Swashbuckler AA FAQ or What we know about AAs so far...

[Ookami-san]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Ok... there are alot of different posts here about AAs and alot of questions... I'm trying to collect them all in one place so we can get answers and update it... specifically as they apply to Swashbucklers.  Chime in with questions and answers to add...</div><div> </div><div><font size="4" color="#ffff00"><strong>Which AA tree(s) are best for swashbucklers?</strong></font></div><div>What's your favorite color?  The answer is as individual as your favorite color.  It really depends on your play style.  Try them out and respec if you don't like it.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">How do I earn AA points?</font></strong></div><div>You earn AA points by completing non-repeatable quests of your level, completing collection quests, discovering new areas (and areas that have been reset), killing certain named mobs of your level for the first time, and once you hit 70, all adventure experience will go towards AAs.  Apparently, discoveries, quests and even collection quests below 20th level do not count towards AA exp even if the quests, etc. are NOT green.</div><div> </div><div>You can also earn AA exp by looting certain body drops from MoBs, these usually say "Looted xx treasure" and were previously thought good only for selling.  These must come from MoBs over level 20.</div><div> </div><div>It has been confirmed that you cannot mentor down to get quest exp from quests that would normally be green to you.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">How many AA points can I earn?</font></strong></div><div>The current limit is 50 points.</div><div> </div><div><font size="4" color="#ffff00"><strong>Can I change my AA choices?</strong></font></div><div>Yes.  You can respec your AA choices by talking to an NPC.  For goodies, the NPC is in the mage guild in South Qeynos named Rune Shimmerstar.  The cost to respec are:</div><div><ul><li>Respec 1   :         1s</li><li>Respec 2   :       13s</li><li>Respec 3   :  1g 3sp</li><li>Respec 4   :       13g</li><li>Respec 5   : 1p 3 gp</li><li>Respec 6+ :      13p</li></ul></div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">How do I "buy" the AAs?</font></strong></div><div>The first thing you must do to open the AA process is put a single point in <em>pickpocket</em>.  Then, the first art of any branch costs 1 pt.  You can advance them up to 8 pts each in 1 point increments.  For the 2nd through the 4th arts in a brnach, you must have 4 points in the preceeding branch art in order to put a point into the next item on the branch.  For the last art in a branch, there is only one level and it costs 8 points.</div><div> </div><div>So, to get the minimal amount in a branch, you need 1 in pickpocket, then 4-4-4-4-8.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">How many "branches" can I max out?</font></strong></div><div>Technically, you can only max out one branch.  If you put 8-8-8-8-8 in a single branch, you would have spent 41 points and the maximum you can get at this time is 50.  Many people are preferring to get to the last ability in two branches by putting in the minimal points for the other arts... so each branch would have 4-4-4-4-8 = 24.  This allows you to put 24 in two branch and have 1 point left over after the 1 point in <em>Pickpocket.</em></div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">How does <em>Pickpocket</em> work?</font></strong></div><div>Pickpocket is a CA that can be used against a humanoid mob when you are behind the mob.  It gives you a chance to pull some money from the mob from a seperate pool than the money it drops.  The money you receive is based on the mob level, as is (supposedly) the chance to succeed.</div><div> </div><div>There is some debate as to what exactly a humanoid is.  For instance, in T7, a droag is a humanoid but an aviak isn't.</div><div> </div><div>If you fail badly, there is a chance to increase aggro with the mob.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><font size="4" color="#ffff00"><strong>Which weapons can I use for which arts?</strong></font></div><div>There's still some debate on this.  Hopefully we can get some clarification and examples of popular weapons and that do and do not work.</div><div> </div><div>Rapiers include:  rapiers, sabres, epees, foils, cutlasses, etc.</div><div>Daggers include:  daggers, knives, dirks, shivs, stilettos, sai, kris, parrying blades, fangs, etc</div><div>Swords include:  swords, longswords, short swords, scimitars, falchions, spathas, kukris, whips, etc.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Agility Line, what good is <em>Walk the Plank</em>?</font></strong></div><div>A few uses have been suggested.  First, during solo play, you can turn the mob around and use your back attacks.  When combined with <em>Sailwind </em>(which reduces casting times), you may be able to get all your back attacks in.</div><div> </div><div>In addition, if the main tank is about to go down, you can step in front of him, turn the mob and give the healers precious time to get a heal in.  This works to prevent other party members from dying as well.  Step in front of the mage, turn the mob and the tank has a couple of seconds to retaunt and get aggro back.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Agility Line, <em>Sailwind</em> sounds too good to be true.  Does it really reduce our casting times and recovery times?</font></strong></div><div>Remember the old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is?  This applies here.  What Sailwind actually does is decrease the casting time and recovery time (the time before you can cast another CA).  It does NOT reduce the RECAST time on the CA itself.  So you will not be able to use a given CA any more than you could previously.</div><div> </div><div>At most, this gives you the ability to burst your damage faster... which is good when combined with <em>Walk the Plank</em> and in things where speed counts... like PvP and Dueling.</div><div> </div><div>Theoretically, the reduced cast time should also increase auto-attack damage, since auto-attack is suspended while casting a CA.  A 25% in casting time should mean a few extra seconds of auto-attacks, which could also mean more procs.</div><div> </div><div><font color="#00cc00"></font><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Agility Line, does <em>Commandeer</em> increase my overall movement speed?</font></strong></div>Unfortunately, <em>Commandeer</em> does not seem to increase out of combat speed at all, nor does it seem to stack with anything.  It does exactly what it says... it gives a slight increase in movement during combat.  This does mean that you should have an edge when fleeing...er... strategically withdrawing from an encouter.</div><div> </div><div><div><font color="#00cc00"></font><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Agility Line, does the damage from <em>Avast Ye </em>increase as I add points?</font></strong></div>Unfortunately no.  The only thing that seems to increase as you add points is the chance to proc.  Nothing else appears to change as you add points.</div></div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Wisdom line, <em>Lunge Reversal</em> looks as good as <em>En Garde</em>.  Is this so?</font></strong></div><div><em>En Garde</em> will return damage during most parrys, ripostes, etc. during it's duration.  <em>Lunge Reversal</em> is once and done, you cast it and it will return damage on the very NEXT riposte, parry, etc.  and then it must be recast.  It does have a short recast time, however.</div><div> </div><div><font color="#ffff00"><strong><font size="4">From the Wisdom line, how does <em>Unencumberance</em> work?</font></strong>  </font></div><div>Apparently, it is a proc similiar to Inspired Daring.  It procs off autoattack, but not from CAs, however it can proc CAs (like poison).  It also does not proc off itself.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">From the Wisdom line, is <em>Unencumberance</em> worth giving up dual wield?</font></strong></div><div>Good question.  I haven't seen any hard data on it, however... from a numbers standpoint, several people have posted that the damage ratio between 1H and DW weapons is about 1.5 in favor of DW.  So you need a fairly high proc percentage (50%) to keep up.</div><div> </div><div>However, keep in mind, CAs and other procs proc on the main hand, not the secondary hand.  Theoretically, this means more poison damage from Unencumberance, though this cannot be confirmed yet.  Add to this that when combined with <em>Sailwind</em> to reduce casting times, you will be auto-attacking slightly more and thus double attacking and procing more.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">What's the best offensive build? What's the best defensive build?</font></strong></div><div>Until we see some hard numbers and get experience playing with AAs, I don't anyone can claim to know the "best" build.  Plus, keep in mind it depends alot if you mean solo vs ground vs raid.  I doubt there will ever be a "best" build, but I'm sure there will be specialized builds being posted more and more as we get better acquainted with AAs. Check the links below for some builds.</div><div> </div><div><strong><font size="4" color="#ffff00">What are some good one-handed weapons for the AGL (Rapier), STR (Sword) and INT (Dagger) branches?</font></strong></div><div>There is a good thread started at: <a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812" target="_blank">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812</a> but I will recap below:</div><div> </div><div><div><strong><font size="2" color="#ff3300">One-Handed Slashing Weapons:</font></strong></div><div><font size="2"></font> </div><div><strong><font size="2">Scalesplitter</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: (To be filled in) +5 Slashing +3 Parry </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 58.6 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: Katana (gold hilt) </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Named in Sanctum of Scaleborn </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 60</font></li></ul><div><div><strong><font size="2">Dark Fury Sword of Anuk</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: (To be filled in) +5 Slashing </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 62 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: ??? </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Final reward for Epic 2.0 quest (starts with Damsel in Distress) </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 60</font></li></ul></div><div><strong><font size="2">Patternspinner</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +10 STA, +20 Wis, +65 Health, +65 Power - Flowing Thought 2 </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 60.4 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: ??? </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: The Pattern Juggler (Courts of Al'Afaz) </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 58?</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Sandstorm -  Slashing</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +12 STR, +9 STA, +5 Wis, +50 Health, +38 Power </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 63.1 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Cazel </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: ?</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Shimmering Trueblade Scimitar </font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +10 STR, +8 AGI, +12 STA, +60 Health, +30 Power </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 59.2 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: ?</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Brakzars Cleaver-Sword </font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +22 STR, +22 AGI,  +60 Health, +65 Power </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 67.6 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  A giant cleaver </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Brakzar (Palace of the Awakened in the blue dragon tower) </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 67</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Blade of the Bixies </font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +23 STR, +15 WIS,  +40 Health, +40 Power </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 62.0 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  A Katana (same graphic as Scalesplitter)  </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Championess on Bixie Island </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 58</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Doomrage Blade </font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +22 AGI, +15 STA, +10 INT,  +65 Health, +50 Power, +2 Slashing </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 63.1 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  Cutlass, patterned hilt </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: Named Captain in the Halls of Fate </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 64</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Fated Cipher Blade</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +22 STR, +18 STA,  +20 WIS, +75 Health, +85 Power , Procs Vim of Fate (100 Power, +4 pr/tick) </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 75.9 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like:  ???  </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: ??? </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: ???</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2" color="#ff3300">One-Handed Piercing Weapons:</font></strong></div><div><font size="2"></font> </div><div><strong><font size="2">Avenging Cutlass</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +18 STR, +20 STA, +70 Health, +70 Power, +5 Piercing </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 60.4 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: Cutlass (iron hilt) </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: First named encounter in Poets Palace: The Return </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 59?</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Swiftwhisper</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +18 STR, +20 AGI, +60 Health, +60 Power, +2 Slashing </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 56.4 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: Rapier (iron cup hilt) </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: ??? </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 59?</font></li></ul><div><strong><font size="2">Ranktura's Fang</font></strong></div><ul><li><font size="2">Stats: +22 STR, +25 AGI, +40 Health, +55 Power, +2 Piercing </font></li><li><font size="2">Dmg Rating: 60.9 </font></li><li><font size="2">Looks Like: Dagger (unknown look) </font></li><li><font size="2">Drops from: ??? </font></li><li><font size="2">Level: 62</font></li></ul></div><font size="3" color="#ffff00"><strong></strong></font><div> </div><div><font size="4">What are other AA related links:</font></div><div><font size="2">SOE FAQ:</font></div><div><font size="2"> </font><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/news_ff.vm?FeatureName=achievements&section=development" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5">http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/news_ff.vm?FeatureName=achievements&section=development</font></a></div><div><font size="2"></font> </div><div><font size="2">A post on swapping weapons:</font></div><div><a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=achievements&message.id=109&jump=true#M109" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=achievements&message.id=109&jump=true#M109</font></a></div><div><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5"></font> </div><div><font size="2">General discussion on shields and types of shields:</font></div><div><a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=items&message.id=53249&query.id=0#M53249" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=items&message.id=53249&query.id=0#M53249</font></a><font size="2">  </font><div> </div></div><div><font size="2">Wisdom AA Line (discussion on weapon types):</font></div><div><a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812</font></a></div><div><strong><font size="2"></font></strong> </div><div><font size="2">Stamina AA Line (Combos for light tank/solo/dps)</font></div><div><a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9547" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9547</font></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>That's it for now.  Please posts things you'd like to see added to this thread.</div><div> </div><div>LAST UPDATED:</div><p>Message Edited by Ookami-san on <span class="date_text">03-14-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:32 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Ookami-san on <span class="date_text">03-14-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:32 AM</span></p>

[Purg]

<div></div><div></div><p>can you include shields - round shields and whats a round shield please, for sta path requirments</p><p>EDIT: Was very rude and forgot to say thank for a good thread, very helpfull, doing an edit as not to spam the post.</p><p>Message Edited by Purgle on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:22 AM</span></p>

[Ookami-san]

<div></div>Good question.  I don't use a shield and never have but maybe someone can chime in.

[dagoo7]

<div></div><p>Hmmm...  So whips count as swords for purposes of strength line (torporous strike), etc.  Are we sure of this?  Seems sort of counterintuitive but they do do slashing damage.</p><p> </p><p>BTW Thanks for the post, compiles a lot of useful info in one place.</p>

[overfloat]

<div></div><div></div><p>Great write up! Thanks for posting this, it should save a lot of repetition when people come here asking the same questions. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>In the "Sailwind section, not sure if you might want to adjust this part...</p><blockquote><hr>Ookami-san wrote:<div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>It does NOT reduce the <font color="#ff0000">recovery </font>time on the CA itself. <hr></div></blockquote><p>... to refer to "reuse" or "recast" time to keep the distinction from recovery. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (I think the game actually refers to recast.)</p><p>You probably saw the cost for the respecs, might be worth adding that (so people see how fast the cost increases):</p><blockquote dir="ltr"><p></p><hr><font color="#66ccff">The cost to respec your achievements is initially fairly low, but increases in price the more times you respec. The cost caps out at 13p after you've respec'd your achievements 6 times. </font><ul><li><font color="#66ccff">First Respec: 1s </font></li><li><font color="#66ccff">Second Respec: 13s </font></li><li><font color="#66ccff">Third Respec: 1g 30s </font></li><li><font color="#66ccff">Fourth Respec: 13g </font></li><li><font color="#66ccff">Fifth Respec: 1p 30g </font></li><li><font color="#66ccff">Sixth Respec (and thereafter): 13 p</font></li></ul><p></p><hr></blockquote><p></p><blockquote><hr>dagoo7 wrote:<div></div><p>Hmmm...  So whips count as swords for purposes of strength line (torporous strike), etc.  Are we sure of this?  Seems sort of counterintuitive but they do do slashing damage.</p><hr></blockquote><p>Just one example:</p><p><img src="http://eq2images.station.sony.com/itemicons/3/8/4/38506839884.gif"></p><p>All other whips in the EQ2Players item database that I've checked are also considered swords. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p><font size="1">*Edited to update respec cost*</font></p><p>Message Edited by overfloater on <span class="date_text">03-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:02 AM</span></p>

[Itazzy]

I've found that another good usage of the walk the plank is to throw in a stun or root after you throw it on. That way you will definately be able to get off all your back attacks or can at least take a slight breather to down a healing potion without having to move from where you were standing originally.<div></div>

[tawek]

<div></div><div>Great post.  Consolidating useful info as a single reference to AA's is a great idea, especially if you can find the time to keep it updated.</div><div> </div><div>I think the best way to improve it would be links to useful posts.  AA's are fairly complex, so, unless your post becomes gigantic, you'll only be able to post a summary.  You'll also find it nearly impossible to keep the information up-to-date.  But if you post links to threads that cover things in detail, people will be a click away from the info they need.</div><div> </div><div>A couple of suggested links:</div><div> </div><div>SOE FAQ <a target="_blank" href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/news_ff.vm?FeatureName=achievements&section=development">http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/news_ff.vm?FeatureName=achievements&section=development</a></div><div>(Note: they tell us that "Looting rare treasures" also gives AA points)</div><div> </div><div>A post on swapping weapons:</div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=achievements&message.id=109&jump=true#M109">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=achievements&message.id=109&jump=true#M109</a></div><div> </div><div>If someone can find a good post/thread on shields, that'd be useful.  A brief one I found from a quick search was:</div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=items&message.id=53249&query.id=0#M53249"><font color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=items&message.id=53249&query.id=0#M53249</font></a> <div>(except I understand that's changed a little, that Crusaders can use all shield types now)</div></div><div> </div><div>Also be good to suggest threads relevant to each branch.</div><div> </div><div><strong>WIS:</strong></div><div>WIS AP Line - Good Swashy One Handers FAQ :</div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9812</a></div><div><strong>STA:</strong></div><div>Stamina-AA combos for light tank/solo/dps</div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9547">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=9547</a></div><div> </div><div>and so on...</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Might help the OP if people suggest other links, which he can pick from to cover the main areas people have problems with.</div><p>Message Edited by tawek21 on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">11:47 AM</span></p>

[revva]

<div><strong><font color="#ffff00"></font></strong></div><div><strong><font color="#ffff00">How do I earn AA points?</font></strong></div><div>You earn AA points by completing non-repeatable quests of your level, completing collection quests, discovering new areas (and areas that have been reset), killing certain named mobs of your level for the first time, and once you hit 70, all adventure experience will go towards AAs.Shouldn't this be any non-repeatable quest level 20 and higher.</div><div></div><div></div>

[Ookami-san]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>revva wrote:<div><strong><font color="#ffff00"></font></strong></div><div><strong><font color="#ffff00">How do I earn AA points?</font></strong></div><div>You earn AA points by completing non-repeatable quests of your level, completing collection quests, discovering new areas (and areas that have been reset), killing certain named mobs of your level for the first time, and once you hit 70, all adventure experience will go towards AAs.Shouldn't this be any non-repeatable quest level 20 and higher.</div><div></div><div></div><hr></blockquote>I can't confirm this.  It may be possible to get credit for older quests by mentoring down.  I haven't heard anything one way or the other.  Plus, level 20's can benefit from level 19 quests I believe. 

[revva]

I will check to verify this.  I am only 24 atm. the only quest I have gotten any AA credit from are 20 and up.  Any of my 17-19 quest so far have just given me regular xp.<div></div>

[Ookami-san]

<div></div>If you can confirm the information on the quests, I can add that to the faq.

[dagoo7]

<div></div><p>This has sticky-bait written all over it ...</p><p>Shameless really.</p>

[StarryEyedElf]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>dagoo7 wrote:<div></div><p>This has sticky-bait written all over it ...</p><p>Shameless really.</p><hr></blockquote>w0rd

[revva]

I did 5 quest last night . 3 were below 19, 1 was 21, and the other was 24.   I only got AA xp from the 21 and 24.  I was still only level 24 when I did the turn in for them.<div></div>

[Purg]

<div></div>blue or above non repeatable quests i think count.

[dagoo7]

<div></div><div></div>I also gather that any quests below lvl 20, including collections, do not count regardless of how they con to you even if adventure level is over 20.  Similarly, I believe you don't get credit for exploration discoveries in the generally below 20 zones, eg. Commonlands, Antonica.  Not 100% sure on these, but don't believe i've got any "below 20" credit on any of my lower alts that are 20+.<p>Message Edited by dagoo7 on <span class="date_text">03-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">06:33 AM</span></p>

[Sabatini]

I can confirm you dont get AA experience for any quest made blue through mentoring. Not sure about named mobs who are made blue by this method.One other really good way to get AA experience that is not mentioned is from those 'Looted xx Treasures' that drop. The ones that previously were only good for selling. Not 100% of them give AA experience but many do if they're over level 20 drops. The interesting thing about this is that they're body drops not chests, and you can get AA experience even if looted off a completely grey mob (thats over 20). I've also gotten it off status item body drops but it seems less consistent.

[overfloat]

<div></div><div></div><blockquote><hr>Sabatini wrote:I've also gotten it off status item body drops but it seems less consistent.<hr></blockquote><p>Yep, I only realised that the other day when I dinged an AA point randomly in the middle of killing mobs -- seems the Xegonite relic I looted gave me just enough AAxp to tip the scales. I haven't really paid attention to drops and AAxp since then, but I keep meaning to!</p><p>Also dropping a link to the official <a target="_blank" href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/news_ff.vm?FeatureName=achievements&section=development">introduction to Achievements</a> on the EQ2Players site.</p><p>(and editing my eariler post about respec costs to reflect the new prices)</p><p>Message Edited by overfloater on <span class="date_text">03-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:00 AM</span></p>

[Gwenev]

<div></div><p>Concerning Sailwind... isn't it true that auto-attack is effectively off while casting CA's?  If so, then Sailwind would represent a small overall increase in DPS too as your auto-attack would run more in the period of time between recasts of your burst CA's.  You would see slightly higher procs and poison rates too.  But only if the assumption is true (no attacks while casting CA's). </p><p>Lunette</p>

[overfloat]

<div></div>It's true that CA casts suspend autoattack... but I'm tempted to say the actual difference would be negligible in practice.

[Syrano]

<div>CA's most definately suspend auto-attack.  Your casting time interferes with normal autoattack in such a way that if while you're casting you were supposed to Auto-attack, you auto-attack will *wait* until the CA triggers, then it goes off and the Auto-attack timer restarts.</div><div> </div><div>As such long CA's can interfere with DPS rates on fast weapons.  In an ideal world, you'll want to marry the weapon speed of your weapon (plus any haste modifiers) to your average CA casting time.    Inevitably for swashies post LU#13 (the combat upgrade) any weapon with a 1.6 or so delay or faster will most likely be "losing" some DPS once we're buffed and hasted due to our average CA time about about a second or so.</div><div> </div><div>As such, you want a 1.6-1.8 delay weapon to get maximum value from it when buffed (especially raid buffed).  Unless you use no haste at all, then go nuts <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Gwenev]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Syrano wrote:<div>CA's most definately suspend auto-attack.  Your casting time interferes with normal autoattack in such a way that if while you're casting you were supposed to Auto-attack, you auto-attack will *wait* until the CA triggers, then it goes off and the Auto-attack timer restarts.</div><div> </div><div>As such long CA's can interfere with DPS rates on fast weapons.  In an ideal world, you'll want to marry the weapon speed of your weapon (plus any haste modifiers) to your average CA casting time.    Inevitably for swashies post LU#13 (the combat upgrade) any weapon with a 1.6 or so delay or faster will most likely be "losing" some DPS once we're buffed and hasted due to our average CA time about about a second or so.</div><div> </div><div>As such, you want a 1.6-1.8 delay weapon to get maximum value from it when buffed (especially raid buffed).  Unless you use no haste at all, then go nuts <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><hr></blockquote><p>So, if I get this right, in a 30-second cycle, you might run 8 to 10 skills which cost you 8 to 10 seconds of your auto-attack (typically .5 seconds to cast and another .5 to recover).  So Swiftwind would recover 2 or so seconds of this which might represent 2 - 4 attacks if you dual wield (I'm just doing estimates here).  At 40-50 hits per attack, we might be talking about 100 - 200 hits per cycle (plus 2 - 4 more chances at procs / poisons).  Not a lot, certainly, but perhaps worth noting since Swiftwind is an "always on" ability: the small increase in DPS (emphasis on small) is effectively a permanent one. </p><p>The effect would also be a bit more noticable when doing ID or Swathe.  Personally, I tend to use ID in desparate situations and would love to see it's cast time shortened.  And Swathe is just plain annoying to cast <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>The only reason I mention this at all is that the OP states that Swiftwind is only good for increasing your burst rate and I think that is not entirely accurate.  I'd like to see a statement to the effect of "It also gives you a small increase to your overall DPS by allowing more auto-attacks to occur" added. </p><p>For myself, I am going to give Swiftwind a try.  In part, it's because I like some of the other skills on the Agi line (Walk the Plank, particularly).  But the other reason is that Swiftwind looks like one of the skills that, once acquired, you would never want to give up.  Once used to the faster casting time, I should think going back to the standard timings would feel clumsy and doltish.  I didn't become a swashbuckler to feel like a dolt!</p><p>By the same token, I'll probably go up the Int line after that.  Once you have FD (my alt is a monk), you wonder how you functioned without it.  The 30-second timer is no fun though and I'm not dying for the other skills on the Int line, so I'm still undecided there.</p><p>LunetteSwashbuckler / JewelerPermafrost</p><p> </p>

[overfloat]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Gwenevie wrote:<p>So, if I get this right, in a 30-second cycle, you might run 8 to 10 skills which cost you 8 to 10 seconds of your auto-attack (typically .5 seconds to cast and another .5 to recover).</p><hr></blockquote><p>This assumes you can't autoattack during the CA recovery period, which I'm pretty sure you can. If that's the case, you're actually only saving 0.1s on every CA in regard to autoattacks. 1.0s of extra autoattack DPS over the course of 10 stanrdard CAs is a pretty minimal damage proportion.</p><p>Also, any opportunities to proc on those autoattacks are probably counteracted by the reduced CA cast time, now that CA proc rates are normalised according to cast time.</p><p>I dunno... maybe it would pay off, but I'm definitely skeptical. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Ookami-san]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>overfloater wrote:<div></div><p>This assumes you can't autoattack during the CA recovery period, which I'm pretty sure you can. If that's the case, you're actually only saving 0.1s on every CA in regard to autoattacks. 1.0s of extra autoattack DPS over the course of 10 stanrdard CAs is a pretty minimal damage proportion.</p><p>Also, any opportunities to proc on those autoattacks are probably counteracted by the reduced CA cast time, now that CA proc rates are normalised according to cast time.</p><p>I dunno... maybe it would pay off, but I'm definitely skeptical. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><hr></blockquote><p>Look at it this way...</p><p>If you spam your arts during the start of battle and spamming them takes a combined time of 6 seconds now, it will take only 4 seconds with Sailwind.  So, that's 2 more seconds of auto-attack between the last CA spam and the first refresh.  While minimal, with double attack, it should translate into extra dps.  Not much... but definately more.</p><p>On the FLIP side of that... it also means more possibility for ripostes, blocks, etc.</p><p> </p>

[verydanger]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>overfloater wrote:This assumes you can't autoattack during the CA recovery period, which I'm pretty sure you can. If that's the case, you're actually only saving 0.1s on every CA in regard to autoattacks. 1.0s of extra autoattack DPS over the course of 10 stanrdard CAs is a pretty minimal damage proportion.<hr width="100%" size="2"></blockquote>Actually, I think it would be even less than that.Using a CA doesnt necessarily mean you lose 'autoattack time', chances are your swing will be on refresh during the whole cast time, meaning the CA didnt 'interrupt' your autoattack in any way. But then again,it could be the complete other way and your weapon was just about to hit when you start casting - and the whole cast time is added as a delay to your swing. So the time Sailwind can win you during a 0.5 sec cast CA should be between 0.0 and 0.1 seconds - on average likely in the middle of those (0.05s).And since you normally spend a pretty small amount of your time actually casting CA's... this autoattack advantage gets even smaller.</span><blockquote><hr>Also, any opportunities to proc on those autoattacks are probably counteracted by the reduced CA cast time, now that CA proc rates are normalised according to cast time.</blockquote><span><blockquote><hr width="100%" size="2"></blockquote><p>Ouch, is that how it works? I always thought haste gives you more procs too (since you hit more often), that the weapons (or CA's in this case) still use their 'natural' (listed) delay to calculate procs? If this is true, guess I dont have to be jealous for how swashie haste might work with double attacks (and the increased proc rate that should come with them). :p</p><blockquote><hr width="100%" size="2">Ookami-san wrote:If you spam your arts during the start of battle and spamming them takes a combined time of 6 seconds now, it will take only 4 seconds with Sailwind.  So, that's 2 more seconds of auto-attack between the last CA spam and the first refresh.  While minimal, with double attack, it should translate into extra dps.  Not much... but definately more. <hr></blockquote>Wouldnt it be 4.8 vs 6.0 seconds? And while Sailwind in this situation would give you 1.2 seconds for 'pure' autoattack, it at the same time means you lost 0.6 seconds for autoattack while you spammed your CA's (shorter recovery times). So during these 6 seconds you would have gained 0.6 seconds for autoattack, which (if what I wrote above is true at all) might not even get utilized.</span></div>

[Dweedleb]

<div></div><p>Just some info on the movements speed increase in the Agility line...</p><p>It does not stack with any other run speed buffs, like Pathfinding.  So it is really only usefull when your are in combat mode and trying to run away from something.  It does not work while stealthed, so it really isn't a base movement speed increase.</p><p> </p><p>It would be a lot more desirable if it was actually applied to your base movement speed and thus stacked with all runspeed buffs and worked while stealth.  As it is now, it's mostly worthless.</p><p> </p><p>Tier 4 is a 5% increase, incase anyone wondered.</p>

[tawek]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><p><font color="#ccff00">Why I'm going for Sailwind</font> (25% reduction in cast times and cooldown timers):</p><ol><li><font color="#ccff00">Burst damage matters</font>.  In many fights, we need to kill off part of the encounter as fast as we can, or the combined dps of the mobs will outpace the ability of the healers to keep the tank alive</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Landing our debuffs faster</font> means the mob is fully debuffed faster, which means more group dps, and less damage taken</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Using more skills means more dps.</font>  In many short fights, some skills are unused due to lack of time to use them.  With Sailwind, we'll use more of our skills, so do more dps</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Mez faster</font>.  Useful for saving healer from an add.  Until end-game our mez takes 2 seconds, with this it is 1.5.  And if in midst of another skill when add spotted, that skill will complete faster, as will its cool-down.  This will often mean mezzing 0.7 seconds faster than before, which could be crucial</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Stun faster</font> (see mez above).  In particular, the Swathe line takes 2 seconds to cast, and is a great skill if the healers are having trouble keeping the main tank alive.  If we can cast faster, our AoE stun may save the group</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Help tank get aggro faster</font>, if using aggro transfer on the main tank (assuming we don't actually grab it ourselves)</li><li><font color="#ccff00">Slight increase in autoattack dps</font>.  If using 2 second skills like Swathe, as well as all our single target skills, the total cast-time is significant, and a 25% saving means we have extra seconds for other things like auto-attack, or debuffing</li></ol><p>But I'll need to be careful of a couple of things:</p><ol><li>Spamming all my skills all the time will eat power in a fast pulling experience group.  I may need to miss out the more power hungry skills</li><li>Spamming my skills faster means a greater risk of grabbing aggro</li><li>It does bring some benefit to raids (like debuffing faster), but other branches may bring more</li></ol><p>But of course there's an opportunity cost.  The other lines have very attractive features. Until the swashie community has tried them all out we won't know for sure if getting Sailwind is as good an option as it seems.</p><p>Message Edited by tawek21 on <span class="date_text">03-14-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:20 AM</span></p>

[Rokjin]

<div></div><div>The movement speed buff also does not stack with Journeyman boots. Had to take them off to see the speed 2% speed boost from it on Persona screen. With them on and no buffs, it was flat 10% from JBoots</div>.

[Dweedleb]

<div>Still in the agility line, the 4th ability, additional attacks while behind or flanking your target, appears to only have the % chance increase as you add points.  I am at level 2 now and can see the stats for level 3 and the damage range is constant for all 3 levels so far</div>

[Mentla]

Do we have 100% clarity on whether blue quests count for AA purposes yet?  I'm on PvP and getting any quests done in EL and Zek is nigh on impossible as the FPSum have taken over them.  So I have combat xp off and am trying my best to get as many white/yellow con quests done without levelling up and needing to go into certain death.  Therefore, I don't want to 'waste' xp by handing in blue quests if they aren't going to count.<div></div>

[tawek]

<div></div><div><font color="#ccff00"></font><div><font color="#ccffff">Mentla,</font></div><div> </div><font color="#ccff00"></font></div><div><font color="#ccff00">Blue quests and higher give you AA exp, green quests don't.</font></div><div> </div><div>This creates an interesting situation.</div><div> </div><div>I am told by level 70 folk that to get just *one* AA point requires as much experience as to go from level 69 to level 70 ... if you've still got 30 points to get, that is a huge amount of grinding.  You can use quests and named kills too, but, after a point, you'll probably run out of high level content.</div><div> </div><div>So level 70 players may ask low levels to let them mentor: to kill low level nameds, and complete low level quests.  In my opinion, this is a welcome development.  At last high levels, instead of being asked to help lowbies complete difficult quests, will also need lowbies to do them favors <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div> </div><div>I hope SoE don't change this.  For people who bought KoS when only level 20, this won't be a problem.  By the time they get to level 70, they may have maxed their AA points already, but those who were level 60 when they got it ... probably have a long road ahead.</div><div> </div><div>And by allowing all this mentoring, SoE reward players for enjoying low level content they may have missed the first time round, and create a more integrated community of lowbies and highbies who often group together <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[dagoo7]

<div></div><div></div><p>As previously stated only blue or higher quests that are <u>non-repeatable</u> give you AA experience.  Blue quests that are repeatable will never give AA exp, and I've found that alot of quests are considered repeatable some of which I had no idea were repeatable.  Unfortunately, its often impossible to tell until you turn em 'in.  Maybe a guide out there that accurately represents whether a quest is repeatable, but I've never noticed it,</p><p>Message Edited by dagoo7 on <span class="date_text">03-16-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:47 AM</span></p>

[Mentla]

I've wasted a few solid days (only get a few hours a night online) grinding quests I had no idea were repeatable. Little thing I find is helping is turning combat xp off so you dont level so quick.  Getting about 1 AA per lvl since I hit 20.  Only problem is PvP kills don't seem to count like this but deaths do.  Was back down to Hunter and no amount of slaughter seems to redress it (this is with my baby Swashy).<div></div>

[dagoo7]

<div></div><p>I really don't think it makes much sense to turn off the combat xp.  By doing this you can probably eke out a few more % of AA an per level by doing this, but you are putting yourself in a position where you will have to grind for normal exp later.  AAs are great but they aren't so great that you should cripple your normal progression for them.</p><p>I think its best and sanest just to progress as normally and get AA exp as you go.  Only difference I would suggest would be to focus on lowest level blue quests first as you progress.  Exploration and item exp you get regardless of your level and you will progress quite fine. </p><p>I was already 24 when KOS came out and just hit 43 yesterday and already have 12 AA levels without doing anything other than what I stated above (keep in mind the first AA levels are easy no matter what you do),  And I have yet to venture into Everfrost, Lavastorm, or DOF for the massive exploration exp or tier 5 item exp.  I guarantee that if you worked your [Removed for Content] off with combat exp off, you would not be in a much better place in terms of AAs, you would just increase your /played time dramatically to make it to a similar level.</p><p>Just relax, play with AAs in mind, but don't make it an obsession.</p>

[revva]

just for curious sake how do you turn off combat xp?<div></div>

[dagoo7]

<div></div><p>I wasn't even aware you could (or why you would possibly want to) til I saw the post above.  However, last night, I right clicked on exp bar and there was an option to "disable combat exp".  Now I'm afraid that I'll click on it accidentally. </p><p>Would seem to have very limited uses and only be worthwhile in an extremely rare instance, where you needed loot or credit from a named mob that was about to grey out to you.  I would still never use as if it was about to grey out to me, that quest or item could likely be written off as no longer valuable (except maybe in an instance of a unique heritage item like FBSS).</p>

[Krakenap]

<div></div><div>I wouldn't worry too much about doing it accidently and not noticing.</div><div>When you turn it off you get a massive message on the screen about not earning combat for this encounter.  It's so annoying that I never turn off combat xp anymore just cause I hate that message.</div><div> </div><div>Nalvest - Permafrost</div><div>70 Swashbuckler / 70 Weaponsmith</div><div>Robur et Decus</div>

[MaestroX]

<div></div><p><font color="#ccff00">Why I'm going for Sailwind</font> (25% reduction in cast times and cooldown timers):</p><p> </p><p>Important note: Sailwind does NOT reduce recast anymore, as it did in BETA.  It reduces cast time, and recovery time.</p><p>Cast time ( from the time you click until it happens) is usually 1-3 sec, so reducing it by 25% will make some difference in how quickly you can get a spell off, but not much.</p><p>Recovery time( from the time it happens until you can click again)  is usually only 1 sec, so reducing it by 25% will not make much of a difference at all, IMHO.</p>

[tawek]

<div>Inspired by your faq, I've created a set of threads for more detailed discussion of the Agility line:</div><div> </div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=10192&jump=true#M10192"><font color="#c8c1b5">http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=33&message.id=10192&jump=true#M10192</font></a></div><div> </div><div>If folk add their comments about individual skills in the relevant thread, then those thinking about a particular skill know exactly where to look.</div><div>If anyone likes the idea, and would like to create a similar set for one of the other branches, please go ahead.  If I have time, and no one has done it, sometime I may do so myself, but I won't have first-hand experience of those branches.</div>

[CakeArr]

I got my first AA option at level 6

[dagoo7]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> CakeArroz wrote:<BR> I got my first AA option at level 6<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>You are most likely referring to the first racial or character trait that can be chosen at certain lvls starting at 6 or 8.  AAs are different.

[Jaggid]

Again, does anyone have up to date info?

[Manc]

<p>Which tree and guide should i follow for levelling?</p><p>Ive heard loads of different builds and am just looking to gather a bit of help/ideas,</p><p>Im currently lvl 54 with 49 achievement points, which tree should i start on and aim for etc?</p><p>Current spec -</p><p>str : 8,4,4,8,1,</p><p>agi : 4,4,8,6</p><p>Ive got cobalt longsword and assault axe for weaps, mainly for dmg and run speed buff, i have enough plat etc to buy a mount so spose i could loose the run speed buffs.</p><p>Ive been told that the wis tree is a great dmg boost due to the double attacks, but tbh ive not got much of a clue.</p><p>Any guide at all would be superb, ill be mainly solo'ing but wil be doing some groups and herritages along the way.</p><p>Any help on builds or advice would be great <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p> Cheers in advance <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Katanalla]

<p>KoS tree is where you will get the all around bonuses, this is usually a good start for leveling as most do not depend directly upon your skill qualities but rather give additional skills and attributes.</p><p>EoF tree is where you focus your abilities' duration and potency/effectiveness, as well as poisons.</p><p>TSO tree is where you focus on making all of your abilitites stronger.</p><p>Anyways KoS tree would be decent for your level, going down agi for the Sailwind for faster casting, Traumatic Swipe can wait tbh...</p><p>If you're soloing the pirate stab one is not too important, but if you ARE GROUPING max it out, its a nice proc... If soloing then Walk the Plank for the 3second stun attribute, as well as turning the mob for you to back stab it.</p>