Noob SK questions

[chatstar]

<p>Rolled a new SK, looking for some helpful info.  First question relates to stats.  Which is more important, str, or int?  From the inexperienced eye, it seems as though a small number of attacks(as well as auto-attacks) rely on str, the rest is spell dmg.  Do you need crazy int, or are SK spells designed with decent dmg built in with the understanding that we'll have very little int to buff them with?</p><p> Next questions relate to weapons.  When running solo content, is the dps increase of a 2h typically worth putting the shield in a bag, or is 1h + shield usually better?  Also, is there a dramatic difference between weapon types?  Is everyone running around with swords for stype points, or are they generally better for some reason?</p><p> Thanks to anyone taking time to help out!</p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<cite>chatstar wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Rolled a new SK, looking for some helpful info.  First question relates to stats.  Which is more important, str, or int?  From the inexperienced eye, it seems as though a small number of attacks(as well as auto-attacks) rely on str, the rest is spell dmg.  Do you need crazy int, or are SK spells designed with decent dmg built in with the understanding that we'll have very little int to buff them with?</p><p> Next questions relate to weapons.  When running solo content, is the dps increase of a 2h typically worth putting the shield in a bag, or is 1h + shield usually better?  Also, is there a dramatic difference between weapon types?  Is everyone running around with swords for stype points, or are they generally better for some reason?</p><p> Thanks to anyone taking time to help out!</p></blockquote><p>You get more power from STR than INT.....but INT is the key to your dammage (and you get a 25% power increase from being a multi-stat dependant toon anyway). Typical parses have my dammage output as anywhere from 13%-30% only from auto-attack, depending on the fight. SKs spells have a decent amount of built in dammage, but pumping up your INT makes a world of differance.</p><p>I don't solo much, but when I do....I'm usually running a 2H and offensive stance. If I'm taking on ^^^, I usually run 1H and shield (offensive/defensive stance depending on the mobs). If you can take the hits, and are not taxing your survivability (or your groups/healers abilities)...killing faster is preferable normally.</p><p>Diff weapong types (pierce, slash. crush) do have some benefits against some mobs with resistances or immunities....but there are not too many of those (Prince Thirneg's advisors, Amorpheous Drakes Corpuscle 'splits' etc). I never had the need to switch weps on anything besides particular raid targets actually. Usually you would be looking for a high dammage rating with a delay that won't cost you as many auto-attacks between casts. A higher max dammage, with a wide spread from low to high will up your crits (more of a benefit with a decent melee crit percentage from AAs and gear.....but personally I'd rather have more Spell crit AAs and Gear).</p><p>Anyways, juts a few personal opinions <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />  ....welcome to the SK world.</p>