Sta AA Line observations and questions

[Wilin]

So, I respecced to the sta line recently to test the dps boost that I've been hearing about and I'm not seeing much improvement over the str line in solo tests. (Missed all the raids since I respecced so I haven't got any raid mob data yet)Here's the comparison on 68^ and 69^ mobs of the same type:STR line (4/4/4/4/<img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> w/Grizzfazzle 2H sword (65th legendary, not even an axe)= 300-440 dpsSTA line (4/8/8/8/-) w/Kangrois Scimitar (65th legendary) = 320-470 dpsThis comes from killing the same mobs many, many times and then taking the min/max dps values. In both cases, I was in offensive stance. CA quality is adept 1 in most cases, but the sta dps boost shouldn't be affected by my CA quality. I thought the dps boost was coming from double attack and buckler reversal (which both have 8 AA points in them currently)I'm not seeing the large dps boost that others are seeing though. Maybe it's a large boost over our base dps, but it's not much larger than the str line from what I'm seeing. It does seem to be great for soloing in that you can get the same/or slightly better dps with higher avoidance than you can get from using a 2h or dw.Does Buckler reversal have a 30s minimum recast when it fires off?Any thoughts? (other than: "You need to upgrade your CAs") <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><p>Message Edited by Wilin on <span class=date_text>07-17-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:55 PM</span>

[TuinalOfTheNexus]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Wilin wrote:<BR>So, I respecced to the sta line recently to test the dps boost that I've been hearing about and I'm not seeing much improvement over the str line in solo tests. (Missed all the raids since I respecced so I haven't got any raid mob data yet)<BR><BR>Here's the comparison on 68^ and 69^ mobs of the same type:<BR><BR>STR line (4/4/4/4/<img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> w/Grizzfazzle 2H sword (65th legendary, not even an axe)= 300-440 dps<BR>STA line (4/8/8/8/-) w/Kangrois Scimitar (65th legendary) = 320-470 dps<BR><BR>This comes from killing the same mobs many, many times and then taking the min/max dps values. In both cases, I was in offensive stance. CA quality is adept 1 in most cases, but the sta dps boost shouldn't be affected by my CA quality. I thought the dps boost was coming from double attack and buckler reversal (which both have 8 AA points in them currently)<BR><BR>I'm not seeing the large dps boost that others are seeing though. Maybe it's a large boost over our base dps, but it's not much larger than the str line from what I'm seeing. It does seem to be great for soloing in that you can get the same/or slightly better dps with higher avoidance than you can get from using a 2h or dw.<BR><BR>Does Buckler reversal have a 30s minimum recast when it fires off?<BR><BR>Any thoughts? (other than: "You need to upgrade your CAs") <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <P>Message Edited by Wilin on <SPAN class=date_text>07-17-2006</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>02:55 PM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>You're comparing a 2H to a 1H + buckler. What people mean isn't that the buckler line is far and away the best DPS AA possible (for that you probably want a fabled 100 ratio 2H with a proc, then max out the haste and dps on wis and int lines); but it's <EM>extremely</EM> good DPS when you take into account the fact that:</P> <P>- You can still shield bash, and have higher avoidance. Almost 10% more avoidance than with a 2HS, I think.</P> <P>- The buckler line is giving you double attack on bow damage too. A good bow has a similar ratio to a 2HS, and you can do some solid damage without using power this way.</P> <P>- Your DPS boost is coming from double attack, and is thus not wasted when equipped/grouped with people capable of buffing you to the dps or haste mod caps.</P> <P>- The str line you specify includes the berzerk ability, which won't trigger at all in groups except when you're about to wipe but is kinda useful soloing. The buckler line gives that dps consistently.</P> <P>- Grizzfazzles Sword has rather good stats for a 65th legendary; in fact it's probably the best 65th legendary 2HS in the game. I'm not sure I'd say the same about the Kangrois Scimitar, although I'm unsure on its stats.</P> <P>- Even in light of all this, it *still* edges out with more DPS in your test.</P> <P>I think if you take a legendary axe + tower shield combination, then do the same parse you'll see the buckler line coming out with significantly more DPS whilst almost matching the avoidance.</P>

[Wilin]

Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Aar]

Also, I assume your strength isn't capped pre-AA's.  Your CA's and auto-attack damage are being increased by the strength from the initial AA in the line.The real nice thing about the sta line is that you can do decent dps with a shield equiped, and not have to swap 2 pieces of gear in and lose a chunk of dps to fill the tank roll in more challenging encounters.<div></div>

[digitalblasphemy]

I'm not familiar with the scimitar weapon you're using.  I'd suggest trying to get a Drakeborn Bludgener.  It's a 1H crusher with some great stats and is @65 DR.  This is prob one of the better 1Hs you can get outside of raids.  There's also the Ancient Velium series of weapons that although drops from raids, does appear on the brokers often.  If you get the 1H spear version of the Ancient Velium weapons (71.1 DR) it also ties in with the AGI aoe spear requirement if you happen to have that aa line as well.<div></div>

[Wilin]

Thanks, I actually spelled the scimitar name incorrectly. It's closer to Ancient Scimitar of the Kangoris (or something like that, from the FD pack).