Caster Playing an SK

[Robfj120]

<p>As I read through these postings I am begining to think I needs some serious help.  As a caster ( Necro ), the object is to do as much spell dps as you can.  I cast every one of my primary spells as fast as I can.  The more efficient I am at casting my spells the more dps I do.  It seems though that this absolutely the wrong approach with an SK.  I think I am missing how auto-attack comes into play. </p><p>Am I suppose to be pausing to allow a melee attack to occur?</p><p>How do I determine when the correct time is to cast a spell?</p><p>Seems like there is an art to this.  I am hoping some nice people out there can point me in the correct direction.</p>

[Ruv]

<p>Yep, if you're not auto-attacking as often as possible, your DPS does suffer.</p><p>Profit UI (available from eq2interface.com) has a built-in progress bar that is empty when you auto-attack and then fills as the timer counts down for the next auto-attack swing.  The key: If the bar stays filled, that's time you're not doing your optimal damage.  You should use your Combat Arts and Spells while the bar is filling - in other words, between auto-attack swings.</p><p>The best suggestion I received when learning this, was to try to focus on weapons that have the same delay as your Epic so you get used to doing Combat Arts and Spells between auto-attack swings (while the auto-attack progress bar is filling).   That way you get used to how many abilities you can perform between swings when you have your Epic.  Of course, if another weapon with a different delay has a better damage ratio, I'd be tempted to get used to that too.</p><p>Also, If you decide to play a dual-wielder, Profit UI shows two progress bars so you see the countdown between swings for both weapons.</p><p>Hope this helps!</p>

[MaCloud1032]

<p>Unless you turn off your auto attack or are not in range for the weapon to hit it will always find a time to get in.  All you can do is delay it by the time it takes to case the CA in its place.  You can spam your hot bar as much as you want you can never spam so fast as to prevent your melee auto attack from landing.</p><p>It is nice if the hit meter is about to finish up to let the auto attack land but by pushing another CA before hand wont stop the auto attack.  In my case i tend to lead with a spell and finish with a CA (CA's cast faster then our spells) that way my auto attack lands a tad more often.  I also look for getting my cast time down wich means i get more spells in for each attack currently sitting at 44% spell cast mod</p>

[therodge]

<p><cite>Darksavanna@Venekor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Unless you turn off your auto attack or are not in range for the weapon to hit it will always find a time to get in.  All you can do is delay it by the time it takes to case the CA in its place.  You can spam your hot bar as much as you want you can never spam so fast as to prevent your melee auto attack from landing.</p><p>It is nice if the hit meter is about to finish up to let the auto attack land but by pushing another CA before hand wont stop the auto attack.  In my case i tend to lead with a spell and finish with a CA (CA's cast faster then our spells) that way my auto attack lands a tad more often.  I also look for getting my cast time down wich means i get more spells in for each attack currently sitting at 44% spell cast mod</p></blockquote><p>if you queue spells it can delay it extra only certain ones though havent figuered out the pattern</p>