So many questions :)

[Olap]

<p>Hi all</p><p>I'm fairly new to the game, i am currently playing my first and only char (a SK lvl 32 now with 29 AA).</p><p> The problem is that i find that i seem to be more and more dependant on the unholy weapon proc (grim harbinger at my level Master II) to finish my fight with reasonable power consumption. When the proc doesnt occur i find myself depleting almost half my power each fight (against things more or less my level). I took the standard AA build for solo (448 int, currently putting 20 points in reaver line).</p><p> So here is my question, is the SK always so dependant on the unholy weapon line proc (and the other group buff one wich i dont remember the name) to end fight quickly at minimum power cost?</p><p> Also i find my AOE capacity really lacking (after i read on the forum that SK were good AOE), will i get more good AOE skills while leveling?</p><p>Currently my weapon is the legendary halberd from the HQ quest in Nektulos (up till i got that i was always using 1h and shield).</p><p> Finally is there a class with little to no downtime good for solo you couls recommend me?</p><p>Thanks a lot for your time!</p><p>PS: i realise im all over the place with this post but i have so many questions and english is not my primary speach <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[ckninja]

<p>Just hang in there it will get way better when u hit the 50's plus u can steal mana and will have better regen make sure you have good food and drink...</p><p>and oh you wont need any other class to solo with than your sk so just wait a few more levels...</p>

[Tettsuo]

<cite>Olap wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Hi all</p><p>I'm fairly new to the game, i am currently playing my first and only char (a SK lvl 32 now with 29 AA).</p><p> The problem is that i find that i seem to be more and more dependant on the unholy weapon proc (grim harbinger at my level Master II) to finish my fight with reasonable power consumption. When the proc doesnt occur i find myself depleting almost half my power each fight (against things more or less my level). I took the standard AA build for solo (448 int, currently putting 20 points in reaver line).</p><p> So here is my question, is the SK always so dependant on the unholy weapon line proc (and the other group buff one wich i dont remember the name) to end fight quickly at minimum power cost?</p><p> Also i find my AOE capacity really lacking (after i read on the forum that SK were good AOE), will i get more good AOE skills while leveling?</p><p>Currently my weapon is the legendary halberd from the HQ quest in Nektulos (up till i got that i was always using 1h and shield).</p><p> Finally is there a class with little to no downtime good for solo you couls recommend me?</p><p>Thanks a lot for your time!</p><p>PS: i realise im all over the place with this post but i have so many questions and english is not my primary speach <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p></blockquote><p>This is my first time posting to this board, so I'm make my first post something positive. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>First.... NEVER DEPEND ON A PROC TO WIN A FIGHT.  That's a bad way to think.  Procs are too unpredicatable to depend on in any situation.</p><p>No.  Shadowknights are more dependant on casted spells than anything else for damage.  Also, SKs suck mana like a crazy!  So it's not unusual to eat through mana like a kid eating candy on Halloween.  Not sure if you do this, but use your heroic opportunities as much as possible to add to your damage.  Give yourself a sec to swing your weapon between casting.</p><p> AOE damage isn't spectacular like a Warlock's, but it's great for a tank.  Especially at higher levels with the lifetap AoE.  Also, your normal spell AoE will activate Reaver for each mob struck.  Very nice when your have a bunch of things pounding on you.</p><p>I used both a 2-hander and a 1-hander/shield depending on the situation.  Usually, if it's no arrow up mob or even and lower, 2-hander.  If it's a group or anything tough, 1-hander shield.  Really tough, I switch to defensive and use my 1-hander and shield.  It may vary depending on the mob type.  With casters, I like to get that extra bash/KD in there.</p><p>Usually the pet classes are very good for solo play.</p>

[Olap]

<p>wow thanks a lot for the great replay!!</p><p> i also forgot to add that i really love my SK up till now its just that i see such a big difference between a fight with a proc and one withtout it and i hate being inconsistant in my performance<img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p> any other advice and/or words of wisdom are really welcome and greatly appreciated!</p>

[Hugsnkissums]

<p>Yeah, power problems will haunt you till the end of your days. Think of SK's like casters wearing plate. Most of your noticeable damage comes from casted spells so when your power runs out you're in real trouble. My advice...<b>get mana totems</b>! I still use them at 70 and they save a lot of downtime. That or make friends with a coercer or illusionist...I trio with an illusionist and warden all the time and power is hardly even an issue.</p><p> I've heard people say there's a difference when you use the defensive and offensive stances, but to be honest I never run around with anything other then my offensive stance. The intel boost is huge at higher end (something like 100+ points) so you really notice the lack of damage when it's not up. The hit to your defences isn't all that big, especially when you're not used to it being there in the first place. Just my experience though, the offensive stance has always been my first choice even in groups...the small upgrade to your taunting and defensive skills is just not worth what you give up to your damage output.   </p>

[Olap]

<p>mmmm what are those mana totem? i see them mentionned here and there on the forums but never actually seen them in game</p><p> wich craft makes them(i'm currently lvl 17 sage doing alchemy too lazy to lvl it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />? under wich slot should i search them at the broker?</p><p>Thanks!!</p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Totem of the Beholder, Totem of the Jaguar.....Tailor can make em. I use em a lot grouping. Raiding I don't really tend to run low on power, whether MTing or OTing.....usually have 1 regen class, but even if not......Clarity potions, Manastones, Mana Tap, Necro hearts and Conjy Essences are enough</p><p>The INT boost from Offensive is around 202 Maser 1.....think it's ~192 AD3. Very nice boost.</p>

[Rayle]

<p>What armor are you using? are your CAs and Spells adpt 1 or better? </p><p>at 32 your lvl 14 m2 blessing should still be decen, always keep your blessing and dots up, if you go through 1/2 a battle without your dots your losing a crapload of dps... i would focus on the kos tree before you start putting points in the shadowknight tree, if you get all your abilitys to Adpt 1 or better and get some mastercrafted gear you should be fine, i would stay away from the dungeons if your soloing, and focus on quests and writs, they will give you good exp and the writs will give status as well. My SK used the halberd for awhile, i didnt like it because it was so slow, you might be better off finding a decent 1h and getting a shield. if you spend a couple hours harvesting in TS you should be able to sell the roots and ore for a pretty decent profit, that will help with the armor issues.</p>

[Olap]

my main spells are appIV or adept I (not all i just bought it for the principal), my armor are broker bought, not that bad id say, nothing special but good i'd say, and yes i keep all my dots up all the time wich is why my power is leaking like crazy <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[KERSTYNN]

<p>Your definately gonna want to start making sure your spells and combat abilities are, at minimum, adept 1, preferably adept 3, and if financially feasable they should be Masters. In regards to your proc, the higher the ability (i.e. adept3 vs. apprentice ) the more it seems to proc. I have kept mine at adept 3 since my 20's and never noticed a problem with it not going off. Also the Totems are made by Woodworkers not Tailors. Hex Dolls (which can add additional stat point) are made by Tailors. You will notice a big difference once you get your Mana Sieve and Tap Veins abilities in your 50's, and don't forget that your (green background) Encounter Only AE's have some nice debuffs on them as well, so be sure to use them as well. As long as you keep yourself in good gear and your abilities at their best you should be just fine.</p>

[Olap]

Thanks a lot for all the nice replys, i will definitely keep it up with the SK after all she's so hot <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> (DE on permafrost), oh and for my unholy proc i took it for Master II at lvl 24 so its definitely upgraded enough <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />