Getting agg from tank using lev 40 poisons

[Aral]

<DIV>I've been having a tough time keeping the mobs from smacking me around in my regular group lately, and I'm pretty sure it's the poisons.  While I'm still doing decent damage, that damage hasn't scaled up much from level 35-45 (my current level) so I really doubt it's just the DPS.  For reference, on CS I usually see 110-135 for my sustained dps vs lev 48 (everfrost yellows).  I group with a good guardian tank and the dps-role berserker in group has more trouble with agg than I do, but he can also take a lot more hits.  I use fiddy's distraction whenever it's up and then lie low if I do get agg.  All skills are adept 1, except adept 3 ruse and app1 concealed blade/desperate thrust/deceit.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I do not use self-preservation any longer.  I could, and it would help, but I didn't work hard to get this fbss just to reduce my attack speed with a conc. spell.  I'd like to solve the problem another way, and my dps isn't scaling much compared to fighters as it is (thanks to non-upgrade 30s 40s skills) ... rather not give up any.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've been using necropolis sludge lately since we are often fighting higher mobs that take awhile to kill.  Should I switch to a different kind of poison, such as a yellow?  Is there any evidence that direct damage procs agg less than dots? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any advice welcome.  You can see my character profile and all the info at eq2players (character Aralys server Unrest) if that helps.</DIV>

[Sinadi]

Your FBSS only hastes your regular swings. Do you sit there on auto-attack most of the time? If so, I can understand your aversion to using Self Preservation, but I gotta say if auto attack if your thing, you'd be doing more damage with combat arts. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> In which case, use Self Preservation because arts aren't affected by haste/slow. <div></div>

[WuphonsReach]

Hmm... very good point about that buff.In the mid 30s, I find that melee is about 1/3 of my damage. So if I reduce that by 10%, it's not that big of a deal for a trade-off in massive hate reduction.(Just a nuicance for when you want to burgle quick and have to drop self-pres for the concentration slots.)

[TricksyRaton]

I don't think there's a valid option for not using self-preservation, unless you're trying to tank. The loss of attack speed is inconsequential to the loss of dps when the mob is facing you. If you have real problems, then lie low/shadow slip -> bushwhack/whatever everytime it's up, and use evade to trigger HOs. <div></div>

[Aral]

<P>Was really hoping to avoid going back to self-preservation, but if necessary I suppose I will.  I do use combat arts, thanks <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  But, on more and more fights as I level up, they last a long time or we are in a tough area with several adds coming in (no enchanter in my regular group).  During these times I'll often be in low power attack mode.  I can just get used to cancelling at those times, no biggie. </P> <P>Back to the first question, does anyone find they are getting less agg/more agg with the different poisons?  </P> <P> </P> <P> </P> <p>Message Edited by Aralys on <span class=date_text>03-21-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:57 PM</span>