Master 1 CA priority

[TumpieBrell]

<p>Hi guys,</p><p>I am a lvl 80 Zerker, with mostly Master 1 Combat Arts from T7. The T8 AD3 versions don't seem like they're worth the upgrade, so I want to start buying T8 M1's when I can afford them. I took my Taunt as the M2 choice.</p><p>I've tanked Chels and Maidens, mostly due to good heals, heh. So I want to increase my survivability for instance grouping. I won't be raiding any time soon.</p><p>Agro isn't a big problem right now, but I'm worried about the TSO changes that will drop my DA a ton, which may make agro a problem again.</p><p>What M1 CA's should I look for first?</p><p>Thanks,</p><p>Yulian</p><p>AB</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>In a word, everything.</p><p>Even a little bit of extra damage is more damage and more aggro, no matter how tiny it is. Even a little bit of extra defense is more defense and more survivability.</p>

[TumpieBrell]

<p>I'm not rich, so I can't afford everything, which is why I was looking for a priority. However I'm sure there's no single answer.</p><p>What's the consensus on Adrenaline? The M1 on my server seems affordable at 20p, however since the effects aren't upgraded just the duration, is it worth being near the top?</p><p>Thanks,</p><p>Yulian</p>

[Obadiah]

<p>I upgraded everything to the T8 AD3s with a couple of exceptions. Not a huge upgrade sometimes, but it was always an upgrade. Usually about 5% as I recall. I would get the AD3's of the level 71 & 72 stuff for sure though. Insolence in particular is a big upgrade IIRC.</p><p>Exceptions: Berserk Rage (I switched to the T7 M2) and War Fury. </p><p>Beyond that ..... what Xalmat said. I prioritized them all .... ranked them all .... and then just bought whatever I could whenever I could. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /> In this entire expansion I have looted ONE master from my class. Six total. The remaining 4 abilities I do not have at Master 1 are because they haven't been on the broker. Ever. So if your server is like mine which abilities you upgrade may depend more on luck than choice. Lowest priority though I would put the 2 aforementioned "Berserk" abilities. The difference between the T7 M1 (M2 in one case) and the T8 M1 is something like +3 DPS/Haste for the group zerk and +2 for the self.  Maybe I just put those at the lowest priority because they don't seem to exist on my server. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p><p>EDIT: I'd say Adrenaline is worth it. That's about what it is running on my server atm. One of the cheaper ones. Yeah it relies on luck, but unless you're fighting orange mobs, chances are you're going to stay Berserk. 4 more seconds of -50% damage is 4 more seconds of -50% damage.</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>Not to mention 4 more seconds before the mana drain kicks in.</p><p>/agree with your statements about Berserk, those are pretty low priorities.</p><p>I've gotten several masters out of Runnyeye 2 and Veksar. Those two zones have a chance at dropping masters on a "Smart loot" system, meaning they have the chance of dropping masters that are needed by the group.</p><p>Runnyeye 2 is also an excellent place to make cash off of the shinies in the zone (at least until the xpac).</p><p>Until you get those T8 M1s, I'd really consider the Adept 3 versions.</p><p><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/characters/character_profile.vm?characterId=844129104">Looking at your gear though</a>, I suggest you get to level 80 (EQ2Players says you're level 77), and you upgrade out of that mastercrafted gear as quickly as possible.</p>

[TumpieBrell]

<p>Thanks for the advice guys - I think Adrenaline sounds worth it.</p><p>I just hit 80 a few days ago, and I'm deffinitely looking forward to getting rid of the last of my MC gear. Need gloves and some better wrist jewelry asap.</p><p>I was pretty much living in instances and in KJ/JW so that's a big reason why I haven't upgraded my CA's.</p><p>Also I've run RE2 on my Necro a few times and I'm pretty sure I can't tank it quite yet. But I do look forward to the day.</p><p>Speaking of the xpac - Are there TSO instances doable by a newly 80 instance tank? So far stuff sounds pretty mean with crits etc.</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>My understanding is that there are some easy instances in TSO. Not all of them mind you, but a few.</p>

[LygerT]

<p>the taunt is a poor choice for now due to the amount taunts get resisted, though there will be abilities in TSO to aid in boosting taunt values i'm still not sure it would outweigh taking frenzied hits as a M2 choice.</p>

[victer]

<p><cite>Lyger@Mistmoore wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>the taunt is a poor choice for now due to the amount taunts get resisted, though there will be abilities in TSO to aid in boosting taunt values i'm still not sure it would outweigh taking frenzied hits as a M2 choice.</p></blockquote><p>the M2 taunt version has higher resistability... thats why we use it. Not for the taunt values.</p><p>altho the new bonuses added to frenzied hits in the TSO zerker tree might be a good reason to try it as m2 choice now.</p><p>some Masters i would buy first if i had to choose?</p><p>offensive stance, turmoil, blood regeneration, relentless rage, adrenaline, aggressive defence + any other you can afford</p>

[victer]

<p>oops double post trying to edit sorry</p>

[victer]

<p>actually thinking about it again scratch <span >relentless rage</span>... im sure the ad3 version isnt too much lower on the dps mod... probly by like 3-5 (after the expantion of course). You probly wont see much a difference in adrenaline either.</p><p>i'll add some other ones to my list too lol</p><p>offencesive stance, turmoil, insolence, grp taunt, frenzyblows, blood regeneneration, aggresive defence</p><p>in that order pretty much</p>

[TumpieBrell]

<p>Thanks for the list Victer - it makes sense to me. Off stance would be huge since I usually tank in it, but it's [Removed for Content] expenseive.</p><p>Lyger - I was thinking about that because I'll be loosing so much DA in the ex pac - so I may revisit Frenzied blows as my M2 choice just ro try and retain some decent dps. I think I still have a char respec. I regularly group with a Troub, not a Dirge, so I won't usually have their Flurry skill available.</p>

[Bremer]

I don't think that a CA with a 1 min timer will have a big impact on your DPS.

[TumpieBrell]

<p>Hmm yeah that's fair. I guess it probably doesn't make up a lot of a ZW parse.</p><p>Mind you with the 'fix' to CA crits, this will start to do pretty good dmg, especially if you use Executioners Wrath before it.</p>

[TumpieBrell]

<p>Another question for you knowledgable folks: Is there a level disadvantage for still using some T7 CA's?</p><p>Take Disfigure T7 and Dismember T8 (both M1): They both debuff attack speed by the exact same amount, but the damage increase is pathetic. Is there some hidden roll that takes into account level of CA?</p><p>Thanks,</p><p>Yulian</p><p>AB</p>

[Hardain]

<p>No, T7 M1 land on mobs just as much as T8 versions. That's why i didn't bother with T8 Ad3's if i had T7 M1.</p>

[Triste-Lune]

RAM should be number 1 on your "to get" master list.