch Heal).</div><div> </div><div>Of course, if I have a critter specific smite, I use it as well at some point, normally the second part of the heroic opp during the first round of attack.  My hero battles so far have not lasted long enough for the timer on this attack to expire so I only get to use it once ... and I rarely use it on normal critters because my current strat takes em out fast up to lvl 33.</div><div> </div><div>My questions ...</div><div> </div><div>What heroic lvl encounter do you find soloable?  By this I mean at what lvl is the encounter below your own? I'm finding that even lvl 23 heroic critters are more than a match for my lvl 31 Templar. I have decent gear and decent stats (with buffs). Is it reasonable to assume that I should be able to handle a hero that is NOT grey?  I'd like to get some exp from the battle but so far the only heros I can solo con grey. Note that I'm not referring to named or multiple critter heroics, just a single, run-of-mill heroic criiter. The really sad part is, is that after I got smacked down by a heroic gnoll, another player came by of a fighting class and smoked through it like it was nothing ... yes it had fully healed by then (and he was below my lvl 31 Templar).</div><div> </div><div>Any advice is greatly appreciated <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div>Thanks in advance.</div><div> </div>

[Thuyclid]

<div></div><div></div><p>I can't remember the last time I was able to solo any non grey Herioc mob so I must admit I don't think I'm going to be much help.  However you could try pulling with one of the Debility line of spells that keep the target pacified for a long enough duration to get all the debuffs onto the mob and atleast one reactive up. End the pacify with your hardest hitting nuke via a HO then drop one of the stuns in, rinse and repeat HO until someone dies (usually me!).</p><p>Stoney level 52 templar (Butcherblock) </p><p>Message Edited by Thuyclides on <span class="date_text">02-16-2006</span><span class="time_text">05:50 AM</span></p>

[Mux1]

<div>Thanks.  I'll give the pacify types another go.  They never seem to work for me.  Even with my weapon sheathed, and not launching an over-time kicker like compative faith, the critter still attacks with a vengence (melee type attacks).  I thought those spells were supposed to help prevent non-magical attacks but maybe I read them wrong.</div><div> </div><div>I'm speaking of non-hero critters too.  I completely shelved my pacifies but I'll pull 'em down and take another look.</div><div> </div><div>Thanks again <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div> </div>

[SenorPhrog]

I can usually solo heroic encounters 8 or 9 levels below me although they are ungodly slow.  First, if you have two types of gear you need to switch to your Wisdom stat gear.  I generally just go melee, toss up reactives as necessary, and debuff physical damage and try and wait until they run out of gas (which is much longer than it used to be).   At that point I open up with what I can on them.  I've found that it is problematic power wise to use both nukes and heals due to the general weakness of our nukes.  You can also try investing in an imbued wand although a good melee weapon might negate that.   Master Smites are always useful, but it's very difficult to kill a heroic fast enough to not sustain severe damage.   Put in a DVD, and have fun with it I guess.<div></div>

[Sunlei]

<div></div><div></div><p> I like the imbued weapons, they proc a damage spell. I also like to use the wands that cast a damage spell...you can put the want on your hotbar and one-click cast those while moving. I like to use damage shield potions and a intell. potion to increase damage #.  I've made a crafter to have whatever potions I want. I use all my spells and turn off attack if I'm going to depend on pacify, however if the damage shield potions on I want them to hit me fast so I'm not stopping their hits with pacify if the damage potions being used.</p><p>The imbued pants, imbued shield and some other lvl30-40 damage proc armor items are a pain to wear cause they will proc out of combat. However in soloing they add a lot of damage for me.</p><p>These things help me solo faster. I can kill low-green heroics, easier if no arrows the 3 arrow up green heroics are hard, they hit hard and fast. I'd rather kill no arrow blue heroics then a 3-up arrow green.</p><p>Thats for heroics, my bag-o-tricks makes soloing 'solo' mobs much, faster.</p><p>So I suggest checking out those imbued weapons and armor, Trying a wand and testing some damage shield and intell. potions.</p><p>Happy soloing!</p><p>edit to add, get harvesting for the rare stone and ask a sage to upgrade your spells to adept 3. You'll get more damage out of them upgraded. good luck! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Message Edited by Sunlei on <span class="date_text">02-16-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:20 AM</span></p>

[Nari]

It really depends on the class of the heroic for me.  If it is a melee class, I usually do 9 levels lower or more.  If it is another templar, I don't bother because even when they are out of power, their autoattack damage hurts.  The mob is an arcane caster, then it is spanking time.  My WIS is so high that I resist most of the spells, so I just light them up (as much as a templar can anyway.)  I love my manastone.  Especially with you at 31, you should get one ASAP if you don't have it.<div></div>

[Mew]

With top of the line gear and a pristine divine imbued wand I can solo a heroic mob that is 6 levels below me under most conditions. Its a long, long fight.  Save power for self-heals and divine resist debuffs and use the wand for damage.   Be prepared to get bored.  I once soloed a grey epic x 2 this way but the fight took almost 30 min.  I had 10% health left and no power.  Caster mobs heroics are easier than tank mob heroics.  Caster mobs run out of power, have fewer hit points, and don't hit for as much melee damage.  Tank and scout mobs can still do significant damage even after they run out of power and the have a lot more health.  Once you run out of power you're probably dead when going against a tank or scout mob.<div></div>

[SenorPhrog]

<span><blockquote><hr>Mewse wrote:With top of the line gear and a pristine divine imbued wand I can solo a heroic mob that is 6 levels below me under most conditions. Its a long, long fight.  Save power for self-heals and divine resist debuffs and use the wand for damage.   Be prepared to get bored.  I once soloed a grey epic x 2 this way but the fight took almost 30 min.  I had 10% health left and no power.  Caster mobs heroics are easier than tank mob heroics.  Caster mobs run out of power, have fewer hit points, and don't hit for as much melee damage.  Tank and scout mobs can still do significant damage even after they run out of power and the have a lot more health.  Once you run out of power you're probably dead when going against a tank or scout mob.<div></div><hr></blockquote>The best I've been able to do at level 60 was solo a 35 Epic X2 in Rivervale (Draftling Tower Access) and it literally took me 40 minutes and I almost lost.BUT on the flipside of this....the worm that eats the goblin for the Golden Efretti boots took a level 60 necro friend of mine probably 10 tries because he couldn't take the damage.  I suceeded on my first try. </span><div></div>

[Mux1]

<div></div><p>Thanks for all the input e1. I'll look into the suggestions.  ... and thanks for restoring my faith as to the helpful nature of our class and this forum in general. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p> </p>

[Dillin]

<div></div><p>I have the perfect strategy...  Throw up a reactive, hit "Yell for Help" and run like a sissy girl.  :smileytongue:</p><p>Seriously, I haven't tried taking to many heroic mobs, but I will tell you this...  As an encounter opener, try this... Pull with our mez (16 sec.).  In that time you can cast all of you debuffs and proc heals DO NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE.  Then follow up with a HO Smite (2 sec mez) and Strike.  Stun (5 sec) and hit Combative Faith.  Once you cast the second mez, you can start your auto-attack.  If your lucky, you'll take a good chunk out of their health bar before they can do much to you.</p>