another /respec choice question

[Kiiyo]

I have not /respec yet, but I am thinking about doing it because I might have done it incorrectly the first time. My question is about the Lu Sun's Stifling Dragon. I use it all the time (I am lvl 25). When I was lvl 10, I also chose the Lu Sun's ability (can't remember the name). I am thinking of respec and choosing the lvl 10 taunt, but will I be able to choose Lu Sun's Stifling Dragon again? (or do you need to get the first Lu Sun's to get the second Lu Sun's) Hope that makes sense. I read that the lvl 10 taunt is still useful at later levels, but I guess Lu Sun's Stifling Dragon replaces the earlier Lu Sun's. -Faryll, Antonia Bayle server <div></div>

[stfields]

Your choices for "specialization" at 10, 20, 30, etc are independent of one another.  You can take the level 30 LuSun's <DIV>and not the earlier ones.  If they have similar effects, they might wind up on the same timers though.  I don't believe they are though.  Normally, the description tells you that "LuSun's Stilfing dragon is an upgrade to Swooping Dragon."  So, whatever shares a timer with Swooping Dragon shares a timer with Stifling dragon.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for a little advice - on the respec, I went with Velan's Taunting Cry - its a less potent AoE taunt that refreshes every 8 seconds.  I'm quite pleased with this choice myself and still use it at level 37.  It comes in pretty handy.  However, when you do lose hate for whatever reason - you might have a hard time getting it back with Velan's, since the "increase threat" amount is kind of low.  You might need to hit your Hand Clap / Focus Energy instead.  </DIV>

[Nadi]

FYI, Lu Sun's is a great skill, but you can't use it in epic encounters due to the "chance to stifle" element.

[bonesbro]

<DIV>Yeah... if I'm DPSing I'll pull out whatever my current replacement is.  Swooping Hawk maybe?  And if I'm tanking I don't have the power to spare for a mediocre damage attack, so I don't bother hitting it.  I would stifle them if I could though <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Kiiyo]

Thanks for your replies! Another question... I am going to /respec probably tonight, but wanted to get your opinions on what you would do if you were me. An important point is that I solo about 95% of the time. It sounded like the taunt was good, but perhaps another skill would benefit me more. Is the improved Feign Death worth it? I am lvl 26 now, so if there is a better skill coming soon, I'd like to know. Also, for my lvl26 racial heritage skill, I can choose a +5 agility. Is this a good choice for me? My agility while soloing is 84 now. Thanks!!! Just looking to maximize my solo ability. -Faryll, Antonia Bayle server <div></div>

[stfields]

<P>I went with all the agility "choices" the game would let me.  Unfortunately, the amount of avoidance you get per agility isn't all that much.  I don't know if you get diminishing returns on agility at a certain point, but I get 0.1% avoidance per 2 agility now - and that's with 170 unbuffed.  5 points into agility might not be worth it for the sake of avoidance if you can pick something better.</P> <P>I can't vouch on how more accurate you will be with 5 agility.  </P> <P>If you are soloing, you really don't need taunts, unless you spam HO for added damage.  In that case, you "might" want to consider Beslin's Boastful Posture (level 10 choice).  You can use that in your HO for a short haste.  I don't recommend it really, Velan's is better for when you are in a group, but it is still an option for you.</P>

[bonesbro]

I really strongly recommend you take stifle at 20.  Whether soloing or tanking, most of the damage you take will be from special attacks.  The stifle kick lets you keep them stifled almost half the time.  It also interrupts a style if the mob is in the process of casting it.  For instance, when a huuptic uses Wild Swing, he does a windup then a jumping punch.  When you see him start the windup, you can hit stifle and jump kick him right out of mid air.  His style won't land because he was stifled when he finished casting it.  Then he can't use one for another 5 seconds.  Time a stun to go off a second or two later, and you probably interrupted his next style... now stifle is back up... stun him again a second after stifle drops... I can usually solo a blue and only allow him to style once or twice the whole fight. <div></div>

[Kiiyo]

Thanks. I guess my choice comes down to which lvl 10 to take, velan's or the posture. I will definitely take lu-sun's at 20. I have it now, and I use it all the time. I kind of remember there being other times when I had to choose things like agility or strength, but maybe that was a racial trait thingie. -Faryll <div></div>

[bonesbro]

<DIV>I don't know what the posture is, but I still use Velan's at 45.  It's a good chunk of hate, the power cost is really low, and the recast timer is short.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My picks were:</DIV> <DIV>10: Velan's</DIV> <DIV>20: Lu'Sun's Stifle</DIV> <DIV>30: Poke</DIV> <DIV>40: Lu'Sun's taunt</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And I still use all of them.  Of them, the one I'm least happy with is the 40 taunt, but none of the others were really exciting and when things get ugly I need the best taunts I have to keep the group alive.</DIV>