ROK (Leveling from 70-80) AA Specs?

[Lazaretto]

<p>I'm about 40% into 73 atm and thinking about respeccing to some form of melee warden again to just grind quests up to 80.  That seems to be the most efficient way to level these days and I'm going crazy trying to grind on heroics in groups now that they give basically nothing for xp.  What AA specs are you guys (melee wardens) using to level up in ROK?  How's it doing so far trying to solo the quest mobs?  Thanks for the feedback in advance - need to pick a new spec.  Have 108 AA's atm.</p><p>Laz </p>

[dpsman]

<cite>Lazaretto@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I'm about 40% into 73 atm and thinking about respeccing to some form of melee warden again to just grind quests up to 80.  That seems to be the most efficient way to level these days and I'm going crazy trying to grind on heroics in groups now that they give basically nothing for xp.  What AA specs are you guys (melee wardens) using to level up in ROK?  How's it doing so far trying to solo the quest mobs?  Thanks for the feedback in advance - need to pick a new spec.  Have 108 AA's atm.</p><p>Laz </p></blockquote><p>I did sta line for 8 in healing crits all the way down str line and now doing agi line, so now i get the best of both worlds the str line and the infamaous agi line that so many raiders think for some reason makes em heal better.</p><p>I'm having no problem killing quest mobs in Rok and even soloing yellow ^ named, the mobs do hit hard so no slacking on the heals, definately makes for more of a challenge and I'm loving it.</p><p>I don't know what most melee Warden's out there use for gear; but I have 2 sets of gear my Healing gear and Melee gear. With the melee gear on I'm arounf 550 str and 600 with my trait buff.  Actually I never even put healing gear on unless I'm on a raid.</p>

[ELITEO]

<p>if your going to do alot of solo small groups ... maybe pick up a zerker for duo (they buff str) ... the minimum mele spec is 21 pts to get 75% mele crits , then another 21 pts to get max natural boon ...from there flavor to suit.</p><p>But you might want to consider the mele/caster hybrid .... go all the way to infusion on druid int line, Then get atleast max natural boon ... and ofcourse get your 75% mele crits. After that , you might want to consider the cure's becuz they will also do dmg when casting for mit buffs.</p><p>Casting a bunch of fast cast beneficials , including manastone&natures blade , then all your CA's (or vise versa)can add up to some serious burst dmg <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> .. plus with the nature of the Hots , youll be on the preventitive side instead of reacting to when you need to heal while doing dmg.</p><p>Cure's are really only nerfed in raid situations   "$@%# those eliteist"   is what i say ....lol</p>

[Catodon]

For solo/small group play, the agi line charm animal ability is actually really nice in RoK. 70+ yetis, rhinos, panthers, etc. are all nice melee type pets, autoattacking for 700-1000 consistently (especially if you have some group melee buffers around.)

[Elveira]

<cite>Catodon wrote:</cite><blockquote>For solo/small group play, the agi line charm animal ability is actually really nice in RoK. 70+ yetis, rhinos, panthers, etc. are all nice melee type pets, autoattacking for 700-1000 consistently (especially if you have some group melee buffers around.)</blockquote><p>DING!</p><p>I think with this expansion druids are going to need to re-consider charm animal. Up until now it truly WAS useless, since there really wanst anything wirthwhile to charm. I decided to give it a go and ran around with a charmed panther in Fens. Makes soloing mobs MUCH easier... even when you have to take the concentration slot hit. I'm a PVP server and also sicced him on a ranger and a swashy and he ate them alive.</p><p>I like it so much I also respecced my 71 Fury into it. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[EQBetaman]

I never had problems meleeing until RoK.  The mobs hit so much harder that I have to heal way more often.  I was actually thinking of changing to a more root/nuke type of fighting.  I'll definately take another look at the charm line.  (Still have my free respec.)  Might be fun having a giant rhino as a pet. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[Oosu]

<p>I know it sounds wierd.  But more than likley you already have it from the agi line.  Charm animal for RoK. For once there aar TONS of animals to charm and use.  Certain ones are hitting for 1-3k and easily are able to tank.  Obviously this is for solo/duo play.  This is how I am soloing right now at least.  Good times.  </p><p>If you find your charm is beaking randomly w/o the screen going yellow. Make sure you have your claymore item not equipped.  Arm of Erolissi? I forget the name.  One of the proc that debuffs actually removes the charm from your pet.  ( Just fyi ) </p><p>Enjoy</p><p>-Oosu</p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>I'm going to give this a try, Oosu - because I've tried melee and nuke spec (with most of my gear being nuke friendly), and neither one is cutting it.   Due to time constraints - and HUGE server lag and down times (I'm on AB) - it has been very slow going.</p><p>On a side note:  While locked in tradeskill (because you couldn't zone..and if you camped out you wouldn't be able to log back in due to server 'throttling'..), I dinged 80 Alchemist! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  ...let's look at the bright side <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/0320a00cb4bb5629ab9fc2bc1fcc4e9e.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>The idea of actually being able to use that AA ability - meaning I can basically remain raid spec'd  and not have to swap back and forth - is very appealing.</p>

[Snakekick]

<p>.</p>

[Skivley101]

<p>WoW (no pun intented) That sounds awesome at the availability of new pets . I always did like charming the Wasteland strider in Kos area for solo play . But sadly their usability was limited . Im definately going to get the charm animal with my mele/caster hybrid ....twice the dmg on my infusion with group benificials , and will be looking for pet classes to duo/trio ... <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p>

[Skivley101]

<cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p></blockquote><p>Did you buff your pet ... with  primitive instinct specificly, vines/spores are good too.</p><p>pet attack is for shiot, from what ive noticed if you dont give them the mele buff.</p>

[Oosu]

<p>I should note, Ari. Since we got all the extra AA.  I pumped up Charm Animal to 8 points ( adept IV )  Makes  a big difference in the damage.  And not to state the obviuos.  BUt like the poster above said. make sure you have primitive instinct ( + attack skills ) on the pet.  For some reason  the pet damage seems to be random too.  Like after the first time you charm and animal. THer damage can be very poor.  But for some reason the damage willl all of a sudden just pick up and the mob will be hitting for thousands.  It will stay that way untill you have to recharm. Somtimes the damage remains constant. Somtimes it starts over.   </p><p>Even if the pet can't take agro off you right away.  The extra damage he does it nice since warden damage is pretty terrble when we are by ourselves, hehe. No one is gonna argue that fact <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  So i would do it just for the increase in dps.</p><p>I did this only with the intention of leveling in mind.  I will be respeccing once i hit 80 <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> Maxxing charm anmal that is.</p><p>Animals i found useful to charm.  Always charm the highest one you can.  For the Fens.  I used the black cats or the yetis.  They made really good pets. do great damage.  Also the sclaed dogs in Feield of bone.  They are pretty high level for that zone as well. So are one of the best pets there.  </p><p>For Jarsath wastes.  Pretty much any level 80+ animal makes a good pet although there is less to charm.  They all hit like trucks.  </p><p>Kunzar.  Go for the gorillas and yetis.  Solid choice for there.  </p><p>As for kylong plains.  I kind skipped over that zone so I don't have much say there.  </p><p>I usualy throw thorns, spores, primitive instict, and sow on my pet.  Basically i just don't cast Apect or the magic/mitigation buff for the extra concentration slots. </p><p>I found the best way to deal with break charm is just to use your AE deagro/root So it gets the mob/mobs your fighting and the old charmed pet to be recharmed.  Adversly You could just root them but it's alot faster to use the AE root/deagro.</p><p>And just to reiterate. REMEMBER TO NOT HAVE YOUR CLAYMORE ITEM ON WHILE HAVING A CHARMED PET.  The debuff proc will remove your charm from pet without the sonic vision warning. ( Stop PMing me and asking why charm is break like this <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> )</p><p>Hope this helps.</p><p>-Oosu</p>

[dpsman]

<cite>Skivley101 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p></blockquote><p>Did you buff your pet ... with  primitive instinct specificly, vines/spores are good too.</p><p>pet attack is for shiot, from what ive noticed if you dont give them the mele buff.</p></blockquote>I'm a lvl 74 melee specced Warden, my str is at 600 and 650 with trait buff. I do have 2 sets of gear so when I'm in a group I can equip my healing gear and be at 8k mana with 800 wis. I went down the agi line with my ROK aa's and did try charming a bunch of animals. The charmed animals were a nice little boost to dps; but in my experience tanking them in my melee gear is far superior" maybe I need to charm a diff animal". So far no mobs have given me a real challenge except for the Vespids near Sebilis, these wasps are brutal if they cast there swarm pets. I might add pets may work better for wardens with low str, but once str is 500 and above burst damage is pretty incredible.

[gatrm]

<p>I haven't really done much yet with my warden because I am focusing on leveling my dirge atm.  I did pull out the warden just to see how the fights went in KP yesterday.  Wow...so easy in comparison, that I had to pull 2-3 mobs just for a challenge.  I use CAs with around 300-400 str and around 650-750 wis (depending on weapons and whether I remember to use deity pet) and 50% mitigation.  Many of the spells the mobs casted on me, I resisted outright.  If you are trying to melee, remember to use sandstorm.  The knockback/stun on it makes a huge difference with those mobs.  (Still lvl 70 on the warden)</p><p>I had not considered trying agi/charm, however I would suggest maybe trying the stonehides (?) or whatever those ostriches in fens are called.  I would suspect that the knockback/stun would help significantly in killing stuff out there.</p>

[Avanya]

I took my 20 extra points and put them in the str line.  My usual spec was agi and sta lines with 8 points in wis.  Using the stuff I have gotten from quests, I have a pretty good set of str/melee effect gear (rings, earrings, belt, str adornments, etc..)  I have Aspect of the Bat, Aspect of the Forest, and Master of the Wild at Adept III which helps to make up for the power I lose from using the melee set of gear I have.  I also have Adept III's for the nukes (CA's) and Defender of the Forest for extra mitigation while tanking the mobs.  I have a good weapon with pretty nice dps rating.  I was already spec'd for the CA's so I didn't have to change that.  I also use a charmed animal 90% of the time which really helps with dps.  I'm level 76 atm with 120 AA's. The mobs are not pushovers.  They seem to have spike damage a lot but I have no trouble killing them in a reasonable amount of time.

[Arielle Nightshade]

<cite>dpsman wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Skivley101 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p></blockquote><p>Did you buff your pet ... with  primitive instinct specificly, vines/spores are good too.</p><p>pet attack is for shiot, from what ive noticed if you dont give them the mele buff.</p></blockquote>I'm a lvl 74 melee specced Warden, my str is at 600 and 650 with trait buff. I do have 2 sets of gear so when I'm in a group I can equip my healing gear and be at 8k mana with 800 wis. I went down the agi line with my ROK aa's and did try charming a bunch of animals. The charmed animals were a nice little boost to dps; but in my experience tanking them in my melee gear is far superior" maybe I need to charm a diff animal". So far no mobs have given me a real challenge except for the Vespids near Sebilis, these wasps are brutal if they cast there swarm pets. I might add pets may work better for wardens with low str, but once str is 500 and above burst damage is pretty incredible.</blockquote><p>Here may be the issue, and thanks for pointing it out.  If a melee charmed animal is going to reflect my melee ability (as currently set up)...it's not going to be very spectacular.  I'm geared for max healing (which I don't want to give up).  My STR Is not very good at all, but my INT is.  So choosing an animal that melees might not be the best choice?   Any animals out there that nuke? LOL</p><p>Thanks...this IS a lot of fun.</p>

[Skivley101]

<cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>dpsman wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Skivley101 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p></blockquote><p>Did you buff your pet ... with  primitive instinct specificly, vines/spores are good too.</p><p>pet attack is for shiot, from what ive noticed if you dont give them the mele buff.</p></blockquote>I'm a lvl 74 melee specced Warden, my str is at 600 and 650 with trait buff. I do have 2 sets of gear so when I'm in a group I can equip my healing gear and be at 8k mana with 800 wis. I went down the agi line with my ROK aa's and did try charming a bunch of animals. The charmed animals were a nice little boost to dps; but in my experience tanking them in my melee gear is far superior" maybe I need to charm a diff animal". So far no mobs have given me a real challenge except for the Vespids near Sebilis, these wasps are brutal if they cast there swarm pets. I might add pets may work better for wardens with low str, but once str is 500 and above burst damage is pretty incredible.</blockquote><p>Here may be the issue, and thanks for pointing it out.  If a melee charmed animal is going to reflect my melee ability (as currently set up)...it's not going to be very spectacular.  I'm geared for max healing (which I don't want to give up).  My STR Is not very good at all, but my INT is.  So choosing an animal that melees might not be the best choice?   Any animals out there that nuke? LOL</p><p>Thanks...this IS a lot of fun.</p></blockquote><p>Im sorry Arie , you really have to stop with the seems to me method ,sometimes ...<img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/49869fe8223507d7223db3451e5321aa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>The only thing that would effect the way your pet mele's is the quality of your mele buff , how well your geared for mele has nothing to do with how your pet mele's , except that you might want that buff instead of giving it to them. The caster spec'd warden is much better for charming animals , compared to the mele spec'd warden .... But if you pick infusion it will proc from your pet also ....lol , just thought id remind every body one more time.</p>

[DarkVantage]

<p>After re-speccing a few times to test a few builds out I have finally settled on full str, agi and 8 points in crit heal on sta line along with renewal and cas from the warden tree (currently 117 AA).</p><p>For me this gives the best of both worlds for solo, group and raid (until they release the switchable AAs and then i may try Int for solo due to the nuke on heal).</p><p>Charm animal just errr rocks in Rok! <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>Last night I was in the Jareth Wastes as a lev 73 warden, firstly I ran around and found myself a lev 80 sabertooth charmed him took out a few lev 80s which was fun but kinda scary when the charm breaks so I evac'd and started killed the lev 78/79 mobs (evac also brought my lev 80 pet so it was much easier to kill the mobs). With spores, boon and the infamous tree up I hardly needed to cast a heal whilst in melee; not bad for a lev 73 fighting lev 78-80s.</p><p>If you gain agro dont forget to use sylph as this will give agro back to your pet.</p><p>I would also like to try the a agi str and int combo out solo when the switchable aas are in, remember if you have a pet with you then infusion hits for double so use it with those low lev group spells.</p>

[Gusk]

<cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote</cite><cite></cite><blockquote><p>Here may be the issue, and thanks for pointing it out.  If a melee charmed animal is going to reflect my melee ability (as currently set up)...it's not going to be very spectacular.  I'm geared for max healing (which I don't want to give up).  My STR Is not very good at all, but my INT is.  So choosing an animal that melees might not be the best choice?   <i><b>Any animals out there that nuke? LOL</b></i></p><p>Thanks...this IS a lot of fun.</p></blockquote>Burynai Detectors in Kunzar Jungle do, plus you can charm one with its very own tank pet...double the fun.Ive really enjoyed using the Hornets in the Jungle, they retain the swarm pets and when they are unleased they "chew" the mob quickly. Gorilla's and Brutes are good bashing pets too. IMHO having a pet while soloing is the way to go just for the extra DPS they give. If they break charm i found "calm animal" is fast and effective in mezzing them while you recharm. Oh i drop Aspect of the Forest and Essence of the Polar Bear for the 2 con slots needed (to make 3)Happy Petting <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />*edit* Forgot my AA setup. STR - 4/4/6/8/1, AGL - 4/4/5/8/0, STA - 4/4/6/8/1Nature Walk, Melee Crit, Spores and Bat with the remaining in cures

[Skivley101]

<cite>Arielle Nightshade wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>WoW, indeed.   I did try it this evening.  Either I'm a rotten beastlord, or I wasn't picking the right animal.  Although I did enjoy running around the Fens with a rhinocerous in tow, and then with a panther which was pretty badass...I didn't notice huge damage or an easier fight compared to just the standard rooting and nuking.</p><p>What am I missing?  Any interesting techniques to this?  It WAS fun...just not a huge difference.</p></blockquote><p>Im luving the Rhinocerous , if i hold back in the beginning, he holds agro pretty good through out the fight even when i dump the dps . Also the Tatter back wasnt to bad either.</p><p>I see what some of you mean though, charming is just more busy compared to just putting the mob down yourself. But ive always had a kinship with animals, so im going to share a few pointers about this skill.</p><p>SKIVLEYS GUIDE TO CHARMING ANIMALS</p><p>#1 ... Never make them kill their own kind</p><p>#2 ... Promise them you wont kill them no matter what (and keep your word)</p><p>#3 ... If they do break charm and you have to be a little ruff before recharm, give them some snuggle time <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/49869fe8223507d7223db3451e5321aa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[EQBetaman]

Love the snuggle time lol

[Valena]

<p>For levelling I went Str / Int. With 70 AA's in the tree you can go for 8 points in each level. The Str gives good melee dps and free heals, and Int gives an extra melee CA and Infusion. I found Infusion to be a great help as I was healing more than I ever had to before when solo. Going Int also gave me to the option to root and nuke if needed.</p><p>No real changes were needed on the Warden tree as I was melee specced anyway, but I did beef up my roots to be on the safe side.</p><p>Overall it worked well. I had few deaths, was one of the first in my Guild to get to 80 and was 2nd Warden to 80 on Splitpaw. Even though Wardens aren't the fastest soloers I found that I didn't have too much downtime between kills.</p>

[Skivley101]

<cite>Inque@Splitpaw wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>For levelling I went Str / Int. With 70 AA's in the tree you can go for 8 points in each level. The Str gives good melee dps and free heals, and Int gives an extra melee CA and Infusion. I found Infusion to be a great help as I was healing more than I ever had to before when solo. Going Int also gave me to the option to root and nuke if needed.</p><p>No real changes were needed on the Warden tree as I was melee specced anyway, but I did beef up my roots to be on the safe side.</p><p>Overall it worked well. I had few deaths, was one of the first in my Guild to get to 80 and was 2nd Warden to 80 on Splitpaw. Even though Wardens aren't the fastest soloers I found that I didn't have too much downtime between kills.</p></blockquote><p>what do you mean?  8 pts ....sounds like you found the mele/caster hybrid very useful</p><p>In your face elitists ........, my thoughts are who gives a crap about healing when our healing isnt needed end raid content anyway ....So pick all dps AA wise ... I think its about high time wardens gave up this defensive stance.</p>