End all SK DPS/Utility thread - Compared to other Fighters.

[Vankrooger]

<p>I know this has been beaten to death, but I've never found a clear answer on the matter.</p><p>Here are my DPS questions:</p><p>Assuming equivalent gear/skill/mobs; how do SKs compare with other Fighters on: </p><p>1: Single target encounters when tanking.   ( I assume Brawlers > Berserker > SK > Guardian > Pally)</p><p>2: Single target encounters when not tanking. (I assume Brawlers > SK > Berserker > Guardian > Pally)</p><p>3: Multiple mob encounters when tanking. (I assume Berserker > Brawlers > SK > Pally > Guardian)</p><p>4: Multiple mob encounters when not tanking. (I assume Berserker > Brawlers > SK > Pally > Guardian)</p><p>Are my assumptions correct?</p><p>In regards to group utility (group/raid).</p><p>In terms of group/raid buffs/debuffs: Monk > SK > Bruiser > Pally > Guardian > Berserker</p><p>General utility: Pally > SK > Monk > Guardian > Bruiser > Berserker</p><p>I don't know much about fighter buffs/debuffs/utility other than Bruiser/Monk/Berserker because those are the only classes I've played. They are most likely wrong, let me know what you guys think and why.</p>

[Coica]

 could be wrong, but I know I can do things no bruiser or beserker can do as far as group encounters or even solo can touch. thats just my experience though.

[Beldin_]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote>3: Multiple mob encounters when tanking. (I assume Berserker > Brawlers > SK > Pally > Guardian)</blockquote><p>Are you talking about groups or raids ?</p><p>In groups in the end it evens out a lot, since Bruiser have their big AoE on 90 seconds, and KO-combi on 3 minutes timer, and Zerkers have opwen wounds and destruction on 3 minutes, while we have tap veins on 40 sec. , misery and circle on 27 and pestilence on 54.</p><p>Of course it also depends a lot on group setup, zerkers a 50% pure autoattack, while bruiser is maybe 20-30%, and SK only 10-20%. Since much more buffs boost autoattack then casters, and normally no group buffs melee AND casting, zerker normally grow much stronger through buffs then SKs.</p>

[MaCloud1032]

<p>For the most part a good SK should out pars a good zerker.</p><p>Both are good at AE dmg but a SK can out AE a lot more than a zerker.  SKs have 4 AEs stock and can speck for more.  Zerkers have 1 or 2(cant remember) and open wound/destruction.With zerkers being mostly melee mit debuffs mean more than weather ot not a sk gets there debuffs in.  In shorter fights you will most likly see a zerker parst ahead as they can pump out all of the CAs where we will get to abotu half   Mid time fights will be more for the SK as we will peak in our dps having run thru our full spell list and the zerker is still waiting on reuse timers.  Long term fights ill be about even depending on how crits worked out and afew other variables but for the most part the SK will come out slightly ahead</p><p>On single target stuff a brawler should be higher than other tanks.  bruisers should out edge monks in single target and monks on AE.Gaurds for the most part are single target.pallys have just as any AEs as a SK and on AE stuff can parse quite well in situationsIn terms of utilityPally- they can tank/off tank/heal/dps/rez/and if speced play buff botRest of the tank classes- tank/dps/off tankAll of this is highly situational depending on procs/buffs/group makeup/skill/class specing  all of this is very general.AE dps(both tanking and in dps)  SK<Zerker/Pally<Monk<Bruiser<GaurdSingle target(both tanking and dps) Bruiser<Monk<SK/Zerker<pally<Gaurd</p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Here are my DPS questions:</p><p>Assuming equivalent gear/skill/mobs; how do SKs compare with other Fighters on: </p><p>1: Single target encounters when tanking.   ( I assume Brawlers > Berserker > SK > Guardian > Pally) </p><p>Depends on the lenght of the fights and frequency between pulls. My experience is usually....</p><p>Brawler > SK/Zerk > Pally > Guard</p><p>2: Single target encounters when not tanking. (I assume Brawlers > SK > Berserker > Guardian > Pally)</p><p>Depends on the lenght of the fights and frequency between pulls. My experience is usually....</p><p>Brawler > Zerk > SK > Pally > Guard</p><p>3: Multiple mob encounters when tanking. (I assume Berserker > Brawlers > SK > Pally > Guardian)</p><p>Depends on the lenght of the fights and frequency between pulls. My experience is usually....</p><p>SK/Zerk > Pally > Brawlers > Guard</p><p>4: Multiple mob encounters when not tanking. (I assume Berserker > Brawlers > SK > Pally > Guardian)</p><p>Depends on the lenght of the fights, and frequency between pulls. My experience is usually....</p><p>Zerk/SK > Pally > Brawlers > Guard</p><p>***Speaking very generally (DPS and Hate wise)...Brawlers are more single target oriented...and Guards as well. Zerks are fairly decent against singles too, though SKs, Zerkers, and Pallys are more multi-target/multi encounter oriented overall.</p><p>Are my assumptions correct?</p><p>In some circumstances, yes.</p><p>In regards to group utility (group/raid).</p><p>In terms of group/raid buffs/debuffs: Monk > SK > Bruiser > Pally > Guardian > Berserker</p><p>IMO : SK/Pally > Monk > Bruiser > Guardian > Zerker</p><p>General utility: Pally > SK > Monk > Guardian > Bruiser > Berserker</p><p>Depends a bit on your raid makeups....for mine, it would be...</p><p>SK > Pally > Monk > Bruiser > Zerker > Guardian</p>

[Beldin_]

<cite>Darksavanna@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote>AE dps(both tanking and in dps)  SK<Zerker/Pally<Monk<Bruiser<Gaurd</blockquote><p>Hmm.. why do you think monk is better in AE dps than a bruiser ? Monks have only one gimpy aoe, while bruiser have 2 and the second combined with KO-combi is really nice <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p><p>Else AE damage from brawlers mostly comes from WIS line, if they have speced it.</p>

[Hugsnkissums]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I know this has been beaten to death, but I've never found a clear answer on the matter.</p></blockquote>You haven't gotten a clear answer on this because everyone has an opinion or differing opinion as it were on where we stand versus other fighter classes. You'll always get someone to say the SK's are better then most, and you'll always have someone saying we're one of the worst. There is no clear answer to this since it's based heavily on opinion and playstyle.  

[MaCloud1032]

<cite>Shalla@Valor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Darksavanna@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote>AE dps(both tanking and in dps)  SK<Zerker/Pally<Monk<Bruiser<Gaurd</blockquote><p>Hmm.. why do you think monk is better in AE dps than a bruiser ? Monks have only one gimpy aoe, while bruiser have 2 and the second combined with KO-combi is really nice <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> </p><p>Else AE damage from brawlers mostly comes from WIS line, if they have speced it.</p></blockquote>OOPpps got brawlers mixed up

[Vankrooger]

<p>Do SKs become better solo'rs/DPS'rs after a certain level?</p><p>I ask because my SK alt is currently 19 and so far he has been producing the lowest DPS of all the fighters I've taken to 20, including Guardian.</p><p>The problem mainly stems from the fact that he is using a 1h + shield, also his spells are not only resisting A LOT, but also being interrupted frequently. SKs also have lots of DoTs that do gradual damage over time instead of the burst damage that classes such as my Bruiser uses to kill normal mobs in less than 10 seconds.</p><p> Another issue I found with SKs is that they don't get any DA aa, instead they get the less useful haste aa in the STR tree (which I'm currently working on). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I notice a huge difference not having the Warrior's buckler spec for grinding.</p>

[DrkEmr]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Do SKs become better solo'rs/DPS'rs after a certain level?</p><p>I ask because my SK alt is currently 19 and so far he has been producing the lowest DPS of all the fighters I've taken to 20, including Guardian.</p><p>The problem mainly stems from the fact that he is using a 1h + shield, also his spells are not only resisting A LOT, but also being interrupted frequently. SKs also have lots of DoTs that do gradual damage over time instead of the burst damage that classes such as my Bruiser uses to kill normal mobs in less than 10 seconds.</p><p> Another issue I found with SKs is that they don't get any DA aa, instead they get the less useful haste aa in the STR tree (which I'm currently working on). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I notice a huge difference not having the Warrior's buckler spec for grinding.</p></blockquote><p>As you've noticed, SK's use their spells most for dps. This means you should've gone down the Int AA line 4-4-8 first. After that, you'll want to start pulling 2 or 3 mobs at a time. Your AoE dots will eat down all the mobs at a consistent rate so that it takes about the same time to take down 2-3 mobs that it would take for you to take down 1. Important note is to keep your reactive DD/Heal buff refreshed whenever it's up. </p><p>Shift your self perception from that of a tough badass that beats the snot out of an opponent, to that of a walking plague in plate. You pass like the shadow of death; feeding on the life forces of everything around you, as you watch them break against you in futility. You might not even want to loot the corpses afterwards cause it's so far beneath you. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Vankrooger]

<cite>DrkEmrys wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Do SKs become better solo'rs/DPS'rs after a certain level?</p><p>I ask because my SK alt is currently 19 and so far he has been producing the lowest DPS of all the fighters I've taken to 20, including Guardian.</p><p>The problem mainly stems from the fact that he is using a 1h + shield, also his spells are not only resisting A LOT, but also being interrupted frequently. SKs also have lots of DoTs that do gradual damage over time instead of the burst damage that classes such as my Bruiser uses to kill normal mobs in less than 10 seconds.</p><p> Another issue I found with SKs is that they don't get any DA aa, instead they get the less useful haste aa in the STR tree (which I'm currently working on). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I notice a huge difference not having the Warrior's buckler spec for grinding.</p></blockquote><p>As you've noticed, SK's use their spells most for dps. This means you should've gone down the Int AA line 4-4-8 first. After that, you'll want to start pulling 2 or 3 mobs at a time. Your AoE dots will eat down all the mobs at a consistent rate so that it takes about the same time to take down 2-3 mobs that it would take for you to take down 1. Important note is to keep your reactive DD/Heal buff refreshed whenever it's up. </p><p>Shift your self perception from that of a tough badass that beats the snot out of an opponent, to that of a walking plague in plate. You pass like the shadow of death; feeding on the life forces of everything around you, as you watch them break against you in futility. You might not even want to loot the corpses afterwards cause it's so far beneath you. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p></blockquote><p>I'm not that into roleplaying, so the not looting the mobs thing probably won't happen <img src="/smilies/1069449046bcd664c21db15b1dfedaee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p> So what stat should I concentrate on being an SK? I thought that str was it because it provided more power as well as increase CA and auto attack damage where as INT provides less power and only the spells. It seems I have about half CAs and half spell attacks at the moment.</p>

[Wildmage]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>DrkEmrys wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Do SKs become better solo'rs/DPS'rs after a certain level?</p><p>I ask because my SK alt is currently 19 and so far he has been producing the lowest DPS of all the fighters I've taken to 20, including Guardian.</p><p>The problem mainly stems from the fact that he is using a 1h + shield, also his spells are not only resisting A LOT, but also being interrupted frequently. SKs also have lots of DoTs that do gradual damage over time instead of the burst damage that classes such as my Bruiser uses to kill normal mobs in less than 10 seconds.</p><p> Another issue I found with SKs is that they don't get any DA aa, instead they get the less useful haste aa in the STR tree (which I'm currently working on). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I notice a huge difference not having the Warrior's buckler spec for grinding.</p></blockquote><p>As you've noticed, SK's use their spells most for dps. This means you should've gone down the Int AA line 4-4-8 first. After that, you'll want to start pulling 2 or 3 mobs at a time. Your AoE dots will eat down all the mobs at a consistent rate so that it takes about the same time to take down 2-3 mobs that it would take for you to take down 1. Important note is to keep your reactive DD/Heal buff refreshed whenever it's up. </p><p>Shift your self perception from that of a tough badass that beats the snot out of an opponent, to that of a walking plague in plate. You pass like the shadow of death; feeding on the life forces of everything around you, as you watch them break against you in futility. You might not even want to loot the corpses afterwards cause it's so far beneath you. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p></blockquote><p>I'm not that into roleplaying, so the not looting the mobs thing probably won't happen <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/1069449046bcd664c21db15b1dfedaee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/1069449046bcd664c21db15b1dfedaee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></p><p> So what stat should I concentrate on being an SK? I thought that str was it because it provided more power as well as increase CA and auto attack damage where as INT provides less power and only the spells. It seems I have about half CAs and half spell attacks at the moment.</p></blockquote>Int is going to have the most important impact on your DPS followed by a very Close Second STR keep those two stats as high as possible as well as Stamina for more health.  Also try out using a two hander for soloing see if your dps goes up.

[DwarvesR]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote>I'm not that into roleplaying, so the not looting the mobs thing probably won't happen <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/1069449046bcd664c21db15b1dfedaee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/1069449046bcd664c21db15b1dfedaee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /> <p> So what stat should I concentrate on being an SK? I thought that str was it because it provided more power as well as increase CA and auto attack damage where as INT provides less power and only the spells. It seems I have about half CAs and half spell attacks at the moment.</p></blockquote><p>My sk's 72 right now and in crap gear and hasn't upgraded any spells past 70 yet, so she's not in the best situation.</p><p>Even with that, iirc, self-buffed int is something like 609 and STR is pushing 400.  I have plenty of power and my dps can be quite sick at times (sick as in a "really high&quot<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  And I can keep aggro off a manaburning wizard without using rescue or the embrace, so long as I know he's got it up before the fight and am planning for it once the mob hits 60%, anyway <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Now to start actually upgrading so as to be that much better. . . . . </p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Do SKs become better solo'rs/DPS'rs after a certain level?</p><p>I ask because my SK alt is currently 19 and so far he has been producing the lowest DPS of all the fighters I've taken to 20, including Guardian.</p><p>The problem mainly stems from the fact that he is using a 1h + shield, also his spells are not only resisting A LOT, but also being interrupted frequently. SKs also have lots of DoTs that do gradual damage over time instead of the burst damage that classes such as my Bruiser uses to kill normal mobs in less than 10 seconds.</p><p> Another issue I found with SKs is that they don't get any DA aa, instead they get the less useful haste aa in the STR tree (which I'm currently working on). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I notice a huge difference not having the Warrior's buckler spec for grinding.</p></blockquote><p>It's been an awful long time since I was in the early levels....but I do remember that it wasn't easy street. Can't say how things compare at the lower levels between tank classes now, but I can tell ya that as far as soloing goes, imo SKs are at the top of the food chain. I give a /nod to brawlers as well, but who you give the crown depends on what your criteria for soloing are (survivabilty, speed of kills, mutliple encounters/farming etc..).</p><p>If your spells are not Adept III or better you will not be even near your top DPS, and auto-attack dammage is not a huge part of our DPS. Early Decay line and Hate line (resistability AAs) will help get you less resists. Maxing skills will help as well.</p><p>Using a one hander and shield doesn't make a large difference in DPS actually. Your stance makes a decent diff though. Going offensive will boost you up. You'll need decent gear though so you don't get sqwooshed. Also, a good portion of our dammage is procs...they add a lot of dammage, and many are from taking hits, not landing spells. Interrupts and resists are less important, and less prevalent later on as well. Its rare that I get resists unless I'm tackling mobs 4-5+ lvls above me actually. Max out your skills.</p><p>Double attack is very nice, but given our heavy reliance on spells and varied cast timers...I'll take the 10% str end line reduction anyday (and passive attack speed/swift attack along the way). Add 68% inate spell crits...add blood...insta killing machine.</p>

[DrkEmr]

Don't you wish there was some sort of "double cast" stat for spells? Overpowered or not, that'd be cool.

[Zannah]

<p>Gotta remember that your group taunt is a Disease Debuff, and that Cleave Flesh (and its upgrades) debuff Wisdom [resists in general].</p><p>M2 on the group taunt and enhancements thru the EoF SK tree can make that a super nice and hard to resist debuff for all of your other spells.</p>

[Lateral]

I started one not all that long ago and found the early levels to be easier than any other class.. heres why: go to Timorous Deep and do the 10-20 quests there and take the INT rewards, load yourself up with INT in every item slot and go down the INT AA line to 4-4-8 for max spell crit, also take the lifetap ward master II at 14 and you'll be pawning anything in your way. Once you get all of the above you can basically cast your ward, pull 3-5 1-arrow-downs at a time, use cruel aura and the melee AoE, recast the ward and theyre all practically dead by then and you're at full life still. I'm sure its not that easy later on but contrary to reports in this thread, I think at level 20 after getting harm touch, SK's are the strongest class in the game at that level if you do as I described above.

[MaCloud1032]

Its still that easy even at high levels but i dont use our reactive nearly as much as i should.

[erimus]

<cite>Gutan@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Vankrooger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I know this has been beaten to death, but I've never found a clear answer on the matter.</p></blockquote>You haven't gotten a clear answer on this because everyone has an opinion or differing opinion as it were on where we stand versus other fighter classes. You'll always get someone to say the SK's are better then most, and you'll always have someone saying we're one of the worst. There is no clear answer to this since it's based heavily on opinion and playstyle.  </blockquote><p>This is probably the best answer Ive seen regarding these types of questions.  100% Spot on.    Ive played this class long enough to know that your are gonna have to take a little bit from everyones opinions, but most of what you learn is going to have to come from experience.</p><p> Personally, there isnt a "role" I havnt played.   Ive been the Raid SK, (both MT and OT/MA)  Ive been the Solo SK.  Ive been the Group/dungeon crawling SK.    My opinion is that we are the "Jack of all Trades" fighter class.  Every other type of fighter is going to have something that they do better than us.  However, I do not believe that there is any other fighter that comes as close to being able to be as versatile as we are.   We have the abilty to step into ANY situations and succeed at it.  Again, Im not saying that we are the best at everything, my success is defined as being able to get the job done in that particular role.  </p>