Brawler AA Strength tree ???

[Spicoli420]

<p>So I've been leveling up and so far have been spending my points in the Strength tree.  I just noticed that all the abilities in that line say unarmed attack.  So now I'm confused.  I already have Pressure Point, and I'm pretty positive I'm able to use that with my fist weapons or even the 1H mace I have.</p><p>So my question is, do all the Brawler Strength AA points only work if you have no weapons equipped??  Do fist weapons count??  I don't really want to roll unarmed so if that is the case, could someone recommend a different AA line to focus on while I level up? </p>

[Lethe5683]

<p><cite>Spicoli420 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So I've been leveling up and so far have been spending my points in the Strength tree.  I just noticed that all the abilities in that line say unarmed attack.  So now I'm confused.  I already have Pressure Point, and I'm pretty positive I'm able to use that with my fist weapons or even the 1H mace I have.</p><p>So my question is, do all the Brawler Strength AA points only work if you have no weapons equipped??  Do fist weapons count??  I don't really want to roll unarmed so if that is the case, could someone recommend a different AA line to focus on while I level up? </p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #00ccff;">They work with any weapon.</span></p>

[Aule]

While leveling up though your fists will do more damage than most weapons you can obtain. Even if you buy the top mastercrafted weapons at each tier your fists will be doing more damage than them within 4 levels. So unless you're regularly buying fabled weapons while leveling, you can safely just use your fists until your mid 60's. The only time I used weapons before 60 for my bruiser was when I needed to swap in something that had pow proc adorns on it.

[Dareena]

<p>Pre-TSO, the Strength tree only worked while you were unarmed.  To compensate for this, the DA ability got you up to 96% at it's max ranks.  Also as of the first point that you placed in that tree, you gained a flat +20 DPS (that would never increase).</p><p>The issue is that while unarmed was superior for lower levels, the top tier play weapons made this tree worthless.  Weapon special abilities and damage output were just too good to pass up.  After a year of brawlers using the Strength to level (and then abandoning it completely at around 72nd), SOE finally revamped the AA line to be used with weapons.</p><p>In today's play, a brawler should be dual wielding at all levels.  Unarmed combat can help you skate by, but is not the most efficient way to go.  Dual wield a couple of mastercraft weapons w/ Gleaming Strike procs and you'll be fine.  Should you also be able to add Vampiric Handles to those weapons, then it would be even better.  (Though this philosophy will eventually change in your 70's.)</p>

[Quicksilver74]

<p>very well put.   I agree 100%</p>

[Aule]

I leveled up my brawler in April and May '09, so fairly recently. Bare fists out damaged a top quality mastercrafted weapon by the time I was 4 levels above the level of the weapon through mid 60's, even accounting for gleaming strike proc's. The only time weapons were worth equipping was for power proc adornment.

[Dechau]

<p>No way a Bruiser in 09 could out damage himself barehanded > dualweapons..</p><p>Not after they changed the actual reason to be barehanded..</p>

[Pumancat]

<p> Your replies are good talking about leveling up to 70, ok, so what about after lvl 70?</p><p>I have all my lvl 72 MC stuff in the bank waiting, I'm currently lvl 70. But honestly, I'm not even using the STR line and have solo'd 99% on the way to 70.</p><p>Chulan - 70 Bruiser - Crushbone</p>

[Aule]

<p><cite>Dechau wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>No way a Bruiser in 09 could out damage himself barehanded > dualweapons..</p><p>Not after they changed the actual reason to be barehanded..</p></blockquote><p>Make your own low level bruiser and test it then if you don't believe me.</p>