Melee versus ranged with wardens

[zaun2]

I just started up a baby warden for an alt.  While levelling him, I notice that a good number of wardens tend to root a mob, then chuck their DoT and nuke, backing up to re-snare or re-root, like a wizzy or warlock does. How does nuking from ranged compare to my usual technique, where I toe-to-toe mobs, firing off CA-based strikes, popping a HoT when needed?  Being used to mystics and inquisitors, not meleeing is foreign to me, because the warden AA strikes hit harder than the spells.

[Isard]

<p>Personally I think its just a matter of style.  I never really did the root / nuke before they gave us the CA's though its nice to have the option.  </p><p>If you can take the hits and you are satisfied with your melee DPS then why not go toe to toe?  I find that occassionally there are some mobs that just hit harder than they should and in that case root / nuke is a good option.</p><p>Otherwise, do what works for you!</p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>I never rooted/nuked in the wizard style, either - I like fighting toe to toe when soloing..unless the mob is sufficiently tough that I need to do mini-crowd control (root one, kill one, kill the rooted one, etc..).   We are tough enough that we can fight this way, Wizards aren't.   This is such a matter of preference, there's no 'right' way to do it.  </p><p>If you are powerleveling or wanting to kill stuff fast though, the root/nuke strategy uses less power than the fight/kill one because you don't have to heal yourself very much.    Also remember that even if roots break, they still slow the mob a bit - which is helpful even if they aren't locked down to nuke.</p>

[Veedublya]

I wouldnt worry about rooting/nuking unless you were farming, otherwise just fight straight up.

[gatrm]

<p>I never really used my root until after hitting 70 and going after harder and harder mobs.  Some just hit so hard, you need to root/nuke cause the healing takes too much power even with 50% mitigation.  The more mage-minded out there will most likely spend more time rooting/nuking and would never consider going toe-to-toe with the mob.  It's more personal preference than anything.</p><p>I'm  just happy I got CAs with  EOF cause I've been a melee warden since 2005.</p>

[Chondrichtheyia]

I come from other games where I primarily play casters so the root/nuke strategy was one I adopted here instinctively. I'm only level 25 but I have already noticed the efficiency of this. The main downfall, however, is when you're pressed for space or if the roots get resisted. In such situations, I've been forced to melee, which I don't mind too much but since I'm not really specced for it, I find that I am rather not as proficient at it as I'd like to be. The other scenario that forces me to go melee is when I pull more than 1 mob at a time. Then I root one and melee the the other one.

[Arielle Nightshade]

If you aren't spec'd for melee, then I'm guessing you are spec'd to nuke?  This should work as well when roots break.   Also, a tip for root 'stickage'...make sure your subjugation ability is as leveled as you are.  You can get M1 roots, be level 40, and your subjugation is back at level 14.    (It's easy to do ..LOL)   Your roots won't stick very often at all, and you'll wonder if the spell is broken.

[Kneemin]

IMO I would go toe-to-toe with mobs as you have stronger armor than a cloth, and my wizzy kills blue con heroics/nameds in their face (no root) and if he can do it... with  no heals and worse armor, then a warden should have no problem (and no i don't use manashield). Also, my buddy is one hell of a warden (non-melee as well) and he almost never roots a mob either, waste of mana in his opinion. On the other end of the stick, it all depends on how u play too cuz if you aren't melee specced you may deal with more interrupts than you would like if u are all over the mobs whereas if you root... u don' tget interrupted aside from those annoying fighter interrupt-taunts (grrrr).  As said be4 its all to preference, I like to be on the mobs.

[Gilfandron]

Ranged is awesome amd the EoF root upgrade makes it top. Make sure your roots are better then A1, put some points into those in the Eof-Tree and in a tough fight step back, equip FT-items, activate the self-stunning heal with manaregg (just lasts a bit shorter than the roots), maybe gulp some mana-potions, definitely activate the manasone and keep the ugly scum rooted 'till you got enough power to go on and finish him off. This made it possible for my warden to solo-clear Nest (though it was not much fun). But if you communicate this idea to a damage dealer on your side you should get most encounters down in a lean duo, maybe without too much of a struggle.

[Lilj]

I use root/ Nuke, and am quite happy with it. I solo or duo a lot and this makes me/us able to take on many of the heroic mobs used for quests. Of course I have to suffer being called stupid quite often, because I'm not a melee warden <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I find it sad we are so divided in the melee/nuke issue. I fear SOE will listen to the wardens yelling for us wardens to be made pure melee and the fury be pure nuke. But enough of my fears, I find nuking to be working and I like my roots <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> edit: and for some reason the whole root/nuke thing simply stuck with me from EQ1. I never got high enough in level to truely master the Quadkiting technique, so I used root and nuke there also for soloing, it was quite effective.

[Cygnus Arnimane]

I think it varies on style as many have said.  I tend to find myself in groups most often and find using spells to add to damage most universally helpful.  Many times in group battles I do not want to be close in melee..foes may have an Area damage effect.  Plus is it harder for me to watch the battle and adjust to the situation if I am up close in melee.  I tend to focus on gear that augments casting..and that gear tends to be the opposite statistics of melee gear.  So in the process of making myself a more effective team healer  I also make myself a more effective caster overall.  I use both the Stamina and Intelligence line for the Druid.  Movement and Renewal for Warden. Wardens are very power efficent and have no trouble mixing offensive spell damage in while healing a team.  Ultimately magic focus lets you be equally effective up close and at range..melee focus makes you more effective if you close into melee...