Advice on building my new swashy

[Kyie]

<DIV>Hello...I've got a brand spankin' new swashbuckler and I'm very excited about her.  I choose swashy because I solo a lot and like to kill things quickly.  I try to group when I can too, but I have odd play times, so I don't always get lucky with that.  Up until now, I've been one of those players who just sort of skates along and makes upgrades when she loots nicer equipment and periodically goes to the broker to see what she can find.  But, since I'm going to be soloing a lot and this character is going to be my main, I really want to focus on making her as efficient (aka uber) as possible.  So...I have some questions.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1.  If I have a limited amount of money, what should I focus my spending on first?  CA's, armor or weapons?  Anything in particular I should be looking for when it comes to armor or weapons?  Any particular CA's that you think it's better to upgrade than others?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2.  I would appreciate any tips on tactics.  At the moment (I'm only 11th level) I tend to sneak up to things and use my sneak attack then try to follow up with the rear or flank attack before they turn around.  I'm using HO's, though I'm not really sure how much they help.  I also figured out that I can stun and then get around behind the monster and I seem to be able to sneak in the middle of combat and do another sneak attack if I'm quick enough - doesn't always work.  Is that pretty much it, or is there something else I should be doing?  It seems to be working fairly well - I can take on yellow solo mobs easily.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3.  Any other tips and insight would be appreciated.  I've only grouped once so far and I was so lagged I was pretty weak because I had a hard time moving around in battle.  So, I guess thoughts on group tactics would be helpful too (the lag problem should be fixed now).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>4.  I have looked for swashy guides online but haven't been able to find anything, especially not any recent ones (since they changed it so you pick your final class at the start).  Any where other than these forums that might be a good resource?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks in advance!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kylie</DIV>

[SwordMaster]

<P>Hi there</P> <P>I am not answering your numbered questions, im rather giving you tips that might help the Solo Swashbuckler.</P> <P>One thing i would stress at least if you are going to solo is that you should go down the Agility Tree of the Rogue Tree and Invest in "Walk the Plank" and "Avast Ye", being solo and a swashy you want to make the mob turn around so you can use your specials (Walk the Plank forces mob to turn around) more effiecent. You want to also make sure your DPS mod is up to date as this will be critical at soloing. </P> <P>When you also get up the tree and you would be soloing i would recommend to go the Thief line to get your Feign Death, even when i am in groups, this has helped me ALOT, i have saved alot of money and so forth, even though it might not be the best tree line, you would also increase your poisons.<BR></P> <P>Another thing is i would find a good guild to join cuz guilds LOVE swashys. I started a swashy just for fun but my guild now wants me to lvl my swashy fast so I can cuz they want me for raids. they might even help you out too =)</P> <P>Anywho that is my advice on building a Swashy. Welcome to the Class =)</P>

[Shiverr]

<P>Welcome aboard.  Where would one ever begin....</P> <P>Heres a few pointers:  If you are dual-wielding make sure to use a slashing and one piercing weapon to keep both skills up to par.  You'll want to have both skills setting at the top so that when a good DW weapon comes your way you're good to go for either.</P> <P>With a limited budget, I'd recommend putting your money to upgrading CA's first, then armor and weapons.  The better CA's will always pay off in your performance.  I'd also get armor first if you're soloing, but theres an argument to be made for tearing mobs down quicker with better weaps also.  Play around with one-hander/shield combos for certain encounters and dual-wielding also.  I prefer dual-wielding for a variety of reasons.  At upper end, should you be raiding you'll likely switch to one-hander for the str/wis AA combo.  If you're not able to get a good one-hander at upper end DW is still a viable combination.</P> <P>Your tactics are pretty common and effective.  You definately want to become proficient at using Cheap Shot to stun mobs and either jumping behind or sliding behind to get off your other positional attacks.  Its a must when soloing, period.  At around lvl 16 you'll get a throwing CA called Cold Throw (I think, been a while).  For this you'll want to equip a decent throwing weapon device, sack, and appropriate throwing weaps.  Using this ranged attack is another alternate way to pull or engage mobs rather than the "sneak up" route.  This can be quite handy when pulling single mobs to avoid aggro ranges and drawing adds, particularly in mobs that are less social in nature.</P> <P>Learn when to back off of spamming CA's and to just auto-attack.  When you proc certain abilities or items, let them go on their own and do what they do.</P> <P>Make the best of poisons.  Always have them equipped.  It is considered into our damage so it is a must.  For soloing look for breach poisons that will steal power/health from the mob to you.</P> <P>When you do group, hopefully you'll get a good tank that will "flip" the mobs around towards the group so that its back is to you and the group, and the tank is closest to any adds should one roam into aggro range.  This should allow you to use your positionals at best and really get off some good debuffs and damage.  Remember to have all of your de-aggro working for you in groups and to put your hate transfer on the tank.  You'll find some tanks hold aggro well, and some don't so you'll learn when you need to be hitting more evades or more attacks.  Make sure you're in offensive stance when grouped to get the most out of your attacks.  Play around with off/def stances in different solo encounters also to figure out what worx best for you.  Theres different theories regarding that.</P> <P>Last, but certainly not least, practice up on your pimento sandwich making skills & find a good poofy shirt.  It's just how it is.</P> <P>Best of luck, you rogue!</P> <P> </P>

[liveja]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kyiera wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1.  If I have a limited amount of money, what should I focus my spending on first?  CA's, armor or weapons?  Anything in particular I should be looking for when it comes to armor or weapons?  Any particular CA's that you think it's better to upgrade than others?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Get the best weapons you can get your hands on. In your early levels, Dual Wielding is better (I think, I DW'd up to 60 or so), & you should look to get a Piercing weapon for one hand, & a Slashing weapon for the other; that way, it keeps both Pierce & Slash maxxed for you. Keep them poisoned -- one damaging poison & one debuffing poison, for example. Your weapons are your life, because you shouldn't be getting hit quite as much as a Guardian or 'Zerker.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Get some good armor, but you don't have to go crazy on it. Just get some decent crafted chain, if that's all you can afford. It will work nicely for you, until you can begin upgrading it with drops. Always wear chain. Leather, IMO, just isn't worth it, even for RP purposes. Besides, IIRC, your Avoidance is going to be based on chainmail anyway, as that is the heaviest armor you can wear, so wearing leather, thinking it will help you dodge better, won't do you any good.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Upgrade your Sneak-based attacks, your Backstabs, & your AOE attacks as high as you can afford to, & keep your eyes out for M1 upgrades of them & all other CAs. Your self-buff is a good candidate for upgrading, too; a lot of other abilities can be left alone, especially if you're soloing -- I mean, here, most of your abilities that do nothing but debuff, like the Dirty Tricks line, etc., because IMO these CAs are far more useful & necessary while grouping. Remember, though, that pretty much all of your CAs have some kind of debuff attached to them. I mention this, because when grouping, your job is as much to debuff, as it is to DPS.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>If you're based in Kelethin, take Ork Master's Strike at 12th level; if in Queynos, take Gnoll Master's.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2.  I would appreciate any tips on tactics.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Actually, the tactics you described are pretty much what you should be doing. I would only add that you should make steady use of your AOE abilities -- you get another AOE attack at level 20, I believe -- & that you should try to get the best poisons you can. Personally, I have upgraded my AOE attacks to M2 every time I've been given the choice, & I don't regret doing so. I honestly think they are two of our most powerful soloing tools, & I use them constantly.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Others may disagree, but I don't find HOs to be worth much, & I can't remember the last time I used one while soloing. They can really help a group, tho, so it's good to pay attention to them, know how to work them, & all that sort of thing. A well-coordinated group can kick out some really ugly damage numbers using HOs. But for solo Swashies, I don't think they're all that useful.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#99cc00>Have fun!</FONT></DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>

[Kyie]

<DIV>Wow!  Great info.  Thanks so much.  I had too take notes to make sure I remember everything =).  Going to run off now and see what I can buy.  I really appreciate the tips, it was really helpful.</DIV>

[Kriki]

I'll reiterate much of what was said before, but there are a couple of things you can do to save money, and increase your cash flow.First, upgrading armor, weapons and CAs to common handcrafted will be fine for you.  Check the broker often because at your level, and even through your 20's you shouldn't need to spend more than 1g on any single item.  Look for Pristine Forged Iron weapons and armor at your current level.  Once you hit level 20, start searching for Pristine Forged Carbonite weapons and armor.  Your CAs you can upgrade inexpensively to Apprentice IV, and if you can't find it on the broker, you can always upgrade to apprentice II at the Combat Arts merchant in your home village.One way you can make a bit of money for yourself, and save money down the road is to take up crafting - becoming a Jewler will save you a lot of money because you'll be able to craft, not only jewlery (which can get expensive), but also all of your own CAs.Another great way for you to make some money is to harvest and sell the harvested items on the broker, and be sure to sell all of the Adept I spells that you get for loot on the broker, you can get at least 1g per spell, often up to many times that at your level.I hope that helps!  Good luck and welcome to EQ2!KrikiParagonEverfrost<div></div>

[Neumann]

<P>thought u might want some advice on ur AA build for kos:</P> <P> </P> <P>1 required point then do as follows:</P> <P>8 points str</P> <P>8 points agi</P> <P>8 points sta</P> <P>8 points wis</P> <P>8 points int</P> <P>1 point - 2nd str line</P> <P>2 points - 2nd agi line</P> <P>2 points - 2nd sta line</P> <P>2 points - 2nd wis line</P> <P>2 points  -2nd int line</P> <P> </P> <P>THIS IS THE BEST SPEC EVER!!!! IT EVEN LETS YOU HEAL UR GRP MATES ZOMGGGGGGG!</P>