When does a noob need to start upgrading CA's?

[Malkosha]

<DIV> <P><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#ffffff size=3>I’ve been playing quite a few chars lately, running them around for about 10 levels or so, trying to find something fun. So far, I really like the Assassin if for nothing else the concept. Besides, positional attacks are much more fun (to me anyway) than hitting 3 or 4 buttons in a row FOREVER.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#ffffff size=3>After searching on the boards here, I’ve learned quite a bit … even though sometimes the info seems contradictory. Different strokes for different folks I guess. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#ffffff size=3>Starting as a new Assassin, I have very little cash to twink anything and I mostly play solo. As I was looking over the spell lists, I was wondering when I should actually upgrade my CA’s? I read plenty of posts with people who are level 50+ asking about which Master to take, etc, but what about us noobs? Should we wait for a certain level to do upgrades since these CA’s get replaced at a quick rate (up to a point anyway) or should we go for an upgrade whenever we can? <Gulp> that would cost some major moola.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#ffffff size=3>Thanks!</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT> </P> <P> </P></DIV>

[MystaSkrat]

I'll be honest, the people that are the most concernaed with upgrading all their spells (I'm one of those people) do so because they want to be the most efficient DPS class they can.  If you're playing more for enjoyment than anything else, I wouldn't worry too much about what gets upgraded, at least not until you start hitting your 30s.  Just remember that your lower recast skills are generally more beneficial to upgrade over your longer recast ones.  Even if they do less damage per attack, they usually add up to more in the end.

[Sakkara]

In general, App IVs are so cheap there's no point to not upgrading them I don't think... even adept 1's can be a good deal sometimes.  As for adept 3s or masters, I haven't worried about those at all at level 24... I chose my mastery skills based on what each one does when I get the choice <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Malkosha]

<P>Makes sense.</P> <P>Thanks for the help!</P> <P> </P>

[Sebhan]

<P>In general (on all my toons) I shoot for the best available.  There are some that believe it's pointless to upgrade early, as you out level faster, and those that believe it's essential for fast leveling.  I play on a pvp server though, so it's my opinion that it's very important to get the best possible stuff I can afford.  Often though it goes like this for me:</P> <P>Often I don't bother until after 20, but I have perfected the art of geting to 20 so it doesn't take long hehe (alt-re-alt).</P> <P>Look on brokers for masters, if I find some cheap I buy (some are 20g sometimes, I can spare 20g for the increase).  Sometimes I even buy masters for other classes and resell them.  I am not sure why, but I have even found Guardian masters on broker for cheaper then you could sell them to a vendor...people are weird.</P> <P>Then I look for Adepts, I never pay more then a few gold for adepts.  If I can't find what I am looking for in the adept range I ask a guildy to make me an APIV or I go harvesting and get the adept 3 version.  I harvest a lot though, so often I have a few rares per tier.</P> <P>Like I said, it's not essential.  A good group can mitigate bad spell levels nicely through buffs and redundancy of archtypes (2 dps > one fat stacked dps for the most part).  </P> <P>Those are just my opinions, currently my assassin has all adept 1 or higher everything, but that is mostly for my pvp life.  In pvp it's important to do what you do and do it well (imo).</P>

[Hex]

<DIV>As tedious as it is.... I highly recommend getting your harvesting skill up as soon as possible.  Mining being the key one you want to focus on, but also get the others up to harvest for rares.  You can sell these to make money for upgrades or use them for gear.  Once you get a rare for one of your combat arts, try to find someone around that lvl to make an adept III for you.  Usually they will do it for free because it will give them a pristine bonus for their crafting xp.  You can use the advanced search to narrow down the lvl range.  For 10-19 you're looking to mine coral off of the stone/rock in Commonlands or Antonica and you want to find a scholar to make them.  Every thing for 20+ you want the rare loam for that tier which can be mined off of the ores and you want a jeweler.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once you build your first toon up, you can then use them to finance your alt habit if you get addicted like me :smileyhappy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hope it helps!</DIV>

[UberC]

I got all adI untill around 57, where I am now working on adIII or master for:57      Scraping Blow     57     Spitting Asp      58     Assailing Blast       58     Contrived Weapon      58     Crippling Strike      58      Finishing Blow     59     Whirling Blades       60     Elude         60      Freezing Strike   60     Stance: Adroit Defense  61     Masked Attack         61     Slaughtersault         62     Jugular            62     Malignant Mark    63     Puncture Blade       64     Constriction       65     Enmesh            65     Exacting           66     Eviscerate           66     Killing Blade         67     Deadly Focus        68     Flowing Wound        68     Neck Shot             69     Deadly Wound        69     Fiendish Villainy         70     Cloaked Assault         70     Decapitate             70     Surveillance        These are, as far as I know, they are the non replacable skills, any of the previous ones I would out level too quickly, and the cost would not be worth it (unless you solo alot and have a rich main)<div></div>

[Pins]

Need to add52: Apply Poison55: Concealment35: Honed Reflexesto your list of abilities that you should upgrade to Adept 3 as you level, since they don't have upgrades either.

[MystaSkrat]

53: Murderous Design is our last hate transfer ability