New to Mystic, AA question..

[Tel]

I've been trying to research the AA choices available to Mystic's (which is hard since most sites do not have the updated AA's)....I'll be spec'ing down the melee/combat art path, I was planning to put my first 21 points in until i get Weapon Mastery.Then i was going to spec a minimum of 4-4-8 into agility with plans to take it to: 4-4-8-8-2.I was also going to go a minimum of  4-4-8-8 in strength, is the last ability in str worth it?my question is where to put the last 19 points? <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Also, I guess after maxing my CA/AA's is it normaly to just pump up the Augment AA's?  Is Ancestry worth it? <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Sandain666]

<cite>Telal wrote:</cite><blockquote><p><b>I was also going to go a minimum of  4-4-8-8 in strength, is the last ability in str worth it?</b></p><p>Many raiders find the Dogs AE immunity a great assest while raiding. The AE block can be a life saver. I found this to be an good skill to have on raids, it is decent in single group play but not as useful as in raids</p><p><b>my question is where to put the last 19 points? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></b></p><p>It is difficult to give advice on which AA's to take without knowing a bit more of your playstyle. DO you mostly solo, group or do you plan to raid? <b>Also, I guess after maxing my CA/AA's is it normaly to just pump up the Augment AA's?  Is Ancestry worth it? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></b></p><p>That is the path I follwed as well pumpd up my CA's the filled out with Augmenting. And yes Ancestry is a terrific spell. It is usefull in every situation. Everyone in your group will want it. You will have to decide who will benefit the most from it.</p></blockquote>

[Tel]

<cite>Sandain666 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Telal wrote:</cite><blockquote><p><b>I was also going to go a minimum of  4-4-8-8 in strength, is the last ability in str worth it?</b></p><p>Many raiders find the Dogs AE immunity a great assest while raiding. The AE block can be a life saver. I found this to be an good skill to have on raids, it is decent in single group play but not as useful as in raids</p><p><b>my question is where to put the last 19 points? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" width="15" height="15" /></b></p><p>It is difficult to give advice on which AA's to take without knowing a bit more of your playstyle. DO you mostly solo, group or do you plan to raid? </p><p><span style="color: #33ccff;"><b><i>My play style is normally in a duo with my wife (who is a zerker for this duo) or in a small group of 4-6 which will include any of the following:  SK, Inquisitor, Warlock, Ranger, Warden, Dirge.  As far as raiding is concerned, I really do not see myself in anything larger than 2 groups.</i></b></span><b>Also, I guess after maxing my CA/AA's is it normaly to just pump up the Augment AA's?  Is Ancestry worth it? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" width="15" height="15" /></b></p><p>That is the path I follwed as well pumpd up my CA's the filled out with Augmenting. And yes Ancestry is a terrific spell. It is usefull in every situation. Everyone in your group will want it. You will have to decide who will benefit the most from it.</p></blockquote></blockquote>Another question I need to ask, as my Mystic is only lvl 9, is we seem to have alot of buffs, how do our buffs like Avatar take up "concentration" slots, making it harder on us to buff who needs what?Does ancestry take an concentration?With buffs like Avatar, Auspice<SP>, Bull, etc our 5 concentration slots don't seem to go very far. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" />

[thedu]

Buffs concentration are much better then they used to be originally.  Don't worry about it too much as all the buffs will take up a total of 4 conc slots with 1 slot remaining for a group or doggy.   Ancestry does not take a conc slot.  Avatar doesn't take a slot either.

[Tel]

Also i'm a little silly when it comes to my characters, and feel that a shaman should use a 2handed spear (from my iksar days in eq:live, before the wife broke my RP habit <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)...If i can get a Pike of Pain for 2pp, is it worth it to do so?  I figure if i don't ever get to 68, I can resell it possibly. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[thedu]

The whole spear thing is big pet peeve for me.  They definitely provided very little for shamans the spear arena -- take a look at 30+ HQ's not one usable spear in the lot.  I've never used the Pike of Pain but I hear it is decent.

[Banditman]

Pike is decent, but if you'll look at the thread here about T8 weapons, you'll get some other good options at the upper end of the game.Somewhere in the first page or two is another thread about weapons as well.Edit:  Now, if you want real disappointment, come talk to me if the Mystic Epic isn't a spear.

[thedu]

<cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Edit:  Now, if you want real disappointment, come talk to me if the Mystic Epic isn't a spear.</blockquote>Arrghh...that would suck beyond all measure....