Best Adept III Upgrade Choices?

[Beezerfel]

I was just curious, if you were only able to upgrade 2 or 3 spells to adept 3, which ones would they be? Mostly interested in T6 and T7 spells.

[Jackula]

In order of priority:1) taunts & anything related to hate like reinforcement or rescue (rescue is T4 but has no replacement... still handy at level 70)2) self and group buffs including your stances3) melee attacksIf you only want to upgrade 2 or 3 I wouldn't upgrade anything lower than level 57 if possible.  Level 57+ combat arts will still be used at level 70.  Upgrade your taunts and your defensive buff first, but not Protection (group taunt) as you can choose that as a master 2 at level 64.  That should get you on the right path and make being a group tank easier.<div></div>

[Original Cinadien]

<DIV>Honestly, I would disagree and here is why.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Damage = Hate.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Melee attacks are vital to hate gain, especially if you choose the buckler line in your AA selections.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>You allready get Protection Master 2 as a choice when leveling so I reccomend in order:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Confront</DIV> <DIV>Vidictive Strike</DIV> <DIV>Moderate (hold aggro better)</DIV> <DIV>Return to war</DIV> <DIV>goading Assault</DIV> <DIV>Steadfast Stance</DIV> <DIV>Inflaming Defense</DIV> <DIV>Sever (huge debuff)</DIV> <DIV>Obliterate</DIV> <DIV>Command</DIV> <DIV>Staggering Blow</DIV> <DIV>Precise Strike</DIV> <DIV>Buffet</DIV> <DIV>Merciless Charge</DIV> <DIV>Flay</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>then the rest....</DIV><p>Message Edited by Original Cinadien on <span class=date_text>10-19-2006</span> <span class=time_text>11:40 PM</span>

[NoNameChosen]

<P>There was a list somewhere before with the best order to upgrade your spells. I'll look it up for you.<BR><BR> --- edit ---<BR>There ya go <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=3&message.id=38207" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=3&message.id=38207</A></P><p>Message Edited by NoNameChosen on <span class=date_text>10-20-2006</span> <span class=time_text>04:39 AM</span>

[Terron]

The are several factors I consider <ul> <li>How often I use the skill</li> <li>How long it will be before I get a replacement</li> <li>How much it will cost</li> <li>How much difference there is in effect </li> </ul> I mainly solo so do not use taunts that often (except to complete HOs), yet both my T6 adept IIIs are taunts. I am level 58. I saw a Protect adept III going relatively cheaply on the broker and so bought it. I found a rare loam at level 57. I decided to upgrade one of my level 57 skills as they will not get replaced, and went for Inflaming Defense as the amount of extra damage on Overwhelm wasn't impressive. <div></div>

[Original Cinadien]

<DIV>Again tho, that is all situational. If you get in a group or raid situation your group will quickly pickup on the fact that you are not holding aggro as well as other tanks they are use to grouping with. With the adition of aa to the game the rules have changed and it really is based off your choices there. If you are gearing toward being a better group/raid tank, go buckler line and invest in your melee as well as buffs to hold aggro and stay alive.</DIV>

[Jackula]

<div></div>I think it's important to upgrade everything eventually as you are able.  I'm close to having all my melee attacks at master as well and see a big difference compared to when I didn't.  As the OP can only upgrade 2 or 3, choosing melee over taunts isn't going to help him much in groups.  Nothing sucks more than having your taunts resisted consistently which happens alot more with non-upgraded taunts.  The extra hate you gain from an upgraded taunt is icing on the cake.  The real motive for me to upgrade those was to reduce the chances of my taunts being resisted.An ideal tank in an ideal group with ideal hate transfer can get by on damage alone.  Your average group is less than ideal more often than not.  I stand by my suggestions as being sound basic building blocks for anyone starting to tank for groups.  We have some big hitting moves that do generate alot of hate but there are many other classes that hit harder and can do it more frequently (they have shorter re-use timers).  Taunts and our hate skills fill that gap.<div></div><p>Message Edited by countjackula on <span class=date_text>10-20-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:21 PM</span>

[Beezerfel]

Lots of great advice here. Thanks a bunch.:smileyhappy: