Survey: Which AA line and why?

[Myk]

<div>I am curious to know what AA line other troubs have decided on and why.</div><div> </div><div>After much thought and back-and-forth, I have opted to go with the WIS line even though WIS is our least important stat.  I chose it for the following reasons:</div><div> </div><div>1)  No weapons or shield requirement (except for bow which every troub should have anyway)</div><div> </div><div>2)  All the skills have some worth, except for maybe the 4 Wis points:  extra ranged bow ability, increased run speed including in combat, faster casting times, and added DPS with greater chance for crits.</div><div> </div><div>3)  None of the Wis abilities have long timers.  Most are always active (except for bow ability) and don't require a certain situation to use them.  I thought hard about the line that makes the group immune to AE's, but the 5 minute timer and 10 second duration scared me off. </div><div> </div><div>For my playstyle, which is mostly group play and raiding, the WIs line seemed to make the most sense.  I have an extra ranged attack for jousts, casters can cast faster which means more often (although the percentages need a boost, IMO), and I sit in the DPS group which means the increased crit rate should be very useful.</div><div> </div><div>You can respec your AA's as often as you want (at an increased monetary cost), so nobody is stuck with the AA's you initially choose.</div><div> </div><div>Anyway, I'm hoping to read what some of you other guys chose, because it may prompt me rethink the Wis line. </div><div> </div>

[Zoolin]

After debating over the 5 lines I, too, came to the conclusion that wisdom would be the best place to start. It feels very odd as wisdom is the least important troub stat, IMO. I do use a bow and I do like the predominately passive aspects of the AA's in this line.

[Zapdafi]

<div>it's between wisdom and int for me, leaning towards wisdom.</div><div> </div><div>fyi, as it takes 24? pts to get the level 5 AA, there is a respec guy in each town for AA's so I am putting my points initially over in agility so I can pickpocket and play around with some before throwing it over there,. Once i get bump maxed, will play with the stamina one as my current setup was already round shield with a dagger for when I need to max out int.</div><div> </div><div>havent come across a group yet that complained about my lowered dps status, in fact get complements once the mezzes start flowing</div><div> </div><div> </div>

[Straygats]

<div></div>Playing primarily solo still at 53, I opted for the Agi line to test it out.  I've only got 7 points in right now (4x +5 agility and 2 ranks of bump).  It's a nice little boost to my skills and using bump in conjunction with the stealth stab is an attractive bump in DPS over a standard attack chain, but I figure in the future I'll swap to Wisdom/Strength lines for group/raid purposes. For those wondering, the pickpocket function isn't anything to get excited about.  I average 1-3s picked from the mobs I fight now (50-55) with maybe a 30% percent proc (I'm just making that up from very limited testing).  Agility would be nice to have if AAs weren't limited to 50 at the moment (and what looks to be rather lengty to obtain), but I don't plan on keeping it very long.  I'd like to stick with it at least until I can rank up the poison a couple and see if it looks as good as it does on paper.<div></div>

[QQL]

<div></div><p>I am going wisdom line cuase it is probably the best line for a raiding Troubador.  The only problem is the run speed buff is broken.  I have 2 points in there and my run speed still at 34%.  I have posted on the Achievement boards with this issue in hopes of devs looking at it.  I am just not too hopeful cause when I posted about Alin's Tranquil Serenade, I get no response but Templars and Necros seem to much quicker responses.</p><p> </p><p>Laara</p><p>64 Troubador</p><p>Ancient Vengeance(Nejena)</p>

[vinterskugge]

<div>A combination of STR and AGI here.</div>

[Coppun]

Well for my I went Str,  As a raid troub my duties are to buff up my scouts so I am going str then drop some in either wis or int to finish off.<div></div>

[Warond]

I hate buffing scouts, mages all the way. =O<div></div>

[911GT3]

Currently I have my points in str, and the first attack does pretty good dmg at only 3 points in, but im thinking of changing this to stam based on the skill that gives you a chance to do an extra attack because I know a swashy who has his aa points in a similar skill and he was saying that his dps skyrocketed. Plus i like the look of my new t7 sword/shield combo. If it isnt too great ill probly go back to str or give wis a shot =)<div></div>

[vinterskugge]

<div>You may double attack, but you have to sacrifice a weapon to do it.</div>

[clankersta]

<div></div>quick question what is our mezz I am lev 33 just wondering if its a later ability or im missing something thanks for any info.

[Mathe]

<div></div><p>As a note, Swashbuckler has a lot of things that only proc off the main hand that Troubadour wouldn't. Your damage will go up only if you put a full 8 points into it. However, for a Bard, there are probably better ways to invest the points than to just go down the STA for an increase to Auto-Attack damage. Not saying the STA line is bad, but I wouldn't do it solely for a minor improvement to auto attack. The Rogue one gives a completely free damage ability (no casting time and no power use), 4-8% riposte, the double attack, and a significant boost to all combat skills with the final ability. I don't think most Rogues doing that line are solely doing it for damage abilities since really doing STR and AGI and just duel wielding would be more damage in the end due to a significant improvement to critical hits, significant casting time decrease, and an extra proc for fighting behind the enemy, not to mention both those lines are useful stats.</p><p>I haven't really decided, I'm thinking maybe STR and WIS.</p>

[VericSauvari]

<div></div><div></div><p>so far my plan is:</p><p><u><strong><em>1 initial point</em></strong></u></p><p><u><strong><em></em></strong></u> </p><p><u><strong><em>INT  (12pts)</em></strong></u></p><p>INT buff (4pts)</p><p>Rhythm Blade(4) - limited offensive stance for us and another attack (4 pts)</p><p>Minstrels Aria (4) - hopefully this stacks with the swansong line (4 pts)</p><p>Minstrels Melody - possible pick, seems more melee oriented, may be a waste of points since im usually in an all casters group. i know how brigand DPS buffs work does it work the same for casters?</p><p><u><em><strong>WIS (24pts)</strong></em></u></p><p>WIS buff (4pts)</p><p>Harmonizing Shot (4) - extra ranged attack for t6 ranged fights (4 pts)</p><p>Harbringers Sonnet (4) - only reason why im bringing this up is for the next box (4 pts)</p><p>Allegro (4) - possible more points into this..depends on what the reducing cast time is at 4 points (4 pts)</p><p>don't kill the messenger (1)  - booyakasha!  (8 pts)</p><p><strong><em><u>STR (8pts)</u></em></strong></p><p>STR buff (4pts)</p><p>TurnStrike(4pts) - self AE avoidance is veryuseful</p><p>5 points left over to play with</p><p>Message Edited by VericSauvari on <span class="date_text">03-05-2006</span><span class="time_text">02:10 PM</span></p>

[Bartimaeus]

<div>Im going: 1 point into main ability, +24 into wisdom (getting to Messenger skill) then +4 more into allegro (hopefully will get a %age boost [Removed for Content]) +5 into str line, for the bladesinger (the effect doesnt appear to be resisted) Then going up the agility line for bump (instant invis for the stealth attack) and the passive poison dot skill. Any remaining points (I dont think any) will go into passive poison/int.</div>

[Myrddhinn]

<div></div><div>Like most of you I hesitated between Int and Wis line. Went to Int Line for the moment.</div><div> </div><div>A question :</div><div> </div><div>When it writes : Increase Critical chance by 7.5% (for example).</div><div> </div><div>Does this mean the Critical chance is multiplied by 1.075 ?</div><div>Or does this mean 7.5% is added to the Critical chance ?</div><div> </div><div>Naming the Critical chance "x", do you think we get 1.075x % or (x + 7.5)% to get a Critical Success ?</div><div> </div><div>In the same order i tried to evaluate what is the DPS increase with a 0.8% casting duration decrease... Mathematically not much. And even less if you consider the perturbation it may cause to the "skill chaining" that most of players had to develop to optimize their outputs.</div><div> </div><div>At last i would like to point that OH effects are now underrated by far, and even more if you consider the fact they are now mob-dependant and not group-dependant. This is why i think i will change from the Int Line to another before reaching the last achievement, probably into Wis Line.</div>

[Bartimaeus]

<div>I havent got this skill yet, but you can probably tell from the amount of crit hits you get. I hope its adding 7.5% because by my reckoning it adds more.</div>

[Cygnu]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><p>Well I decided to try the STA line to see whether it works or not. As I work my way to 60 I seem to do an even amount of grouping and soloing, and when soloing yellow mobs (or white/blue con mobs with up arrows) I seem to have more success using a round shield rather than dual wielding. I recently got a pretty good round shield and 1h dagger from the Sanctum and so I thought I'd try. Plus I don't like the dependancy of a certain weapon types the other lines have. At least this way I can use a 1h weapon of my choice with the shield.</p><p>I have only spent about 8 points so far but I like it. I get interrupted A LOT less when using a shield, which is handy as our songs can take a while to cast. Plus with the first shield bash CA you get, it basically gives you another 3 sec stun along with the extra attack. Hit 'em with the shield and then start the long casting song.</p><p>I have yet to reach the %chance of double attack, but that combined with the extra protection of a shield sounds interesting. If you max that skill out you may basically have a 50% of an extract hit. Now I don't know if its this simple but at the moment I have 2 duals wields, one at about DR45 and one at about DR40  (I think they are right). which gives a total of DR85 for each round of attack. My one handed dagger is about DR65. With a 50% chance of double attack each time this basically becomes DR93 + the protection of a shield.</p><p>I have just realised however that I am assuming that the skill increases by 7% with each point you spend, whereas I supposed it could be something like 7% + 2% for each additional point spent :smileysad: Although even then with a max % increase of 21%, this gives DR79, not much less than my current dual wield total of DR85 (but I also have a shield!).</p><p>Oh well, most bards I spoke to said the STA line sounded the worst so I thought I'd be a bit different. You don't see many scouts with a shield and I don't like to be like everyone else :smileyhappy:</p><p>No doubt when we start raiding I'll respec.</p><p>Message Edited by CygnusX on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">01:49 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by CygnusX on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">01:51 AM</span></p>

[pera]

<div></div>For me personaly since i end up buffing the casters more than anyone is to go with full Wis with a bit of Str and int.   Str i would only put 5 points into (base state) and ( 1 point into ae immune)  I've yet to see the ae immune get resisted.  As for int I plan to put 16 points into this line, ( 4 into first two tiers and 8 into % increase the casting skill spells )I would of considred going all the way with Str for group ae immune but a 5 min timer is just way to long for that ability to be usefull.<div></div><p>Message Edited by perano on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:23 AM</span></p>

[VericSauvari]

<div><blockquote><hr>perano wrote:<div></div>For me personaly since i end up buffing the casters more than anyone is to go with full Wis with a bit of Str and int.   Str i would only put 5 points into (base state) and ( 1 point into ae immune)  I've yet to see the ae immune get resisted.  As for int I plan to put 16 points into this line, ( 4 into first two tiers and 8 into % increase the casting skill spells )I would of considred going all the way with Str for group ae immune but a 5 min timer is just way to long for that ability to be usefull.<div></div><p>Message Edited by perano on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:23 AM</span></p><hr></blockquote>very good point, i did not think the AE avoid in str would not matter past 1 due to the timer.</div><div> </div><div>i will probably drop the 4pts in turnblade to 1pt and puck up bump with my remaining points</div>

[Zapdafi]

<div></div><div></div><p> </p><p>i wonder if casting duration decrease AA's stack with others. while maxing out a line and being the only one in the group who has done so, mathmatically, it doesnt seem worth all those points, but if 3-4 other different classes have done it as well, the reduction looks like it can be fairly significant.</p><p>for example, say u get .8% per pt, 8 pts is 6.4 %. well if it takes 10 secs to recycle a spell, i dont even know if u saved 1 sec. but if 4 people have it, thats a 25% reduction taking you down to 6 or so sec recycle timer.</p><p>in  a huge raid, having your groups sped up like this would do wonders.</p><p>this is probably why the % reduction seems so small. it adds up very quickly if u take stacking into consideration</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Message Edited by Zapdafish on <span class="date_text">03-06-2006</span><span class="time_text">03:32 PM</span></p>

[pera]

<span><blockquote><hr>Zapdafish wrote:<div></div><div></div><p>i wonder if casting duration decrease AA's stack with others. while maxing out a line and being the only one in the group who has done so, mathmatically, it doesnt seem worth all those points, but if 3-4 other different classes have done it as well, the reduction looks like it can be fairly significant.</p><p>for example, say u get .8% per pt, 8 pts is 6.4 %. well if it takes 10 secs to recycle a spell, i dont even know if u saved 1 sec. but if 4 people have it, thats a 25% reduction taking you down to 6 or so sec recycle timer.</p><p>in  a huge raid, having your groups sped up like this would do wonders.</p><p>this is probably why the % reduction seems so small. it adds up very quickly if u take stacking into consideration.</p><hr></blockquote></span>Allegro only applies to the cast timer of a spell not its recast (recycle) timer.  Unless the spell being cast is greater than 3 seconds you wont see a differance at all.  Now for 4 seconds and greater you end up shaving maybe a few tenths of a second off not many i think 1 or two at most.I think another reason the values are so small is because its a maintained group buff that doesn't require a con.  I know several other classes have one for like 30 seconds they can put on someone that does like 30% to cast timers and 40% to recast timers something like that, i know shamans get this, not sure how it effect others buffs.