TRAdvice on Stances from Clever people please...

[Owa]

<DIV>I have a L 44 Bruiser and - due to being a Billy-No-Mates - I solo a lot.</DIV> <DIV>My stats with rings etc but without potions are:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Fire Stance     STR   284         AGI   240               STA   81  </DIV> <DIV>                        ATK   902         MIT  1155              AVD   59.1</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Retaliation        STR  284         AGI   240               STA    81</DIV> <DIV>                         ATK  868          MIT  1287              AVD   65.5</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Lava Fists        STR  284         AGI   240               STA    81</DIV> <DIV>                         ATK  920         AGI  1023              AVD   54</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, when fighting lower cons an offensive stance seems the way to go, but with Named Heroics* a defensive stance seems better, otherwise I get hit for silly damage. </DIV> <DIV>However, higher conned Heroics** appear to require an offensive stance or it's too hard to hit them. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway...can any clever people offer  advice/observations on my musings and tell me if I'm wrong, right or when and if when the 'balanced' stance is worth using.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>* Note to Guardians - These are Named Heroics 8-10 levels below even con, so don't get cross. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>** Note to Other Guardians - These would be Heroics 4-8 levels below even con. So still no cause for alarm.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[DomanderDarklig]

<P>I personally use the mixed stance for soloing and small groups where the extra damage will help. I use the defensive stance when tanking for a large or full group. I find using the defensive stance my damage go's way down (which can also make it a little harder to hold agro) and if there's already a mt for the group i use the offensive stance.</P> <P>I tested the stances myself with soloing and found the offensive stance to be a ton better until 44 and have used the mixed stance since (am 50 now) </P> <P>defensive stance - best defense but you might have trouble hitting mobs.</P> <P>mixed stance - very well rounded no downsides plus a proc</P> <P>offensive stance - great to use when you're not taking damage as it'll give you the highest dps of the stances.</P> <P>hope this helps at least a little.</P>

[TheSummoned]

I "mix" the offensive and defensive stances a lot. When my attacks are ready to go full out, I turn on the offensive stance and let the mob get what's coming to them. But when I'm out of my high damaging attacks, I switch back to the defensive stance...

[Owa]

Thanks, clever types. And you know the common conception is that Bruisers are too dumb to come up with actual tactics...

[TheyLi]

On a related note, can somebody post [Removed for Content] of Adept III Magmatic fists and Adept III fire stance? I'm using adept III lava fists right now at 42 but trying to plan for the future.. think all the 40+ stances are worth upgrading to adept III?

[Raidi Sovin'faile]

<DIV>They are worth it if you have the cash or the rare on hand... but don't kill yourself to get them upgraded. The higher level version at 50+ will be better at adept 1 than even the adept 3 of the lower level version.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Basically, it's worth it if you'll get the mileage out of it. I'd suggest gunning for stances first, then improving your taunts and equipment next. Oh, and anything level 48+ will be worth getting adept 3 since it has no replacement (like Magmatic Fists for example.. that's definately worth getting).</DIV>

[familyguyfan95]

yes the adpet 3 of magmatic fists is definately worth it.  i completely agree that if you are able to get all spells over 47 adpet 3 or master if you can.  just for the fact that you will be using them until the next expansion like raidi said. I'm a bruiser who tries to go spells and equipment first rather than houses horses and other "extra" things that dont have to do with combat.  Although a case could be made to get the faction horses that increase focus crushing piercing and slashing.  i'm not in a raiding guild so the availabilty to these rares and masters are harder to get, but if you save long enough...make good friends..like chemists & weaponsmiths you are able to have access to fairly cheap stuff when it comes along.