My Troubadour is getting creamed

[Guy De Alsace]

<DIV>I'm looking for some tips here to enhance my solo gameplay since my level 52 Troubadour is suffering badly at the moment. I admit I'm not really an expert in the inner workings of Troubadours (she's my 4th alt) so I maybe am doing something fundamentally wrong.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>She's a Skald so is using a Round Shield (currently using the Aegis of Kitamer adorned with a healing proc that doesnt seem to work). I have an Ebon Longsword too. I've got cobalt melodic on chest, legs and shoulders with a smattering of other treasured and legendary armour. Most of her jewellery is T6 mastercrafted (i'm a 70 Jeweller). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have 4/4/4/4 Skald and the rest of my 25 AP's are in EoF tree enhancing various songs. My skills are a smattering of Adept 1's through to Adept 3 and Master 1's. I dont have any App IV's.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thing is I'm getting crunched vs solo mobs. I was doing some quests in SS killing the Sul Dal Skeletons (lvl 51-53) which are mostly triple or double down groups and was finishing up with 20% health. I tried to kill the Blademaster who is a no arrow level 53 solo mob with 3 triple down arrow friends. I killed this guy when he was Orange con with my Fury. My Troub managed to get the named to about 75% health before I had to evac on less than 20% health myself <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can just about manage a blue con ^ mob or an even con white mob thats not grouped. Yellow con is extremely dicey and anything with a ^ thats white or higher is a no-go target. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I dont generally have a problem with any of my other toons doing these con mobs - just my troub. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What songs can you recommend for the best solo play? I'm using Daelis', Aria of thingy (the one that procs extra damage on a spell), avoidance buff, health regen buff, str and agi buff (Bria's?) and power regen buff.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any suggestions?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Jaimster]

<P>Well, I'd replace your avoidance buff with just about anything else (opus or dove song), and possibly your health regen as well (unless you really find it useful)... they are both mostly useless in my experience.  I would also upgrade your sword as Ebon is best at low 40's.  If you're trying to smack around yellow cons, it's probably not doing much damage.  Also, troubs aren't really made for great soloing, you don't 'really bring too much to yourself but a lot to a group.  While I was never great at killing mobs higher levels than me, the recent combat changes have made things harder I'd imagine. I don't solo much because I just don't enjoy it, but it's definitely not what we're best at...</P> <P>Using mezz and charm are reasonably good tactics in a pinch.</P>

[oldusrf]

i Find the Hp regen really usefull as well as the avoidence buff, keep in mind the skald is defensive and adding with that buff helps, (i'm a skald 4/8/8/8/0) the self buff is nice for soloers the int is very much needed with a proc. other than that i can't think of anythig else at the moment

[Novusod]

You need to lose the shield and get a dual wield. It is important to drop these mobs fast or they are going to eat you alive. Also make sure you fire off your debuffs before you fire off your attacks. With the right debuffs and mez you can take out groups of down arrow yellows.<div></div>

[Arondur]

<P>Im going to have to disagree, up to a point.  I think the shield helps my Troub alot, and the extra damage I get from a second weapon doenst make up for the loss of the shield, most of the time.  Most of my damage SOLO is from my songs anyway, not my weapons. So if im doing harder mobs I use a shield.</P> <P> </P>

[Godzmodi]

on a hard mob its fairly hard to stand toe to toe <div></div>

[Thrashercat]

Ya, I vote for no shield as I want to burn the mobs down as soon as possible with hp regen, defense up, self buff, opus up and take the advice of charm and mez with multiple encounter mobs. Make sure your gear is chain as i noitced it was a lot easier to fight when i had all chain with no leather, but that is just me. INT stuff will help your songs hit harder and give you more power. <div></div>

[Guy De Alsace]

<P>Thing is my shield really gives me decent buffs (+11 or so to 3 stats plus resists, hp and power and the bonus to avoidance). I also use the shield bash function to double the number of times I can use Taffo's (I think its called that) since I can knock down the enemy then whip to the side and whack him. That is also doubles the number of times I can interrupt a healer/caster mob. </P> <P>I also get Fortissimo which almost guarantees a double attack so I dont think I really need a second weapon to be honest. I've tried dual wield before (admittedly before the AA system came in) but I could have a go with a free respec and try some duals and see how I do I suppose.</P> <P>Troubs are still fun to play it has to be said and you can really do instances quick when you're grouped thanks to the powe/health regen buffs. I think we need a tweak with our only self buff to help our survivability or maybe make it a no-conc skill.</P>

[Narben Von Nacht]

As you level up you'll find mobs start to get a lot harder when you add even a single up arrow.For the particular example you gave, how exactly are you approaching the encounter? While charm is nerfed it's still not a bad opening spell, charm the named and attack through his target to burn down at least one of the adds then when charm ends drop mez on him and finish the remaining adds. Since the area will be free of mobs until the named goes and triggers the repops you'll have all the time in the world to finish the encounter. You've got 2 options- snare the named then kite him using your single damage dot and ranged attacks, or- mez and nuke. It's incredibly slow but you'll get there in the end. Mez, debuff, nuke, mez. If you get hit too much just sit there and keep applying mez while Quirons regens your health. Eventually you'll win provided you don't get bored easily <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[Guy De Alsace]

<P>Well I just levelled to 54 yesterday and things have dramatically improved! I've got the master II version of the 'shrill' spell which does close to double the damage my adept 1 of the former skill was doing - plus I've upgraded some other spells and CA's to adept III and gained some decent resist gear. I went into Lfay and did most of the quests in there and gained a truckload of AP's which I've invested in Harbinger line. </P> <P>My resists are now much higher and the upgrades that went with me levelling have really made a huge difference. I was killing lvl 57 mobs last night with ease.</P> <P>Upgrading my sword to cobalt has helped a lot too - thanks for all the advice! I know Troubs are hard to solo but at least I'm getting less of a frustration factor now!</P> <P> </P>

[Spider]

<P>first off get all cobalt ebon armor </P> <P>second all CASTER jewlery of the appopriate teir </P> <P> </P> <P>then spells that are a must of at least adept 3 or better </P> <P>self buff .str buff , arias, snare , both song nukes (single and group) <BR></P> <P>the rest atleast adept 1 or better ditch the shiled its virtuatly worthless trustme its been tried and while its decent for a dirge its not so much for us </P> <P>buffs for solo self, str buff , aria , casting skill increase , and for the last slot can rotate as needed health , power . defense , or mit </P> <P> </P> <P>learn to kite for single targets lead with mez and use it to snare , and fully debuff then kite kite kite </P> <P>use ur bow and your songs that can be cast on the run  , if u get out away far enuff pause to use ur bow attack and ur other songs and occasionaly run past them and score with ur stun and melee attacks resnare and kite some more </P> <P>ive solo's ^^^ green and blue names and non names with ease this way </P> <P>and in pvp have even kited  a red player 10 lvls higher than myself </P>

[Cuz]

If you plan on soloing a lot I recommend to <b>not</b> drop the sheild and go down the stam line and put a few points in double attack. Then if you want to up that a bit more get 1 point in Bump, or whatever the dagger attack that puts you in stealth. I think I have 1 in bump, 6 in double attack and DKTM. I may have a few points left to finish double attack. Which I will do when I can :p<div></div>

[Ballads]

Mezz kiting FTMFW. It take a little while to get the flow of this tactic but when you do youll be able to solo nearly everything up to yellow ^^^. You will however need some room to do it. Id say about 40-45 meters strait line. You can do it with less but its more risky , Ok here ya go...Open with snare followed mezz, now get your range , design your kite area, and wait on snare to repop. Ok here you have 2 options against caster reopen with bow stifle, this fires 3 shots which will break snare most of the time so TURNOFF BOW ATTACK and  remezz , if snare is still up drop a shrill in before mezz. Against melee you should open with shrill and turn on bow attack then steal/pilfer essence TURN OFF BOW ATTACK and remezz. Keep cheap shot ready for a resist. The rest you get a feel for as you get better at it. You should be able to make 7-10% of a ^^^'s health each mezz.  Also id like to say the con system in this game is worthless. So dont make you descions based only on mob color or arrow count.  If your wanna go heads up against mobs debuff  them and get your avoidance as high as possableSoloing buffsStr&staSelfbuffDefenceHpregenbria's or whatever because if im not debuffing i dont use power,dissonat note makes snare a little unpredictable,getting resisted/interupted? throm up dove/swan. AA-  soloing id go kos skald and get a good sheild then either str or agi for def or parry enhancements. For EoF the control line seems increadable for a soloer/small grouper . Completing this line with the exception of charm would put are control where it was prenerf. I have often wished i was not a raider so that i could spec this way when i do have to solo for quest or farming.   Gear - Soloing- Avoidance and Mitigation are  your best frends. High agi,+defence/parry, and sheild factor are key.The hardest resist to get in the game is mitigation or physical/truama resist. If your soloing you are the tank ! So think like the tank. Str and int will help your damage but it wont make you out damage most mobs. Good luck<div></div>

[Mentla]

Honestly, anyone who says shield is worthless is nuts - how much damage exactly do you think you do on auto attack with your off hand weapon?!  The shield bash alone is enough utility and probably enough dps to make up for it, plus you have the extra stats and mit from the shield AND you can dump some points in double attack.Seriously, this whole thread is about mezzing / kiting, who then stands there and auto attacks?<div></div>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR>Honestly, anyone who says shield is worthless is nuts - how much damage exactly do you think you do on auto attack with your off hand weapon?!  The shield bash alone is enough utility and probably enough dps to make up for it, plus you have the extra stats and mit from the shield AND you can dump some points in double attack.<BR><BR>Seriously, this whole thread is about mezzing / kiting, who then stands there and auto attacks?<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>well if u kite properly u can stay in that nice mid range where u can use normal attcks and range </P> <P>also ducking in and out or melee range </P> <P>while i dont realy think sword and board sux i just perfer duel wield </P>

[Unwise]

<DIV>Not a troub here, so sticking to general bard advice. The Skald AA line is great for soloing and tanking, but you really do need to get the double attack up to 56% or you take way too much of a hit in DPS. With 8 points in that you will do at least as much DPS as when you duel wield. If you solo constantly, I would also go for the extra % chance to block, that makes a very significant difference too.</DIV>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Unwise wrote:<BR> <DIV>Not a troub here, so sticking to general bard advice. The Skald AA line is great for soloing and tanking, but you really do need to get the double attack up to 56% or you take way too much of a hit in DPS. With 8 points in that you will do at least as much DPS as when you duel wield. If you solo constantly, I would also go for the extra % chance to block, that makes a very significant difference too.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>see i took a different route myself ive got my full speed and ive started enhancing my cast on the run songs boosting my snare </P> <P>and anything i can use on the fly or from ranged as well as gettign the one that puts u in stealth and i can kite like a pro <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </P> <P>even against red players and ^^^ mobs  </P>

[Guy De Alsace]

<P>Problem with my mezz and charm is that the resist rate on both is close to 100%. It usually takes 4 or 5 attempts to cast either of them and have them land. I wish I was exaggerating too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>They're only at Adept 1 atm though I have some AP's in the charm one but the resists are so high they're still useless <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Guy De Alsace wrote:<BR> <P>Problem with my mezz and charm is that the resist rate on both is close to 100%. It usually takes 4 or 5 attempts to cast either of them and have them land. I wish I was exaggerating too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>They're only at Adept 1 atm though I have some AP's in the charm one but the resists are so high they're still useless <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>master 1 charm with caster stat buff up ftw i get resisted maybie 5 % of the time</P> <P> </P> <P>also make sure your subjigation is accualy capped or nearly so or it will get resisted 90% of the time </P> <P> </P> <P>if need be raise it on grey and green mobs </P><p>Message Edited by lspiderl on <span class=date_text>01-02-2007</span> <span class=time_text>08:01 PM</span>

[Cuz]

<div><blockquote><hr>Guy De Alsace wrote:<div></div> <p>Problem with my mezz and charm is that the resist rate on both is close to 100%. It usually takes 4 or 5 attempts to cast either of them and have them land. I wish I was exaggerating too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p> <p>They're only at Adept 1 atm though I have some AP's in the charm one but the resists are so high they're still useless <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><hr></blockquote>Your skill is more than likely not maxed out.</div>

[Mentla]

<div><blockquote><hr>lspiderl wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Unwise wrote: <div>Not a troub here, so sticking to general bard advice. The Skald AA line is great for soloing and tanking, but you really do need to get the double attack up to 56% or you take way too much of a hit in DPS. With 8 points in that you will do at least as much DPS as when you duel wield. If you solo constantly, I would also go for the extra % chance to block, that makes a very significant difference too.</div> <hr> </blockquote> <p>see i took a different route myself ive got my full speed and ive started enhancing my cast on the run songs boosting my snare </p> <p>and anything i can use on the fly or from ranged as well as gettign the one that puts u in stealth and i can kite like a pro <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p> <p>even against red players and ^^^ mobs  </p><hr></blockquote>Not logged in at the moment, but which one puts you instealth, dont remember seeing that one?  And does it have an evade quality like the rougue / predator one does?</div>

[ReturnOfMadness]

The one ya after is bump its in the agi line (after the agi choice so need atleast 5 points to get it)<div></div>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> ReturnOfMadness wrote:<BR>The one ya after is bump its in the agi line (after the agi choice so need atleast 5 points to get it)<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>yeah what he ^ said <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Cuz]

<div><blockquote><hr>Jenoy wrote:<div><blockquote><hr>Guy De Alsace wrote:<div></div> <p>Problem with my mezz and charm is that the resist rate on both is close to 100%. It usually takes 4 or 5 attempts to cast either of them and have them land. I wish I was exaggerating too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p> <p>They're only at Adept 1 atm though I have some AP's in the charm one but the resists are so high they're still useless <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><hr></blockquote>Your skill is more than likely not maxed out.</div><hr></blockquote>Just to add a bit, the only skills that up Subjugation is charm, mezz and below.</div>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Guy De Alsace wrote:<BR> <P>Problem with my mezz and charm is that the resist rate on both is close to 100%. It usually takes 4 or 5 attempts to cast either of them and have them land. I wish I was exaggerating too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>They're only at Adept 1 atm though I have some AP's in the charm one but the resists are so high they're still useless <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Your skill is more than likely not maxed out.<BR></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Just to add a bit, the only skills that up Subjugation is charm, mezz and below.<BR></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>yeah jsut noticed below helps last night  /sigh but i still stick my m1 charm a lot with only 70 subjication out of like 200 and something

[Mentla]

My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR>My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>hmm never noticed that b4

[Mentla]

<div><blockquote><hr>lspiderl wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Mentla wrote:My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>hmm never noticed that b4<hr></blockquote>Seems to be only me.  Would really apreciate it if someone could use it standing next to a spider or mummy in SS and see if they pull adds, because I still am <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Cuz]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> lspiderl wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR>My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>hmm never noticed that b4<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Seems to be only me.  Would really apreciate it if someone could use it standing next to a spider or mummy in SS and see if they pull adds, because I still am <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I'll try it tonight. Could you tell me if you have any special proc equipment or some AAs that you don't think is "common"?

[Mentla]

<div><blockquote><hr>Jenoy wrote: <blockquote> <hr> Mentla wrote: <div> <blockquote> <hr> lspiderl wrote: <div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Mentla wrote:My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>hmm never noticed that b4 <hr> </blockquote>Seems to be only me.  Would really apreciate it if someone could use it standing next to a spider or mummy in SS and see if they pull adds, because I still am <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div> <hr> </blockquote>I'll try it tonight. Could you tell me if you have any special proc equipment or some AAs that you don't think is "common"?<hr></blockquote>Only thing I can think of is I had a point - accidentaly - in the extra chance to make a knock down.  No proc equipment.  Have reset EoF AAs so maybe now it wont do it, may have been a bug.  Will try myself later.</div>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> lspiderl wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mentla wrote:<BR>My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>hmm never noticed that b4<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Seems to be only me.  Would really apreciate it if someone could use it standing next to a spider or mummy in SS and see if they pull adds, because I still am <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>accualy discovered this the other day in pvp i cahsed a few greens and blues into a zone and everything was grey non agro to me  </P> <P>i use my bellow and boom i agro the whole room </P>

[Mentla]

<div><blockquote><hr>lspiderl wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Mentla wrote: <div> <blockquote> <hr> lspiderl wrote: <div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Mentla wrote:My below is still pulling non-linked non-social mobs  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>hmm never noticed that b4 <hr> </blockquote>Seems to be only me.  Would really apreciate it if someone could use it standing next to a spider or mummy in SS and see if they pull adds, because I still am <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div> <hr> </blockquote> <p>accualy discovered this the other day in pvp i cahsed a few greens and blues into a zone and everything was grey non agro to me  </p> <p>i use my bellow and boom i agro the whole room </p><hr></blockquote>You got any AAs in there for the knock down?  Mine seems fine now I re-specced.</div>

[Spider]

accualy no  i dont ahve any aa in taht skills

[Cuz]

Where did it happen for you lspiderl? I'm trying really hard to repro.<BR><BR>

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> Where did it happen for you lspiderl? I'm trying really hard to repro.<BR><BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>i think it was fg  i was chasing a whole group of greens lol <BR>

[Cuz]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> lspiderl wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> Where did it happen for you lspiderl? I'm trying really hard to repro.<BR><BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>i think it was fg  i was chasing a whole group of greens lol <BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Ah man can't you go hunt in antonica or somewhere that won't take me as long to travel too :p

[Spider]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> lspiderl wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jenoy wrote:<BR> Where did it happen for you lspiderl? I'm trying really hard to repro.<BR><BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>i think it was fg  i was chasing a whole group of greens lol <BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Ah man can't you go hunt in antonica or somewhere that won't take me as long to travel too :p<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>accualy i was just on my way passing through heading to ts and i saw them running that way lol