Fists from level 1 and other noob questions

[AramisX]

I've read a lot of posts about the Strength AA line and fists, but what about from level 1? Is it better to use quest weapons until the AA's are filled out a bit, and if so, at what point does one switch? Is it better to go all the way to chi first off or put a few points in another line earlier? Does anyoneone put points in the bruiser AA lines or does everything go into the brawler lines?While more of a general question, how are AA's awarded? Is it just so much per level or is it based on actions?Are there quests in Freeport that my DE should do for gear? I know about the Iksar at the inn for level 20+ stuff, but is there anything before that? What does the gi he gives out look like? Is it the poncey monk look or the bare chested bruiser variety?With my monks (several to level 10-12) I found that they became gimped (barely surviving blue mobs) at around level 9 unless they were outfitted with good crafted gear from the broker, at which time they became godlike, taking on mobs two levels higher or a group of three equal levels and surviving. Is the total gear dependence indicitave of how they play all the way through?

[ganjookie]

42

[Solu]

<p>STR line reaches parity with an equal level weapon at 3 points into the double attack skill.  So while 4/4/8/6/2 is quite good... 4/4/3 is the same as no AA <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I'm currently 30 and after running numbers and other people bashing the STR line I've recpeced to WIS 4/4/6 and INT 4/4/4 to get a feel for each.  Everyone gets 5 free respecs so really no harm in trying the trees and seeing what you like best.</p>

[Pnaxx]

<p>As far as quests go, here is a good way to blitz through the solo ones in each zone. You will level like mad and get good coin in the process.</p><p><a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Soloing_Timeline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Soloing_Timeline</a></p><p>As far as the STR Line, if you go that route, you need to have enough AA's to get it pretty full from the start or it's useless. So , once you have 24 AA's, you can put them into the STR Line and you willl be ok. If you go STR Line, which in my opinion is great for leveling, then I would go with MAxing it out almost at 4/4/8/8/2 for max bennies. Then go with the AGI Line for great avoidance.....remainder of 24 points...I don't use the last ability. </p><p>Once you max that out go into the Bruiser stuff. 5 into Health firstly then spec it the way you want to. I went with putting AA's into the strikes to make them more DPS. BUt some go for the defensive stuff for survivability....each their own. It's all good.</p><p>Some people think AGI Line is for crap, but I like it. A white conned mob only has less than 40% chance of hitting me in my balanced stance. Thats great for soloing and tanking. Plus the AGI lIne gives you faster refreshing on your CA's and improving your defense...all very good to have.</p><p>So those are some thoughts from me, others will have opinions too. There isn't really a right way and wrong way...just the army way.</p>

[Solu]

Well that was a nice little taste of the other trees... part nice part meh.  I found the INT crits very nice but the WIS proc underwhelming and a nuisance at times.  So now I'm split STR 4/4/6 and INT 4/4/4.  I'll finish off STR to 4/4/8 and then decide if I'd rather be stronger all the time or reach for a final situational skill.

[AramisX]

I currently have 11 AA points in str with combat xp turned off at level 17 and I'm just exploring and doing quests. I'm thinking that I'd like to get the end ability for both str and int eventually, but with the 50 point max I'll have to miss out on something to get it. I don't know whether to skimp on the str strike or the riposte bonus. I'm thinking either str 4/4/8/6/2 or 4/8/8/2/2, or something in between. How does the extra damage of putting the points into the strike compare with the ripostes? I'm leaning toward 6 in riposte since it's permanent mitigation and damage, but then it only applies to melee mobs.

[Solu]

About the same either way.  The CA can only hit 1 MOB at a time, riposte protects against everyone smacking you.  But I'd think it 4/6/8/4/2 or 4/4/8/6/2.  You could always go 4/4/8 in 3 trees instead.  Gives you another CA and x% dps boost all day instead of every 10m.  Chi is 10m recast despite tooltip being 15m.  Might have to do with the reuse haste while Chi is active.

[Pnaxx]

<cite>AramisX wrote:</cite><blockquote>I currently have 11 AA points in str with combat xp turned off at level 17 and I'm just exploring and doing quests. I'm thinking that I'd like to get the end ability for both str and int eventually, but with the 50 point max I'll have to miss out on something to get it. I don't know whether to skimp on the str strike or the riposte bonus. I'm thinking either str 4/4/8/6/2 or 4/8/8/2/2, or something in between. How does the extra damage of putting the points into the strike compare with the ripostes? I'm leaning toward 6 in riposte since it's permanent mitigation and damage, but then it only applies to melee mobs. </blockquote>STR not really good til you get it 4/4/8/8 minimum...put them into something else til then.

[Solu]

<p>That's a bit of a loaded statement.  Technically the tier 2 skill on top of the raw damage gives 5-9% dps increase.  Tier 3 skill reaches parity with equal level weapons at 3 and gets 6% boost per point after that.  So even at 4/4/4 that's a 7% increase to crushing CA and a 13% boost to auto-attack.  At 4/4/8 that becomes 37%+ auto-attack boost since you don't get new MC weapons every level.</p><p>My gripe is with STA line, the tier 2 skill is awesome but the tier 3 one sucks <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Now if its damage scaled like WIS does I'd have my third line of choice <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>