RrrRrRR! The Master II Ability Thread for Swashies...(We are Corsairs, not Pirates :P)

[CaptainDaveyJones]

<div></div><div></div><div></div>I will keep this updated but need help from the wonderful Swashy community.  Hopefully we can get this to a sticky state to help all fellow swashies.  Post your opinion on your choice and the reason why you advise it.  Lets consolidate all our advice!~ Captain Davey Jones<font color="#ff0000"><b>Level 24</b></font>Flamboyant SwatheShanghaiUndercutUnfriendly Reminder<font color="#6633ff"></font><font color="#6633ff">Popular Choice and Reason:</font><font color="#ff0000"><b>Level 34</b></font>Nimble CutFeigned BravadoKidney BlowRakish Swathe<font color="#6633ff">Popular Choice and Reason:</font><b><font color="#ff0000">Level 44</font></b>Disarming SmirkBladeweaverFlash of SteelRazor Edge<font color="#6633ff">Popular Choice and Reason:</font><font color="#ff0000"><b>Level 54</b></font>Brilliant SwatheDisablePillageUncanny Reflexes<font color="#6633ff">Popular Choice and Reason:</font><font color="#ff0000"><b>Level 64</b></font>GuileDashing SwatheImpairSwarthy Disorder<font color="#6633ff">Popular Choice and Reason:</font><div></div><p>Message Edited by CaptainDaveyJones on <span class="date_text">03-20-2006</span><span class="time_text">11:08 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by CaptainDaveyJones on <span class="date_text">03-22-2006</span><span class="time_text">08:34 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by CaptainDaveyJones on <span class="date_text">03-22-2006</span><span class="time_text">08:39 AM</span></p>

[Rokjin]

<div></div><p>For me levels 14, 24 and 34 was Swathe line all the way.</p><p>The huge AOE damage is great for most of the grouping I was doing.</p>

[Echgar]

Stickied <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[the flu]

<div></div>Whats with the r's in the title? Are you trying to be a pirate or something? If you are implying swashies are pirates I take offense, I most certainly am not. Pirates are rude, uncouth, and unbathed. The very essence of a non swashy.Anyways, back on topic.<p>Flamboyant SwathePro-AOE damage is one of the things that set us apart from Brigands, our rougish counter parts. This helps take out large groups of mobs quickly, and most mezzes exempt non direct targets from this attack, preventing angry enchanters from looking crossly at you.Con- You can't use this in situations when you wouldn't normally use an ae attack, as it is out of encounter. Additionally, if the tank is not prepared and you use this to early (or the tank pulls with a single target taunt), you may grag agro from several mobs at once.ShanghaiPro- Good for front loading damage.</p><p>Con- Stealth only attack, so limited use soloing. Stun duration does not increase with upgrades.UndercutPro- Does ok damage and snares the mob.</p><p>Con- Snares are relatively useless unless you are trying to kite a mob, so this ability is highly situational. The snare also breaks on damage, further limiting it's use.</p><p>Unfriendly ReminderPro- High damage and agilty debuff (reduces mobs avoidance, useful on brawler types if it lands). Awarded at level 24, so this master 2 will not need to be upgraded until level 38.Cons- Back attack only. Situational when soloing (though useable). Excelent for groups.<span></span><b><span>Level 34</span></b>Nimble CutPro- I belive this is our parry debuff. The damage upgrade is good, as is the debuff component. a solid upgrade.</p><p>Cons- Must be in front of or flanking the mob.</p><p>Feigned BravadoPro- Unlike our other combat arts, upgrades to this art are not easily distinguishable do to the fact it is percentage based. Upgrading Feigned Bravado to M2 now will allow you to use this buff until you are in your 60's- at which point you still need to be at a3 or better to see any noticeable upgrade.</p><p>Cons- The hate increase can be detrimental if you arne't careful. The proc also breaks on damage, so if you are tanking it does not have a chance to stack with itself. Additonally, haste is capped at 100%, so if you regularly group with classes with haste buffs, the extra haste may be wasted</p><p>Kidney BlowPros- Decent physical mitigation debuff and damage.</p><p>Cons- Requires positioning behind or flanking the enemy.</p><p>Rakish Swathe</p><p>See the above swathe line comments.<b><span>Level 44</span></b>Disarming SmirkPros- Upgrade lowers chance of resistance. Maybe duration.</p><p>Cons- Very situational usage.</p><p>BladeweaverPros- Ups all of your damage and power pool.</p><p>Cons- Not the sexiest of upgrade choices, and the effect is subtle.Flash of Steel</p><p>Pros- DPS debuff is appreciated by tanks and healers. Damage is decent, good for soloing and grouping. Decent all around ability.</p><p>Cons- You can't go wrong by upgrading it, though bladeweaver is probably a more usefull choice.</p><p>Razor EdgeSee Nimble cut.</p><p><b><span>Level 54</span></b>Brilliant Swathe</p><p>See swathe line comments above.</p><p>Disable</p><p>See Undercut above.</p><p>Pillage</p><p>See Unfreindly reminder</p><p>Uncanny ReflexesPros- Two fast hits for great damage.Cons- No debuff attached to it (one of our main purposes). If the first attack misses, the second one also misses.</p><p><b><span>Level 64</span></b>Guile</p><p>See Kidney Blow</p><p>Dashing Swathe</p><p>See Swathe comments.</p><p>Impair</p><p>See Undercut</p><p>Swarthy Disorder</p><p>Pros- Not only are you less likely to pull agro, you are helping the tank in your group do their job.</p><p>Cons- Pally amends breaks the ability and makes you actually gain more hate. Other hate reduction abilites from tanks may or may not stack properly with this. Some say 28% hate transfer makes things "too easy" <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p><div></div>

[tawek]

<div><font color="#ff0000">Level 24</font></div><ul><li>Flamboyant Swathe (20) -  (see choice)</li><li>Shanghai (21) - stun is useful, but damage is limited, and requires stealth to use.</li><li>Undercut (22) - a snare that can only be cast in combat range isn't that useful, and we have other snares</li><li>Unfriendly Reminder (24) - nice single target damage when in group, with faster recast than swathe, but debuff is no where as useful as a stun</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:</div><div><font color="#ccff00">Flamboyant Swathe </font>- excellent damage to multiple targets, or even to a single target, and the 2 second stun is incredibly useful.  Great when soloing or in group against groups, stun is so useful, it's even good against single mobs.  For getting faster experience at low levels, this seems the obvious choice.  Our best spell at this level.Master 2 gives us both a reduced chance to resist stun, and significantly more damage.</div><div> </div><div><font color="#ff0000">Level 34</font></div><ul><li>Nimble Cut (29) - reduced parry is nice debuff, but parry doesn't usually apply to attacks from the rear.  Damage and recast is good.</li><li>Feigned Bravado (32) (see choice)</li><li>Kidney Blow (31) - mit debuff is nice, but not so important at these levels</li><li>Rakish Swathe (34) - See Flamboyant Swathe under 24 choices</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:</div><div><font color="#ccff00">Feigned Bravado</font> - Master 2 of this spell is better than its higher level upgrades, so will be useful till high levels.A definite choice for a respec at higher levels.</div><div><em>For faster levelling, <font color="#ccff00">Rakish Swathe</font>.</em></div><div> </div><div><font color="#ff0000">Level 44</font></div><ul><li>Disarming Smirk (40) (see choice)</li><li>Bladeweaver (41) - slightly more strength and agility isn't going to make a massive difference</li><li>Flash of Steel (43) - dps debuff, increased damage, and 1- second recast.  Very useful skill.</li><li>Razor Edge (43) - see Nimble Cut under 34 choices</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:</div><div><font color="#ccff00">Disarming Smirk</font> - a lower level master 2 spell appears to be resisted less than a higher level adept 1 or adept 3.  Mezzing a named for 20 seconds, while the group kill its assistents can make an impossible encounter doable.  This is your one chance to get a Master 2 mez.  Though it will have a shorter duration than its higher level counterparts, it will probably be resisted less.</div><div><em>For faster levelling, <font color="#ccff00">Flash of Steel</font>.</em></div><div> </div><div><font color="#ff0000">Level 54</font></div><ul><li>Brilliant Swathe (4<img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> - See Flamboyant Swathe under 24 choices (Brilliant Swathe is level 48 skill - so you only get 8 levels of use out of this before upgrade)</li><li>Disable (50) - a snare that can only be cast in combat range isn't that useful</li><li>Pillage (52) - good extra damage, though agi debuff isn't so important.  A definite choice if you have Agility AA line, and have Walk the Plank</li><li>Uncanny Reflexes (54) - slightly less damage than Pillage, but doesn't need to be flanking attack.  No debuff</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:<font color="#ccff00">Pillage</font> - for slightly more extra dps than Uncanny Reflexes, with extra debuff.</div><div> </div><div><font color="#ff0000">Level 64</font></div><ul><li>Guile</li><li>Dashing Swathe</li><li>Impair</li><li>Swarthy Disorder</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:(Not level 64 yet, but aggro transfer looks unbeatable)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><font color="#ccffcc">Things to consider:</font></div><ul><li><font color="#ccffcc">Will you be respeccing later?  If this is your main, and you have an item that allows respecing (you can claim a one-use respeccing item after your account has been active a certain number of months), then don't worry about whether the skill will be useful at higher levels, you'll be able to change it later.</font></li><li><font color="#ccffcc">The differences are marginal.  If you make the wrong choice, it's not the end of the world.</font></li><li><font color="#ccffcc">Some choices are better for soloing, some for groups.  For example, an attack that only works from the rear, though useable when soloing, is more useful in a group.</font></li><li><font color="#ccffcc">What do you enjoy more?  Debuffing?  Dealing damage?  Utility?  If you tank a lot, skills like Nimble Cut are more useful than if you fight from the rear.  Go for what you enjoy.</font></li><li><font color="#ccffcc">Is there a cheap Master 1 of one of these options available for sale on the broker?  If so, buy it, and choose a different Master 2 option.</font></li><li><font color="#ccffcc">Some of these skills will be brand new when you get the master 2 upgrade choice, others can be as much as 6 levels old.  You'll get more use out of the brand new ones.  (eg At level 34, the Swathe line is brand new.  At level 54, it's 6 levels old)</font></li></ul><div><font color="#ccffcc">(PS nice thread idea Captain Davey)</font></div></div>

[Luk]

<div></div>Allt he choices are well and good, one thing to remember and that I don't think has really been mentioned, is alot of the choice goes on your playstyle. One other thing to remember is, check the broker, don't take a master 2 when a master 1 is avaliable for a good price, you are better off having a master 2 and a master 1 than just having a master 2.

[Ajo]

<div></div>I choose Viscarate at lvl 14 and Unfriendly reminder at lvl 24. I like the damage these attacks makes. I try to avoid being attacked by too big groups of mobs, therefor I prefer the single target attack.

[lolercopter]

Rylek, I'm not quite sure why you'd completely ignore large groups of mobs when 2 of our high damage attacks are AE.  14 is a great time to upgrade circle blade, but I actually took Unfriendly Reminder at 24.<div></div>

[DanaDark]

<P>I've always viewed swashy as the AoE DPS scout... run in, do our AoEs, mez one mob, take down the others... rinse and repeat!</P> <P>So, I have always taken the swathe lines... not sure if I will for lvl 54 though... hmmm</P>

[SageGaspar]

<div><blockquote><hr>DanaDark wrote:<div></div> <p>I've always viewed swashy as the AoE DPS scout... run in, do our AoEs, mez one mob, take down the others... rinse and repeat!</p> <p>So, I have always taken the swathe lines... not sure if I will for lvl 54 though... hmmm</p><hr></blockquote>Hurricane sorta changes this, as it breaks mezz, and a lot of time just more efficient to leave it procing on them when you're not in danger.</div>

[Mathe]

<P>I don't know why people view Swashbuckler as an AoE damage dealer. We have 2 AoE CA's, one of which is on a minute timer, and Hurricane. Granted Hurricane is nice, but Crusaders, Warriors, and Predators I know for sure get an AA abilitiy that does the exact same thing, granted with a smaller percentage, but still it does seem at least somewhat popular since I've seen quite a few people in those classes with that buff up.</P>

[lolercopter]

They're an AoE damage dealer because no other scout can do AE damage like we can as fast as we can, and one of our AE's also has a stun, knockback, and hits for a LOT.  600 AE damage at 34 is nice.  No other ability I have comes close to that.<div></div>

[Mathe]

<P>It's a good burst, but the DPS on it is pretty low for both when you consider the entire recast times on both. The basic mitigation debuff CA is actually higher against a single target. The fact it is a knockdown is nice, but there are quite a few mobs that can't be knocked down and it isn't a very long one. However, there are a lot of better AE abilities out there. Granted it is better than the rest of Scouts, but then again that is like saying Paladins are the best healers, as long as you compare them to other Fighters only. Sure it is decent, but a Priest is still much better at it. Considering how few situations AE is actually useful compared to how many situations it is actually undesirable, it isn't exactly a major deal.</P> <P>Besides Swashbucklers and Brigands are the two best debuffers in the game, a very highly useful feature, and put out decent DPS. I consider that far more defining then the slight AE advantage against a class predominately designed for single target DPS. Excluding Enchanters (which I don't really know much about their damage spells not playing one past level 20 or so), all the Mages have much better AE DPS than Swashbuckler, even Wizards.</P>

[SageGaspar]

<div><blockquote><hr>Matheau wrote:<div></div> <p>It's a good burst, but the DPS on it is pretty low for both when you consider the entire recast times on both. The basic mitigation debuff CA is actually higher against a single target. The fact it is a knockdown is nice, but there are quite a few mobs that can't be knocked down and it isn't a very long one.</p><hr size="2" width="100%">I dunno, in battles with multiple mobs my Adept 1 Dashing Swathe and Lucky Ploy continually put out higher DPS than my Adept III Whirl of Blades or my Master II Guile by a couple percent each. The knockdown time has actually come in very handy for me, I like to queue up DS and make it hit as soon as the tank places the mobs. Gives the healers an extra couple seconds to get their act together at the beginning of battle and interrupts all the nasty attacks the baddies aren't doing.Hurricane is really the big winner in my mind, though, especially when you've maxed out haste and DPS and you pop Inspiration. I went in with a Pally and Templar to Sanctum and we overpulled, I had all my buffs up and there was an absolute sea of orange popping up over every mob's head. Enough so that both of the other members of the group commented on it. It's nice to get to the other member of a heroic encounter and have it half dead before you start.<hr size="2" width="100%">Considering how few situations AE is actually useful compared to how many situations it is actually undesirable, it isn't exactly a major deal.<hr size="2" width="100%">This one's a little sketchy too. Only time I've ever been worried about AE are incredible overpulls when we have a chanter (two conditions that aren't common) and raids. And in T7 I've seen very few mezzable mobs. Go to Ascent with the groups of three epicx2 that have ridiculous HP and you'll definitely appreciate your AE. Or Labs with the unmezzable trash, etc.<hr size="2" width="100%">Besides Swashbucklers and Brigands are the two best debuffers in the game, a very highly useful feature, and put out decent DPS. I consider that far more defining then the slight AE advantage against a class predominately designed for single target DPS. Excluding Enchanters (which I don't really know much about their damage spells not playing one past level 20 or so), all the Mages have much better AE DPS than Swashbuckler, even Wizards.<hr>They might have it better but they got some serious aggro issues. Pally + Amends on Warlock = I pull aggro with AE, Pally + Amends on me = neither of us pull aggro. Since when have you seen a mage able to go full-out, balls-to-the-walls AE with no fear of catching aggro?</blockquote></div>

[tawek]

<DIV>If I regularly teamed with a mezzer, I might have used Swathe less.  But I haven't.  Indeed, coming up the levels it's been one of my most frequestly used skills.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Like SageGaspar, I use it at the start of many fights to stun the mobs, so if the healers are lagged, or not concentrating, or simply their spells are taking time to cast, the damage on the main tank pauses for a bit.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I use our aggro transfer extensively, and have usually had it at Master 1 or 2.  WIth that, Swathe is great for feeding a little more AOE aggro onto the tank, to keep the monsters hating the tank, and not the healers. ... Sometimes I overdo it, and one or two hate me, but that doesn't take long for me or the tank to fix.  I've had Monks comment that they were having much smaller problems holding aggro on groups than they normally would have, due to this trick.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for raw damage, I remember my own surprise as a young swashie, when I noticed that Swathe did almost as much damage as my big rear attack skill.  If I'm not short of power, and especially if I need another stun, I quite often use Swathe against single targets too.  In an extended fight, the recast timer reduces its contribution to my dps ... but in my experience most fights aren't extended.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only times I haven't used Swathe have been when there were neutrals nearby, and when there's mezzing, especially in the days when I used DoT poisons.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Until I got Lung Puncture, I think it may have been my most powerful skill.</DIV><p>Message Edited by tawek21 on <span class=date_text>04-14-2006</span> <span class=time_text>03:45 PM</span>

[Ajo]

<P>So... I'm considering what to pick at lvl 34. Kidney blow or Swathe? </P> <P>Any input?</P>

[lolercopter]

Swathe.  Kidney blow has limited solo PvE use, less than half the damage of master II swathe and has half the cooldown.  Oh, and swathe is AE.<div></div>

[Dragonfly28]

<blockquote><hr> <div><font color="#ff0000">Level 64</font></div><ul><li>Guile</li><li>Dashing Swathe</li><li>Impair</li><li>Swarthy Disorder</li></ul><div><u>Popular Choice and Reason</u>:(Not level 64 yet, but aggro transfer looks unbeatable)</div><div> </div><div> </div><hr></blockquote>I took swathe, when u crit on that its a huge dps boost. Disorder is also nice but only 1% more then the M1 and thats fairly common on SP. Impair generally kinda sucks as skill <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> And damage output of swathe is so nice i couldt resist. Really love 6 mobs with bold numbers above their heads :p <span>Onaupu LynxL70 Swashbuckler/ L69 TailorUnitySplitpaw</span> <div></div>

[aubreyy]

<DIV>Guile is my favorite for the debuff. I found M1 of it though. It seems to be really hard to find m1 of swathe. Impair is my least favorite CA, and really common m1 anyhow. Disorder is great, but M1 is easy to find too. I am also never in mt group in a raid, and I dont have an aggro problem. Swath is definately the funnest IMO, but if i didnt find guild m1, i woulda taken that. Ive never seen swathe M1</DIV>

[Krontak]

I got both Dashing Swathe and Guile in Master I, and Impair well, WHO CARES!  I did a respec lately 'cause my hate transfer is needed alot so I'm doing the  I think 28% hate transfer at master 2 now.

[aubreyy]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Krontak wrote:<BR> I got both Dashing Swathe and Guile in Master I, and Impair well, WHO CARES!  I did a respec lately 'cause my hate transfer is needed alot so I'm doing the  I think 28% hate transfer at master 2 now.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>on my server at least, the rarity comes in this order:</P> <P>Impair (sells for 2p)</P> <P>Swarthy Disorder (sells for 3-5p)</P> <P>Guile (sells for 5-10p)</P> <P>Swathe (never seen)</P>

[AegisCrown]

no we are pirates<div></div>

[aubreyy]

<DIV> <P align=center><STRONG>"Perhaps on the rare occasion <BR>pursuing the right course <BR>demands an act of piracy?<BR>Piracy itself can be the right course?"</STRONG></P> <P align=center> </P></DIV>

[Awlis]

<P>can someone pls pls pls change this title to something a bit more relevant??</P> <P> </P> <P>like simply Master II ability thread.. really annoys me</P>

[aubreyy]

we should post the master 2 examines compared to the master 1's

[Polynic]

<DIV>Any advice for a noob swashy who isn't sure what to take at level 14? I mostly solo and am torn between Flight of Foot for the self-buff and Circle Blade for better group killing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Suggestions?</DIV>

[Xanoth]

im leveling a swashy on the side at the moment, and i chose circle blade, definatly dont regret it, its saved my rear on adds loads.

[eromon]

just wondering what the reuse times are on the Circle Blade/ Swathe? Brilliant Swathe skills are please, want to know if this are Combat arts u can use multiply times in a fight ( short or long fight) + can anyone tell me what a lvl 70's ( or close to it) power is like and what power useage of these combart arst are please<p>Message Edited by eromon84 on <span class=date_text>07-14-2006</span> <span class=time_text>03:47 PM</span>

[Luk]

Our straight AE line is 30 second reuse, AE with stun line is 1 min reuse, most fights upto and including heroic I get them off once before the mob is dead<div></div>

[LiquidFusion17]

Hmm... I managed to pickup Swathe for only 5p via the Fence... First time ive seen it... Debating on selling it on my broker and buying Lucky Ploy (70 ae) which is going for 15plat. I have all the other stuff master'd besides disorder but i was gonna make that my m2 choice unless i find it cheap (havent really looked so far).

[Krontak]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> LiquidFusion17 wrote:<BR> Hmm... I managed to pickup Swathe for only 5p via the Fence... First time ive seen it... Debating on selling it on my broker and buying Lucky Ploy (70 ae) which is going for 15plat. I have all the other stuff master'd besides disorder but i was gonna make that my m2 choice unless i find it cheap (havent really looked so far).<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Finally did get hurricane for about 5 plat.woohoo and got dazzling steel the other week for about 9 so I've got elude and spurious bravado.  I believe spurious bravado is about a 10% increase in haste on the proc from adept 3.  Last one I saw for sale was around 45 plat.  I didn't have the cash then.  Maybe I'll get lucky as a mofo and pop it.  I've noticed Bixie Island has lots of lvl 60 npcs.  Elude adept 1 pops alot so I'm hoping for that rare Elude master to drop.  I wonder where Spurious Bravado pops at.  Anyone have any idea?</P> <P><BR><STRIKE>I wish I had all the other stuff mastered.  There are just some I can NEVER find...hurricane, dazzling steel and elude but I could care less about elude.  I use it like once every other week maybe.</STRIKE> </P> <P>Message Edited by Krontak on <SPAN class=date_text>09-26-2006</SPAN><SPAN class=time_text>08:39 AM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Krontak on <span class=date_text>10-19-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:59 PM</span>

[Tracor3k99]

<blockquote><hr>the fluke wrote:<div></div>Whats with the r's in the title? Are you trying to be a pirate or something? If you are implying swashies are pirates I take offense, I most certainly am not. Pirates are rude, uncouth, and unbathed. The very essence of a non swashy.</blockquote>   __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________I take offense to that! Pirates are not rude and uncouth. Alot of us are sweet, cute, cuddle and very witty with lots of style.The AshAshen Fury2nd 50 Bruiser on Lucan<div></div>

[Luk]

nice trolling there matie, this thread has been dead for 3 months<div></div>

[the flu]

<div><blockquote><hr>Licit wrote:nice trolling there matie, this thread has been dead for 3 months<div></div><hr></blockquote>To be fair, it is a sticky.</div>

[tiki-jiki]

What should i take at 64? Guile or the Hate Transfer?<div></div>

[Debunkt]

Guile all the way. AD3 the hate transfer, the percentages are pretty small between upgrades.

[jam3]

pvp server.. had to get impair master 1 it never fails!