Better solo build?

[Garryk_Stryd]

I've found several posts saying that the STA build is the best for the swash that wants to tank, but as far as what AA build can give you the best soloability I haven't read much about STA vs. WIS. Now I know that if you have a fabled 1-hander that the WIS line is the way to go on DPS, but if you have a good 1-hander this also sets you up for the STA build if you have a good roundshield.  Anyway, the STA line gives extra HP and extra avoidance, and the WIS line gives straight DPS and some riposte/defense. Does the extra HP make up for the loss of DPS when soloing, i.e. are you killing stuff faster before it kills you with WIS or are you surviving the battle with STA? Let's say the swashtank is the better soloer for the moment. How much of a DPS loss are we talking about when you go this route? The question I am getting at is does a swashtank play a viable role in a raid situation? Obviously you will have gear for playing the tank and other gear for raiding. If the swashtank is equipped for DPS can it still parse well enough in a raid to be a welcome addition? I have other stuff on my mind about these builds, but I want to see what you all have to say first.

[Thundy]

I also used to be STR/STA as I tank for my group, but after getting a Bloodbeast axe I felt that the benefits of the WIS line far outweighted what I got with the STA line. I did lose a large portion of health dropping STA, but I find I tank more or less just as well with STR/WIS. Of course having a shield helped with blocking, but the WIS line also boots defense if you go to Coule. In fact I like it better than STA due to Freehand Reversal. Also, not to nitpick but the STA line doesn't actually add any Defense skill if I recall. It adds HP, AE Taunt, and DPS. The last skill might add some actual Defense but I don't think so.. Anyway, currently I'm 4-4-7-7/4-4-4-7-1 STR/WIS.

[AegisCrown]

str wis has potential for a very good solo build as well as dps build especially with the new changes to kos aas coming currently i would do str 4 4 5 8 wis 4 4 4 8 8 but with the changes coming i would go str 4 4 8 8 wis 4 4 7 8 2 this will not only give you the 72% double attack and 14% added crits but while using a 1h weapon w/ no offhand you also gain 44 defense, 16.8 parry, 16.8 piercing, slashing, and ranged, also you will gain 7% riposte chance on frontal attacks and 7% parry in other quadrants.  this makes you a very viable avoidance tank and allows you to keep your dps at the same time

[Hollyf]

<p>Wow, Aegis! Because of what you suggested and believing before in some things Ive seen on my own Swash, I made the 2nd changes you suggested and I truly believe that a swash can actually tank. I was only with one of my members to test this out and began pulling ^^^ heroics and even a named to see. I tested both using a one hander with a buckler and then the one hander with the Lung aa ability but found out I did better with the rapier and buckler. </p><p>Thanks !</p>

[Rokjin]

Hollyfia@Blackburrow wrote: <blockquote><p>Wow, Aegis! Because of what you suggested and believing before in some things Ive seen on my own Swash, I made the 2nd changes you suggested and I truly believe that a swash can actually tank. I was only with one of my members to test this out and began pulling ^^^ heroics and even a named to see. I tested both using a one hander with a buckler and then the one hander with the Lung aa ability but found out I did better with the rapier and buckler. </p><p>Thanks !</p></blockquote> If your using a weapon + shield, your not getting any benefit from WIS line except for Coule.. Go STR + STA if you want to use a weapon + shield.

[trevro]

and make sure to use a ROUND SHIELD and not a buckler.

[AegisCrown]

Hollyfia@Blackburrow wrote: <blockquote><p>Wow, Aegis! Because of what you suggested and believing before in some things Ive seen on my own Swash, I made the 2nd changes you suggested and I truly believe that a swash can actually tank. I was only with one of my members to test this out and began pulling ^^^ heroics and even a named to see. I tested both using a one hander with a buckler and then the one hander with the Lung aa ability but found out I did better with the rapier and buckler. </p><p>Thanks !</p></blockquote> no problem, enjoy it and if i think of any other solo tweaks ill let you know

[x82nd77]

Would there be a way to modify this build to add in 1 of walk the plank for easier soloing? What would the best way be to take 5 points out and loose the least?

[Ariellia]

I was actually wondering the exact same thing. I took the WIS line straight to Coule at the moment (maxing encumbrance along the way), and was trying to figure out where to next. Most of my playtime is spent either solo or in a duo. I usually duo with either a paladin (they tank) or a wizard (I tank). I want to be able to solo well.  Currently at level 34, a level 26 ^^^ is about my limit heroic-wise. Is this unusual? Most of my spells are not upgraded much, and I have mostly quested gear with the occasional legendary thrown in (from HQs or drops). At the same time that I want to solo, I don't want to do too poorly on dps for when I am not tanking (when I am duoing with a tank or when I am in the occasional group). Walk the Plank seems really nice for soloing as I struggle to get behind my target a lot going solo or tanking. At the same time, the STR line looks really nice for the defense and crit. Then of course the STA line is all about survivability, but some of it requires using a shield which with the WIS line I cannot. Walk the Plank is as far as I could see myself really wanting to go in AGI, so I was thinking of maybe getting 4 points in Walk the Plank and then going down the STR line with maxed Blackguard's Defense and only 3 points in Blackguard's luck. Do you all think this would be viable? Do you have better suggestions? Or do you think I should respec completely? Thanks in advance.