Buffing while in combat

[eqfo]

<DIV>As a rule I don't do it, period. Some of the casts that only last just a little time, I do, they tend to be fast casts. However you have to make a choice (or not) on how many of these fast casts you are going to do, as a bunch of them, start to eat into your swing time. If you solo and I do, this equals sure death, because of the level mobs I like to fight. They also eat into your power pool, which is critical if you're in a high agro area.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Why would one not go into a fight fully buffed? I don't like to, however if I'm after say a blue con, I just fight with my normal longer term buffs on. If I get a tougher add, well then I have to make the choice...buff or not to buff. I've had good success doing it both ways, no common plan here. My guess is not to buff, with an add, would come out the winner if there were a way to add it all up. Power tends to be getting low after any fight, unless you don't use your special swings/heriocs and I don't know anyone with time enough to just straight fight. You'd just be begging for an add if you did that.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Well anyhoo, curious on others thoughts.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Lechac]

Buffing in combat is big taunt, big big taunt.Use it in every situation where agro is difficult to get, or keep.

[CherobylJ]

<DIV>In the context of group buffs one of the better pullin sequences you can use is:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1) tag with ranged taunt (mad cry etc) or arrow</DIV> <DIV>2) while moving back to group cast a fast group buff</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Welcome to fun agro time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Can substitute stunning cry (ae stun) for step 1</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Even more fun is if you start Blood rage wait 2 non combat ticks (regen most of health) then hit stunning cry and then a group buff.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Havoc/Anarchy are also wonderful spells to cast if you need some extra agro/defense.</DIV>

[FamilyManFir]

<blockquote><hr>eqfool wrote:<DIV>As a rule I don't do it, period. Some of the casts that only last just a little time, I do, they tend to be fast casts. However you have to make a choice (or not) on how many of these fast casts you are going to do, as a bunch of them, start to eat into your swing time. If you solo and I do, this equals sure death, because of the level mobs I like to fight. They also eat into your power pool, which is critical if you're in a high agro area.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Why would one not go into a fight fully buffed? I don't like to, however if I'm after say a blue con, I just fight with my normal longer term buffs on. If I get a tougher add, well then I have to make the choice...buff or not to buff. I've had good success doing it both ways, no common plan here. My guess is not to buff, with an add, would come out the winner if there were a way to add it all up. Power tends to be getting low after any fight, unless you don't use your special swings/heriocs and I don't know anyone with time enough to just straight fight. You'd just be begging for an add if you did that.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Well anyhoo, curious on others thoughts.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV> </DIV><hr></blockquote>When soloing, I always go into a fight fully buffed. As you say, it's foolish to do otherwise.When grouping the most I will do is a defensive buff before pull. All other non-concentration buffs I do after pull to max aggro. Buffs are lovely aggro builders. I usually do them after an AOE taunt because the taunt is faster.

[Wiou]

<DIV>Buffing indeed increases aggro</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Unfortunately often more than regular taunts. (This goes for most fighter classes)</DIV>

[Scarax]

I never buff in combat. The primary reason is you don't swing while you're buffing. That equates to a significant loss of DPS. Those who argue that it's a great way to hold aggro are exactly right as well. However, I always open with Balok's and I do A LOT of AE abilities so I never have aggro issues. I always buff before combat or while running around to keep them up so they're ready when combat begins.Like I said above though, if you are having aggro issues then yes, spamming buffs is a good way to generate aggro.

[CherobylJ]

<DIV>An interesting tip I learned on another class board was use a weapon with delay 2.0 or > and you will in most cases minimize DPS loss (rationale is that you can cast in time between swings with most spells being in the 2.0 sec range).  Subjectively this works for me but of course havent parsed it so cant say definitively.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Beownyne]

<DIV>aye, i agree with you all the way, my only problem is-and im not sure if its because of the buffs i choose- but my 24, going 25 toinght, zerker goes into rage too often. ill be in the middle of wrecking shop on a mob and then he flashes red, does his little squat i gotta poo thing and next thing i know all my power and health are gone.  while in the meantime i have only gotten off about 4 hits.  any answers or suggestions. thanks:manmad:</DIV>